Saucer Smear - Vol 28 No 01 - 1981

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 28, No. 1
Date: January 15, 1981
Publisher: SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Editor: James W. Moseley

This issue of SAUCER SMEAR, a non-scheduled newsletter, delves into various aspects of ufology and unexplained phenomena, featuring a mix of reported incidents, reader contributions, and editorial commentary. The publication aims to present information with a critical yet open mind, navigating between extreme belief and skepticism.

Tid-Bits of Trash

The "Tid-Bits of Trash" section opens with a re-hash of the famed Father Gil UFO case, where a missionary reportedly saw a saucer occupant wave from a spacecraft. The discussion involved several individuals from the Los Angeles area, with Herb Lasker being the only one to staunchly defend the case.

Another item highlights a phone interview with Bill Robinson, a San Diego police officer, about a Mexican farmer who allegedly grew giant vegetables based on information from Venusians. While the farmer had stopped growing them due to drought, Robinson possessed a 10-pound onion from a previous harvest. Photos were promised but not included in this issue.

The section also notes the jazzy business card of Harold Salkin, a publicist for the 1980 New York Convention. Additionally, it mentions a positive write-up received from Gray Barker's column in Timothy Greed Beckley's "UFO Review" regarding the New York Convention.

An interesting article from the Anaheim (California) Bulletin is cited, detailing adult female twins in England who exhibit a remarkable psychic connection, thinking and acting in unison to the extent that they have drawn the attention of parapsychologists.

The Readers Fight Back

This section features letters from readers, offering diverse perspectives and engaging with previous content.

Thornton Page writes, expressing horror that Philip J. Klass was scheduled to address the Cosmos Club on "UFO's: Fact or Fantasy?" Page, who had previously addressed the club on "UFO's: A Scientific Debate," resents Klass potentially having the final word. He recalls Alan Waterman, then Director of the National Science Foundation, agreeing with his anti-Klass stance. Page also mentions his own experiences, including a potential "Christmas Star" sighting and his plans to travel to New Zealand and Australia to investigate astronomical and UFO phenomena.

Tom Burch contributes a letter that includes a cartoon and commentary on Philip J. Klass. Burch notes Klass's displeasure with "nice" things said about him in the publication and offers a "Christmas gift" in the form of a cartoon, suggesting that Klass's paranoia might stem from others being "out to get you."

John D. Rockel, National Director of the American UFO Network, Inc., expresses his enjoyment of previous "Saucer Cheer" content, finding it "priceless" and humorously declaring himself a "new non-subscriber." He also references an association with OUFOOL's Wilhelm and a perceived "garbage" submission to "Globe" concerning "Tomato Man" weirdos.

Bill Retoff shares his thoughts, smiling about a letter from Kal Korff and liking the "Tomato Man" idea better than the monkey photos. He expresses skepticism about "Saga" printing exposes and notes the difficulty of proving one's credentials as a "UFO researcher." Retoff also links the Kottmeyer UFO/rabbit connection to the Jefferson Airplane song "White Rabbit" and a UFO sighting described as having "rabbit-ear antenna."

Jerome Clark, Associate Editor of "Fate" Magazine, thanks the publication for noting that "Fate" has been publishing skeptical writing. He highlights "Fate's" articles on Carlos Allende and Tom Monteleone's UFO hoax, and lists other skeptical pieces published on topics such as George Adamski, biorhythms, psychic phenomena, ghost ships, extraterrestrial intelligence, and the Nazca lines.

Michael Dennett found "Saucer Cheer" to be a strong issue and was surprised to learn the editor had "Geller-like powers." He expresses interest in hearing comments from Charles Berlitz and Bill Moore regarding Carl Allen (alias Carlos Allende).

Bill Moore, co-author of "The Philadelphia Experiment," responds to commentaries on a "Fate" Magazine article by Robert Goerman about Carlos Allende. Moore argues that while Allen may have initiated the controversy, he likely doesn't hold the key to solving the mystery. He asserts that dismissing the entire Philadelphia Experiment legend is difficult due to multiple non-Allende-inspired sources of information.

Wendelle C. Stevens replies to criticism of the Pleiades Case, defending the validity of the Eduard Meier case after extensive personal study in Switzerland. Stevens criticizes "circle-jerk" analyses and misquotations, specifically addressing a claim about Meier photographing "The Eye of God," which he attributes to a chain of misinformation. Stevens explains the Pleiadian legend of their ancestors, the Lyrians, leaving their home planet due to a dying sun and establishing new civilizations. He clarifies that Meier did not claim to have photographed the "Eye of Creation" (Ring Nebula of Lyra) but used a postcard to illustrate the legend. Stevens concludes by stating that while they are not credulous, they aim for honest reporting and will not convince closed minds.

Dave Reissig expresses enjoyment of "Saucer Cheer" and references D. Scott Rogo's "The Haunted Universe" regarding hypnotic probing and demand characteristics. He also humorously corrects a perceived misspelling in a previous issue and shares a short anecdote.

News Snippets

Two news clippings are included:

• "Aliens sell their plasma for a living": This headline, accompanied by a graphic, suggests a story about aliens involved in plasma sales.
• "Ex-officer convicted in fondling of alien": This headline indicates a story about a former officer convicted in a case involving an alien.

Anonymous "D.L."

The anonymous "D.L." elaborates on previous remarks concerning John Keel and the Monteleone fiasco. "D.L." interprets a paragraph from "The Mothman Prophecies" as Keel believing it impossible for anyone to lie to him. "D.L." suggests Keel's judgment of character is either telepathic or divine, and criticizes Keel's defense of his reputation, particularly the emphasis on "writing" regarding Monteleone's attestations.

Ray Fowler

Ray Fowler, a former NICRAPer, expresses appreciation for the publication and announces his upcoming books: "Casebook of a UFO Investigator" and "The Melchizedek Connection." He also mentions his work on "Andreasson Affair II," which will reflect findings from a follow-on investigation/hypnotic regression involving Betty and Bob.

Kenneth Behrendt

Kenneth Behrendt announces that his organization, PROTEUS, is allying with UFO investigator Tom Benson to produce a new journal, "The Sixth Quark Journal." They are seeking creative writers and offer a free subscription as compensation.

Joan Thompson

Joan Thompson expresses her anticipation for "Saucer ----" and reads it before getting out of bed. She hopes not to see a "Dreaded 'X'" on her label and wishes for "Sagan in '81."

Newspaper Clippings

Two newspaper clippings are presented:

• The Dallas Morning News, Monday, December 8, 1980: "'Alien' romps naked" reports on a man arrested in Wichita, Kansas, for jogging naked, claiming to be from another planet.
• Houston Federal Natural Authorities have chosen an Alien: This headline, with an accompanying graphic, suggests a story about aliens being held as slaves.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include UFO sightings and cases (Father Gil, Philadelphia Experiment, Pleiades), the nature of evidence and skepticism (Philip J. Klass, "Fate" Magazine's skeptical articles), and the personal experiences and opinions of readers. The editorial stance, as articulated by the editor and some contributors, appears to be one of critical inquiry, seeking to report on phenomena honestly while avoiding both gullibility and outright dismissal. The publication encourages open-minded investigation and acknowledges the complexities and controversies within the field of ufology.