PRG UPDATE: June 21, 1999
General Overview
The presidential impeachment process and accompanying scandal
have exited stage right, and now the NATO action in Yugoslavia is exiting stage left. The
President and presidency will enjoy a measure of revitalization. The Congress will soon
fully focus on business as usual. Dozens of hours of monthly political media coverage will
become available to other issues.
The sitting President has shown more publicly disclosed interest
in the UFO issue than any other in this century. He has alluded to the subject in public
discourse, permitted members of his advisory staff to be briefed, taken briefings himself,
and directed an associate attorney general to make direct inquiries. His CIA director took
a 3-hour briefing on the UFO issue and government cover-up.
It is ten months to the start of the 2000 presidential and
congressional primaries. Introduction of the fundamental facts surrounding the
extraterrestrial presence via congressional hearings can still take place in time to make
them part of the debates selecting the first public officials to serve in the 21st
century. This represents a window of opportunity for those elements within the government
favoring basic formal disclosure.
These individuals are most certainly aware of the public and
private statements by former government employees. They understand the damage being done
to the public trust and the social contract as the withholding of this information
continues while the unclosable breach in the cover-up grows.
But opposition within the government to formal disclosure exists
as well. Without focused pressure from the public, this opportunity could pass unrequited.
PRG’s Immediate Agenda
The primary focus remains the initiation of potent investigative
journalism targeting the ongoing leakage from the standing government cover-up and the
efforts to obtain open Congressional hearings. Such reportage could come from any of a
half dozen directions at this time.
Further, the return to relative normalcy within the
nation’s capital reopens the door for direct engagement of House and Senate members.
This will begin immediately after the 1999 MUFON International Symposium being held in
Arlington, VA, just across the river from Washington, on July 2,3,4.
Note: the 1999 event will be an excellent conference and
there is still time to make reservations. More information is at
[http://dc.jones.com/~lauraufo/symposium99.htm]. PRG is doing everything it can to assist
Susan Swiatek of MUFON in making the 1999 Symposium as successful as possible. I intend to
be at the conference for the entire schedule. Anyone wanting to get together, please email
PRG@paradigmresearchgroup.org.
Congressional members are naturally more attuned to respond to
their constituents. Any assistance in arranging meetings with a member or appropriate aide
is most helpful. A sample letter one might use to set up such a meeting is appended for
your convenience. Please convey this wording to any one who might be in a position to
approach their representatives in this context.
Dear Representative/Senator ________:
As a result of public statements by Col. Philip Corso, Apollo
astronaut Dr. Edgar Mitchell, Mercury astronaut Gordon Cooper and others, I am greatly
concerned that elements of some government agencies are not being properly forthright with
the American people regarding the alleged presence of extraterrestrial life forms in our
world, now.
I am also aware of a national effort to initiate open
Congressional hearings to take testimony from many other government witnesses who have
personal experience with events and evidence potentially confirming so called UFOs as
space craft and the presence of non-human life forms. These efforts include a national
petition and state ballot initiative targeting 16 state elections.
Stephen Bassett of the Paradigm Research Group is a consultant
and lobbyist registered to represent a number of organizations regarding this issue as
well as the issue itself. He is capable of speaking to the specifics regarding the points
raised.
I strongly encourage you to set up a meeting between your office
and Mr. Bassett so you may be properly informed as to the merits of holding such hearings.
His contact information is as follows: Phone: 202-215-8344, Fax: 301-301-990-0199, Email: PRG@paradigmresearchgroup.org.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
The effort to directly approach legislative members is intended
to tie in with….
The UFO State Ballot Initiative
Early in the year, Robert Bletchman, MUFON Director of Public
Relations, considered the implications of using the power available in some states of
legal referendums. Bob drafted a proposed "UFO Ballot Initiative," and contacted
Larry Bryant, MUFON Director of Governmental Affairs, to assist him in convincing national
MUFON to endorse the project.
There are 16 states that recognize the direct initiative
process, whereby constitutional amendments or statutes proposed by the people are directly
placed on the election ballot and then submitted to the people for their approval or
rejection. (This is the Direct Initiative, where the state legislature has no role in the
process. An additional seven states permit indirect initiatives in which the passed
proposition is presented to the legislature for final vote.)
The following are direct initiative states: Alaska, Arizona,
Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota,
Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. To place a Direct
Initiative on the ballot requires a signed petition by the voters within the state. The
number of signatures varies by state and is usually a small percentage of the previous
voter turnout.
The proposed language of the "Ballot Initiative to End
Official Secrecy on UFO Reality" is as follows:
We the voting citizens of the state of Arizona [and, eventually,
of other similarly empowered states] do hereby direct this state's governor to issue,
forthwith in the customary manner, an OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION, the wording of which shall
be:
"It is hereby proclaimed that the year 2000 be observed as
the year of UFO awareness. Because of the federal government's failure to be officially
forthcoming about Unidentified Flying Objects, the public remains ill informed and
confused on a matter of potentially great consequence.
We therefore urge the U.S. Congress to expeditiously convene
open, comprehensive hearings in which governmental personnel (military, civilian-contract,
and agency employees -- active and retired) are permitted to present sworn testimony
regarding their personal knowledge of any UFO-related evidence, to be given under immunity
by waiver of any applicable security oath or agreement of nondisclosure. This proclamation
acknowledges the following facts:
(1) The weight of the cumulative evidence -- e.g., eyewitness,
electronic-detection, photographic, documentary - overwhelmingly supports the conclusion
of a majority of Americans that some of the reported UFOs represent somebody else's
spacecraft;
(2) The federal government's handling of the UFO issue has
contributed to the public cynicism toward and general mistrust of government -- a
development injurious to our republic;
(3) This initial year of the third millennium affords us a
renewed opportunity to explore, assess, and convey every facet of UFO reality."
It should be noted that at the heart of the USBI is wording
associated with the national ‘Open Congressional Hearing for Modern UFO
Evidence’ petition. More information on the petition is located at:
[http://www.paradigmclock.com/therighttopetition.html].
The ballot initiative signature collection will require MUFON
members within each state to coordinate the work necessary to obtain the signatures and
deal with the governor's representatives. The drive would be publicized in the MUFON UFO
Journal, with press releases prepared by Robert H. Bletchman for the states involved and
additional support from MUFON headquarters.
There is the possibility the ballot initiative process has the
power to transform MUFON into a powerful representative of the public's interest in the
political/social implications of the UFO/ET/Government connection. It could add thousands
of members and substantial resources should MUFON choose to use the initiative process as
a tool for expansion. All of this will be a major topic of discussion at the 1999 MUFON
National Symposium, and is one more reason to attend.
The UFO State Ballot Initiative (USBI) should attract media
attention later this year, which could assist the legal work being conducted by….
CAUS (Citizens Against UFO Secrecy)
Peter Gersten, an attorney and co-founder of CAUS, is pursuing:
- an FOIA lawsuit against the Department of Defense regarding information
about the triangular shaped UFOs. The preliminary pretrial conference scheduled for June
14th was canceled by the Court. The US Attorneys Office is preparing a Motion for Summary
Judgment (to dismiss) the lawsuit based upon the fact that the DoD conducted a
"reasonable" search and did not find any information. CAUS will be filing a
Motion for Limited Discovery, asking the Court to allow it to submit a list of 40
interrogatories (questions) to be submitted to the DoD.
- an FOIA lawsuit against the FBI; CIA & Department of Defense
regarding information about the ‘alien abduction phenomenon.’ The lawsuit
planned for this summer, assuming the necessary affidavits have been received. All three
agencies have reported a finding of "no records."
- a non-FOIA lawsuit against the US Government and State of Arizona which
will be based upon the provision of Article IV; Sec IV of the US Constitution which states
that the federal government shall (must) protect the states against invasion. CAUS will
argue that the alien abduction phenomenon as well as certain aspects of the UFO phenomenon
constitute an invasion under this provision. CAUS will be asking a federal judge to direct
the federal government to protect the citizens of Arizona from this invasion...or at least
conduct a hearing into its nature, origin and identity.
In support of this lawsuit, CAUS is seeking affidavits regarding
black triangle sightings and the reported abduction phenomenon. Full information and the
affidavit form and instructions are on the CAUS website [www.caus.org].
CAUS’ need for affidavits will be helped along by
the……..
World Wide Watch
The concept for the World Wide Watch was launched by Diana
Botsford and the MSN UFO Community website and is scheduled for June 26th
(Saturday), 1999. The start time is 8pm - YOUR local time and the Watch ends at 11pm,
Hawaii, USA time or 4 am EST (Sunday)
This is a global sighting expedition in which organizations and
individuals will join in searching the skies for unusual phenomena. The MSN UFO
Community's chat room will be kept open for a 24-hour period so regional coordinators can
receive sightings reports from any and all observers. This information will be made
instantly available on a public database created solely for this event.
Organizations involved include: Skywatch International, MUFON,
Citizens Against UFO Secrecy, the World Wide UFO Reporting Center, CSETI, The Australian
UFO Research Network & Affiliates, and La Sociedad de Investigaciones Biofísicas.
Seeing a number of organizations working together prompts a
commentary on………..
Financial Support
Don’t wait for the largess of philanthropists. Interest
level in UFO/ET phenomena is at an all time high and now extends into the tens of millions
in the US alone. For about $300 per year, less than a fitness club membership, it is
possible to join, or contribute to at a commensurate level, the most prominent
research/activist organizations in the field and subscribe to the primary publications.
Interested citizens, rather than joining one group to feel "connected" to the
issue, need to see their support of all primary organizations as their family investment
in the single most important event/transition in human history. Such an opportunity will
not come again and is possible solely by the chance timing of their birth. They must
decide now whether they wish to play an active, tangible role in this extraordinary
occurrence or simply be a spectator – treating this paradigm change as if it were
just another television special for their entertainment.
If 10,000 citizens choose to "hit for the cycle" and
cover the field, they would immediately pump $3,000,000 into the science and politics of
UFO/ET phenomena/disclosure – 100,000 put $30,000,000 into the work. And no one
has spent more than their annual cable TV bill.
The financial power to ensure full citizen participation in what
heretofore has been dominated by military/intelligence components of the state has always
been in our hands. All that is required is an act of will. A basket of organizations to
join/support and recommend to your associates might include the following among others:
| CAUS |
: |
Citizens Against UFO Secrecy $20 (contribution) |
| CNI
News |
: |
Internet Newsletter $24 (subscription) |
| CSETI |
: |
Center for the Study of Extraterrestrial Intelligence $40
(membership) |
| CUFOS |
: |
Center for UFO Studies $25 (membership) |
| EM |
: |
Enterprise Mission $20 (contribution) |
| FUFOR |
: |
Fund for UFO Research [www.fufor.org] $20 (contribution) |
| MUFON |
: |
Mutual UFO Network $30 (membership) |
| NUFORC |
: |
National UFO Reporting Center $20 (purchase) |
| ORTK |
: |
Operation Right to Know $15 (membership)
|
| PEER |
: |
Program for Extraordinary Experience Research $30
(contribution) |
| SI |
: |
Skywatch International $25 (membership)
|
| UFO
Magazine |
: |
$30 (subscription) |
|
|
Total: $299 |
It is not difficult to lose touch with what is at
stake with the issues these organizations and people are attempting to resolve in the
interest of the nation and its citizens. There have been reminders……
Health and Morbidity Watch
The health and morbidity of researcher/activists continues to be
monitored at the following page on the Paradigm Clock website
[www.paradigmclock.com/In_Memoriam-Healthwatch.html].
During the past twelve months, five individuals who are
prominent and involved on the cutting edge of either research, activism or public
awareness on the UFO/ET issue have suffered heart conditions. Three are recovering from
heart attacks - Richard Hoagland (age 54), Dr. Roger Leir (64) and Bud Hopkins (67); one
died from a heart attack - Col. Philip Corso (83); and one is recovering from a bout of
ventricular tachycardia - Keith Rowland (40+).
In the past three years five more individuals, who have or had
also been on the cutting edge of research, activism or public awareness, were struck with
cancer. Four died from these cancers – Kathy Keeton (58), Steven Schiff (51), Shari
Adamiak (40+) and Karla Turner (60+); and one survived two bouts of malignant melanoma
– Dr. Steven Greer (43).
There have been other deaths, including Betty Cash (69), but by
far the most troubling for this author was that of the Congressman from New Mexico, the
Honorable Steven Schiff. He was the first member of the House or Senate since 1968 to make
the UFO/ET question a proper matter of legislative inquiry. He was not satisfied with the
responses he received regarding Roswell related records and said so on television programs
numerous times. He was struck with an unusual and powerful squamous cancer of the ear,
which resisted all treatment and went into his brain. It is quite unlikely that anyone
receiving this update has ever known anyone who has died from such a cancer.
What must we learn from this growing health/morbidity list?
- The individuals who have elected to address this subject are not exactly
having their lives extended.
- The work is enormously difficult and requires tremendous sacrifices.
- The personal and financial stresses placed on researchers/activists is
great enough without being enhanced by infighting, petty bickering, personal grudges,
libel, slander, side taking, back stabbing, and purely self serving agendas.
- Aside from any bait tossing government operatives and agent provocateurs,
the honest people in the field have much more in common than not. Respect and
understanding of other’s contributions and theories coupled with tolerance and
forgiveness of other’s faults and mistakes will ultimately serve everyone’s
interests in the greatest measure.
- These statistics on first glance seem to challenge actuarial
expectations. Until we know more, it is essential that all of us pay close attention to
this matter and publicize the specifics when possible. In that regard please consider
sending any new health information regarding individuals within the field to
PRG@paradigmresearchgroup.org.
Whatever negatives one may perceive, there is much to admire in
those who have taken on the responsibility their special knowledge has forced upon them.
As it happens, there is one quality in particular possessed by those whom I admire most
– fearlessness. I deal with politicians, staff and media who are afraid for their
job, their income, their reputation, and their image. They’re afraid of ridicule,
their boss, their own government and their peers.
Sarah McClendon, Richard Hoagland, Larry Bryant, Steven Greer,
Peter Gersten, Art Bell, Jim Marrs, Roger Leir, Derrel Sims, Robert Dean, Bud Hopkins,
Steven Schiff, Edgar Mitchell and others are people I have found to be afraid of no idea,
no person and no government. They intend to pursue the truth as best they can, no matter
what the cost. The message that is conveyed transcends being right on every aspect of
every proposed theory or interpretation. That message is this: until the citizens of this
country are in full partnership with their own government on matters of policy and
understanding regarding the extraterrestrial presence - they will not back off –
ever.
The concept of common interest brings to mind another
point……
The Power of an in situ Collective
Exceptional as the Internet is as a tool for empowering the
individual, it has the drawback of creating a virtual collective of separated, and to some
degree, isolated people. This citizen movement has largely been a home office,
one-person-one-computer enterprise with little division of labor. Everyone works hard and
everyone is overwhelmed. This state of affairs is, of course, mostly a matter of money.
There is a pressing need for greater coalitioning – for
consolidation and sharing of resources. In this regard, benefactors can play a
major role. A hundred proposals could be written tomorrow. I can only speak to my area of
interest.
It would cost about $125,000 a year to operate a formal, officed
lobbying effort targeting the government on its handling of the UFO/ET phenomena issue.
This would include a chief lobbyist, two paid staff, a few volunteers, modest rent and the
appropriate computer and communications equipment - $125,000. Such a modest sum to address
the social/political implications (the science needs $millions).
Perhaps someone of means capable of understanding just what is
at stake in all this, would consider an opportunity to participate in the greatest event
in human history and possibly save our constitutional republic in the bargain, one worth
taking. If you agree, pass the idea on.
4938 Hampden Lane,
#161, Bethesda, MD 20814 s
PRG@paradigmresearchgroup.org s 202-215-8344 |
