Fifteen on Friday

Aside from my interests in video games, journalism, and yoga pants, nothing captivates me like the unexplained. Before I became obsessed with the supernatural all I could think of was the prospect of life somewhere else in this big old universe of ours. I had seen a UFO or two in my time, and as I explained in a previous segment one incident in particular cemented my love of aliens till my dying day.

One man I have always looked up to in the field of all things alien is Stanton Friedman. If you've ever watched a documentary on UFO's or caught an episode about them on reality TV you've no doubt seen the man. Even if you don't know his name you know his face. He is one of the most outspoken and well versed researches in the field, with various degrees and accolades that make him just that much more bad ass. Even cooler - he was the original civilian investigator in the Roswell crash. 

Yeah, THAT Roswell crash. 

It's an honor to speak to a man of such distinction and intelligence, and gracious that he could take time out of his busy schedule to answer a fanboy's questions today.

It's  Fifteen on Friday - fifteen questions, one interesting person.

For our uninformed readers, would you tell us about yourself and your work.

There is a bio at my website which also includes a list of books etc. I was trained as a nuclear physicist with BS and MS degrees in Physics from the University of Chicago (1955,1956). I spent 14 years in industry working for such companies as GE, GM, Westinghouse Aerojet General Nucleonics, McDonnell Douglas and TRW Systems on a wide variety of classified advanced nuclear and space systems such as nuclear aircraft, fission and fusion rockets, nuclear powerplants for space.Became interested in UFOs in 1958, gave my first lecture  in 1967 and have since given over 700 in all 50 states, 10 Canadian Provinces and 18 other countries. I have appeared on hundreds of TV and radio programs, been involved in 5 books, have been writing a monthly column for the MUFON journal for many years.

What made you want to research UFO's?

I was involved in very advanced technology and was excited by the notion of ET visitors, the government coverup and the impact on society when the truth finally came out.I was after all familiar with classified work and advanced technology and also enjoyed being on the stage.

How long have alien life forms been visiting our planet?

There is no possible way to know. But certainly there were sightings in biblical days as described by Dr. Barry Downing's" The Bible and Flying Saucers."

In your opinion, aside from Roswell, what is the best documented case in favor of the belief in extraterrestrials?

That is like asking a parent of 10 kids who is your best kid. There are the 41 excellent sightings described by Dr. James E. McDonald in his congressional testimony including multi-witness radar visual cases, There are the many physical trace cases investigated by Ted Phillips. The Betty and Barney Hill abduction case is an outstanding one as described in the Book "Captured! The Betty and Barney Hill UFO Experience" by Myself and Kathleen Marden, Betty's niece.

Do you think the governments history of lying to the American people has effected their belief in aliens?

People have certainly come to realize that governments will lie and cover up. That wasn't the case after the 1940s and early 1950s. Most people do believe that government is covering up the real UFO story.

There are some that believe that UFO's and alien life are lies created by the government to distract the American people from their own testing in advanced technology. What do you think of that theory?

I think that theory is baloney. Our technology doesn't come close to matching alien technology which is observed all over the world, not just in the USA.

Another popular belief is that UFO's and aliens are actually angels or otherwise religious in nature. Is there any real evidence for that, or is it too fantastical?

There is very little evidence to support that notion. (BZ85 Note - Agreed. Who are these nutjobs?)

The government has conducted their own investigations into sightings and encounters. Do you think their reports are honest, or is it just another cover up?

There are some excellent government studies such as Project Blue Book Special Report No. 14 which covered 3201 sightings and has well over 200 tables and charts of data. Debunkers never tell the facts about it.

Should people be afraid to openly discuss their experiences?

Most people tell me the reason they didn't report their sighting was fear of ridicule. Most people in my experience accept UFO reality but think others don't. I come on very strong and yet have had only 11 hecklers at over 700 lectures.

Have you ever been threatened or otherwise intimidates because of your research?

No. No intimidation of me.

Do you believe aliens live amongst us in secret?

Not so far as I know. Perhaps hybrids do.

How long before human beings make open contact with alien life forms?

I have no idea.

In your opinion, how does our interaction pan out? Friendly and inspiring like "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," or violent and terrifying like "Independence Day?"

Some place in between.

We are, at heart, predominately an entertainment site. What's your favorite movie about aliens?

The UFO Incident starring James Earl Jones and I enjoyed taking my young daughter to ET.

In closing, what would you say to nonbelievers who visit our site to convince them that this is all real?

Study the welter of evidence such as described in the first chapter of my book - "Flying Saucers and Science." The second chapter shows one can get here from there. I should have started with 4 major conclusions after 54 years of study and investigation:

• The evidence is overwhelming that Earth is being visited by intelligently controlled Extraterrestrial spacecraft. SOME UFOS are alien spacecraft.
• There is a cosmic Watergate: Some few people in government know that some UFOs are ET craft.
• There are no good arguments against one and two.
• Flying Saucers are the biggest story of the millennium.  

Stanton Friedman can make a believer out of you. We at BZ85 highly recommend you visit his website and learn more about the man, or if you've got the money to spend and have a thirst for knowledge about beings that will someday rule us with an iron green fist we suggest you check out his books.

Also purchase them. Until then, watch the skis!

.....Skies.