It's a close encounter for Denver space alien initiative
By Daniel J. Chacon, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published May 8, 2008 at 6:26 p.m.
Updated May 9, 2008 at 9:27 a.m.
Do you think the city of Denver should create an Extraterrestrial Affairs Commission?
Jeff Peckman
Never-before-seen video of "space aliens" - footage that will be revealed to the public in a few weeks - convinced Jeff Peckman that extraterrestrials exist.
"These happen to be the little gray ones, about four feet tall," said Peckman, who is proposing the creation of an Extraterrestrial Affairs Commission in Denver, believed to be the first of its kind.
"You could see them blink as they looked in a window and panned a room," Peckman, 54, said. "After seeing that, it was very clear that it's not rumor, it's not speculation, but these extraterrestrials do exist."
If Peckman has his way, Denver voters will have a chance to say whether they, too, believe that there is intelligent life outside Earth and whether the city should prepare for close encounters of the alien kind.
Peckman is sponsoring an initiative that would require the city to create an ET Commission tasked with "dealing with issues related to the presence of extraterrestrial beings on Earth."
Peckman completed one of the first steps of the initiative process Thursday by meeting with city officials for a "review and comment" hearing.
No one poked fun, but by the end of the hearing, David Broadwell, an assistant city attorney, asked Peckman if he was serious.
Peckman said he was "absolutely committed" and spent several minutes talking about UFOs landing in Los Angeles and hovering over the White House and how the federal government has tried to conceal their existence.
He also said the never-before- seen footage of space aliens that made him a believer would be made public in coming weeks.
Among the curious who attended the hearing were seven students from Dakota Ridge High School in Littleton, who made tin foil hats for the outing.
"We saw it on 'Signs,' " said junior Sebastian Kadamany, 17, referring to the M. Night Shyamalan movie about aliens.
Brian Hopp, 23, also was in the audience and said he wants to help Peckman collect signatures to put the initiative on the ballot. Hopp said he believes in space aliens, but he hasn't seen any.
"Not yet. I've been waiting," said Hopp, who is from Steamboat Springs but lives in Denver.
Peckman said he wants to get the initiative on the fall ballot.
"If it doesn't get on the ballot in November, we're OK with that because it would give us a longer period to educate the public about the issues that are part of this reality," he said.
Peckman said his proposal has gained worldwide attention since it was first reported by the Rocky Mountain News.
"I just did a radio interview with a South Africa talk show, and the discussion is all the same," he said. "People call in. They say, 'Yes, I've had this experience. We know the government has been hiding this information.' It's time to bring it out."
chacond@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5099
Jeff Peckman
Age: 54
Birthplace: Paola, Kan.
Occupation: Owns an Internet business, which is marketing a new technology that reduces stress "because it reduces the chaos of electromagnetic fields," he said.
Education: A year at Maharishi University of Management in Iowa.
Number of times abducted: 0
Ever seen an alien? No. But "I believe they do exist," he said. "I've seen very hard evidence."
Favorite alien movie: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai: Across the 8th Dimension - "You gotta see that one," he said- and then Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
Hobbies: Ballot initiatives, tennis, hiking, biking and "all the normal, down-to-earth stuff."
Family: Divorced. No children. Lives with his parents.
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May 8, 2008
6:58 p.m.
Suggest removal
kathyM writes:
We'd better get going on this because the aliens are arriving in August!
May 9, 2008
12:42 a.m.
Suggest removal
superbad writes:
"Family: Divorced."
Divorced? That must be a typo.
May 9, 2008
7:03 a.m.
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DeimosJB writes:
Lol Kathy. Kudos to the high-schoolers who showed up with tin-foil hats.
May 9, 2008
7:11 a.m.
Suggest removal
DD writes:
Maybe this guy and Douglas Bruce could go in and get an apartment together. Both live with their mommies and it's clear that it's not a mentally healthy environment for them.
May 9, 2008
7:15 a.m.
Suggest removal
MarineGrunt writes:
"I for one welcome our green, big eyed overlords! May I point you to some folks you can eat right away..."
Good thing I took my Phaser off of Stun and put it to Kill.
May 9, 2008
7:20 a.m.
Suggest removal
vudumom writes:
This is just another waste of taxpayer money if it get's on the ballot. Once again it will put the spotlight on Colorado in an unkind way, ( as if the DNC isn't going to be enough) and if by chance happens to pass, (which really wouldn't surprise me)we will have more phychos moving to Colorado for protection.Crazy,Crazy, Crazy.
May 9, 2008
7:49 a.m.
Suggest removal
Spencer writes:
from the article: Peckman said he was "absolutely committed"
Not yet but probably will be. You gotta love those high school kids. Classic
May 9, 2008
7:49 a.m.
Suggest removal
Wolfgang writes:
I am Locutus of Borg. Resistance is futile. Your life, as it has been, is over. From this time forward, you will service... us.
May 9, 2008
8:04 a.m.
Suggest removal
tjpatriot writes:
I think he's angling for "Ambassador".
If this gig doesn't work-out he can always fall back on "Global Warming". That one will be around for a while.
That was the trouble with the "Y2K" frenzy - it had a certain date attached to it.
I mourn that the day may come when this country actually has something real to worry about.
May 9, 2008
8:19 a.m.
Suggest removal
Spencer writes:
uh tjpatriot, are you aware of the clusterf&*k in Iraq?
May 9, 2008
8:20 a.m.
Suggest removal
HankRearden writes:
The Aliens will not come to Colorado. They know we prosecute for agricultural trespassing.
May 9, 2008
8:29 a.m.
Suggest removal
airbornebigfoot writes:
what is this guy smoking?
well, if these illegal aliens show up, they better not run
from the Denver Police,
They'll beat the grey off of them!
May 9, 2008
8:41 a.m.
Suggest removal
kirbysfriend22 writes:
Got to love those ballot initiatives.
May 9, 2008
8:46 a.m.
Suggest removal
johnhargissr writes:
Great, more government jobs in a government world that accomplishes nothing except more financial hardship and burden on the taxpayers, but, hey, it reduceds unemployment.
May 9, 2008
8:47 a.m.
Suggest removal
tjpatriot writes:
Spencer, if that's your idea of something "real" to worry about, then that's a good example of why we all should be thanking God everyday that we live where we do, and when we do. The problem is that people in this country today have no historical perspective of what a "real" problem would be. I'm talking about a famine that would kill millions (I know it's selfish, but we in this country would probably be spared), a deadly and widespread disease (the Spanish flu in 1919 covered the world in 3 months, when people traveled by SHIP), or perhaps Iran smuggling in nuclear weapons and detonating them in major cities here. Or perhaps China dominating the world in 30 to 40 years, the US becoming an also-ran and being forced to dance to China's tune. Do you think they will tolerate the silliness that routinely goes on here? The deaths of 4,000 mercenaries in the defense of peoples right to say whatever they want on inane message boards is tragic, but not what I would classify as a "real" problem. We should thank God they are willing to do it for us.
May 9, 2008
8:55 a.m.
Suggest removal
happymike44 writes:
All I know is this guy is trying to warn everyone the end is near.Well guess it is time for me to make tin foil hats and start selling them.Also everyone remember to keep your bottled water on hand the government might not be able to rescue you in three days.Remember to feed the squirrel they might come in handy as a tasty treat.No just kidding it is a little to gamey or me.
May 9, 2008
8:59 a.m.
Suggest removal
TONE writes:
I am agent 'T', MIB special force. Mr. Peckman we belieave you have stumble on to something special here. You have been infested with the bug and we need to take you in for decontamination. Sir look into this red light...
May 9, 2008
9:41 a.m.
Suggest removal
RustyWon writes:
Come on people!!!
How can we not take this guy seriously??
He spent a whole year at the Maharishi University of Management in Iowa, for cryin out loud!!
Lives with his parents.
OMG
May 9, 2008
9:54 a.m.
Suggest removal
Coloheart writes:
Peckman is sponsoring an initiative that would require the city to create an ET Commission tasked with "dealing with issues related to the presence of extraterrestrial beings on Earth."
What issues? If they haven't taken over yet or killed us all.......No way this would get my vote, a waste of money.
May 9, 2008
10 a.m.
Suggest removal
usmctech99 writes:
Geez, I went to a more prestigious college, and for longer, than this guy did. (Metro)
I respect his right to petition for a ballot initiative, but could he choose something that we can actually control? If aliens decide to take over the planet, there's not much we can do to stop them... short of uploading a virus into the mothership, that is...
May 9, 2008
10:07 a.m.
Suggest removal
Spencer writes:
I respectfully disagree with you bropous. I thought what the high school kids did was funny. I don't care if they can vote or not. They brought attention to the silliness of the whole thing.
May 9, 2008
10:11 a.m.
Suggest removal
Steve writes:
tjpatriot, we are not in Iraq "in the defense of peoples right to say whatever they want on inane message boards", we are there for oil.
Love the tin foil hats, that's classic, but it is disrespectful.
May 9, 2008
11:37 a.m.
Suggest removal
Diff writes:
Our world is in trouble:
They arrive and say "Take us to your leader"
Someone drives takes them to the White House and introduces them to George Bush.
The aliens leave, and are heard saying - "We were wrong, There is no intelligent life on that planet, it's ok to go ahead and destroy it"
May 9, 2008
11:48 a.m.
Suggest removal
Ashley writes:
Good for the legislators for not laughing in his face. The weirdos have to come out of the woodwork at least once a year, just to remind us they're still out there...(X-files theme music plays in background)
May 9, 2008
12:14 p.m.
Suggest removal
SLAP writes:
Warning!!! Aliens are coming to abduct all the sexy, beautiful people!! Don't worry.....you are OK. I just wanted to say "good-bye!"
May 9, 2008
12:32 p.m.
Suggest removal
TheDenverB writes:
this guy may be nuts, but if this council gets formed I am going to find a way to get on it just for sh!ts and giggles.
May 9, 2008
12:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
me2 writes:
I`m interested in him electromagnetic calming devise. Where can I buy stock?
May 9, 2008
12:42 p.m.
Suggest removal
me2 writes:
Sorry, in his, not him. I need that devise quick.
May 9, 2008
12:46 p.m.
Suggest removal
samsmargolis writes:
"You could see them blink as they looked in a window and panned a room," Peckman, 54, said. "After seeing that, it was very clear that it's not rumor, it's not speculation, but these extraterrestrials do exist."
Sneak preview of one of the photos to be released...
http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/ba...
May 9, 2008
1:03 p.m.
Suggest removal
Big_D writes:
The GOP must be rejoicing to have a new group to be prejudiced towards.
May 9, 2008
1:14 p.m.
Suggest removal
MarineGrunt writes:
And the Dem's must be licking there chops at the new Tax base?
May 9, 2008
1:38 p.m.
Suggest removal
ezekiel777 writes:
christopher columbus said the world is round... not flat.
galileo said the earth revolves around the sun... not the sun around the earth.
quit busting his chops... he's a dreamer who wants to dream... now with this media attention he can write a made-for-tv movie and make a million bucks.
zippo-zork for president! he gets my vote.
May 9, 2008
2:04 p.m.
Suggest removal
Spartan67 writes:
This guys a joke 54 lives with mommy & daddy never seen a space alien. Oh are the Gray with Big eyes!?
I believe in Paranormal & some stuff about aliens
But i need hard evadence.
Ps I hate u Extra terrerals like Grunts & brutes from halo3
May 9, 2008
2:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
O_TRAIN writes:
I think we have a tough enough time dealing with issues related to the presence of human beings on Earth.
As far as the kids - clever and funny - sounds like it was an educational field-trip to see how our political system can be crazy/interesting/beautiful - all at the same time.
Also, if politicians can use kids in campaign ads to pander for votes - the kids can wear tin foil hats.
May 9, 2008
2:52 p.m.
Suggest removal
pwern writes:
Great journalism - bury the item that best describes this guy for the very last line.....
"Age: 54 Home: Lives with parents"
What a loser
May 9, 2008
7:54 p.m.
Suggest removal
SaddleTramp writes:
Ok he's 54 and lives with his parents. His ELDERLY parents. Guy probably takes care of them. Give him a break on that. As to the rest of his claims........
May 10, 2008
12:52 a.m.
Suggest removal
wwelwayd writes:
How crazy would it be if aliens actually showed up next week and good 'ol Mr. Peckerman was actually the only one prepared for the event? And all the snickering bloggers were vaporized while he and his assuminlgy kind, elderly parents were transported to cyber-Nirvana? I would actaully be one of those vaporized, but it might (almost) be worth it as a check to all of our egotistical judgments... :)
May 10, 2008
1:19 a.m.
Suggest removal
longpasttime writes:
I don't mind what this guy says or does, but once it starts costing us money, it won't be funny anymore.
Funds to put it on the ballot
Printing costs
Taxes to fund a commission if it passes
Salaries for personnel on the commision if it passes
and so on...
And what will this commision do? Absolutely NOTHING!!
May 10, 2008
10:03 a.m.
Suggest removal
MarineGrunt writes:
Anytime I get to say Tool.. I'm gonna!
"Today a young man on acid realized that all matter is merely energy, condensed to a slow vibration. That we are one conciousness,
experiencing itself subjectively. There is no death,. . .life is only a dream,. . . and we are the imagination of ourselves."
". . .and now here's Bob with the Weather!"
Great Tool reference, brother!!!
May 10, 2008
12:44 p.m.
Suggest removal
cmandco writes:
I happen to be a long time friend of Jeff's, and he is a wonderful, kind person -SHAME ON ALL of you making fun of him because he lives with his parents - HE HAS MADE THE CHOICE TO TAKE CARE OF THEM BECAUSE HE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN!! THEY ARE BOTH ON oxygen VENTILATORS - so he has lived there for years, even though he'd rather be somewhere else, instead of sticking them both in a nursing home. Due to his devotion they can live out the rest of their lives in their home. I am also friends with wonderful his ex-wife, and they separated as good friends. Sometimes people grow apart. As to the aliens, I do hope they are out there - it seems unreasonable to assume we are the ONLY life forms that exist in an infinite universe. And I'll bet they are a lot more intelligent than most people on earth! Also, before you go criticizing the University in Iowa, I invite you to look at MUM's website to see what it is - you may learn something new.
May 10, 2008
1:39 p.m.
Suggest removal
rg writes:
The aliens arrived from Kolob; the aliens arrived from another galaxy. You will find the truth in the Book of Mormon and the Book of Scientology. Actually, Jesus tells me that humans will be extinct and there will not be any alien invasion. Richard Grimes, deicide.
Deicide Corner: "Nothing fails like prayer." ~~ Annie Laurie Gaylor
May 10, 2008
9:23 p.m.
Suggest removal
Zehaas writes:
Let's not pass judgement on the man for living with his parents. If he's 54, then his parents aren in their 70s, and I'm sure they need his help for daily living. It certainly is better than a nursing home.
-- Zehaas Sram
May 10, 2008
9:36 p.m.
Suggest removal
newsaddict writes:
What an idiot. No matter what kind of "commission" on ETs that Denver has in place, the federal government would be in charge of any alien contact. Does he really think the federal government would sit by and let Denver handle contact? I'm sure the feds have a plan in place for just such an event, no matter how unlikely.
A Denver Commission? Your tax money going down the drain.
I wish her were more concerned with our schools.
May 11, 2008
6:59 p.m.
Suggest removal
joe50 writes:
Somebody needs to smack that loser fast, hard, and repeatedly.
May 12, 2008
4:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
kendraknows writes:
Ok, I'm going to put this as simple as possible. ANYONE who mocks those who have had experiences is simply arrogant. That would be like me saying, no, your family didn't experience a 'miracle', it was just a coincidence that your mom doesn't have cancer anymore... NO-ONE has the right to judge ANYONE!
I for one, have worked with the Colorado Bureau of Investigations, Denver District Attorney's Office, Denver District Court, and have been a probation officer. So I think...its safe to say I have SOME credibility and I can ASSURE you, w/o a shadow of a doubt, we are not alone. To think we are is a delusional concept that not only mocks those who've experienced things that our science can not explain, but also to those who haven't and believe 'God' (or some version of God) only created us. COME ON!
And so we come to this...well ok, maybe there are other civilizations out there, but they are too far away. Oh really? Why, b/c OUR primitive science says so??? Lets remember, on the evolutionary scale, we are NEW BORNS!!! Is it not at all possible to think that a species far more advanced has found a way?
So to close this out, let me say that I for one more than support this agenda; I welcome it with not only open arms, but an open mind. And it is true... Your mind works like a parachute, functioning best when OPEN...
May 15, 2008
2:55 a.m.
Suggest removal
TFC1 writes:
Well said Kendraknows. I don't think I've ever seen a comments board that was so rude to a particular individual. The High school kids can be forgiven for acting like children - they are children, but it seems to me their parents should be ashamed of themselves for organising their antics. Where else in the world do high school kids attend city meetings?
Wouldn't it be just great if any of the idiots responding here actually encountered something like this themselves? I'd be interested to see how brave they'd be, how prepared they'd be and how seriously they'd like to be taken themselves.
You people should be ashamed of yourselves.
May 15, 2008
10:31 p.m.
Suggest removal
politicallyactivehighschooler writes:
Hi, I could not help but follow the above comments. I have decided that I should speak out, as I was the chief organizer of the so called "little high school punks (who cannot vote)" as stated by user bropous. It all started as thus: I was informed of the initiative via Rocky Mountain News. At this time I have no reasonable evidence to convince me of extraterrestrial beings therefore I do not feel it is a proper way to spend $75,000 of the tax payer's money. And to set the record straight I CAN AND WILL be voting in November's election(you can do the math), but nevertheless myself and the other students felt that if we attended the meeting we could gain a better perspective of the uselessness of the commission. Also if you watch the video taken of the commission you would see that not only did we remain quite and respectful we also were careful to not interrupt the course of the meeting. On that note I must add that it was a solitary act, nothing was organized by parents. Well anyway I thought you would all like to know the truth rather than whatever else people believe these days. but i must ask you this: what is the problem with a politically informed teenager anyway? That why we can vote at 18 right? Not 25 or something.
May 16, 2008
2:13 p.m.
Suggest removal
Teaparty writes:
I love science and I love fiction, but I know the difference.
May 16, 2008
3:41 p.m.
Suggest removal
kendraknows writes:
First, I'd like to thank TFC1 for your comment. Nice to hear there are still some level headed individuals left in this place!!!
To politicallyactivehighschooler... Let me be the first to thank you for coming forth and explaining yourself. It wasn't that long ago that I was your age and can remember doing some pretty crazy things... It happens. In addition, I think its WONDERFUL that you want to educate yourself on a topic you may be voting on for your first time. The first time you vote is so liberating politicallyactivehighschooler.
But do me a favor, do your friends a favor, and do this state a favor... Do NOT assume that because you have never had an experience that the campaign is 'useless'. This is what the other 'commenters' were referring to when stating, 'Those kids shouldn't mock that with which they do not know'. Its true politicallyactivehighschooler... No ONE should make fun of that which they do not know. Sarcasm is the refuge of the fearful. Just because YOU have never witnessed something, doesn't mean the millions of people who have, are nuts in tin foil hats...
And if you went into the meeting with your mind already made (as it sounds from your statement, 'nevertheless myself and the other students felt that if we attended the meeting we could gain a better perspective of the uselessness of the commission.'), then it DOES appear, that the donning of your self made tin foil hats comes across as uneducated individuals making fun of people, not trying to educate themselves. THAT, is where others were coming from politicallyactivehighschooler.
With that all said, know that you have much to learn politicallyactivehighschooler. Know that it IS good that you want to educate yourself, but also know, that the manner in which you do so is noticed. And do yourself a favor... do your friends a favor, do this state a favor... Keep your young mind open politicallyactivehighschooler, b/c then, and ONLY then can you be open to see that with which you've not yet experienced.
One last thing politicallyactivehighschooler... If you're so concerned over $75,000, then perhaps you should take that energy and look towards the gas crisis costing us millions of dollars; for example. $75,000 is a lot of money, but to kick off a campaign that could very well put an end to the oil crisis... well, it pays for itself then... :) Just food for thought! Speaking of, thats gone up to, hasn't it???