SkyWords

MUFON of Alabama

March 1990


Coming Out of Hibernation!


Winter (what there was of it) is officially over. With the passing of winter I expect to see an awakening of interest in the UFO field and increased investigative efforts. There are a number of events that will be happening during the next month that should raise public awareness of the phenomena, and in turn bring us more sighting reports to pursue.


Thanks and Keep 'em Coming


Special thanks this month go out to Paul Grube and Jerry Woody for their submissions to the newsletter. If you have anything you'd like to share with MUFON of Alabama members and interested parties please send it to me for consideration for inclusion in SkyWords. Book reviews, personal experiences, investigative summaries (with witness confidentiality in mind), etc. are some topics of interest.


Communion Alert III (yes, again!)


First it was due for release in October of 1989, then release was delayed until November. We got quite excited by the prospect of a special private screening for MUFON members by the Birmingham company responsible for its distribution, but that never materialized. Finally, Communion the movie hit the silver screen, but not in Huntsville, not in Birmingham, not in Tuscaloosa, not in Montgomery, etc. As far as I know, the movie never was screened in Alabama! Now there is a release date of April 4th for Communion the video. Maybe we'll get a chance to see it at last!

From what I heard from those that got to see it, it's not a bad movie. Christopher Walken plays the role of Streiber and basically steals the show. The special effects are not particularly spectacular, and there are a couple of scenes that fellow MUFONers thought were a bit inane. Regardless, it is probably worth the two dollars or so to rent the movie and give it a look. Now, keep an eye out for news of the movie version of Hopkins's Intruders, and a movie adaptation of the Travis Walton abduction story.


The Gulf Breeze Sightings


It finally hit the bookstore shelves after several delays and a title change. Ed (Mr. Ed) and Francis Walters's accounts of their fantastic Gulf Breeze, Florida encounters is now available under the title of The Gulf Breeze Sightings, initially to have been titled UFOs: Proof Positive. The book is close to 400 pages long and contains color prints of the controversial Mr. Ed photos. I will include a review of the book in a future newsletter. There is talk of a mini-series on television!



Athens State College Parapsychology Foundation


The Athens State College Parapsychology Foundation (ASCPF) has recently undergone a reorganization effort and a recommitment to its goals of studying and researching parapsychology and the full endowment of a comprehensive program of parapsychology studies at Athens State College. Meetings are held the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month with workshops and special presentations at various times. This year's theme is "Body, Mind, & Spirit" and speakers will present a variety of viewpoints along these lines. We hope that MUFON of Alabama can gain insights from this group into the realm of the paranormal, and we offer our assistance to them in the pursuit of knowledge concerning the UFO phenomenon. This "networking" of our special organizations should prove to be educational!

For more information on the ASCPF, call 881-2267.



Incan Prophesy & the Extraterrestrials


On March 14th, the ASCPF meeting featured Willaru Huayta. Willaru Huayta is a Peruvian who spreads his message about the role of extraterrestrials in the origins of man on Earth, and their continuing involvement with mankind. As "Chasqui Sun Messenger of the Incas", Huayta speaks (channels?) an interesting tale of how the extraterrestrials seeded the earth with pairs of humans who founded many of the races on Earth. He proceeds to tell how these races developed with occasional help from "above", as evidenced by the many artifacts showing scenes of ancient astronauts.

He ended his talk with discussions of chakras and achieving an inner balance. As a matter of fact, he stated that if one achieves the desired level of enlightenment, one would be able to travel space in your very own flying saucer. Another interesting idea came out in response to a question about the abduction enigma. He answered by saying that these activities were carried out by terrestrial beings (from inside the Earth) whose job is to protect nature. Unfortunately these beings are quite mischevious!


UFO Information Through Telecommunications

by Jerry Woody

Sysop (System Operator) of The Frontier BBS


Massive amounts of information and sighting reports can be relayed almost instantly with the widespread use of computers and modems. Both computers and modems have dropped to such a low price level that they are affordable by most anyone. A person can have a very nice setup for well under $150. Below is a short listing of frequently used telecommunication terms:

COMPUTER: The actual device for storing and processing information.

A HOST computer, often called a BBS (Bulletin Board System), is a storehouse of informational files for downloading and message exchange.

A REMOTE computer is a computer used for controling the HOST computer over the phone lines.

A simple example would be: If you lived in Huntsville, Alabama and you used your computer (REMOTE) to control a BBS (HOST) in Cullman, Alabama you could download files and leave messages to other people.

MODEM: This is a separate device that hooks up to your computer and telephone line. By using a TERMINAL PROGRAM (a computer program that helps link your computer to another) you can dial an ordinary BBS phone # and your modem will connect with another modem allowing them to "talk" to each other.

For example, if you had your modem call 1-739-1469, it would call that #, connect with the modem at the other end, and you would be able to remotely control that computer.

8/N/1 and 7/E/1: This tells the terminal program how big each Byte of information should be. To be on the safe side, set your terminal program protocol to the international setting 8/N/1 meaning 8 bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit. If you need further information call or write the State Director and either he or I will help you out in any way possible to get you online.

The biggest BBS in the world dealing with UFO's is PARANET. It is actually a NET (2 or more HOST computers sharing information and messages). If a user called a Paranet BBS in Australia and left a message, in 24 hours it will reach all the Paranet BBS's in the world. The Headquarters of Paranet BBS systems has moved from Wheatridge, Colorado to Las Vegas, Nevada. The Paranet BBS Node in Alabama is The Frontier BBS (Paranet Alpha Gamma) located in Cullman, Alabama.

Recently The Frontier BBS joined forces with General UFO Systems BBS to form MUFONET. G.U.F.O.S. is located in Memphis, Tennessee and the sysop is Tennessee state director John Komar. MUFONET provides a private messaging system for MUFON Members ONLY to communicate with each other across the country concerning MUFON matters and debates. A large database of sightings and information is available from both systems.

The following is a short listing of BBS numbers that you can call to access UFO information:

THE FRONTIER BBS 1-739-1469 8/N/1 300/1200/2400 baud

G.U.F.O.S. 1-901-785-4943 8/N/1 300/1200/2400 baud

COMPUSERVE 1-800-848-8199
(VOICE # ONLY.Ask your nearest computer dealer for the nearest
Compuserve #) 7/E/1 300/1200 /2400 baud

PARANET ALPHA 1-702-792-9773 8/N/1 300/1200/2400/9600 baud


ATTENTION BBS READERS


If you are reading this newsletter on one of the aforementioned BBSs and would like to receive a copy of the full newsletter (with goodies that were not uploadable) please drop me a line requesting your personal copy, or leave your address in a message via a PARANET node. Jeff Ballard/ Route 4, Box 329-5/ Arab, Alabama 35016.


NEW COSMIC INTERLOPER

by Paul Grube

State Section Director

Mobile, Washington, and Baldwin Counties


A new cosmic interloper is making its way sunward for the very first time. Named Austin by its discoverer, the comet promises to put on quite a show. If so (comets are unpredictable), its presence in the sky in weeks to come should be made known to MUFON members for two reasons:


(Tables of Austin Viewing Info and Planning Calendar Follow in Mail-Out Version)...............................................................BJB

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