Not to sound combative Numbersix but if you had irrefutable proof that alien life does/did exist on earth, why wouldn't you tell the media and public? And for that matter, why wouldn't anyone else who had proof do the same?
No worries latbomber - I only posted this thread to get some stimulating conversations going. The irrefutable proof I have is for me and me only - I cannot prove it to you or anyone. That's the way it is for some.
However, if you did your own investigations, you'd be hard pressed not to come to the conclusion that something is likely out there.
I was never 100% convinced until a personal experience, however, I was open minded to the idea. I recall watching an interview about 30 years or more ago with 6 police officers (and their dispatcher) from Ohio that all experienced a close encounter (each one was a close up eyewitness of a saucer that zipped from one part of the town to another).
Now I will admit, at the time I wasn't 100% convinced because it was possible they all conspired to make up a story - but that possibility seemed remote. Now I am fortunate enough to actually know for certain that "they" are out there.
Nevertheless, I have no trouble with skeptics. I agree that no one should "believe" in something that hasn't been proven beyond all doubt.