Saucer Smear - Vol 28 No 04 - 1981

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER JEER
Issue: Volume 28, No. 4
Date: April 5th, 1981
Publisher: SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Editor and Supreme Commander: James W. Moseley

This issue of "Saucer Jeer" is a non-scheduled newsletter that begins with a humorous, satirical piece about the mayor and town council of Guttenberg, New Jersey, being abducted in a saucer on April 1st, only to be unceremoniously dumped into a lake. The incident is presented as a cover-up by local authorities, with claims of hypnotic suggestion clouding witnesses' memories.

Upcoming Events and New Organizations

The newsletter announces a series of upcoming UFO conventions for the summer of 1981, including the APRO bash in Cleveland, Ohio, the 18th annual National UFO Conference (NUFOC) in De Pere, Wisconsin, and the 12th annual MUFON symposium at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It also mentions a convention by CUFOS in Chicago.

A significant announcement is the formation of the "Center for Scientific Anomalies Research" (CSAR) by Marcello Truzzi, editor of "The Zetetic Scholar." Truzzi's group is positioned as a scholarly but skeptical alternative to organizations like the "Skeptical Inquirer," aiming for open and fair-minded inquiry into scientific anomalies, recognizing their potential to drive scientific progress.

Controversies and Debates

The "Dreaded X" System: The issue begins by explaining a system where an "X" on the envelope signifies the end of newsletter subscriptions unless the recipient contacts the publisher.

Col. Buzz Aldrin's Lawsuit: It is reported that NASA astronaut Col. Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin has sued the authors and publisher of "The Roswell Incident" for alleging he saw UFOs on the Moon. The co-authors maintain the suit is without merit.

Robert Sheaffer's Book: Skeptic Robert Sheaffer has published a book titled "The UFO Verdict: Examining the Evidence," which questions the nature of UFOs.

Phil Klass's Research: The newsletter highlights that Phil Klass's first anti-UFO article was published in 1953 concerning the 1952 Washington D.C. radar sightings, predating his more well-known "plasma theory" article. It also touches upon a dispute between Klass and Stanton Friedman regarding the Betty Hill star map.

Alien Body Photo Controversy: A major focus of the issue is the controversy surrounding alleged alien body photos, specifically the "Tomato Man" and "Fish-Tank Man" images. Professor Anthony J. Perzigian of the University of Cincinnati examined these photos. In a letter to Leonard Stringfield, Perzigian expressed that the "Fish-Tank Man" photos were peculiar but he hesitated to classify the organism as extraterrestrial based solely on them. In a subsequent letter to Earl Jones regarding the "Tomato Man" pictures, Perzigian stated he was puzzled by the origin of the specimen, unable to provide a definite identification. The issue notes that Perzigian gave more weight to the "Tomato Man" photos due to a written account supplied by Bill McIntyre, whereas no such account was provided for the "Fish-Tank Man" photos. However, the article suggests that skeptical objections from Jim Oberg to McIntyre's "Tomato Man" account might make the evidence a tie.

Jim Oberg's Critique: Former Captain Jim Oberg of NASA writes a critical letter to Bill McIntyre regarding the "alien body" case pamphlet. Oberg points out numerous factual errors in the witness's story, including incorrect timelines for the "dew line," "Dias" Air Base, and F-94 jets. He concludes that the photographs likely depict a charred Air Force pilot in light aircraft wreckage, not an alien. Oberg expresses disappointment in the lack of verification of basic facts.

Bill Retoff's Analysis: Bill Retoff, Curator of ISRHPUFOC, also investigates the "Tomato Man" case. He speculates that the "Tomato Man" might have been a monkey killed in a post-War rocket experiment, possibly related to the U.S. use of ex-Nazi V-2 rockets. He questions why earlier rocket failures weren't hushed up if the 7/7/48 incident was. Retoff also notes the presence of Army/Navy/Air Force personnel in sounding rocket experiments, explaining a photographer's presence in the desert.

Al Manak's Perspective: Al Manak, former chairman of the National UFO Conference (NUFOC), shares his skepticism about crashed UFO stories, particularly the "Tomato Man" case. He recounts a poorly attended MUFON convention where Len Stringfield presented on crashed UFOs for hours, with many attendees leaving. Manak describes the UFO field as populated by "very eccentric people."

Bill McIntyre's Defense: Bill McIntyre of MARCEN responds point-by-point to criticisms, presumably from Leonard Stringfield. McIntyre defends his actions and the Coalition photos, suggesting a conspiracy to discredit them. He addresses claims about David Dobbs, Stringfield's alleged comments, and the source of rumors about Wilhelm being a contactee.

Stanton Friedman's Letter: Nuclear Physicist Stanton Friedman writes in response to Phil Klass's critique of the Betty Hill star map. Friedman refutes Klass's reasoning, particularly regarding a proposed experiment to test memory recall of the map. He argues that the Betty Hill experience and the Pleadean claims are distinct and lack the supporting cadre of professionals found in the Hill case.

Donald Loomis's Statement: Donald Loomis, a self-proclaimed logical and rational individual, states his intention to challenge what he perceives as "garbage" in UFO publications, expressing his growing awareness of the "stupidity" within the Ufology field.

Philip Klass's Response: Philip J. Klass writes to "Jim" (presumably Moseley) to comment on Jerry Clark's FATE article. Klass sarcastically claims the article is "213% accurate" and lists several highly embarrassing, fabricated personal details about himself, implying that Clark's research was superficial. He also mentions his own career as a skeptic declining and his recent negative experience debating Stanton Friedman.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue exhibits a strong undercurrent of skepticism towards many UFO claims, particularly those involving physical evidence like alien bodies. While presenting various viewpoints and controversies, the editorial tone, particularly through the contributions of figures like Jim Oberg and Philip Klass, leans towards debunking or questioning the validity of sensational UFO reports. The satirical opening piece also suggests a critical and perhaps jaded perspective on the UFO community's tendency towards sensationalism. The magazine appears to value critical analysis and factual verification, even while covering topics that are inherently speculative. There's a clear division and ongoing debate between those who accept certain UFO phenomena as genuine and those who seek rational explanations or dismiss the claims outright. The publication seems to provide a platform for these debates, often highlighting the arguments of skeptics.