Saucer Smear - Vol 29 No 01 - 1982

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 29, No. 1
Date: January 20th, 1982
Publisher: SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Editor and Supreme Commander: James W. Moseley

This issue of SAUCER SMEAR is a non-scheduled newsletter dedicated to ufological journalism. It features a collection of "Misc. Ravings," news briefs, and numerous letters to the editor, reflecting ongoing debates, personal disputes, and research within the UFO community.

Misc. Ravings

The "Misc. Ravings" section opens with a critique of Bill Spaulding, described as the "Glorious Leader" of Ground Saucer Watch (GSW). Spaulding is accused of paranoia and of expressing "strange but interesting new UFO views" on a Phoenix radio program. Ufologist Hal Starr taped this broadcast and distributed it, leading Spaulding to angrily accuse Starr of "character assassination." The editor notes that Spaulding lacks the "spirit of 'give and take'" and recalls Spaulding's past request to be removed from the non-subscriber list, while also holding the position of New Jersey Director of GSW.

The editor, James W. Moseley, also recounts his appearance on the Candy Jones radio show on WMCA in New York City, alongside a palmist named Dorothy Greene-Pepper. Despite the magazine's skepticism towards palmistry, Greene-Pepper reportedly performed well in character analysis. Moseley anticipates this may be his last appearance on the show due to its relocation to a smaller studio, which might limit panelist space. He reflects on his "radio career" beginning in the late 1950s with Candy Jones's late husband, Long John Nebel.

News Briefs

The "News Briefs" section announces that the editor has "buried the hatchet" with Charles Wilhelm of Cincinnati, Ohio, director of OUFOIL. The publication pledges to make a greater effort to correctly spell the organization's name. Additionally, New Jersey ufologist Tom Benson has returned to the UFO Field after a brief retirement, with his address provided.

Letters to the Editor

This issue features a substantial number of letters from various individuals, offering diverse perspectives and updates:

• Bill Nash, a retired Pan American pilot, enjoys "Saucer Smear" as a non-subscriber, finding the "haggling personalities" to lighten the seriousness of the world.
• Howard Kaufman thanks the editor for newsletters and encourages him not to be discouraged by negative feedback, calling the editor "still tops."
• Bob Schmidt of Pittsburgh, a non-subscriber on the mailing list, expresses thanks for the "no-charge" newsletters, noting their uniqueness and value, and praises the magazine's "put up or shut up" format.
• Bob Sheaffer, a budding author, thanks the editor for liking his book. He recounts a negative review from Walt Andrus of MUFON, who called his book a "snowjob" and an "insult to the intelligence," and notes that Andrus has not replied to his request for specific errors.
• Don Strachan of Venice, California, praises the editor's reasoning that "Science is the real culprit behind 'mindless overpopulation'" as published in a previous issue.
• Gary Underwood humorously describes the editor's evolution from "a boil on the ass of Ufology" to "the Voltaire of the UFO movement." He also comments on the repeated mentions of Tom Benson's retirement, suggesting newcomers might think he was deceased.
• Gray Barker, a former researcher, writes a strongly critical letter accusing "Saucer Smear" of damaging his reputation with "deliberate falsehoods" and "malice" stemming from jealousy. He disputes the claim that he purchased a review copy of the Sheaffer book, stating it was sent free by the publisher, and asserts his status as a more important figure in the UFO field. He indicates the matter has been referred to his "Legal Department."
• Bill Retoff humorously points out that Gray Barker in a group photo appears to be "leaning to the left."
• George Earley, a freelance writer, reports that Myron Fass has removed himself to Fort Lee, N.J., and is publishing magazines like 'Extraterrestrial Astronauts' and 'UFO Confidential'. Earley accuses Fass of reprinting material without payment or permission and states that Fass admitted owing him money but has not paid despite two bills. Earley requests the address of the N.J. State Attorney General.
• Michael Dennett questions why only people who "let" themselves can be hypnotized and why hypnosis is not useful for police work, citing works by Elizabeth Loftus and 'UFO Report'.
• Robert J. Schadewald discusses John Curtis Gowan's "3-D Theory" and speculates on its origins. He also comments on Martin Kottmeyer's UFO theory, suggesting it's more analogous to how ufologists perceive each other than to actual UFOs.
• Brother Beckjord of Project Bigfoot discusses the Patterson Bigfoot film, detailing his analysis of 35mm filmstrips. He describes unusual features of the creature's face, including ape-like heads growing from its main head, and suggests it may be an alien.
• Ron Schaffner of the "Hominid Research Group" questions the ability to distinguish Bigfoot feces from other mammals' and discusses Bruce Bonney's challenge to Beckjord's theory of a baby Sasquatch.
• Gene Buck proposes a theory that left-handed people are brilliant because they are "Space Beings" from a world with reversed orientation.
• Kenneth Behrendt clarifies Tom Benson's withdrawal from ufology, stating it was due to an "existential realization" that his pursuit of UFO truths had become an obsession, rather than any mysterious event.

Other Content

The issue also includes brief mentions of Bud Hopkins' book "Missing Time" being serialized in the National Enquirer, Timothy Greed Beckley's book "The Book of Space Contacts," and a mysterious death in England linked to UFOs. It notes that Fate Magazine refused to print Phil Klass's response to a "STARBABY" controversy, and that "Dr." McIntyre of MARCEN plans to publish his journal. The Scientific Bureau of Investigation (SBI) is planning a ufological "summit meeting" in Toronto, and the National UFO Conference (NUFOC) is scheduled for Cleveland. Robert Goerman is releasing a tome called "The 'Allende' Dossier." A "Press Time" note mentions awaiting details on new Bigfoot activity in West Jefferson, Ohio.

There are also several smaller items: a cartoon strip "HAGAR" by Dik Browne, a brief mention of a "Psychologist Says: Laughter Is Best Sexual Stimulant," a news item about "19 Feet Broken in Pole Vault," and a headline about a "Japan robot kills a worker."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, theories, and the internal dynamics of the ufology community. There are ongoing debates about the nature of UFOs, the credibility of researchers, and personal disputes between prominent figures. The editor, James W. Moseley, maintains a somewhat skeptical yet engaged stance, often injecting humor and personal anecdotes. He appears to champion open discussion and critical examination, even when it leads to controversy, as evidenced by his willingness to publish diverse and sometimes conflicting viewpoints from his readership. The magazine also seems to cover related topics such as Bigfoot and other unexplained phenomena, reflecting a broad interest in the paranormal.