In the Introduction to her book, author Leslie Kean states she uses the term UFO (Unidentified Flying Objects) and UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) interchangeably even though she realizes that UAP is the broader term. She might have been better served if she had maintained a strict separation. In those residual cases that truly are unidentified, not only do the objects appear not to “fly” in the normal sense of the word  (aerodynamically), but there is the distinct possibility that they are not “objects” in the normal sense of that word either. In addition, as she points out, that the term UFO has come (incorrectly) to connote “extraterrestrial” to such an extent that its strictly correct meaning is now probably lost for good. “UFO” is dated and should be consigned to the scrap heap along with “flying saucer.” UAP reflects current thinking best, but probably wouldn't be as catchy for the title for her book.

The book is well written and carefully researched over a considerable period of time, but despite advocating “militant agnosticism,” a preference for the extraterrestrial hypothesis by the author, and many of the contributors, is implicit. Some of the contributors don't even attempt a neutral position.

Also in the Introduction, the author states that what is being observed is “a solid physical  phenomenon” and she reiterates this position at various other places in following chapters. This may be one adjective too many. It could be a physical phenomenon without being solid. Many of the observed characteristics which are so puzzling for an object which is, in fact, solid are easily explained by an apparent object which is virtual. Without violating any of the currently understood laws of physics, what I am suggesting is some kind of interactive holographic projection (IHP). How do you do that? Good question!

For a particularly astute piece of analysis on this, search on “Particle Beams and Saucer Dreams,” an on-line essay by Tom Mahood. This essay speculates about events observed over Area 51 in the late 1980s and early 1990s and points the way to what may have become a highly developed black budget project.

In Chapter 23 Author Kean does an excellent job of introducing us to the world of  classified  information and touches on the category of Unacknowledged Special Access Programs (UASAPs). So, let's pursue that for a moment. Suppose, following the line of thought developed by Tom Mahood, that a technology has been stumbled upon that has highly significant strategic implications. Maybe it's some combination of a particle beam's ability to produce a ball of plasma in the atmosphere that can maneuvered  with ease, and also has the ability of the standard cathode ray tube as found in traditional TV sets to produce a detailed image. That's just a wild guess based upon existing technologies, but whatever it is, it has profound implications. They will, of course, need to test this thing, trying it under different circumstances, possibility even  putting it in a satellite. We know that there are many classified satellites that the military has put into orbit. The problem is that these tests are highly visible and people are bound to see them from time to time. As Mahood says at the end of his essay “You can hide the program but you can't hide the physics.” In order to avoid having to explain what is going on, some kind of disinformation cover is required. Serendipity comes to the rescue, that kind of cover already exists — it's UFOs! Now all the military/government complex has to do is cast aspersions on the whole idea of UFOs and they're home free.

Most of the above constitutes a domestic technology explanation for UAPs, but does that mean the extraterrestrial hypothesis is invalid? It does not. There is no reason why extraterrestrials wouldn't make use of the same technology and we would have to expect that it would be in a highly developed state coming from that quarter. For more speculation along this line go to: http://schoonermoon.com/category/papers/alien-spacecraft/.

Congratulations are in order to author Leslie Kean for providing a clearly written  framework for thought on this subject.

For more information or to purchase this book from Amazon.Com simply click on the book's title: UFO: Generals, Pilots, and Government Officials Go on the Record.

Robert L. Mason
Mendocino, CA
August, 2010