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UFOs

UFOs

Generals, Pilots and Government Officials Go on the Record
by Leslie Kean 2010 336 pages
4.03
2k+ ratings
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Key Takeaways

1. UFOs: A Real, Unexplained Phenomenon

There exists in our skies, worldwide, a solid, physical phenomenon that appears to be under intelligent control and is capable of speeds, maneuverability, and luminosity beyond current known technology.

Beyond Misidentification. While most UFO sightings can be explained as conventional objects or phenomena, a significant percentage—around 5-10%—remain unidentified after thorough investigation. These genuine UFOs exhibit characteristics that defy known technology, such as:

  • Extraordinary speeds and accelerations
  • Sharp, right-angle turns
  • Ability to hover motionless
  • Lack of sonic booms at supersonic speeds

Physical Evidence. UFOs are not merely visual illusions. They can be tracked on radar, photographed, and leave physical traces on the ground. The Petit-Rechain photograph from the Belgian UFO wave, for example, revealed a halo of lighter particles forming patterns around the craft, suggesting a magnetoplasmadynamic propulsion system.

The Belgian Wave. The Belgian UFO wave of 1989-1990 provides compelling evidence of the reality of UFOs. Over two years, thousands of people witnessed triangular crafts with powerful spotlights, moving silently and performing impossible maneuvers. Despite extensive investigations, hundreds of these sightings remain unexplained.

2. Pilots and Military Personnel as Credible Witnesses

The most credible sources clearly recognized, and stated repeatedly, that we don’t yet know what the objects are—contrary to public assumptions that UFOs, by definition, are extraterrestrial spaceships.

Trained Observers. Pilots and military personnel are highly trained observers, capable of quickly identifying conventional aircraft, weather phenomena, and other aerial objects. Their accounts of UFO encounters carry significant weight due to their expertise and experience.

Examples of Pilot Encounters:

  • Portuguese Air Force pilot Júlio Guerra's near-miss with a metallic disc that performed impossible maneuvers.
  • United Airlines Captain Neil Daniels's DC-10 being forced into an uncommanded turn by a luminous object.
  • Captain Ray Bowyer's sighting of two massive, cigar-shaped UFOs over the English Channel, confirmed by radar.

Aviation Safety. Encounters with UFOs can pose a threat to aviation safety. Pilots have reported near misses, electromagnetic interference with aircraft systems, and cockpit distractions caused by the presence of these objects.

3. Aviation Safety and National Security Concerns

UFO incursions, often in restricted airspace, can cause aviation safety hazards and raise national security concerns, even though the objects have not demonstrated overtly hostile acts.

Unexplained Intrusions. UFOs have been observed entering restricted airspace without authorization, raising concerns about aviation safety and national security. The O'Hare Airport incident, where a disc-shaped object hovered over a terminal before shooting off and leaving a hole in the clouds, is a prime example.

Electromagnetic Effects. Some UFO encounters have been associated with electromagnetic effects on aircraft, such as compass malfunctions and radio interference. These effects can compromise the safe operation of aircraft and pose a risk to passengers and crew.

Potential for Misidentification. The presence of UFOs in restricted airspace raises the risk of misidentification, potentially leading to accidental engagements or defensive actions. The Iranian "dogfight over Tehran" illustrates the dangers of military pilots encountering UFOs without proper training or protocols.

4. The U.S. Government's Pattern of Denial and Ridicule

The U.S. government routinely ignores UFOs and, when pressed, issues false explanations. Its indifference and/or dismissals are irresponsible, disrespectful to credible, often expert witnesses, and potentially dangerous.

Historical Debunking. Since the late 1940s, the U.S. government has engaged in a pattern of debunking and dismissing UFO sightings, often providing false or misleading explanations. Project Blue Book, the Air Force's official UFO investigation program, was largely a public relations effort aimed at downplaying the phenomenon.

The O'Hare Cover-Up. The FAA's response to the O'Hare Airport incident is a prime example of government denial. Despite multiple witnesses and a supervisor's call to the air traffic control tower, the FAA dismissed the sighting as a "weather phenomenon."

Disrespect for Witnesses. The government's dismissive attitude toward UFOs is disrespectful to credible witnesses, including pilots, military personnel, and aviation experts. These individuals risk ridicule and professional repercussions for reporting their experiences.

5. International Cooperation and Openness

There exists a universal curiosity, increasing over time, about the UFO mystery.

Global Phenomenon. UFOs are not limited to the United States. Sightings have been reported worldwide, and many countries have established government agencies to investigate the phenomenon.

International Cooperation. Some countries, such as France, Chile, and Brazil, have adopted a more open and transparent approach to UFO investigations, sharing information with the public and cooperating with other nations.

The U.S. as an Outlier. The U.S. government's continued denial and lack of cooperation stand in stark contrast to the more open approach taken by other countries. This isolation hinders scientific progress and prevents the U.S. from benefiting from the knowledge and expertise of other nations.

6. The CIA's Role in Debunking UFOs

The CIA invented the term “unidentified flying object” to replace the popular but more lurid phrase “flying saucer.”

The Robertson Panel. In 1953, the CIA convened the Robertson Panel, a group of scientists tasked with finding ways to reduce public interest in UFOs. The panel recommended a broad educational program integrating the efforts of all concerned agencies, with two major aims: training and debunking.

Media Manipulation. The Robertson Panel proposed using the media, psychologists, advertising experts, amateur astronomers, and even Disney cartoons to reduce enthusiasm and gullibility about UFOs.

Infiltration of Civilian Groups. The panel also recommended that civilian groups studying UFOs should be "watched" due to their "great influence on mass thinking if widespread sightings should occur."

7. The Power of the UFO Taboo

The UFO story could not be properly told, nor could the taboo be overcome, through any one short news piece, no matter how many there were.

Social Stigma. The UFO subject carries a terrible stigma, making it a professional risk for those publicly engaged with it. This stigma discourages witnesses from coming forward and prevents scientists from taking the phenomenon seriously.

The Law of Diminishing Reports. The negative feedback effect of ridicule and denial inhibits more and more people from reporting UFO sightings, leading to less reliable data and reinforcing the belief that these events don't occur.

The "Swamp Gas" Explanation. J. Allen Hynek's "swamp gas" explanation for UFO sightings in Michigan is a prime example of the lengths to which the government would go to dismiss the phenomenon, even when it meant stretching logic to its limit.

8. The Extraterrestrial Hypothesis: A Rational Consideration

The hypothesis that UFOs are of extraterrestrial or interdimensional origin is a rational one and must be taken into account, given the data we have. However, the actual origin and nature of UFOs have not yet been determined by scientists, and remain unknown.

Agnostic Position. To approach UFOs rationally, we must maintain the agnostic position regarding their nature or origin, because we simply don’t know the answers yet.

Eliminating Other Possibilities. Once an object has been determined to be a genuine UFO, all we know is what it is not: something man-made or natural, or an outright hoax.

The COMETA Report. The COMETA Report concluded that the most logical explanation for some UFO sightings is "the extraterrestrial hypothesis," based on the exceptional performances and maneuvers of these objects.

9. The Need for a New U.S. Government Agency

Given its potential implications, the evidence calls for systematic scientific investigation involving U.S. government support and international cooperation.

A Focal Point for Investigation. A new government agency is needed to handle UFO investigations, liaison with other countries, and demonstrate to the scientific community that this is a subject worthy of study.

Learning from Other Countries. The agency should be modeled after successful UFO investigation agencies in other countries, such as GEIPAN in France, CEFAA in Chile, and the former UFO desk in the UK.

Addressing Aviation Safety and National Security. The agency should prioritize aviation safety and national security concerns, as well as promoting scientific research and public awareness.

10. The Importance of Militant Agnosticism

All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed, second, it is violently opposed, and third, it is accepted as self-evident.

Overcoming the Taboo. To overcome the UFO taboo, we must adopt a "militant agnosticism," which involves publicly and strategically advocating for the serious study of UFOs while remaining open to all possibilities.

Challenging Authoritative Representations. We must challenge the authoritative representations that dismiss UFOs as nonsense or science fiction, and demand that the government and scientific community provide honest and transparent answers.

Promoting Scientific Inquiry. We must encourage scientists to conduct systematic research on UFOs, focusing on aggregate patterns, new reports, and objective physical evidence.

Last updated:

Review Summary

4.03 out of 5
Average of 2k+ ratings from Goodreads and Amazon.

UFOs: Generals, Pilots, and Government Officials Go on the Record presents compelling evidence for the existence of UFOs through credible eyewitness accounts from high-ranking officials. Leslie Kean's rigorous investigative approach and focus on well-documented cases lend credibility to the subject. The book calls for serious scientific investigation of UFOs and greater government transparency. While some readers found it repetitive or dry in places, many praised its sober, fact-based approach. The book challenges skeptics and provides a thoughtful examination of a often-ridiculed topic, making it a must-read for those interested in UFO phenomena.

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About the Author

Leslie Kean is an investigative journalist and author known for her work on UFOs and unexplained phenomena. Her interest in UFOs began after reading the COMETA Report, a French study on UFO sightings. Kean co-founded the Coalition for Freedom of Information and has written for various publications. Her approach to UFO research is characterized by rigorous fact-checking, reliance on credible sources, and a skeptical yet open-minded perspective. Kean's work has been praised for its journalistic integrity and has helped bring serious attention to UFO studies. She advocates for greater government transparency and scientific investigation of UFO phenomena.

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