MUFON SUPPORTS BALLOT INITIATIVE TO END UFO SECRECY

In a letter entered into the Congressional Record in 1960, retired AdmiralRoscoe H. Hillenkoetter, first CIA head, urgently warned Congress to takeUFO reports seriously. His concern: misidentifying Unidentified FlyingObjects as enemy hostiles could trigger a nuclear response from Cold Waradversaries. In 1989, the Soviet Union echoed that concern in a publication, "SovietMilitary Review."

Today, public opinion polls show that an overwhelmingmajority of Americans believe the government knows more than it lets on;their conclusion adds to the cynicism corrosive of the trust necessary todemocratic institutions. Yet Congress does nothing. In a bold effort togain congressional attention, the Mutual UFO Network, Inc. is supportingballot initiatives for next year's elections in various states that permitlegislation by direct and indirect initiatives through voter petitions.Voters -- actual voters (people that politicians do heed) -- will be askedto officially proclaim 2000 the Year of UFO Awareness, urging open congressional hearings. (Scores of current and former military personnel,et al., stand ready to present sworn testimony based on personalknowledge, if granted immunity by waiver of security oaths.) Perhaps theNew Millennium can afford Congress some political cover to be at leastopen to the possibilities. "Direct initiative" produces laws (like a proclamation) when the peopledirectly place (by petition) proposals on the ballot, submit them to the voters, and win their approval. Currently, 16 states offer the directinitiative: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho,Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota,Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. "Indirect initiative" produces law when thepeople submit the proposal to the state legislature during a regularsession, and win approval. Seven states offer the indirect initiative:Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Utah, and Washington."Formidable hurdles, such as gathering tens of thousands of petitionsignatures, lie ahead," said MUFON international director Walter H.Andrus, Jr. "But if you believe, as MUFON does, that our constitutionalrepublic depends on an informed citizenry, and that the UFO problem has asmuch political presence as it has scientific promise, then join us in thiseffort." With chapters in nearly every state and in 45 foreign countries,MUFON, founded in 1969, serves as the world's largest member organizationdedicated to the scientific study of UFO reports.

Andrus concluded: "Tell your congressman you support this 'UFO ballot initiative.' Tell us, too. Help make a difference."