Saucer Smear - Vol 23 No 21 - 1976

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER CREWS
Issue: Vol. 23, No. 21
Date: May 20th, 1976
Publisher: SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Editor: James W. Moseley

This issue of "Saucer Crews" is dedicated to Robert Schiller and Ted Zilch. It features a prominent headline about the editor helping to expose presidential hopeful Jimmy Carter as a UFO sighter.

Jimmy Carter and the UFO Sighting

The issue details how a new book, "UFO Exist" by Paris Flammonde, quotes Jimmy Carter from September 1973 stating, "I don't laugh at people any more when they say they've seen UFO's, because I've seen one myself." The magazine contacted UPI in Atlanta, who were unaware of Carter's apparent pro-saucer views and expressed interest. While UPI did not pursue the story, other media outlets did, forcing Carter's entourage and the candidate himself to comment. Carter admitted to the sighting but reportedly ended the conversation when asked if he believed in UFOs.

Paris Flammonde is quoted as finding Carter's attitude "inexplicably deceptive, or childish and uninformed," contrasting it with numerous prominent figures and politicians who take UFOs seriously. Flammonde notes that nearly 75% of the American public believe UFOs exist and criticizes the ongoing "cover-up" and thwarted efforts for a Congressional inquiry. He questions Carter's position on investigating UFOs if elected, comparing it to President Ford's evasion of the subject.

"BIGFOOT" GOES WILD IN CALIFORNIA

A report from Mill Valley, California, dated April 25th, is presented as tangible evidence for the existence of a "Bigfoot" creature. A woman named Caroline Morris reported hearing "screaming and schreeching and growling" from a ravine near her home. Two responding police officers also heard the noises and glimpsed a "large, dark-colored thing, walking on two legs" before it climbed a retaining wall and disappeared. Following this, the officers found a slain deer with a broken neck, its body disemboweled and mangled, suggesting a non-human predator.

Missives From The Readers

Riley Crabb of BSRA writes about a past conversation with an AF colonel regarding UFOs. He emphasizes the difficulty of obtaining solid evidence due to potential government suppression and character assassination. Crabb shares his early understanding of UFOs as materializations from different space-time frames, a concept he believes is now being considered by orthodox scientists. He asserts that the continuing government "cover-up" is the best proof of the reality of flying saucers.

UFO researcher Lucius Farish recounts his experience with MUFON, stating that all Board of Directors members voted to reject the magazine's editor's application for membership. Farish voted against it due to the editor and Gray Barker's perceived indulgence in "fun and games" and involvement in UFO hoaxes. He expresses a generally unfavorable opinion of UFO organizations and mentions his resignation as MUFON State Director for Arkansas due to policy disagreements.

Ted Owens, a UFO contactee, warns UFO researchers about the FBI's methods of causing militant groups to fight each other. He stresses the importance of unity among researchers, urging them not to let secret government agencies create divisions and reduce their credibility. Owens advocates for a "divide and conquer" strategy to be resisted, emphasizing the need for a solid group that resolves not to be beaten by external forces.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue strongly implies a theme of government secrecy and cover-up regarding UFO phenomena, as articulated by Riley Crabb and alluded to in the context of Jimmy Carter's political position. There is a critical stance towards political figures who may be dismissive or evasive about UFOs. The magazine also highlights the importance of credible evidence and the need for UFO researchers to remain united against potential manipulation. The editorial stance appears to be one that supports the investigation of unexplained phenomena and is skeptical of official narratives that downplay or suppress such information. The inclusion of a Bigfoot sighting alongside UFO reports suggests a broader interest in anomalous phenomena.