UFO DIGEST: Horses and Aliens

My latest for Dirk Vander Ploeg's UFO DIGEST: Horses and Aliens.

A “Keelian Attitude:” Nick Redfern on “The Crossover Problem”

A lot of good things in the current (February 2007) issue of UFO Magazine. Nick Redfern’s monthly column View From A Brit, discusses the uneasy and often opposed fields of UFOlogy and Cryptozoolgy. As he writes

“UFOlyg and cryptozoology make for strange bedfellows.”

The Crossover Problem, UFO Magazine, February 2007.)

Redfern addresses the issue of flesh and blood/nuts and bolts researchers vs. the “Keelian attitude” towards UFOs and Bigfoot, Nessie, etc. This is a topic very dear to my heart. and I’ve commented here and elsewhere (Trickster’s Realm, etc.) on the bigfoot-UFO relationship. I often ask myself why this split is so fierce; I can understand it a bit more from the flesh and blood Bigfoot side more than the UFO side of the Fortean fence, but it still doesn't seem sensible to me. As Nick points out, the investigation of one realm by a researcher of another would mean that

“both camps are in dire need of an overhaul, in terms of what is really going on.”

True. Also, and more alarming, in Redfern’s views is that by ignoring the weirder data, it will be lost. I absolutely agree as I’ve been saying since I’ve had this blog, the stories exist: deal with them!

Nick shares information about Rendlesham Forest, home of the 1980 Rendlesham UFO event. A really juicy bit of Forteana that I didn’t know about is revealed here about the area’s Fortean history, including crypto creatures, that predates the 1980 UFO event.

Nick writes that these “crossover” events (UFOs, Bigfoot, and other cryptids)

“are not going away any time soon!”

The Big Thicket terrain in Eastern Texas (Piney Woods area) has a delightfully rich history of Fortean and crypto stuff, and Redfern shares some of his investigation into this area in his column. H recommends a intriguing sounding book; In the Big Thicket, by Rob Riggs.

As Nick writes, these cases that include both UFOs and cryptos

“make many people within ufology and crypto zoology cringe.”

The majority of the time, this is sadly true. I agree completely with Redfern:

“Both camps need to realize that neither has the answer to their respective mysteries, and both should treat the crossover cases in the same fashion -- and as rigoursly -- as they would any other encounter. If we fail to look at all of the evidence - whether it sits well in our belief systems or not, it’s truly our loss.”

It was refreshing to read Redfern’s words on this topic. One thing both camps also should realize is that this “crossover” aspect doesn’t necessarily negate ET, or nuts and bolts UFOs, or flesh and blood Bigfoot. In this seemingly never-ending realm of Fortean weirdness doesn’t it seem quite sensible there’s room for all of it? That the possibly is pretty strong for layers upon layers, constantly shifting, sometimes mimicking, sometimes standing alone, sometime merging? Why do so many have a problem with this idea?

Threatened credibility is one reason, and understandable. Trying to prove to the world that Bigfoot exists is difficult enough without dragging in UFOs and dematerializing, telepathic Sasquatches. The same for UFOs. But, while I’m sympathetic to that reality, it’s time to move past that.It takes some courage, but losing data due to rejection of what makes one uncomfortable isn’t contributing to research, as Redfern points out.

I think there are ETs (very probably) as I’ve said many times. But for me, that’s certainly not the end of things. One may or may not have anything to do with the other. We'll see, maybe, if we’re lucky. Either way, as Redfern says, the reality of the stories exists, and we just can’t afford to ignore them.

You can read more about this, where the discussion and more info continues, on Nick Redfern's and Greg Bishop's blog UFO Mystic:
http://www.ufomystic.com/the-redfern-files/thicket-encounters/

Notes:
John A. Keel: The Complete Guide to Mysterious Beings (revised version of Strange Creatures from Time and Space),

Regan Lee:
Bigfoot and High Strangeness, Trickster’s Realm/Binnall of America , Novemeber 2006

Fairies, Bigfoot and Hauntings Trickster’s Realm/Binnall of America May 2006

Nick Redfern:
The Crossover Problem, UFO Magazine, February 2007
Lake Monsters, Giant Cats, Ghostly Devil Dogs, and Ape-Men Para View Pocket Books, March 2004.

Rob Riggs, in the Big Thicket: On the Trail of the Wild Man: Exploring Nature’s Mysterious Dimensions, Paraview Press 2001.

(image source:image source: http://www.creepy.tv/season3_e7.html)

Women and UFO Studies

I've been neglecting not only my funky angelfire website, but my Women in UFO and Fortean studies pages. Here's one page updated a bit. I've moved over to an official domain: orangeorb.net, but I'm still working on the little glitches. Probably won't be up for awhile. In the meantime, you can see what I have up on the old angelfire site. And if you feel like adding a banner or link on your blog, that's always a wonderful thing. Better yet, if you have any names to add, let me know. I'm always interested.

Update on: Biscardi’s Bigfoot Carnival

There's an item by Bigfoot researcherCraig Woolheater on the Cyrptomundo blog on all this Biscardi carnival like Bigfootmania.

Christ. Tom Biscardi has gone all out, joined up with cheesy, sleazy, too sadly all American Americana (its worst side) and gone the carnival route. Teaming up with “reality” TV,(which is a disgusting cultural phenomena all on its own) there will now be this new offering to the American public on Bigfoot: Capturing Bigfoot. The title says it all of course. For a few hundred dollars, it seems any Bozo can join Tom Biscardi on his “hunt” and it will all be televised for our “pleasure.”

No one in Fortean, cryptid, or cryptozoological studies can possibly think this i s a good thing. I don’t know, maybe some do.

Bigfoot researcher Craig Woolheater doesn’t think it’s a good idea. Good for him:

Craig Woolheater, chairman of the Texas Bigfoot Research Conservancy, which has annual conferences in Jefferson, does not condone Biscardi's methods, which he says "are produced for the sake of media coverage or for commercial purposes."

"This expedition is not a scientific expedition in my opinion; from what I understand it is being filmed for a reality-TV show entitled Capturing Bigfoot," Woolheater wrote in an e-mail. "As such, the TBRC is in no way, shape or form, affiliated with the very controversial Tom Biscardi."

And if Tom Biscardi and his “team” of yahoos somehow capture Sasquatch?

We've got two compounds at undisclosed locations where we'll conduct studies for 90 days, then release it back where we found it, I promise," Biscardi said.”

Good great goddess. Assuming the poor thing doesn’t die first (Bigfoot, not Biscardi) or a Bigfoot family comes to rescue the creature and wreak havoc along the way, or some Cabal of Dr. Evils comes along and offers Biscardi a million dollars, or worse yet, Disney Studios offers him five million dollars -- oh god, I can see it all now. Visions of Ted Nugent yukking it up with Tom Biscardi over beers. (Maybe they’ll have canned Bigfoot hunts along with the “hunt majestic buffalo” people whose ads adorn Nugent's website.)

I’m pretty well convinced Bigfoot exists. But that’s me. I don’t give a damn if one is ever captured or not, in fact, I hope to hell it never is. Let the thing be. Those who have seen it, know it’s real. That’s perfectly acceptable to me.

Update on: More New Mexico Inspired Work

Update: larger images, and more of my artwork in general, can be seen here: ArtWanted.com

I don't often post non-UFO items here, but sometimes I do. Global warming, the "war" (occupation), animals, some politics, for example. And after all, it is all connected. The piece below on the UFO sighting in Shiprock inspired me to post three more of my New Mexico inspired paintings. I hope you enjoy them.

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Another Southwest, acrylic on canvas, 2005



Coming Back, acrylic on canvas, Regan Lee 2006


Before I Got There, acrylic on canvas, Regan Lee 2004

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Shiprock, New Mexico UFO

Shiprock, New Mexico, by Regan Lee 2004 acrylic on canvas

From Brian Vike's HBCC UFO reporting site: a UFO seen in Shiprock, New Mexico. Interesting comment by the witness of feeling "drained" the next day. The sighting was reported in August of 2005, but posted February 16, 2007.

New Mexico is a beautiful state. I spent a couple of days there about three years ago and ever since, have been wanting to go back. I'm much more of a water/ocean/coastal woods type of person, but I can see myself in New Mexico. I think there is something magical, or mystical, indeed about the place. (Which doesn't seem to do a thing for the blatant bigotry I witnessed there. Not everyone is a New Age happy shiny person.)

As many a UFO writer has wondered; are UFOs "attracted" in particular to places like this? Are they a product of such places, or do they come to these places because of the "energy?" Assuming of course they're something other than man made objects.

Okay, I'm beginning to sound too New Agey for my own good. I'll stop now.

Squeaking 'Alien' Creature: Guitarfish Fish

On the very excellent blog BioFort, Scott Maruna's blog, is an item on the "alien" Russian fish. Er, alien. No, really, it's a fish. A guitarfish.

Weird looking creatures. I know I'd seen them somewhere, as I mentioned in the article on UFO Digest. I thought it might have been a skate; others think sturgeon. Sturgeon or pike always seem to be the explanation for weird things in the water; for Ogo Pogo, Champ, Nessie. That, or giant rotting salmon corpses, as in the case of Nessie. Yes, there really was a mega-skeptic that offered that theory to explain Nessie of Loch Ness.

LAST WORD ON ROBERT A. LUCA, JR.

As I wrote earlier, it’s obvious he’s a troubled person. Knowing a bit more about him from various sources, combined with the overall tone of his website, I think it’s best for UFO researchers to ignore him.

What’s sad about this -- aside from the unhappiness and negative energy this man is going through, and, seems to inflict on others -- is the fact this “revelation” is being used by many anti-UFOists to say “Ha! It was all just a hoax!”

Nothing of the kind, of course. And those who use the words of Ray Luca, Jr. to “prove” that the Betty Andreason Luca experience was a “hoax” reveal their lack of knowledge, and thinking abilities.

For these two reasons: the innate sadness of another human being, Ray Luca, and,the fact this proves nothing, nothing at all regarding the veracity of Betty’s experiences, serious UFO researchers and students should just put this to rest.

Of course, this is all just my opinion. As the good Lesley said recently in her article
“What Am I?” for her Grey Matters column over on Binnall of America, I’m just babbling.

As we all are.

But, I don’t think I’ll be babbling about this topic any more.

'Sky Lanterns:' A Few Thoughts On A Non-Issue

A few items have been appearing about the ‘UFOs’ that are really balloons, or lanterns. Sky Lanterns , or ‘glo-laterns’ are some terms for them. You can buy them on-line. Popular, and used at parties, weddings, celebrations, etc. these lighted orange balloons light up the night skies with (what I assume) is a delightful display.

At first, there were some misidentifications. Not knowing what they were; balloons, they were considered “UFOs.” Which, taken literally, they were. Very quickly, everyone realized they weren’t flying saucers from Mars, or anything paranormal, alien, or weird; just pretty lights with a prosaic purpose.

People have been making and releasing lights in the sky for decades. Pranksters, hoaxers, have been playing with candles, lights, clear garbage bags, etc. for a long time just to goof around.

And if you, or I, saw some odd lights in the sky, and couldn’t readily identify it, it’s a UFO. What’s wrong with that? What else are we to think? Of course it’s a UFO. It’s unidentified, and we don’t know what it is. Are we to ignore it and move on? Is that what the dominant paradigm wants us to do? So big deal, it turns out it’s a sky lantern. No harm. Good to know.

But some feel it’s important to go on about this non-issue and beat us about the head with the obvious. Sometimes I feel like I really am living in Alice Land. Up is down, mountains are molehills, molehills are mountains, the elephant in the room has just stomped on your dog and no one mentions it. We’re immersed in minutia while ignoring the huge big great immense awful mysterious lying deceitful poisoning wondrous stuff out there. Black is white, green is pink, and people get intellectually bent out of shape over nothing, while ignoring meatier issues.

And all this while, a lot of people want One Big Final Answer to Everything, so we can all go back to bed.

As if that will stop anything. Once we the Big Final Answer to Everything, surely that will only bring up more questions.

Red Ice Radio; Trickster's Realm

Tim Binnall, creator of the Binnall of America website (where he very kindly publishes my column Tricksters Realm twice a month,along with Lesley of Debris Field, Khyron, and others) and interviewer himself of many a solid UFOlogist, like Stanton Friedman, etc. (his latest with John Greenwald Jr. was very good) was interviewed himself recently.

You can listen to the interview on the Red Ice site.

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This week's Tricksters Realm:
You can read my latest piece for Binnall of America on my Trickster's Realm column, where I say "thanks" to all those out there who give us so much UFO news, resources, etc. and virtually for free, using their own monies in order to give us these things. Taking Things for Granted,

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New UFO Blog: UFO Media Matters

Just found this blog: UFO Media Matters, author is Joseph Capp. From what I can tell, it's only been up since last month. Lots of good items over there.

UFOlogy in Russia: Development and Review

A bit of a tie-in to my recent piece on the Russian "alien" eaten by fishermen; THE DEVELOPMENT OF UFOLOGY IN RUSSIA,UFO AND POLITICS
Several Episodes in the 40-Year History of Soviet UFOlogy
by Lev Chulkov March 1993, over on Aileen Garoutte's blog, UFO Experiences.

Aileen Garoutte is in Washington state, and "retired as Director of the UFOCCI (Ufo Contact Center International) " but still retains an interest in UFOs, as her blog shows.

SICK AD ON GOOGLE SQUEAKY THING FROM THE DEEP

Over on UFO Digest, where my article (see below) on the "mysterious" creature pulled from the deep was eaten by hungry fishermen in Rostove, Russia, there is embedded a 'Google Sense' ad. An ad for "Bear hunting tours' in Russia.

Anything to do with canned huntes, or so-called trophy hunting, makes me ill. And I was sad to see that.

Squeaking Alien Eaten: UFOs and High Strangeness in Rostov, Russia

My recent piece for UFO Digest on the "alien" creature eaten by hungry fishermen:

Did It Taste Like Chicken?

Squeaking Alien Eaten: UFOs and High Strangeness in Rostov, Russia
The other night Keith Olbermann aired a bit on a green fishy creature of unknown origin, eaten by (apparently) starving, or at east way hungry, townspeople. I wasn’t paying much attention to Keith ;(though I love him, as Stephanie Miller says, my future husband -- if I weren’t already married) working away on my laptop. But the combined images of mysterious green entity that squeaked, eaten by hungry citizens, in foreign lands, was too much for me to ignore, and I had to find out more. So I searched and found this article: Russian Fisherman Catch Squeaking Alien and Eat It. I couldn't resist a title like that.

You can read the rest of the article on UFO Digest.

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PYTHON TREK

This is great; the "real" Star Trek, and Monty Python.