Saucer Smear - Vol 29 No 02 - 1982

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Vol. 29, No. 2
Date: February 20th, 1982
Publisher: SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Editor and Supreme Commander: James W. Moseley

This issue of Saucer Smear, a non-scheduled newsletter, focuses on upcoming UFO conventions and the ongoing controversies within the ufology community, alongside a significant exploration of the Bigfoot phenomenon.

Convention Round-Up (and Mix-Up)

The newsletter begins by detailing a CUFOS-oriented convention in Chicago, sponsored by Barbara Schutte, which was invitation-only. The editor notes that the invitation list caused disunity, excluding many well-known ufologists, including himself, while including individuals like Dr. Robert Carr and Todd Zechel. The editor expresses skepticism about the event's organization and its claim to foster unity.

Another convention is announced, sponsored by MUFON in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, scheduled for the July 4th weekend. This event includes an early morning official MUFON meeting, to which the editor is uninvited. However, two separate 'summit meetings' are also planned for the same location, which the editor believes he is invited to. These meetings are a result of efforts by the Scientific Bureau of Investigation (SBI) of New York to achieve unity in ufology. Pete Mazzola, Co-Director of the SBI, is contacted and is also reportedly confused about the event's structure, suggesting MUFON has complexly integrated Mazzola's ideas. The editor plans to attend these Toronto meetings to gain clarity.

Additionally, a National UFO Conference is scheduled for May 29th in Parma, Ohio, with speakers including Gray Barker, Larry Blazey, Tom Benson, Ed Biebel, Bob Goerman, and the editor himself. Rick Hilberg is listed as the contact for details.

Hot Flashes (News Briefies)

Betty Cash UFO Case: The editor reports on an interview with John Schuessler of NASA, the principal investigator of the Betty Cash UFO case in Texas (December 1980). This case involved Mrs. Cash and two others who exhibited symptoms of radiation poisoning after a close encounter with a UFO. Schuessler has interviewed helicopter pilots and tracked the health of the 'victims', deeming it one of the most significant U.S. sightings. Schuessler's quote is: "It was a genuine UFO, whatever that is".

'The Jupiter Effect' and Jim Oberg: Former Capt. Jim Oberg brought attention to the book 'The Jupiter Effect', which predicted earthquake activity on March 10th, 1982. The book has since been discredited. Oberg also has a new book titled 'UFOs and Outer Space Mysteries: A Sympathetic Skeptic's Report'.

Loren Coleman Seeking Employment: Loren Coleman, who has focused on zoological mysteries, is seeking gainful employment as a 'Zooman'. His qualifications are described as overwhelming.

Time Magazine Editorial: An editorial in Time Magazine quotes Norman Vincent Peale saying, "'If Jesus were alive today,' says Norman Vincent Peale, 'he would be at the Super Bowl.'" The editor humorously adds that Jesus would be 2,000 years old and a 'Medical Freak'. This is presented as part of a 'Subtle Policy Shift' by the editor to comment on any aspect of life offering insight into the human condition.

Wild Rumor Department

Rumors suggest that Bob Sheaffer's book 'The UFO Verdict' is becoming a bestseller, partly due to a positive review in 'Smear'. However, the book is reportedly headed for the fiction list. There are also rumors of movie rights being sold with a tentative title "Whores from Outer Space", with Raquel Welch cast as the female lead and Dr. J. Allen Hynek negotiating for a bit part.

Letters to Ye Olde Supreme Commander

John Keel (writing as "Furgoot the Magnificent")
John Keel criticizes a book (presumably Sheaffer's) and mentions the editor negatively, using terms like 'shithead' and 'babbling baboon'. He suspects the newsletter is ghostwritten by Dennis Rawlings and suggests that ufologists are winning a race against the Soviet Union. He concludes with a sarcastic remark about cattle mutilators.

Doug Smith (SubGenius Foundation)
Doug Smith expresses appreciation for 'Smear' despite its perceived strangeness, noting that over 50% of SubGenius respondents have seen UFOs. He finds the magazine's lack of focus appealing. He also mentions Martin Kottmeyer's UFO rabbits and asks for information on people claiming to be Jesus reincarnated.

Special Bigfoot Supplement

Joan Jeffers
Joan Jeffers responds to Jon Beckjord regarding alleged Bigfoot feces. She states that analyses were done by qualified laboratories, including a forensic lab. Witnesses in some cases reported creatures stopping to deficate, and feces were found in association with Bigfoot evidence. These feces were atypical. Jeffers recounts her own experiences tracking creatures and interviewing witnesses between 1974-1977, and claims to have seen two 'beasties'. She mentions Stan Gordon, director of the Pa. Association for the Investigation of the Unexplained, a group investigating UFOs and Bigfoot.

Jon Beckjord (Project Bigfoot)
Jon Beckjord addresses comments on alleged Bigfoot feces, stating that no feces have been definitively identified as Bigfoot without a recovered and identified Bigfoot. He mentions samples being 'eliminated' by Dr. Vaughn Bryant, a feces analyst.

Bigfoot Feces Analysis
The newsletter discusses the difficulty in identifying Bigfoot feces, noting that they are not identifiable as bear, deer, elk, or horse droppings. Possible Bigfoot feces contain cedar leaves, spruce needles, and fir needles, with incomplete digestion in some cases. Speculation suggests Bigfoot might be a dimensional visitor. Betty Powell sent a package with photos and possible Sasquatch feces, which caused issues at the local post office. One photo allegedly shows a mask-like face resembling Native American masks.

Bigfoot Cartoonist Campaign: A $100 reward is offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a cartoonist depicting prominent Bigfoot researchers negatively. The cartoonist is accused of using mail-remailing services and placing innocent persons' return addresses on his work, causing researchers to withdraw from the field. Contact is via Box 444, Northgate Station, Seattle, WA 98125, or the Bigfoot Hotline (206-382-5656).

Betty Powell's Bigfoot Sighting: Betty Powell reports on new Bigfoot prints found in the snow near her family's home in West Jefferson, Ohio. These prints are described as different from earlier ones and suggest a different type of Bigfoot than the previous summer. The prints were so hot they melted the snow down to the leaves. She also recounts an incident where her son Grover saw a tall, thin, bushy-haired shadow figure.

Jim Stafford's Sighting: Jim Stafford reported seeing a large, dark, bushy-haired shape of a man looking into a bedroom window at night. He is described as a 'hard nose' skeptic who does not believe in Bigfoot.

Bob Schmidt's Analysis: Bob Schmidt, author of a Bigfoot cartoon, proposes that Bigfoot is a product of UFO technology, exhibiting behavior similar to UFOs. He believes no stool sample can prove Bigfoot's existence and that Bigfoot is both material and immaterial, capable of 'etheric escape'. He also suggests that Bigfoot odors are compatible with descriptions of 'negative entities' and that Bigfoot's existence supports evolutionary theory.

Ron Spanbauer on Bigfoot Feces: Ron Spanbauer comments on the controversy, questioning why people assume Bigfoot droppings would be different from other animals', stating that humans and Bigfoot both defecate in the woods and that the debate is a 'crock of shit'.

Other Items

Phil Klass and the 'STARBABY' Controversy: The issue touches on the 'STARBABY' controversy, with Phil Klass's response ('CRYBABY') not being published by FATE Magazine because it did not address the charges in the Rawlins article and was not an official CSICOP response.

Janice Croy's Ideas: UFO researcher Janice Croy suggests UFO organizations buy cable TV time to present UFO news.

Bob Goerman's 'ALLENDE' DOSSIER: Bob Goerman thanks Saucer Smear for a plug on his upcoming book, which has generated a response. He notes that Klass and Oberg were wrong about his work and that researchers crave truth.

Tom Benson's 'Sixth Quark Journal': Tom Benson announces that 'The Sixth Quark Journal' has been reborn with a new issue costing $3.50. Past and future issues will be sold on a non-subscription basis.

Don Strachan's Book Reviews: Don Strachan reviews several books: 'Science and the Paranormal' (edited by George O. Abell and Barry Singer), which critiques paranormalists; Daniel Cohen's work on Bigfoot, Yeti, Mothman, and Ogopogo; and 'The Homing Pigeons' by Robert Anton Wilson. He also mentions 'Miracles' by Martin Ebon and a 'UFO Update' article in 'Omni'.

Richard Heiden on Ideal House Bankruptcy: Richard Heiden reports that Ideal House, publisher of 'Beyond Reality' and 'UFO Update', has filed for bankruptcy. He advises subscribers to obtain claim forms from the Bankruptcy Court. John Krach and Ralph Stein are named as responsible parties at Ideal, and Seymore Butan is mentioned as Chairman of the Board who went to jail for similar rip-offs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the internal politics and controversies within the UFO community, the reporting of specific UFO sightings and cases, and a detailed exploration of the Bigfoot phenomenon. The editor maintains a skeptical yet engaged stance, often injecting humor and personal commentary, particularly in the 'Hot Flashes' and 'Wild Rumor Department' sections. There's a clear emphasis on questioning official narratives and highlighting perceived disunity among researchers. The editor also demonstrates a willingness to broaden the scope of commentary beyond just UFOs, as indicated by the 'Subtle Policy Shift'. The Bigfoot section, in particular, showcases a range of opinions and evidence, from witness accounts to theoretical analyses linking it to UFO technology.