Originally posted by Majorion
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When people like John Lear say that NASA are hiding something or outright lying to us, I have to say..I'm inclined to believe such; far more than the contrary.

Lets keep the scientific discussion going, thankfully so far this thread hasn't swayed too much into the J.L. territory; lets keep it that way.

Over ten years ago, I had a conversation with a friend of mine about the possibilities of alien life within our Solar System.

(I use the term alien losely here, if we do discover life on another planet within our Solar System then we will need to redefine the term alien.)

I mentioned to him that it is possible that such life may already have been discovered, but because of the Brookings Institute findings, the facts may be withheld.

My friend made the point that any secret discovery will have to be disclosed at some point. Most probably to prevent the discoveries being rediscovered and claimed by the space programs of other countries. So, he asked me how would the US Government go about releasing the facts regarding alien lifeforms.

I had thought about this before and I came to the conslusion that any release of information would be painfully slow.

First would come the announcement of the possiblity of microbial life, a very long time ago, far away, and extinct. (This was done in 1996)

Then years later would come the possibility of microbial life, not so long ago, far away, and extinct.

Then that same lifeform, far away, and not extinct. (This is about where we are as of yesterday.)

Then the announcement of a complex lifeform (like the crinoids), a very long time ago, far away, and extinct.

Then the announcement of a complex lifeform, not long ago, far away, and extinct.

Then oops, it's not extinct.

Then they might announce the existance of an extinct large lifeform, then an extinct intelligent lifeform, then an extinct civilization.

Finally, the announcement would come of an intelligent lifeform, here and now.

This seems to be the pattern that NASA is following. At the current rate of disclosure, I would expect that full disclosure will take over 50 years.

Originally posted by Anonymous ATS
as i browse the check out stand i notice several that mention that obama is George bush's hypnotized half-brother.

He is indeed.

Originally posted by Tuning Spork
Hmm. The article says that NASA scientists "believe" that the methane they've detected comes from microbes just below the Martian surface. The article also states that the only other possible source of the methane would be volcanic activity, but that there are no known active volcanos on Mars.

What about unknown ones?

Originally posted by godless
Until it is verified I'm afraid I will remain skeptical that life exists on Mars or anywhere else.

You are indeed a true sceptic. I am on the other hand quite confident about the existence of life. Not necessarily on Mars, but at least on Earth.

Originally posted by lunarminer
(I use the term alien losely here, if we do discover life on another planet within our Solar System then we will need to redefine the term alien.)

Why? The American immigration service has already done it. According to them, the term alien means anybody who is not an American citizen.

Oh, and by the way folks.
I'm sure I'm not the only one who's thoughts are returning to the supposed "Project Blue Beam" in regards to this stuff...

I remember reading something in one of the topics regarding here. It basically said that this very thing would happen as one of the precussors to the event.

1) Microbial life would be found nearby.
2) THEN A SUDDEN INCREASE, ON A DRAMATIC SCALE, OF UFO ACTIVITY
3) Then the admission that ET life exists.
4) Then "invasion."

Don't let them fool you.

I realize that they haven't gone so far as to say that microbial life exists yet. So, in reality, condition number one hasn't even been met yet, but it is very close.
Not that I buy into all of that, but I keep it in mind, just in case.

Lets see if there is an increase in UFO activity? I'll start keeping track, the best I can, from this day forward.

You know, just in case.

[edit on 16-1-2009 by Jay-in-AR]

Eh, but my above reasoning brings me back to something I have noticed before in relation to UFO activity. That being, there seems to be a sudden increase in involvement around our major developments. (see ufo activity after first nuclear tests)

I would think that if a race were monitoring us, they would be very interested in our discovery, in an official capacity, of life elsewhere in the universe... This would probably bring to bear an increase in activity in and of itself. As they would then move on to monitor the "mood" of the planet.

SO.... Would this NECESSARILY be a precurssor to an event that is in the works of our officials?
Only if they are being guided by the same people that are monitoring us. Which means, logically, that the event wouldn't be orchestrated by us. Nay, by them.
Afterall, the other option would mean that we meager humans have monitored THEM and come up with a plan to counteract THEIR plans... Just doesn't jive with me. We aren't smart enough.... Unless they are hiding A LOT!

Eh, I suppose that this post would probably be referenced in Webster's definition of rambling.
Either way, look for an increase in UFO activity. But remember, nothing is as it seems.

Originally posted by Jay-in-AR
Okay, I see what you're saying. Good point, I suppose. However, what power would Congress have to pull it back in if it can't be approached through Executive Order? It seems to me that each are the same once the law is signed. Eh, nevermind, it is slightly off topic.

Quck reply..The process would bring the isolation into the spotlight and begin the constitutional process to bring it back into congressional oversight. Having a congressional hearing about it can make the fact of the isolation of the black operations known, that alone would raise quite a few eyebrows, and a few votes within congress to do something about it, then opens the door for the Executive Order to have power to request the info. Back to topic.

Originally posted by Jay-in-AR
Back to the current stuff. As I said before, if NASA wants to continue to be ellusive on the subjects, do away with them. It is immoral to take funding from the public and not let the public know what you are finding with their money.
Hell, those rovers have been there for five years now. Constantly measuring things like the temperature. I would HOPE that after that long, they would know more about something as simple as an estimated internal temperature of the planet.
Even all of that misses the point a bit, I'd think. It would seem to me once you have any sort of carbonate and h2o, you would have what is necessary for life. I mean, I don't care if the subterranean water IS ice, microbial life exists deep within ice here on Earth all over the place.

That was my point in a couple pages back. They got enough data to at the very least conclude that life is up there, verifying it is a whole nother story. However, I feel that even with verification, there will still be some that will not accept it, simply because it falls outside of their comfort zone to know that we are not alone.

All those probes, rovers, orbiters, taking all those pictures, making all those sensor readings with a plethoria of instruments, over several years worth of data, and NASA says "more data is needed"???

NASA has been saying that since 76. Back then the saying was plausible and believable. But today in 2009 with years of accumilated data from several different missions...I dont buy it.



Cheers!!!!