The Truth Is Out There...Maybe

You may have read of the annual "X-Conference" which recently wrapped up here in Washington. Sponsored by the Paradigm Research Group, the X-Conference, in the words of its website, "…bring(s) together in the Washington metro area a powerful group of speakers to focus on the governmental, political and media aspects of 60+ years of extraterrestrial engagement and societal denial - exopolitics." It goes on to say that, "the X-Conference speakers hold enough knowledge of extraterrestrial-related phenomena and government involvement with this phenomena to end the government imposed truth embargo tomorrow." The highlight of this year's X-Conference was an address by former astronaut Edgar Mitchell, in which he claimed that extraterrestrial life exists, and that the truth is being concealed by the U.S. and other governments.

Are we alone in the universe? Beats me. I would say that the odds are good that we aren't, but it's rather like trying to identify principled statesmanship in Congress...you suspect it may be there somewhere, but there's really no good evidence.

When I was in high school, I was a UFO buff. I had a large collection of books about flying saucers, extraterrestrial life, alien abductions, and all that related stuff. I knew all about Project Blue Book, and about Barney and Betty Hill's tale of being kidnapped by aliens (as documented in their book, The Interrupted Journey). I loved the original Star Trek (cheesy special effects and all), and still enjoy movies like "The War of the Worlds," "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (original version only), and "Independence Day." I watched "The X Files" on TV.

And I have yet to see an actual flying saucer, an alien on an autopsy table, or anything else.

Are we alone? I doubt it. But I have to believe that if we aren't, and if there are planets out there more advanced than we are, they'd probably avoid us like the plague. If you could travel through interstellar space and visit any world you wanted, why would you come to a place that offers tourist joys like genocide, radical, violent, and intolerant religions, and widespread environmental pollution? Me, I'd look for a planet with quiet mountains, nice beaches, and a laid-back population.

Is the government hiding the truth about extraterrestrial life? Oh, come on, now...if you can believe the US government could keep a secret that big since, oh, say, Roswell in 1947, I have a bridge to sell you.

Yes, there's probably intelligent life out there. I really hope there is. Because I often despair of finding it down here.

Except, of course, among the members of my little blogging circle. You guys give me hope. Even you, Mike.

Have a good day. Don't accept rides from strange aliens. More thoughts tomorrow.

Bilbo

P.S. - Yesterday, I passed on the Friendship Award I received from Jersey Girl to several of my female blogging friends.
Today, it's the men's turn. I hereby bestow the Friendship Award on (drum roll, please)...

Mike, at Billions of Versions of Normal (normal, he isn't...but he's fun);

John, at Out of My Hat (after all, how many preacher/magician/air traffic controllers do you know?)

Gilahi, at The Gilahi Blog (another cranky fellow like me); and,

Daniel, at Tales of a Media Addict (the only one of this group I've actually met - and a nice guy to boot).

Gents, a tip of the hat to you. And if a rabbit falls out, please give it back to John.

B.

P.P.S. - I will be leaving very early tomorrow morning to drive up to Pittsburgh to visit my father, who is unwell. Those of you who are used to my early morning posts should know that tomorrow's post will not go up until sometime in the evening, assuming the Internet connection in my hotel works. See you then.

B.