Saucer Smear - Vol 29 No 03 - 1982

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Vol. 29, No. 3
Date: April 1st, 1982
Publisher: SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of Saucer Smear, a non-scheduled newsletter dedicated to ufological journalism, features a collection of "Hot Flashes," reader contributions, and news items related to UFOs, Bigfoot, and other paranormal phenomena.

Hot Flashes and Announcements

The "Hot Flashes" section kicks off with an announcement for the "Spring UFO Party" scheduled for April 10th at the organization's headquarters in Guttenberg, N.J. It then addresses the upcoming ufological "Summit Meeting" in Toronto, clarifying that it will be an all-day event on July 5th, open to those serious about resolving UFO phenomena. Details will be published in the MUFON Bulletin.

Another significant event highlighted is the National UFO Conference (NUFOC) to be held on May 29th in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. Speakers will include the "Smear" editor, Gray Barker, and Bigfoot hunter Jon Beckjord, who will present facts and speculation about Bigfoot, including slides from the Patterson film. The conference is touted as the largest and most important NUFOC convention in recent years, with speakers from across the country addressing topics like cattle mutilation and the "Carlos Allende of Philadelphia Experiment fame" entity.

UFO and Paranormal News

Gray Barker Controversy: The newsletter details a controversy involving Gray Barker, who is credited with preserving early UFO stories but is accused of misrepresenting the Saucer and Unexplained Celestial Events Research Society (S.A.U.C.E.R.S.) by altering its name and claiming ownership rights. Barker is noted to be semi-retired but still producing literature, including "Chasing the Flying Saucers - A Review of UFO Events of 1963" and "Gray Barker's UFO Annual 1981."

The Jupiter Effect: The issue touches upon the failed prediction of dire world events associated with "The Jupiter Effect," which had anticipated disasters for March 10th. Despite the lack of predicted events, the text suggests that the planets remain in an unholy alignment, implying that other events might still occur.

Bigfoot and UFOs in West Jefferson, Ohio: A "scoop" reveals the ongoing Bigfoot and UFO activity in West Jefferson, Ohio. Betty Powell and her neighbors are reportedly involved, with one neighbor, identified as "Laura," claiming to have had sexual intercourse twice with a Bigfoot, which a hypnotist associated with the Battelle Institute reportedly confirmed as truthful.

UAPA Booklet: The United Aerial Phenomena Agency (UAPA) is congratulated for including an article about Bigfoot by the "Saucer Smear" editor in their booklet "The Best of UFO Journal."

"Altered Steaks" Book: A book titled "Altered Steaks," described as a speculative and humorous work about cattle mutilation, is mentioned. It consists of transcripts of authors discussing the topic.

Russian Venus Landings: The newsletter notes the Russians' unmanned landings on Venus, highlighting the extreme temperature and atmospheric pressure, and questions how this news might affect hard-core George Adamski followers, given Adamski's claims of meeting a Venusian.

Gordon Evans: The disappearance of lecturer Gordon Evans, who spoke about "Why the Martians Won't Let Us Land on the Moon," is mentioned, with speculation about his potential return.

Fortean Investigation Bureau Study: A "PRESS-TIME BULLETIN" announces startling information from the Fortean Investigation Bureau, which claims a computer study of over 20,000 UFO cases has revealed a simple solution to the flying saucer mystery.

Missives from the Masses (Reader Contributions)

Walt Andrus (MUFON Director): Writes about the upcoming MUFON UFO Symposium in Toronto, confirming it will be an all-day event on July 5th, with accommodations to be announced.

Steve Barnett: Applauds the "Smear's" decision to expand its scope to include other "sacred cows."

Tom Benson (MUFON New Jersey Director): Discusses UFO understructure drawings used by Martin Kottmeyer and George Adamski's book "Flying Saucers Have Landed," questioning the order in which cigar-shaped and round UFOs are released.

Martin Kottmeyer: Expresses gratitude for the publication and its editor's humor, appreciating the "supporting background material" for his "proctufology fantasy."

Barry Greenwood: Comments on the "highly intellectual discussion of Bigfoot dribblings" and suggests "Saucer Smear" is good for "toilet paper." He notes a trend of UFO-caused injury and destruction, suggesting extraterrestrial criminality might replace abductions as a key issue, and warns Phil Klass about statistics showing UFO muggings are up 50% in D.C.

Jim Moseley: Praises a "SPECIAL BIGFOOT SUPPLEMENT" for its definitive study on "Bigfoot feces."

Lucius Farish: Mentions a 3-D creature leaving unidentified droppings on a balcony in Huntington Harbour, California, as reported in a newspaper clipping, and suggests Jon Beckjord would be interested.

Jon Beckjord: Expresses trepidation about meeting Joan Jeffers and asks if he can hide out at the editor's place. He also discusses a $40 filmstrip from L.A. on Bigfoot, "Bigfoot: A Wilderness Legend," which includes Patterson Bigfoot film frames and hoax photos.

Frank Bruckmann: Discusses the Devonshire Devil and Yeti footprints, questioning their spacing and whether only female bigfoots walk in a certain way. He also mentions the ability of the Devonshire Devil to "mat" and "demat."

Dale Rettig: Amusedly refers to Robert Sheaffer's book calling the editor "the Voltaire of Ufology," suggesting "the Marquis de Sade of Ufology" as a more appropriate epithet due to the issues' focus on "peculiarities of the bowel, excreta, and masturbation."

Joan Jeffers: Discusses hypnosis, stating skepticism about material obtained through it but acknowledging its effectiveness in anesthesia, pain reduction, and psychotherapy for recovering suppressed memory.

Ken Behrendt: Offers to sell part of his UFO library, consisting of about 100 rare and out-of-print titles from the early 1950s, for a best offer over $325.

Richard Heiden: Laments a hassle with the Wisconsin Dept. of Revenue over allowing tax deductions for non-profit UFO research organizations, which the IRS accepts but the state claims are personal expenses.

Rumors of Death of Moseley Persist

This section details persistent rumors about the death of UFO writer and researcher James W. Moseley in a car accident years ago. A spokesperson claims that the man currently presenting as Moseley is actually Richard H. Hall, former executive of NICAP. Evidence cited includes the backward playback of Moseley's record album "Strangers From Space," which allegedly reveals Gray Barker saying, "I buried Jim." The report also mentions an alleged incident in 1974 at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, where Moseley's car was forced off the road by a mysterious Cadillac, with strange lights and a glowing object sighted. A voice heard in the sky was reportedly similar to Moseley's, crying out, "The sun doesn't look right. I can't tell which way is west...hail NICAP."

Other Items

• A news clipping about "State speeding up welfare cheat checks."
• A clipping about "Some fossils said to back creationism."
• A clipping about "$1 million given to better slums."
• A clipping about "Coach Suspended In Sexual Probe; Players Honored."
• A correction regarding a recipe for marjolaine.
• A clipping about an "Elderly man awarded in family feud."
• An item titled "Utah Girl Does Well in Dog Shows."
• An advertisement for "Insane Manifesto for Correct Human Behavior!" and "The Church of the SubGenres."
• A news clipping about "Woman's arm sticks in toilet."
• A cartoon with the caption "It's your mother."
• A headline "Crash Kills Blue Angel."
• An advertisement for "You Have Been PROGRAMMED" and "The Church of the SubGenius."
• A headline "Hawaii bars a number of creatures from isles."
• A headline "Supreme Court Ducks Issue Of Shopping Mall Space Invaders."
• A headline "Harvard Physicians Propose Course on Nuclear War."
• A headline "Man sentenced in death of woman he claims he mistook for raccoon."
• A headline "Hyena Eats Cage."
• A headline "Child born to woman."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Saucer Smear are UFO sightings and conferences, Bigfoot encounters and discussions, and the general paranormal and fringe science community. The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards mainstream UFO organizations and researchers, often with a satirical and humorous tone, as evidenced by the "Hot Flashes" and the "Missives from the Masses" sections. There is a clear emphasis on investigative journalism, even when dealing with controversial or bizarre topics, and a willingness to publish diverse viewpoints from readers and contributors. The newsletter also engages in critique of other publications and researchers, particularly those perceived as overly dogmatic or inaccurate.