o had repeated sightings, but people who had one sighting. If you read the ball lightning sightings reports at the links below, you will see that some of those witnesses are "repeaters," as well. Ball lightning does not have the allure to attract a cult following as do UFOs, but having a cult following doesn't detract from the possibility of existence, as is the inference. The main problem with Sheaffer's analysis, however, is that he is comparing a natural phenomenon - ball lighting - with something that is supposed to be intelligently controlled - UFOs. Why shouldn't UFOs, if they are intelligently controlled, exhibit anthropomorphic characteristics such as avoiding crowds and cities? Not that they always do so - I am reminded of a UFO that appeared to the audience of a crowded outdoor theater in China, and one that appeared over Beverly Hills, not to mention several that have appeared over military bases. What if UFOs are both a rare and a jealous phenomenon? What if there is a core of real UFO sightings that are sightings of intelligently controlled craft whose pilots try to avoid appearing before large groups of people whenever possible?...
