Lawyers, UFO Disclosure, and Apocalyptic Expectations

10/3/2013

The modern UFO movement is a little bit beyond my usual area, but this post over at the Above the Law blog seems worthy of a few comments, especially since I’m not yet able to start my review of Scott Wolter’s new book due to yet another shipment delay.

UFO activist Ed Komarek believes that major law firms will soon team up with UFO disclosure activists to open up government UFO archives when they realize that disclosure lawsuits will pay better that acquiescing to U.S. government conspiracies. Komarek believes that “huge amounts of profit” can be made both from suing over UFOs and offering “protection from” UFO lawsuits.

The rapid disclosure of extraterrestrial reality will surely create economic hardship for many nationally and globally but it will also present many opportunities. There will be those people and industries like the legal industry that will flourish and profit greatly from the upheaval.

Komarek, who believes that the U.S. fought against aliens during World War II, also believes that the U.S. government is concerned that any disclosure of extraterrestrial beings will cause political and social chaos, which I suppose puts it somewhere between Edward Snowden and Obamacare on the scale of things various groups believe will destroy America.

Those nations, companies, and citizens that have prepared themselves for possible catastrophic economic instability and renewal after UFO/ET disclosure will be able to take advantage of new opportunities. These will flourish in such a time of upheaval while those that continue to remain brainwashed will suffer greatly.

While Above the Law treated this as the silliness it is—joking that lawyers are all Freemasons, so they would never betray the conspiracy—I was surprised by how closely Komarek’s apocalypse to mega-profits claim mirrors those offered by the gold-securities industry, especially as represented by Glenn Beck, in preying on some Americans’ fears of economic collapse. The calls to buy gold aren’t as powerful as they were last year, due largely to a drop in gold prices, but Beck’s apocalyptic views remained intact, as he stated back in August:

The only thing I have to fear is the government, quite frankly. The government lying to you, the media not telling the truth. I mean, gold is the original gold standard… […] You better have a plan and know what you and your family are going to do in the time of more difficult days ahead.

Obviously Glenn Beck and Ed Komarek are operating in completely different realms, but their language and their ideas are remarkably similar and draw on the same idea of the apocalyptic tradition found in Western belief from Revelation down to today. Revelation 21:1-2 tells us that a New Jerusalem will descend on a devastated world to replace the old heaven and the old earth, much as the Norse Ragnarok would create a new heaven and a new earth and cleanse the world of evil.

Many scholars have traced this kind of apocalyptic thinking and its effect on Western culture, but I think it’s probably safe to say that the internet and the media have made it possible for more people to believe that the always-coming, never-arriving End Times are actually happening right now. Last year, polls found that 1 in 7 people worldwide believes that the end of the world will happen in their lifetimes, but 22 percent in the United States believes the same thing.

It seems that Komarek’s giddy longing for an apocalyptic revelation of extraterrestrial truth is just another secular counterpart to the endless wait for the Second Coming. The glee at complete collapse of the old order stems from the belief that starting fresh, with supernatural aid, will somehow cleanse the earth and provide true believers—but not sinful doubters—with a reversal of their current fortunes, and place them at the top of the social and economic pyramid. If you are wise enough to hoard gold, or to jump on board the UFO disclosure train, you, too, will be among the new elite.

It’s like the apocalyptic expectation outlined in H. P. Lovecraft’s “Call of Cthulhu,” where, literally, the return of the aliens is expected to usher in a libertine paradise and rites of social reversal—an endless Saturnalia:

That cult would never die till the stars came right again, and the secret priests would take great Cthulhu from His tomb to revive His subjects and resume His rule of earth. The time would be easy to know, for then mankind would have become as the Great Old Ones; free and wild and beyond good and evil, with laws and morals thrown aside and all men shouting and killing and revelling in joy. Then the liberated Old Ones would teach them new ways to shout and kill and revel and enjoy themselves, and all the earth would flame with a holocaust of ecstasy and freedom.

Lovecraft, modeling this on and inverting Revelation, intentionally cast the Second Coming of Cthulhu as horrifying to traditional morality, but it captures some of the expectation inherent in the Apocalypse that the overthrow of civilization by supernatural means will free the believer from oppression and restriction. Thus, for the true believer, the End Times are a consummation devoutly to be wished, when the believer will be rewarded and the doubter punished.

Or, in short, the aliens are once again replacement gods.

32 Comments

Gunn

10/3/2013 07:39:16 am

...the belief that starting fresh, with supernatural aid, will somehow cleanse the earth...

That's part of the good part, believing there will be a new Heaven and a new Earth. But before this, there is the Millennium Reign, the 1,000 years of peace and prosperity, etc., on Earth. The old Earth will be with us for a while, before the final new Earth. This is the Christian offering for the future.

The Alien offering is like UFO's, a façade...no substance. It will be interesting to see what various people believe, and what they do, when they see things falling apart.

Christians see "redemption" drawing nigh. I don't think gold has much to do with it, except for the gold the streets of Heaven are made of. I haven't invested in gold, though having a bit of gold, or preferably silver, may not be so bad if one refuses to have "the mark of the Beast," in which case one could still make necessary purchases.

Anxiety shouldn't be a part of it, but it is to many, and it is prophesized to get worse. The Bible does not paint a pretty picture for our near future, that's true, but the picture is not so bad for the believer.

kennethos

10/3/2013 08:20:38 am

@Jason:
I know you've had some interactions with Mike Heiser. Don't know if you've read his fiction novel, "The Facade," but it deals with some of these very issues (not lawsuits, per se, but UFOs and disclosure). Very readable, and I suspect you'd enjoy the level of detail. (He's currently finishing up the sequel.)

Shane Sullivan

10/3/2013 01:07:10 pm

Those lawyers are going to have their hands full, what with Earth's native shapeshifting reptiles laboring at every turn to keep mankind's collective head buried in the sands of mundanity.

Thane

10/3/2013 01:23:38 pm

Soooo, the Lawyers are going to get rich suing governments...

Really?

And where will all the money come from to pay the lawyers to start the suits? The UFO community? I know a lot of the authors and presenters are making a tidy living but to date, none have offered up their fortunes to start the lawfare suggested to "set the truth free."

BigMike

10/3/2013 08:41:50 pm

I think that what Komarek means is that Law firms will soon realize that there will be tons of money to be made suing the government after the government actually discloses that "yes, aliens exist and are here." I mean after that bombshell who wouldn't want to sue the government for lying to us.

Oh, but before that there will have to be lawsuits against the government to GET them to disclose this alleged information. It's okay, though. No one will have to pay the law firms to do THOSE suits... They'll do them pro bono. After all, they KNOW that they will be raking in the fat ducats in the Billions from those other suits afterwards.

There are only a few problems with that; first, no one is going to actually win for suing the government over keeping this kind of information secret. I know there is the Freedom of Information act, but that does not apply to information that may have an impact on National Security or the security of individual lives. Which is a category that I think the existence of aliens on Earth might fall into. After all, the F.I.A. does not give any citizen of the U.S. the right to, say, rifle through the Marshall's WitSec files and learn where all the different people are hiding, does it?

Sure, there have been a few settlements out of court when the government was actually responsible for something bad, but there is no constitutional amendment stating that the feds can't keep a secret or two. The closest precedent I can think of are the MK Ultra suits in the 90's when those files were declassified. But those suits were not over the lies and withheld information, but the deaths, injuries, and mental abuse perpetrated by the CIA.

Oh yeah, and the other major problem is that there are no aliens here for the government to be keeping secrets about. So there's nothing to disclose really.

Varika

10/5/2013 10:51:18 am

...not to mention that they HAVE disclosed all they know about aliens, which is to say, "We have know knowledge of extraterrestrial beings visiting this planet." TBH, if extraterrestrials WERE coming here, I' not sure it could actually be KEPT secret. Especially if they're coming down all over the planet. Who else here thinks that if the US told Russia or China to keep aliens secret, Russia or China would hold a press conference the INSTANT they could make a phone call? *raises hand*

Narmitaj

10/3/2013 11:22:12 pm

How come the large UFO/ET Conspiracy, threatened with being exposed and losing trillions in lawsuits yet possessed of unearthly powers, has managed to allow conspiracy theorists to publish their theories and attacks so openly for so long, revealing the big secrets and attracting more followers, when the Conspiracy could simply deploy some of those alien powers and Disappear their irritating opponents?

My guess this is all a smokescreen, and the Conspirators and their Theorists are actually in cahoots in a much bigger conspiracy that is nothing to do with UFO/ETs but something genuinely so secret we don't have the first clue what it might even be about (to keep a secret, don't let anyone know you even have a secret).

It's like Apollo. Whenever someone talks about "the moon landing hoax", I tap my nose and say the six moon landings happened as described all right, but the Moon Hoax idea is itself actually the hoax - perpetrated by the Government to attract all the conspiracy-minded away from investigating what is REALLY going on.

Paul Cargile

10/4/2013 02:44:27 am

And then that is just the cover up hoax of an even bigger hoax of what it really, really going on, which masks the true conspiracy at the deeper lever, and so its turtles all the way down.

10/4/2013 02:57:54 am

It's an interesting assumption that the people of the world would be so distraught about either the existance of aliens or the governement lying about aliens that societal collapse would happen. I think it would largely be a nonevent. Most people already believe that intelligent life is possible elsewhere in universe so an actual visitation would be something to marvel at, but not riotously shocking.

And everyone knows governments lie. What else is new?

10/5/2013 10:58:05 am

I think that extraterrestrials landing would be a media circus, honestly. Not a violent confrontation--at least not as long as the ETs don't start it--but I can't see CNN going, "....meh" about it. Still, not a non-event, just not a catastrophic even.

Actually, that was one of the things I ADORED about the film Independence Day. I really do think the human race would react the way they first showed, for the most part. Lots of media hype, some End Is Nigh prophesying (because THAT happens even when NOTHING is going on), and a bunch of idiots with signs.

Michael Horn link

10/5/2013 04:06:49 pm

I recently had the unexpected pleasure of presenting information on the Billy Meier UFO contacts, ongoing in Switzerland for over 70 years, in an interview conducted by two rather nice skeptics, Michael Marshall and Hayley Stevens, in the UK.

I imagine that, especially as a new contributor here, posting links isn't permitted but their radio show is titled Be Reasonable, something that I think is rather good advice for all concerned.

Regarding the broader topic of UFOs and the alleged cover-up, I have contempt for the circus that is the "UFO industry", which does everything it can to direct attention AWAY from the Meier case...since it's the only authentic one and it profits them not at all to have people see that the REAL cover-up is indeed solely about Meier and his contacts, information, evidence, etc.

terry the censor

10/7/2013 08:27:44 am

@Michael Horn

Your contribution to this discussion is just shameless self-promotion. I'm shocked! Shocked, I tell you!

Meanwhile, if anyone is tempted to think for one moment that Mr. Horn is an earnest advocate championing an authentic cause, just look at the Meier videos of Phil Langdon, who has reproduced many images Horn said could not be reproduced.

10/7/2013 09:30:37 am

Well, let's see. I named Michael Marshall, Hayley Stevens and Billy Meier...but not myself. Since I am the authorized representative for Mr. Meier, and since people typically claim that Langdon's "images" are the equivalent of duplicating Mr. Meier's photographic evidence - which they're not - I hope you are sniffing some smelling salts.

Since you brought it up, Langdon has merely - after quite lengthy study of Meier's evidence - simply duplicated the EFFECT, i.e. something that at first glance looks like Meier's but which careful study reveals falls far short. I should know, I corresponded with him for a few years, encouraging his efforts to do the best he could.

Two points:

Langdon, like all other skeptics attempting to duplicate Meier's evidence, REFUSES to have his photos tested to the same standard that authenticated Meier's. Of course he knows that analysis would reveal that they simply are (very good) models, close to the camera.

The new, professional, state-of-the-art photo analysis of the WCUFO, linked from my site, shows that the WCUFO is indeed a large object and that Meier is standing a mere 20' from it.

I suggest that you actually listen to the interview I referred to. And let me endorse one line of yours, "...if anyone is tempted to think" they will find that the Meier case is simply the most remarkable and important event in human history, carefully hidden in plain sight, safe from the non-prying eyes of all the various...know-it-alls.

Only Me

10/7/2013 02:01:42 pm

"I corresponded with him for a few years, encouraging his efforts to do the best he could"...oh, really? You mean, like this?

* "While you are about to embarrass whatever university you graduated from (though it's highly doubtful that you did...obviously) it would be my distinct pleasure to have another imbecile like you, representing the "best" of the skeptics, to skewer in the little section reserved for sorry specimens like you. I really must thank you for writing and confirming that there still are some fools with pathetic ignorance, insufficient brain power, lacking in logical thinking abilities, and completely factually incorrect, etc. still in need of education. Why else would we persevere if not to at least attempt to educate morons like you who think they're up to the task? As I've suggested to a few other jokers, it's really not wise to come to a battle of wits half-armed, nor of course to what is really a dispute about facts...without having any at your command. Now, to make this clear and simple, i.e. understandable even for you:

Only contact me again with factual proof, pointing to the specific articles, translation, information, etc. that are incorrect. And only with your own photos, films, etc. of your own model UFOs, including model WCUFOs."*

Then, of course, there's this:

"Funny he should say "Only contact me again..." because nowadays he won't stop sending me emails about new information and more pretend "evidence" corroborating Meier's outrageous claims. He even wrote to google mail after this 2009 exchange demanding they prevent me from contacting him anymore. Strange how things have reversed now that his case has been wiped out."

The above is from Phil Langdon, you know, the guy you "encouraged".

No thanks, Michael. We have enough problems with Von Daniken, Sitchin and company.

10/9/2013 09:53:49 am

@Michael Horn

> Langdon...REFUSES to have his photos tested to the same standard that authenticated Meier's. Of course he knows that analysis would reveal that they simply are (very good) models, close to the camera.

That's Langdon's whole point! It is <i>totally insane</i> of you to argue that Langdon's use of models invalidates his thesis that Meier also used models! That would only make sense if you doubted Langdon used models to achieve Meier's effects (e.g. Langdon made his images using tech Meier could not have, such as bluescreens or CGI).

But your statement makes it clear you are ackowledging the validity of Langdon's method and findings.

10/7/2013 02:18:27 pm

Context, timing and...attitude are kinda important, since in the FOUR years that I corresponded with Langdon we spared plenty and were cordial as well (see below).

However, you come off as yet ANOTHER anonymous, uninformed, non-thinking, know-it-all who prefers (of course) to cite some other griper than to do the due diligence him/her self.

While Langdon still can't address the new photo analysis, he's even less capable of addressing just how Meier has consistently scooped our best scientist(often by decades) with his voluminous, specific, prophetically accurate information. The Meier case is very much alive and well, thank you.

But of course, challenge the prejudices and beliefs of online armchair "experts" and they quickly attack...having done nothing that even remotely resembles an objective, logical, scientifically oriented examination of their own.

Anyway, since you posted one of the exchanges with Langdon, here's another (of many):

You're welcome Phil,

Please don't worry, you're not coming off as if you're attacking anyone. And the only trouble for Kal is what he has made for himself, in his own consciousness and relationships; none of us are engaged with him in any way.

As for Kal being a journalist, if only that was the case. I don't know if you're aware of the thorough skewering of his book on the Meier case by Jeroen Jansen.

And if you haven't delved into Jim Deardorff's work, including his examination of Korff's claims, you can look here. You may also find this page informative regarding the actual investigation, examination and analysis of Meier's photos and films, etc.

Further, since I am someone about whom Korff has published absolutely false, vile, defamatory lies, I am in a good position to say that he is no journalist, simply an accomplished liar. But he is truly not important to any of my work, nor of course does he give a moment's concern to Meier.

While I could still point our a good number of specific items pertaining to your own work, I think the most important thing to remember is this. At the time that Meier was making his films, which as you say exhibit various technical accomplishments, such subtleties and effects were hardly even present in the best of Hollywood filmmaking. And since Meier couldn't have been farther removed - in every sense - from such work, technology, experience, resources, etc., it is only reasonable to consider that we are not looking at the work of some overnight filmmaking genius.

You yourself had to do a lot of experimenting to try to recreate the effects that you found in Meier's films. So you had that reference point, that body of work to study. You also could experiment many times to see how something could be made and would indeed film. Please understand both how necessary all of that was for you - and how completely absent it was in Meier's case. It was established - by two separate investigations - that all of Meier's camera, films and tripods, and film processing was done at one camera shop, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Baer. They saw all of his developed photos and films even before he did. And they were absolutely firm in stating that there was absolutely nothing that showed "mistakes", models, set ups, etc.

You describe various maneuvers that you had, or would have, to do to create a certain effect. Quite simply, it is clear that Meier didn't employ those - or any other possible variations - in his evidence. He really did just "...take the camera and when the ship comes, I push the button." He had nothing to study and copy, even from Hollywood movies. After all, you were effectively trying to copy what he had done more than 30 years ago.

You may not know that on one occasion, when Meier told the investigators that he would have a contact, they loaded his camera with a marked roll of film. When he returned from the contact they took possession of the film and had it developed. It was a roll of flawless UFO photos, no models, strings, rigs, tampering, messed up shots, etc. And it had all been obtained by Meier within a few short hours, including his travel time to and from the contact.

Again, it's as I said regarding making realistic models of trains, planes, even little cities, etc. One can make these things but they neither are the actual objects they are modeled after, nor necessarily made of the same materials. Since none of the specific items you used to create your films were discovered in/at Meier's home, it can't be said, and certainly not proved, that he ever used them. If, as in a police investigation, all of these things were discovered, even traced to him, then it would make a more convincing case.

The significant study and efforts that you have had to go through to create your work should in itself be cause to reflect on the reality that a man living in rural Switzerland who, more than 30 years ago, suddenly presented to the world over 1,200 clear daytime photos, several films and video, sound recordings and metal samples o

10/7/2013 04:01:13 pm

*Insert uncontrolled laughter here*

Ah, yes, Michael, you see...I have done my research, and it certainly shows that neither you nor Meier have a leg to stand on.

I'm sorry if I won't fall for the non-existent "Swiss skeptic", or place an order to get $25 worth of free stuff from your website, nor take into consideration the erroneous, and ultimately false, predictions of a man you are authorized to represent.

And what an advocate you are! When you proclaimed that Meier's prediction, of the deaths of four heads of state preceding WW3, true in 2006, Schantz Scott from the FIGU (Meier's organization) said this:

"I'm also surprised that you would put out a press release regarding the 4 heads of state without confirming that with FIGU?"

to which you replied:

"I'll start with your question about why I published my four heads of state info. The answer is startling simple: I thought that it may have fulfilled the prophecy. Since I am not an employee of Meier or FIGU, nor a member of a mind-control cult, etc. I am free to publish my opinions whether they agree with Meier's or not."

I really don't need to go further. It's obvious you're in this for the money, and Meier's evidence has been thoroughly debunked. Not even Stanton Friedman, Jacques Vallée or MUFON will touch this intellectual sinkhole.

10/7/2013 04:26:23 pm

Try inserting your…real name. Anonymous jokesters aren't very impressive, as you amply demonstrate.

And it's interesting that I posted info here giving credit to two nice skeptics who not only used their real names but had the courage to interview me on their show. Your responses are to ignorantly attack me, you who were quick to post a contentious exchange between Langdon and me. Kind of says a lot about…you. No wonder the anonymity.

Somehow you took my honest explanation of why I stated what I did and tried to turn it into…a condemnation of my being self-supporting, responsible, etc. How come you haven't attacked…Jason for equally "forcing" you to buy the things that he produced, with his own money, on his own time? (BTW, I receive zero compensation for my representation of the Meier case. If you wanna buy something, thanks, it helps me to continue my voluntary work.)

You think that saying Meier's evidence has been debunked makes it so…with zero credible substantiation for YOUR claims? Just another amateur, jealous, wannabe who apparently is unaware of how the skeptics themselves, who also set out to debunk Meier's preemptively published information on Jupiter (the most important "discovery" of the Voyager mission) ended up…CORROBORATING it and him instead (easily found on my site):

Confirming Meier’s Jupiter Information and Debunking the Incorrect Debunkers … Again

Let me make it clear that Meier is the single most specific, abundant source of prophetically accurate scientific information. In addition to the 125 or examples we have on a page titled:

Corroboration & Evidence

My blog has dozens more, updated regularly.

But you're right about one thing, you really don't need to go further, since you're obviously so inept - and so invested in trying to make something wrong that is hugely greater than your small, anonymous self - that it's beyond transparent. It's pathetic.

10/7/2013 05:41:14 pm

Let's see...a publicist demands my name and credentials, simply because I don't believe the press surrounding Billy Meier, his evidence or gift of prophecy. Follow this demand with insults, as if that will give you the moral high ground you desperately seek.

No.

Move along, Michael. I've heard it all before...and I'm no more impressed with your tirades than any of the others.

It's not my fault Derek Bartholomaus was right in saying that "civility does not appear to be one of Michael Horn’s abilities".

And I brought up the exchange between you and Phil Langdon because you said you encouraged him. However, these are excerpts of what Phil has to say about what happened AFTER he duplicated Meier's photos:

"Michael also now loves to tell people during interviews that it took me 2 years to work out how to recreate Meiers photos & films with models as if it would take that long anyway but that is certainly not the case. I did the WCUFO first and then, months later decided it would be a good idea to do Meier's films and other photos. So I did digital shots first and Michael complained, accusing me of using "Photoshop!" What a cheek. Then I did it all again with negatives and the Olympus and he still complained. Then I did most of it with slides but they're so expensive (£50 a time for all costs on one roll) I didn't do all of them again because the points were made. He often tries to work you up into a sweat, to make you angry, so you will lose your temper with him and then he can go around telling people how crazy you are!

To add further to the problems encountered by anyone debunking Meier, you are told that you need to debunk an awful lot of the Meier case to even gain a foothold as a debunker because if you come up with something over there, the ever charming Michael Horn will simply remind you that over here is all this other stuff that needs debunking. As if what you've already done is a waste of time. This is the hallmark of someone that isn't interested in factual issues. They are only interested in promoting their point of view because that's what makes the money. When I did the WCUFO shots successfully Michael instantly changed the subject and challenged me to reproduce the Hasenbol photos, which I did of course. This illustrates his real attitude of "changing the goal posts" and ignoring what he challenged you to do the first time round no matter how good or revealing it is."

So, excuse me for not falling in line with your personal beliefs and for exercising my right to make up my own mind. I don't need your approval and I don't owe you anything.

10/7/2013 05:59:09 pm

Methinks thou dost protest too much.

I came to inform. Your response, since you're a small minded griper, was to attack...and to quote others since you're inept, uninformed, incompetent and have too much time on your hands. there is nothing to believe, only to determine the truthfulness of it for oneself…which can't be done when the necessary time to do so is dedicated to concocting more vapid and idiotic "responses".

And then you quote someone else regarding my "civility"!

The coward's generation is upon us. The anonymous, impotent little snipes who take shots at those who dare to bring something of worth and value. Devoid of the reasoning power to think through, let alone intelligently challenge that which is deep and substantial, they darenot speak even their…own names.

Not a specific rebuttal r comment, nnot a reference to that which has been pointed out, of course.

I tell you what, you're going to want the last word (probably including quoting someone else that you can hide behind) and you can have it. But I will say that you're the poster child for so much that's wrong with this world and that has emerged like a festering sore, since the weak minded could gain easy access to computers and, like the proverbial 10,000 monkeys, hammer away with nothing to say, hoping that the words somehow come together to create the illusion of meaningful expression.

Have at, my spineless little friend, have at it.

10/7/2013 07:21:25 pm

Very well, let's inform, shall we?

Excerpts taken from billymeirufocase.com

Eduard Albert “Billy” Meier is a 70+ year old, one and a half armed, Swiss farmer. He was born in 1937 and he claims to have been in contact with extra-terrestrials named the “Plejaren” or, formerly known as, the “Pleiadians”. According to Meier’s own biographies he claims to have been arrested for assault, convicted, and sent to youth prison. Twice. The first was in 1951 and then again in 1953. After escaping from prison in 1953 he joined the French Foreign Legion. In 1955 he deserted from the French Foreign Legion, returned to Switzerland for prosecution, and was “institutionalized” for two years. After his release Meier began to travel throughout the Middle East as a day laborer. During these travels he claims to have engaged in the grave robbing of a site he claims to have been the tomb of Jesus Christ in 1963. Shortly afterwards he takes his first photos of “UFOs” while in India. In 1964 he is expelled from India on charges of vagrancy and shortly thereafter had his left arm amputated at the elbow because he was hanging it outside the window of a bus when the bus crashed. In 1967 he meets and marries Kalliope. In 1975 he founded the Freie Interessengemeinschaft fur Grenz- und Geisteswissenschaften und Ufologiestudien (aka Free Community of Interests for Fringe and Spiritual Sciences and Ufology), otherwise known as FIGU. In the late 1980s/early 1990s, Billy Meier had pretty much stopped presenting physical evidence for his alleged extra-terrestrial contacts and instead concentrated on the “Spiritual Teachings” that were encompassed in his alleged discussions with the Plejaren in what have become known as the “Contact Notes”. These documents contained alleged prophecies and predictions, as well as a “philosophy of life” as professed by the Plejaren. Meier claims that he is the only person who has been contacted by extra-terrestrials on Earth. He also claims to be the seventh incarnation of the “prophet” connecting Earth to the Plejaren. The first incarnation was Henoch around 11,000 years ago followed by Elijah around 2,800 years ago, then Isiah, Jeremiah, and Jmmanuel (aka Jesus Christ) around 2,000 years ago, and then Mohammed around 1,400 years ago. Yes, Billy Meier claims to be the reincarnation of both Jesus Christ and Mohammed.

And according to the Plejaren’s history of the universe,the Earth started to be formed 646 Billion years ago and there were originally 40,353,607 different human races in 343 different skin colors and apes actually descended from human beings.

But wait, there's more.

Michael Horn is the North American Publicist for the alleged UFO Contactee, Eduard Albert "Billy" Meier. As the publicist for the case he runs the website www.theyfly.com. He uses this website to publish many articles in support of the case. Michael Horn also repeatedly claims to have won the Independent Investigations Group's $50,000 Paranormal Challenge. This is simply not true. The IIG Paranormal Challenge is available to any individual that can prove, in a controlled setting, that they have abilities that are outside the norm. The Challenge began in 2002 with a $5,000 award and it is currently a $50,000 award. At no time in the history of the Challenge has Michael Horn, or more specifically Billy Meier, ever submitted an application for the Challenge. On March 15, 2004, the Independent Investigations Group, the Center For Inquiry-Los Angeles, and the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) challenged Michael Horn to produce some alleged extraterrestrial metal for scientific analysis. If it's found to be otherworldly, Billy Meier could be eligible to meet the IIG and JREF Paranormal Challenges -- with a combined prize total of over One Million Dollars! Michael Horn has, so far, been unwilling to produce the metal for testing.

Here's a link to a story about how Michael uses misquotes to promote his agenda:
http://billymeierufocase.com/michaelhornmisquotes.html

And here's another showing e-mail traffic between himself and those investigating Meier's claims. Interestingly, it contains a summary showing his admittance to posting false articles to deceive the general public:
http://billymeierufocase.com/michaelhornemails.html

Full disclosure; this site is owned by Derek Bartholomaus, who was a member of the Independent Investigations Group (IIG). They can be found at http://www.iigwest.org, and Phil Langdon is at
http://billymeierufo.com/index.html. Yes, there are other sites that feel the whole thing is a hoax, including some hilarious photos of a Plejaren "laser pistol", at http://www.ufowatchdog.com/billy_meier.htm.

10/8/2013 04:08:21 am

Yaaaaaaawn.

James Randi RETRACTS claim Meier case a hoax: http://theyfly.com/PDF/RandiRetractsClaim.pdf

Top Skeptic RETRACTS Hoax Claims - Helps Prove Meier Case Real!: http://theyfly.com/newsflash91/Top_Skeptic_Fixed.htm

Skeptics at IIG Caught Falsifying Evidence!: http://theyfly.com/Skeptics_Caught.htm

Confirming Meier’s Jupiter Information and Debunking the Incorrect Debunkers … Again:
http://www.theyfly.com/skeptical-challenge/confirming-meier’s-jupiter-information-and-debunking-incorrect-debunkers-…-again

Look Out for that Tree!: http://www.theyfly.com/skeptical-challenge/look-out-tree

Scientific Experts’ Comments on Meier’s Evidence: http://www.theyfly.com/scientific-experts-comments-meiers-evidence

Scientist astonished at Billy Meier's prophetic accuracy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXyHhUSeJeU

5,100 Year-Old Iceman Proves Meier UFO Contact Case True!: http://theyfly.com/newsflash91/5100_year_old_man.htm

Corroboration & Evidence: http://www.theyfly.com/corroboration-evidence

…you get the idea.

JAM

10/9/2013 06:36:00 am

When one learns that the CIA first scoffed at the idea of investigating UFOs, and then later realized the potential the idea of UFOs had to hide their Oxcart program, should pretty much end the Government hiding UFOs controversy. Context is everything and a slim, silver plane flying 2700 mph in the 1950s is a UFO to any lay person witnessing it! At that speed, it streaks through the heavens and has no discernible shape. The thing needed something like the distance from Big Sur to Santa Barbara to turn around!!! What was the average person to think? UFO for sure!

10/9/2013 10:34:44 am

Referring to the CIA - as if they WEREN'T also in the disinformation business - is amusing.

Nonetheless, the UFOs seen in Meier's photos - dating from 1964 to 1981 (http://www.theyfly.com/newsflash5/tree.htm) - certainly don't look quite like a "slim, silver plane"...or do they look like planes to you?

I guess if someone uses the CIA as a source reference...anything is possible.

10/9/2013 10:43:48 am

Terry,

Actually, if logic hasn't completely escaped you, it's "totally insane" of Langdon (or his supporters) to assert that Meier used models...BECAUSE Langdon MADE models of the objects in Meier's photos, films, video, etc.

The point has been amply made that because someone makes a model of something, it doesn't mean that the object they modeled isn't real, full-size, etc.

This is just another extremely painful example of the deficiencies inherent in referring to oneself as a skeptic. If one is really in search of the truth, it is sufficient to affirm that one is scientific and to judge all evidence using scientific principles.

In contrast, skeptics come to the matter with their minds made up, trying to fit that which is outside of their paradigm into their nice, neat little boxes of...BELIEFS.

To be clear, I acknowledge the validity of making models for the sake of making models...not for proving the object they modeled is a model!

10/9/2013 11:43:14 am

@Michael Horn

> because someone makes a model of something, it doesn't mean that the object they modeled isn't real, full-size, etc.

Michael, don't lie.

You yourself have argued that Meier's evidence must be real because it couldn't be duplicated. It says so right on your Coast to Coast page!

http://www.coasttocoastam.com/guest/horn-michael/5690

You promote duplication in your press releases: "I’ve been actively encouraging his attempts to duplicate Meier’s UFO films and video...Perhaps people may now really appreciate the authenticity of Meier and his evidence when they see just that the best, modern efforts at debunking it fall demonstrably short of Meier’s films."

http://www.theyfly.com/skeptical-challenge/british-skeptic-tries-duplicate-meier%E2%80%99s-ufo-films

Now that Langdon has reproduced Meier, you're changing your argument <i>to the exact opposite?</i>

That's not called logic, Horn, that's called opportunism. Own it.

10/9/2013 11:55:28 am

I'll try to make this even easier for you.

What Langdon did was to "duplicate" an EFFECT. Just like when someone makes a model of an airplane, car, etc. (hopefully THAT doesn't have to be spelled out again).

Now, since the new, professionally done photo analysis of the WCUFO (complete with two videos showing the methodology, using different size metallic globes, etc.) clearly shows that the object ISN'T a small model close to the camera, OBVIOUSLY Langdon DIDN'T duplicate Meier's evidence.

You're apparently accepting the premise that Meier used models and therefore that Langdon duplicated Meier's "models" and photos, etc. Very UNcritical of you, of course, since you have an agenda, not to find and know the truth but to show that it's all fake…clever you.

Again, if self-described (and once again anonymous) skeptics actually approached such information, evidence (both physical and informational) with some objectivity instead of knee jerk, self-assured, know-it-all certainty that Meier just MUST be hoaxing, etc., maybe there'd be just a little more hope for humankind.

There seems to be some kind of inverse relationship to the rise of online activity and the decline in critical thinking, logic, objectivity…and curiosity and common sense as well.

10/9/2013 01:59:05 pm

@Michael Horn

> OBVIOUSLY Langdon DIDN'T duplicate Meier's evidence.

You're kidding, right?

Langdon made an exact duplicate of the laughable Wedding Cake UFO using a canister lid and various odds and ends.

> the new, professionally done photo analysis of the WCUFO...clearly shows that the object ISN'T a small model close to the camera

Professionally done? Your analyst says: "I might be wrong - I'm not a professional.”

http://www.theyfly.com/skeptical-challenge/new-photo-analysis-shows-wcufo-be-authentic

And of course you don't address the stubborn fact that you have flip-flopped on your rationale for the autheticity of the Meier images.

Your comments -- past and present -- demonstrate my point: you are not an earnest advocate. You are pure entertainment!

10/9/2013 12:03:07 pm

P.S. Maybe, possibly and...hopefully, if you contemplate what this fellow has accomplished:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24796741@N05/

..you just MAY get some intuitive clarity, inspiration, a clearing of gunk from your overly invested skepticism, so that you can UNDERSTAND that to duplicate an EFFECT is NOT the same as duplicating the real thing.

Meier's photographic and other evidence was indeed analyzed and examined by experts in the field who were credible, qualified nad certanly not shills trying to make evidence conform to expectations,e tc.:

http://www.theyfly.com/scientific-experts-comments-meiers-evidence

You may wish to consider the outrageous, over the top egoism that effectively presumes that this man, Meier, was and has been just trying to outsmart brilliant people like you (the skeptics), beginning decades and decades ago.

My suggestion is that anyone who's really serious go do some on site investigating, meet the man, his family, some of the 100 witnesses and other photographers, etc. - none of which is necessary though for those who actually can..think their way through the abundant evidence and documentation.

10/9/2013 02:09:49 pm

Well, Terry, I guess even though this link to the New Documentation:

http://www.theyfly.com/new-documentation

...is right near the top of the page, for some reason you just couldn't find it.

Now, maybe you're kidding, right?

I also suggest that you reread what I've already pointed out about making "exact models" as you put it (otherwise known as creating the EFFECT)...and of course look at all the nice "exact models" made by Michael Paul Smith.

Then scratch your head, tweak your nose, kick your heels together and...find something that you're actually competent at rather than continuing to prove that skeptics and their prejudicial belief systems are primitive, cultic, poor substitutes for objectivity, logic and scientific thinking.

Jason Colavito link

10/9/2013 02:08:37 pm

While I appreciate the comments on this post, please continue it in the forum rather than here since it is no longer relevant to the blog topic.

10/9/2013 03:27:24 pm

Jason,

I thank you for hosting this discussion, which may have veered from the blog topic and my own intention when I posted my first comment.

I certainly feel that there's sufficient information from my point of view for anyone who cares to research the information and evidence pertaining to the Billy Meier UFO contact case.

Thanks again,

MH