John Podesta writes probing foreword for new book on UFOs

 

He’s not saying he was abducted by a UFO and probed or anything, but former President Clinton’s chief of staff John Podesta is lending his name to a new book on UFOs.

Podesta has written the foreword for “UFOs: Generals, Pilots and Government Officials Go On the Record” by investigative journalist Leslie Kean, which will be released Aug. 10.

This isn’t that shocking, as Podesta has been on the record before as an advocate for the Pentagon to release classified government papers on UFO investigations.

"It is time for the government to declassify records that are more than 25 years old and to....

...provide scientists with data that will assist in determining the real nature of this phenomenon," he said back in 2002.

Now, eight years later, Podesta is still -- as he puts it -- "curious."

“As someone interested in the questions of UFOs, I think I have always understood the difference between fact and fiction. I guess you could call me a curious skeptic,” he's reported to write.

UFO enthusiasts say the inclusion of Podesta gives the book weight.

“Its credibility begins on the first page with John Podesta and continues with case studies of extraordinary quality to the very end,” writes John L. Petersen, the founder and president of the Arlington Institute (a think tank for futurists).

We prefer UFO tales like the first episode of "South Park." in which Eric Cartman, a skeptic of alien beings, finds out for himself that he’s been wrong on the topic.

Sadly, this book seems to be the antithesis of that masterpiece.  But then again, Podesta probably wouldn’t have lent his name to that production.

As no videos are available for Kean's new book, we'll go the "South Park" route.

-- Jimmy Orr

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Photo: Space aliens and cows make peace on South Park. Credit: South Park screenshot.

Comments

[fedup]

Over the past few weeks there has been a rash of sightings of idiotic newspaper articles on the subject of UFO's.

It appears that we are being invaded by smug, sarcastic, and utterly ignorant pseudo journalsts who think that making fun of people who believe in UFO's makes them look smart.

In fact, without exception, none of these writers have done the most basic research on the subject. They are far too clever to consider the radar data from the Stephensville siughtings of 2008, in which five independent FAA radar beacons showed a massive object moving at mach 4 and 40 mph alternatively and being chased by ten f16's.

And they are far too clever to consider the testimony of the astronauts, scientists, generals etc featured in Leslie Kean's book, Any one of these people, including John Podesta has an IQ that dwarfs those of these writers combined.

Instead of doing any research, they gigle about "little green men" and feature South Park videos with their articles. If Jimmy Orr wrote a review on a book of any other topic with this paucity of knowledge and insight, he would be fired.

Does Jimmy Orr have any honest criticism of the notable people in this book, or is he so intellectually out of his league that all he can do is say "Nyah Nyah"? Is he so void of curiosity and wonder that he is not interested in the testimony included in this book?

The time has come where making fun of decorated astronaurts, generals, and scientists who actually research this subject makes a writer look like they are compensating for a very small intellect indeed.

[Gary Lewan]

'FED UP' comments are spot on. Media Mogul Rupert Murdock once said 'today's news is tomorrow's fishrappings'.Intellectually Mr Orr is a desert and unfortunately typical of todays mainstream journalism,never let the truth or the facts get in the way of a good story.

[Timothy]

To start off an article with the damaging statement, "He’s not saying he was abducted by a UFO and probed or anything, but former President Clinton’s chief of staff John Podesta is lending his name to a new book on UFOs," is pure manipulation of the facts. What if someone were to write about the author by starting off, "Jimmy Orr is not saying he mass murdered a large group of people in his home town, but..."

Bookending the article with South Park was priceless manipulation. It is outright telling the reader not to take the former White House Chief of staff with anything but a grain of salt. It reminds me of the propaganda printed in the newspapers in Germany leading up to World War two.

Perhaps the author could visit Capri this week, where ufo have been hovering over the waters for some times now, days in a row, at the same time each day.

Between the credibility of John Podesta, former white house Chief of Staff and "author, " Jimmy Orr, who? I choose Podesta.

[Eric]

John L. Petersen, president of the Arlington Institute, who was quoted in this story, is claimed to have had direct contact with aliens. In fact, the economist Catherine Austin Fitts has claimed that John Petersen invited her to "meet an alien" (LITERALLY). Supposedly Petersen is involved with projects that involve alien contact). This all sounds bizarre, but it's true, according to Fitts:

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0209/S00126.htm

"I met with a group of high level people in the military in the process --- including the Undersecretary. According to John, the purpose of the plan --- discussed in front of several military or retired military officers and former government officials--- was to help the Navy adjust their operations for a world in which it was commonly known that aliens exist and live among us.

When John explained this purpose to me, I explained that I did not know that aliens existed and lived among us. John asked me if I would like to meet some aliens. For the only time in my life, I declined an opportunity to learn about something important. I was concerned that my efforts with Arlington could boomerang and be connected with the smear campaign and the effects that I was managing. I regret that decision. At John's suggestion I started to read books on the topic and read about 25 books over the next year on the alien question, the black budget, and alien technology."

...

"1. Aliens exist and live among us;

2. In part for this reason as well the accumulated investment over the last 50 years, the technology we have access to through the black budget is far more advanced than is commonly understood;

3. The black budget/slush fund construct was created to deal with this issue, which is why reasonable people thought selling drugs to the children who were US citizens was the better of several options --- including the option of telling the American public the truth and funding the expenses on budget."

[point of ref]

Maybe give the guy a break? If he took the subject seriously, he'd lose his job anyway. This way, bringing in pop culture (South Park) and a healthy dose of surrealism ("As no videos are available for Kean's new book..."—can't say that about the Twilight Saga!), he's sure to get SEO koodos and whatnot. (Oh, and I love how he mentioned that Podesta was "reported" to write something that he, Orr, felt good enough about to quote in a journalistic context—y'know, how people "allegedly report" seeing such and such.)

Point is: We know the guy only read Podesta's "probing forward" to Kean's book, since the title of the article indicates so much. That's Orr's only real point of reference. Given this point alone, I can't say to respect Orr's authori-TIE.

[assignment help]

Keep sharing this type of article its useful.

[weezil]

But you see Podesto is the disinformation evil genius of the diabolical left engineering control of this country. He has been discredited time and again for his disinformation glasnost attacks which are funded by control freaks like SOROS and TURNER. VIVA la revoluciano !!!

[Terrytwotoes]

Agree with the comments, the jurno's that mok the ufo subject are cowards, they present the story and usesubtle mockery to negate it, fkn cowards

[Phil]

News media and idiotic journalists couple any UFO story with some stupid joke. This has been going on for decades and I have been hoping it would stop, but it has not.
Why in the hell does "Jimmy Orr" feel compelled to drag South Park into this ? The "stupid factor"? Lets make fun of something we dont know anything about ? Lets show the world how hip we are by being sarcastic ?
This crap needs to stop. There have been plenty of very credible witnesses of UFOs.
Grow up Jimmy, become James and start shaving before you write any more worthless attack pieces like this. At least do a little bit of research.

[Darrin Johnson]

Fedup your spot on! If you want to comment on this subject do a little basic research, there is a mountain of scientific evidence and officials who watch aircraft everyday frustrated beyond believe this information can't be made public.

[Steve Allen]

Seeing is believing! I witnessed the Stephenville event! Everyone including the government simply try's to explain it away like it did not happen. It was up close and personal! Look at the proof (radar reports) and all the witnesses! Just another writer trying to get there 15 minutes of fame. At leat Podesta, Larry King, O'Rilley and others are trying to assist. I did made a plea to President Bush in 2008, "Please Mr. President, the gig is up, the cat is out of its bag, tell us what is going on! We are NOT a bunch of idiots, can handle it!"
I am sure the truth is out there and we will find out!

[Dave Tuttle]

It's a shame that when a former presidential chief of staff endorses an issue, it's given the same tabloid treatment what's going on between Angelina and Brad and Jen (actually, they don't really get the silly treatment, do they?). Why don't you take the issue seriously and try to find out what's going on? Do you even plan to skim through the book, Mr. Orr, let alone read it? Arriving at opinions before considering evidence is utter foolishness and, unfortunately, all too often characteristic of our culture. The real shame is that the media perpetuate this failing of our society when they are supposed to be stewards of our common intellect.

[END OF RANT]

[Timbo]

To Jimmy's credit, he is writing from Los Angeles - that notable center of intellectual curiosity.

[ken meaux]

john p. lending his name to ufo book is curious, like ufo investigators only have credibility when heavies loan their name, very SAD

[Susan]

Instead of doing any research, they gigle about "little green men" and feature South Park videos with their articles. If Jimmy Orr wrote a review on a book of any other topic with this paucity of knowledge and insight, he would be fired.

[Cody Jackson]

That has to be one of the most ignorant commentaries I've read in a long time. Using South Park to belittle a former chief of staff, and every other official (our heroic astronauts included) seems to me extremely juvenile. Read up Mr. Orr before you write your commentaries, please? South Park, are you kidding?

[Ryan]

The blogger who added South Park needs to grow up. This blog was written by someone who still watches cartoons? Lets grow up L.A. times and your numbers might not continue to dive into the toilet.

[Ryan]

What does UFOs have to do with South Park??? -----------Blog Author----->you just announced to us that you are out of touch and basically the reason your audience is leaving in record numbers.

Stop making up lies about UFOs.

[Sorensen]

This article shows exactly why the mainstream media is dying. Pseudo-journalists like Orr live in a bubble of blissful arrogance, mistaking conventional wisdom for the truth. Or perhaps he takes his cues from the so-called skeptic community, which itself is a bought-and-paid-for creation of the corporate mainstream media. So go ahead, ridicule what you don't understand, because that's what you've been trained to do. Ignore the facts that don't fit into your programming, such as statements on extraterrestrial life from Stephen Hawking, the Royal Society, the Vatican Observatory etc etc etc.

The LA Times will be gone soon, as will most of the newspapers and the self-satisfied stupidity that has driven away millions of readers of all political and social persuasions. And this kind of lazy, smug dinosaur (dinos-Orr?) elitism will come crashing down to earth and will never be seen again.

[Eric]

Very disappointing.

Apparently the LAT doesn't have the courage to run a piece on ETs without throwing in a silly South Park video. This coverage is more like one would expect from a pimple-faced blogger.

[Gary]

I agree with Mr. Fedup. Enough said.

[Zorlac]

Excellent comment FEDUP. My feelings are the same.

I challenge any news agency / journalist to dive into this subject, do some respectable research and analyses to then come up with high-level published / broadcasted piece.

Apparently there lies the challenge. You're it media sphere. Enlighten us.

Check out www.disclosureproject.org for starters.

[Staunch liberal]

Podesta is trying to distract the birthers by suggesting that Obama is in fact
proof of the alien conspiracy.Watch Podesta assume a major role in Hillary's
run against Obama next year.

[Jim Oberg]

So how do we get our own copies of this book -- like, who's the publisher?

I've researched spaceflight-related UFO lore for decades(our "heroic astronauts", it turns out, have NOT encountered UFOs in space, despite what you may have seen on cable channels) and found the pro-UFO treatment of it to be sloppy, highly imaginative, and poorly connected to reality. I look forward to seeing Kean's treatment of such topics and will be happy to offer a critique.

[A Former Reporter]

Yes, Jimmy Orr took the easy way out with his not-so-subtle suggestion that the whole topic of UFOs is on par with a sophomoric cartoon. But the reality is, mainstream journalists - who are already scared witless of losing their jobs as more newspapers go belly-up - are not going risk their credibility and livelihoods on such a controversial topic.
Sad but true.
-A former reporter

[Joseph Capp]

I am often amused by the tongue and cheek attitude from writers on this subject and the people who entertain the subject for scientific reasons. I guess pilots astronauts, (Gorden Cooper) (Edger Michael) , police, fireman, FBI detectives are not as trustworthy as some writers. It easier to bring up the probe part and laugh it off. Of course they could be right and a real investigative Journalist, if there are any around now, could find some answers...but I guess it's better and safer to make fun.
Joe Capp
UFO Media Matters
Non-Commercial Blog

[Scub de Bibliac]

WOW!!

The LAT throwing a big wig democrat under the bus!?

Will wonders never cease? I thought this rag only beat up republican's.

Wonder why Podesta waited until AFTER Clinton left office to come out of the closet?

[Jim Oberg]

Joe Capp: " I guess pilots astronauts, (Gorden Cooper) (Edger Michael) , police, fireman, FBI detectives are not as trustworthy as some writers."

Joe, I guess UFO advocates either like non-verifiable second hand stories (like Mitchell's) or they like non-researched 'useful' stories that are deliberately NOT checked up on, to avoid 'damaging' their public relations value (name me ANY UFO 'researcher' who actually 'researched' ANY of Cooper's stories, as in, say, asking any OTHER witnesses?). I hope Kean's standards are higher than yours.

[Dan]

Dear Mr. Orr and fellow kneejerk skeptics:

We've got your number.

See:

http://www.tinyurl.com/debunkery

[Louis Blaine]

Why have an uninformed moron like this review such a book? John Podesta has very solid credentials in the public sector, so why would he support a supposedly ridiculous book? The LA Times can do better than field book reviewers shallow to think in terms of "Southpark," regarding this or anything else.

[Nate]

While I think this is shoddy journalism at best, I must thank the author of the article. I had no idea such a book was coming out. I am going to order my copy right now.

[Mark Samuelson]

The process of evolution and human growth as a species is the act of expansion, the neverending act of constantly becoming more and more familiar with reality. What holds us back again and again throughout human history, is the ego of those in the presiding establishment who want to put the breaks on this motion, as to in effect promote that the current intellect of humans is the crown of creation, something that conveniently makes those within the establishment therefore the smartest and most superior, most right,.. they intimate giant leaps and changes in our understanding are not possible, not out of something drawn from an objective look at reality but from wanting to associate with that within the establishment that appears smart and right. As the idea of the universe not revolving around Earth was hundreds of years ago to the then establishment, the idea of more advanced intelligent life being here on Earth is taken the same to the establishment.. those in the establishment esteem themselves as being an authority on what is what,... and something that greatly chaffes at that, makes these indivdiuals that esteem their self worths for appearances of being smart and accepted within the establishment feel threatened. So they laugh and deride even in the face of being obviously too late wrong

It is therefore not from reality that our media present the UFO issue, but from a simple construct made by human ego afraid of implications to image that says UFOs are not real. Reality: millions of sightings, so many everyone knows someone personally that has had a sighting or encounter. You have thousands of former government officials who say there is a cover up, you have hundreds of thousands of recovered classified documents stating as such. You have thousands of people who have passed lie detectors on their experiences. You have foreign governments releasing tens of thousands of pages of classified documents which speak to the existence of an ET phenomenon.

You have over 15 implants that have been removed from contactees that have completely anomalous properties such as being composed of non terrestial metals and being encased in some kind of biological webbings that incoporate the hosts DNA as to prevent rejection from the body. Some of these implants have been filmed to move on their own accord. Some have emitted signals.

You have tens of thousands of unexplained animal mutilations each where bloodless lazer like precision removal of parts is described, many times accompanied by strange lights in the sky.

You have hundreds of intricately made crop circles, which upon laboratory investigation of downed plants in a circle repeatedly reveals the use of something along the lines of intense microwave energy which downed the plants, repeatedly pieces of magnetite are strangely found within the circles, routines the lay of the circles is intricately woven.. to the point of near impossibility on this alone to be accomplished by human makers.. you have routinely anomalous magnetic readings within circles and drainage of batteries, often the circles have been witnessed in conjunction with anomalous lights and UFOs.
Yet the media feels given all this it's realistically tenable to assert that it's made all by human pranksters. See the reality vs an unreality/ insanity.. I'm talking of? The kind of wonderland that the media lives in and promotes, to the devastating affect of slowing humanity's growth... all by the mistake of succumbing to the worship of self, appearances of being smart and right, and holding onto ones job. Honesty prevails here which is a sad truth, because the media and so much is based promotes dishonesty meaning it will crumble as the papers are doing not by coincidence.

Mikhail Gorbachev, the USSR's last head of state: "The phenomenon of UFOs does exist, and it must be treated seriously."

Jimmy Carter, US President from 1976 to 1980, promised while on the campaign trail that he would make public all documents on UFOs if elected. He said: "I don't laugh at people any more when they say they've seen UFOs. I've seen one myself."

J Edgar Hoover, head of the FBI from its inception in 1935 to 1972, said of a famous incident when flying saucers were allegedly fired at over Los Angeles in 1942: "We must insist upon full access to disks recovered. For instance, in the LA case the Army grabbed it and would not let us have it for cursory examination."

Dr. Herman Oberth, a Nazi rocket engineer who was taken to the US after the war and became one of the fathers of modern spaceflight, said: "It is my thesis that flying saucers are real and that they are spaceships from another solar system.There is no doubt in my mind that these objects are interplanetary craft of some sort. I and my colleagues are confident that they do not originate in our solar system."

Monsignor Corrado Balducci, a Vatican theologian, said: "Extraterrestrial contact is a real phenomenon. The Vatican is receiving much information about extraterrestrials and their contacts with humans from its embassies in various countries, such as Mexico, Chile and Venezuela."

Richard Nixon, US President from 1969 to 1974: "I'm not at liberty to discuss the government's knowledge of extraterrestrial UFO's at this time. I am still personally being briefed on the subject."

Dr J Allen Hynek, director of the US Air Force's Project Blue Book investigation into UFOs, said: "When the long-awaited solution to the UFO problem comes, I believe that it will prove to be not merely the next small step in the march of science, but a mighty and totally unexpected quantum leap... we had a job to do, whether right or wrong, to keep the public from getting excited."

Ronald Reagan, US President from 1980 to 1988, "I looked out the window and saw this white light.It was zigzagging around. I went up to the pilot and said, 'Have you ever seen anything like that?' He was shocked and he said, 'nope.' And I said to him: 'Let's follow it!' We followed it for several minutes. It was a bright white light.We followed it to Bakersfield, and all of a sudden to our utter amazement it went straight up into the heavens. When I got off the plane I told Nancy all about it."

[Glen Warner]

Phil wrote: "News media and idiotic journalists couple any UFO story with some stupid joke. This has been going on for decades and I have been hoping it would stop, but it has not."

Phil is correct. If you read articles about UFOs -- be they sighting reports or pretty much anything -- there will always be an attempt at humor at the very least.

Ever wonder why that is?

A book was published a few years ago called "The Missing Times," by Terry Hansen (check the website when you get a chance; it's the title of the book plus dot com, natch). In it, the author explains exactly why the newspapers present a negative spin on the whole UFO subject instead of just reporting events in the way everyone was taught in Journalism 100.

Frankly, the government does not want this information getting out, and has people at the various news organizations whose sole job is to censor such stories, and the few that do get through end up reporting mere shadows of what actually occurred.

Think of it this way: If you are the leader of the most technologically advanced country on your planet, and craft from somewhere else routinely hover over your nuclear silos and initiate launch sequences, would you really want the public to know about something like that?

Probably not. To hide things like that, you would resort to media manipulation and propaganda, just as Mr. Hansen's book says ... and sort of like Mr. Orr's rather crappy review of what just might be an eye opening book, should the lay-public actually read it.

Back in the 80s, there was a rather involved UFO case near a base called RAF Bentwaters, in which several of the base personnel interacted with the UFOs and, apparently, the occupants.

A few years later, a journalist (a *real* journalist, Mr. Orr!) asked Margaret Thatcher (after she had left office) about the incident and was told, "... you can't tell the people!"

For what it's worth ....

--gdw

[Robert Powell]

Jim Oberg,

Some of the more verifiable UFO stories that you should consider would be the RB-47 case of 1957, the Tehran case of 1976, the Japan Air case of 1986, and the Stephenville case of 2008. None of these cases prove that UFO incidents are caused by extraterrestrial craft. However, they are significant enough to warrant a serious look at the cause of the UFO phenomena and to develop possible hypotheses to explain it. The current approach of ignoring the phenomena is not open-minded.

Robert Powell

[Raj]

What an absolute car-wreck of an article. I usual don't expect infantile pieces from the LA Times---so give me a few minutes to get myself together here.

Leslie Kean is considered one of the most serious UFO researchers in the world. She's never made assumptions about what UFOs are. She uses the most high-caliber witnesses (government, military, etc) and government documents to drive home the point that the phenomenon is real--whether it's a hitherto unexplained natural phenomenon---or something else altogether. Her scientific approach to investigative journalism is dead serious and is not well-known among the mainstream press because she's not in the business of selling snake-oil or even using the word "alien"----like other UFO researchers the mainstream press tends to gravitate towards.

That John Podesta has only ever gone to bat for her and no other UFO researcher (let alone talked about the issue on TV/Radio Talk shows), should speak volumes. Moreover, he was chosen as Obama's Transition committee chief despite his 2002 statement on UFO disclosure at the National Press Club.

Finally, Orr seems too busy obsessing over South Park Anal Probes to notice that the book got pre-release rave reviews from the likes of respected Physicist Dr. Michio Kaku, former CNN Sci-Tech correspondent Miles O'Brien and many others.

The LA Times should be ashamed of this lapse in quality reporting and owes Ms. Kean the same respect it would offer anyone else with both her credentials and those of the people extolling her book.

[Eileen Campbell]

The first episode of Southpark was a "masterpiece", Mr. Orr?

He's interested in the questions of UFOs and hastens to add, in the same sentence, he understands the difference between fact and faction.

By the end of his piece he's using "we" to describe himself.

We, that is just about 100% of us who bothered to leave a comment, are FED UP with hearing from ignorant, self-righteous "skeptics" who know nothing about the subject and make money saying as much. It's tired, it's done.

WAKE UP!

[Chupacabracandelabra]

It appears "fedup" has excoriated the LA Times adequately, and to do so further for whitewashing a serious subject would simply be redundant.

If the writer has an interest in the truth, as it is known about cattle mutilations, I'd suggest he see the Emmy-winning documentary, "Strange Harvest", by Linda Moulton Howe. Literally thousands of cattle around the US and the world have been systematically, and surgically destroyed, and left in heaps. It's funny until it's your cattle and have lost thousands of dollars in beef, plus been victimized by the government, or something which you have no control over.

Check the Cattlemen's Associations in Colorado, and Montana; check the NIDS site for private investigations, it's all there, and this activity goes on to this day.

It won't be as funny as a South Park episode, but the reality of losing your livestock seldom is.

[Observer]

The real questions which need asking are 1) since the book is unreleased, how can any "review" such as Orr's be in any way credible? 2) linking Leslie Kean's book with the puerile nonsense of this episode of "South Park" reveals much more about "Jimmy" Orr than the book, and 3) this kind of treatment of a serious book about the history and evidence of the real ufo phenomenon shows just how censorious and backward both Orr and the L.A. Times are when it comes to fortean and esoteric issues of serious merit and meaning.

Big time fail by both Orr and the L.A. Times, as cowardly and hypocritical minions of the MSM once again. Mission accomplished, by idiots.

[David]

Actually the story about UFOs and the coverup by the US military/intelligence community is not really that funny. It is a sordid and unfortunate episode in American and World history and it is high time the coverup was exposed. For more information on the coverup see www.sentforlife.com/theufocoverup.html

[FMPU]

Orr,

South Park? It's interesting to see how the UFO network, which has dramatically gone berserk in size, has finally climbed through its infancy stage and has become stronger and continues to thrive despite the easy target it creates.
Podesta might be a disinfo agent. Greg Bishop lost credibility. . . and so have so many others because UFOlogy or whatev u wanna call it is an economy.
BUT - there is merit. There exists UFOs. And if YOU, Mr. Orr, want to make light, go for it! But please could you use references that are more relevant than South Park? I see you trying, but South Park is just lame, while some (yeah... some) UFO sightings are no joke. Stop using the nutrasweet to make a "light" article and for once just stop being so typical and use a spoonful of REAL f'ing sugar.

[Anthony]

You would go the southpark route. I wouldn't expect real journalism from your organization. Your just puppets who do the masters bidding...move along folks nothing to see here.

Become enlightened: www.maketheconsciousconnection.com

[alan]

In 1966 my dad was a on-duty policeman, who with several other on-duty officers responded to a late night call of a ufo. when they got there, they saw a structured luminous craft descend in a field, 50 feet away. It had features unlike any conventional craft, and flew with no sound, and accelerated so fast, and stopped in midair. The apparent g-forces would have killed a pilot if we could even build something like it. The event may not convince everybody, but it was investigated my military and civilian researchers, and published as a veritable ufo. There are more details and witnesses, but suffice to say I know something these arrogant journalists don't.

[Dave Haith]

I think the best way to demonstrate the inadequacies of this journalist's review and his obvious ignorance of the subject is to refer him and this newspaper readers to other reviews from folk who take it much more seriously.

The below are taken from the Amazon.Com website.

"At last, a serious and thoughtful book about this controversial subject. Skeptics and true believers will find a treasure trove of insightful and eye opening information. This book is bound to set the gold standard for UFO research."
—Michio Kaku, Ph.D. Author of Physics of the Impossible and host of Sci Fi Science on the Science Channel

“I was astonished by the care and precision of Leslie Kean’s research in this terrific book. Her analysis is carefully reasoned and to the point; her craftsmanship in organization and writing are superb. Her expose' raises important questions: Why does the US government create public distrust by neglecting this important topic? Why do its agencies avoid investigating cases of interference with flight operations and instead issue absurd cover-up stories? This book is ultimately an appeal to all scholars for an "extraordinary investigation of an extraordinary phenomenon.”
—Rudy Schild, Ph.D., Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics

“Like me, Leslie Kean is an agnostic on the issue of UFOs. Her book is a fine piece of journalism - not about beliefs, but about facts. Kean presents the most accurate, most credible reports on UFO's you will ever find. She has fought long and hard to discover the facts and let the chips fall where they may. She may not have the final smoking gun, but I smell the gunpowder.”
—Miles O'Brien, former CNN space/science correspondent

“I find explanations offered by UFO enthusiasts and conspiracy theorists to be implausible, but I also have little patience with "deniers" who ridicule credible reports. Leslie Kean has found a thoughtful path between extreme views, documenting the UFO mystery with intelligence and insight. She makes a strong case for U.S. participation in official, international UFO investigations and for public dissemination of the results. The fascinating first-hand accounts make this a thought-provoking book, even for those of us who don’t know much about UFOs.”
—Neal Lane, Ph.D., Rice University; former Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

“If you don't know much about UFOs, you must read this book. If you think that UFO reports are nonsense, this book will disabuse you of that notion. Leslie Kean's UFOs informs readers at every level of knowledge and belief. It could, and should, become the "tipping point" that leads to public acceptance of the reality of UFOs and all of its implications.”
—Don Donderi, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, McGill University (Ret.)

“In an area of study where there aren’t many, this is a serious book. It is credible, clear, and compelling, without any farfetched jumps in logic and assumption. Its credibility begins on the first page with John Podesta and continues with case studies of extraordinary quality to the very end. Leslie Kean not only makes the case for, but calls for, a whole new concrete and realistic perspective on UFOs that has more honesty and integrity than any other that I have read. This is a book for anyone with an open mind.”
—John L. Petersen, Founder & President of The Arlington Institute

“In these pages we are confronted head-on by the UFO phenomenon as revealed firsthand by highly credible government officials and military aviation experts. Their credibility and integrity cannot be questioned, and their firsthand observations cannot be ignored. Leslie Kean provides a challenging analysis and she writes with penetrating depth and insight. The revelations in this book constitute a watershed event in lifting the taboo against rational discourse about this controversial subject.”
—Harold E. Puthoff, Ph.D., Director of The Institute for Advanced Studies at Austin

“When I started reading Leslie Kean’s UFOs, I found it very difficult to stop. This is an unprecedented assessment of what may be the greatest challenge ever presented to mankind. In an outstanding piece of investigative journalism, Kean provides a well-written and convincing appeal for change in dealing with a phenomenon that can no longer be ignored.”
—Jean-Claude Ribes, Ph.D., Paris Observatory (Ret.)

“For anyone who questions why - after more than fifty years of denial, ridicule, and dismissal - many scientists, academics, political figures, and military personnel still insist that the subject of UFOs should be taken seriously, this book provides the answer. Leslie Kean offers compelling documentation that physical objects, with flight characteristics not yet achievable by known technology, are being routinely reported in our skies. They represent a mystery that needs to be solved.”
—Stuart Appelle, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Science and Mathematics, State University of New York, Brockport

"Leslie Kean’s astonishing book is the finest piece of investigative journalism ever written on this subject. She has an incomparable ability to ‘give voice’ to a constituency of exceptionally qualified and unbiased first-hand observers. They are not from the fringe, not groupies, and not delusional. Rather, they are high-level military, intelligence, aerospace, and government officials who speak with authority while providing reports that document actual, physical craft. Kean’s book represents the first important step toward a new U.S. government openness about UFOs. It brings forward a reality otherwise buried for far too long inside official mystery, and elevates the discourse above that of small-minded public discussions."
—Christopher C. Green, MD, Ph.D., Harper University Hospital, Wayne State University School of Medicine

[fedup]

One week after leaving my comment, I am delighted to find a score of articulate, cogent and justifiably pissed off comments by readers who are obviously intelligent and informed on the subject of the article.

These are the kind of people who read the Los Angeles Times, and who will put this paper out of business if they keep wasting ink on moronic articles like this.

Call me a dreamer, but I believe that THIS VERY ARTICLE, and the comments that have humiliated its author could be the beginning of an important movement. A movement of informed Americans to reject the campaign of ridicule against a topic that is obviously serious and important.

I urge all who wrote comments and those that read them search the internet for other articles about UFO's and let the authors know what you think.

There will be many more "reviews" of Leslie Keane's book in the coming months , and the battle lines will be drawn.

There will be those writers who respect research, logic and facts against those who are either too stupid, lazy, paid off or intimidated to look reality in the eye.

I believe we should applaud the brave and smart and excoriate (thanks for the great word) the apparachniks who tow the frayed and soon to unravel company line.

Finally, a note to Mr Orr:

Perhaps you felt that your readers would get a big kick out of your "probe" jokes and South Park clips. Did you expect comments like: "Right on, man, that John Podesta is a real idiot, South Park rocks!".

Are you samazed that nobody is laughing? Are you more inclined to actually research the subject?

I am certain that all of the commenters would be interested in a response from you to their criticism of your article. As for me, that would be the only way for you to restore your credibility as a journalist.

[Seren]

Over the last several decades John has met and has had access to many sources about UFO's. He absolutely knows the truth and for years, initially, insisted it be revealed. He felt that society in general was ready. Ready that is until he was sat down and was counseled on how fragile the fabric of humanity actually is. When experts in many fields advised him that there was every indication that the revelation would collapse almost all religions as we know them. When he was shown evidence that most if not all governments/ military institutions would crumble - then he realized his own job, his own livelihood, his own material goods , house , car savings, his childrens planned traditional future, all could collapse .....he then quickly became a 'believer' in the largest cover up Humans have ever perpetrated on their own kind.
I cant blame him really, but he and many thousands of humans know the truth.
The truth may collapse much of what humanity is conditioned to know and believe, but it will not stop the insights that will happen. Humans are like children that refuse to grow up. Eventually they will have to go through both a painful and wonderous process to become responsible citizens of a larger Universe full of wonder.
Some will adapt and grow, some will not be able to handle the truth but that wont stop the truth from happening. Not even humans are exempt from reality no matter how fearful, greedy, destructive, secretive and violent their sacred institutions are.

[Anthony]

In regard to the cattle mutilations, you folks are right but you missed an important point. While yes it is a real phenomenon, it is not of extraterrestrial origin. The same multi national covert security complex that maintains the web of disinformation and xenophobia regarding this topic also is responsible for the implants and mutilations...the real ETs would have no such use for such primitive methods....these phenomenon were purposely designed to make people think its ETs in order to keep people in he dark and in fear. The real ETs are more concerned with our enlightenment so we can meet face to face eventually.

[Michael Horn]

It's very nice that yet more books are being written about UFOs but unless they are almost solely devoted to discussing the - still ongoing - Billy Meier UFO contacts why bother?

The fascination with lights in the sky and unknown objects is understandable but the best physical evidence, and the most important (prophetically accurate) scientific evidence, comes from Meier, whose contacts started in 1942.

For those who accept that some of this phenomenon could be extraterrestrial in nature, they will find the actual reason behind it in Meier's information, intended to help us assure our very threatened future survival.

[thesis help]

The testimony of the astronauts, scientists, generals etc featured in Leslie Kean's book, Any one of these people, including John Podesta has an IQ that dwarfs those of these writers combined.
thesis writing help