Marc Hoover
Last week’s release of “Independence Day: Resurgence” has people talking about hostile aliens that want to conquer Earth. Resurgence is the sequel to the 1996 movie “Independence Day” that starred Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum. Speaking of aliens, last month, witnesses filmed a strange object flying near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton.

However, not everyone believes the Dayton sighting was an alien. Some think it was a drone. Regardless, the object is dark and resembles a flying razorblade slicing through clouds. If you search Google, enter “Dayton, Ohio UFO search.” You will see different videos depicting a UFO. Decide for yourself if it’s real or something else.

For centuries, people have reported seeing mysterious objects and lights in the sky. For instance, during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) in China, a painter named Wu Youru and others saw a UFO. Youru painted what he witnessed and called it “Red Flames in the Sky.” So if people witnessed UFOs in the 1600s, why do we find it so hard to accept other life forms?

Conversations involving aliens are synonymous with politics and religion. Sometimes it’s best to withhold your opinion about aliens to avoid an argument. Though I have never seen a UFO or an alien, I haven’t seen an atom either. But I know atoms exists.

Why is it so hard to believe that we don’t dominate the universe? Top astronomers claim hundreds of solar systems exist beyond our reach. The moon, sun, and other planets, should remind us of our insignificance. We almost sound egotistical for thinking we are the best life forms in the universe. If true, our maker must have one distorted sense of humor.

If you saw a UFO today, someone would offer a plausible conclusion. A government official would say the object was either an airplane, drone or weather balloon. This sounds reasonable, but how can we explain Wu Youru’s sighting? Back in his day, airplanes, drones, and weather balloons didn’t exist. So what did people from past civilizations witness?

Pessimists cannot discount every UFO sighting in history. Even if UFO sightings are mass hysteria, how can so many millions have reported the same mysterious flying objects? So far, no one has convinced me that we are the universe’s best creation.

Moreover, it’s not uncommon for someone to say “If aliens exist, why don’t they contact us?” I can answer that question. Consider an alien with an intellect we cannot grasp. If they studied us, they would identify us as “civilized” people who value financial gain over love and compassion. They would also notice we have a large population of thieves, killers, rapists, and psychopaths. Now ask yourself why they would want to introduce themselves to us. Maybe an alien race will someday decide we are worthy of friendship. Meanwhile, I won’t hold my breath.

Marc is a grandfather and longtime Clermont County resident. Visit his author page at http://www.lifewithgrandpa.com and blog at http://www.wisegrandpa.com.