Saucer Smear - Vol 29 No 05 - 1982

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Vol. 29, No. 5
Date: June 15th, 1982
Publisher: SAUCER SMEAR
Editor: James W. Moseley

This issue of SAUCER SMEAR is a non-scheduled newsletter dedicated to ufological journalism. It provides a comprehensive report on the 19th annual National UFO Conference (NUFOC) held in Cleveland, Ohio, and includes various "Flash" updates and letters from researchers and readers.

1982 National UFO Conference (NUFOC) Report

The 19th annual NUFOC took place on Saturday, May 29th, 1982, at the Parma Memorial Auditorium near Cleveland, Ohio. Total attendance for the public sessions exceeded 300, with above-average local media attention. A New York documentary film group, Bermuda Triangle Films, was scheduled to cover the event but missed their flight.

• Speeches included:
• A wrap-up of the West Jefferson Bigfoot case and West Virginia contactee case by the editor.
• A UFO statistical report by Al Manak.
• "The Spiritual Aspects of UFOs" by Larry Blazey.
• A brief German report read by Bob Easley.
• "Animal Mutilations & UFOs" by Bob Goerman.

Tom Benson presented on UFO understructures and general Ufology, both illustrated with slides. Jon Beckjord, a Bigfootologist, presented "The '4-D' Characteristics of Bigfoot," showing purported evidence of Bigfoot's dimensional aspects. Gray Barker presented on "The Abduction Syndrome," and his closing remarks were noted as possibly his last public appearance.

A peculiar incident occurred at the conclusion of Jon Beckjord's presentation when a "chipmunk-like 3-D head" appeared on the dark screen, which only a few attendees noticed.

A "closed session" decided that the next year's conference would be held in Tucson, Arizona, hosted by Ed Biebel. The "Permanent Organizing Committee" saw changes, with Allen Greenfield and Timothy Green Beckley removed, and Tom Benson reinstated. The editor was awarded the "Ufologist of the Year" award for the second time.

(BIG)FOOTNOTE TO THE ABOVE & REVIEW OF WEIRD BOOK: "Night Siege"

This section reviews Dennis Pilichis' book "Night Siege," about alleged Bigfoot happenings in Rome, Ohio. The book details sightings of "huge shadowy Bigfeet with red glowing eyes." The editor notes confusion surrounding the book's availability and Pilichis's apparent animosity towards "Dr." McIntyre, who had investigated the case. Pilichis is described as unwilling to share the book with perceived enemies. The editor also mentions his own encounter with Carlos Allende/Allen, describing him as "literally unbelievable."

HOT FLASHES

Society for Scientific Exploration (SSE)

The formation of a new scientific group, the Society for Scientific Exploration, is announced, which aims to treat anomalous phenomena objectively.

Center for Scientific Anomalies Research (CSAR)

Professor Marcello Truzzi has formed CSAR, with "Zetetic Scholar" as its publication. This group is described as consisting of "open-minded scientific skeptics," contrasting with CSICOP, which represents the "other kind" of skeptics.

"The Allende Dossier" Booklet

A review of Bob Goerman's "limited edition Special Collector's Issue" booklet, "The Allende Dossier," is presented. Goerman claims the "Philadelphia Experiment" is a myth and has obtained documents related to Carlos Allende. The editor recounts a past encounter with Allende/Allen.

Laura Mundo's Diatribe

Laura Mundo is back with a critique of "Saucer Smear" and a lengthy discussion on "Accelerating Sun Spots (A.S.S.)," linking them to temporary disturbances of sexual glands and increased prostitution.

NEWS BRIEFIES

• A social gathering is announced for July 31st in New Jersey, honoring Jack & Mary Robinson and Bob Zanotti.
• Stanton Friedman has left the college lecture circuit to work as a nuclear physicist in Canada.
• George King, an "absurd English contactee," is selling memberships in the "Royal Knights of Justice."
• Frank Stranges is also involved in a similar venture.
• The editor interviewed on WOR New York about the Nazca Lines of Peru.
• West Virginia contactee Donn Shallcross's contact is to be filmed by "P.M. Magazine."
• A movie, "The Mysterious Two," is mentioned as a fictionalized version of an actual UFO-oriented couple.
• New books reviewed include "God's Secret Weapon" by David Medina and "World of Ufology" by Bob Easley.

MISSIVES FROM THE MASSES

• John Timmerman of CUFOS writes regarding a mailing list cleanup and expresses a preference for CUFOS over NICAP.

JOHN BARLOW writes:

Barlow comments on a recent newsletter, praising the editor's writing while criticizing the newsletter's overall quality. He expresses interest in a contact story.

Johann Barfmeister (John Keel) writes:

John Keel, under the pseudonym "Johann Barfmeister," criticizes the newsletter for printing letters from "bogus illuminaries" and claims ufology is in its "death throes." He accuses the editor of refusing to print a scientific graph he sent.

HAL STARR writes to Gray Barker:

Starr discusses Bill Spaulding's "Federal Hypothesis" and his "Ground Saucer Watch" (GSW) activities. He questions Spaulding's claims about New Mexico's UFO sightings and the admission of regressive hypnosis in litigation. Starr expresses skepticism about Spaulding's hypothesis explaining the entire enigma.

KEN BEHRENDT writes:

Behrendt analyzes the Shallcross Case, questioning the convenient dimming of car lights while a flashlight works, the description of the alien in a reflective suit, and the possibility of the phone calls being made by Shallcross himself. He suggests the case might be an invention influenced by subconscious symbolism related to the name "Shallcross."

RON SCHAFFNER of OUFOIL writes as "Rant Mullens":

Schaffner responds to "Dr." McIntyre's comments, dismissing his Bigfoot claims and suggesting McIntyre is "carving symbols in Bigfoot Rocks." He warns of McIntyre and associates starting a traveling Bigfoot show.

"Doctor" McIntyre of MARCEN writes:

McIntyre responds to a review of a publication exposing "Tomato Man," calling it a "phantom publication." He claims documentation will prove "gross ommissions and outright lies" by the authors and details alleged involvement in anonymous threats and hoax letters, including the "OUFART hoax of 1982" involving whale songs mistaken for Bigfoot.

BILL MOORE writes to Jim Moseley:

Moore addresses Bobby Sheaffer's "challenge" regarding the Roswell incident. He states that their reconstruction is based on extensive investigation, not just newspaper articles. Moore dismisses Sheaffer's point as insignificant and questions why Sheaffer arbitrarily chose a later date for the incident.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue reflects a community deeply engaged in ufology, with internal debates and differing approaches to evidence and interpretation. There's a clear division between those who approach the subject with scientific skepticism (CSICOP, CSAR) and those who are more open to anomalous phenomena and less critical of anecdotal evidence (many contributors to SAUCER SMEAR). The editor, James W. Moseley, appears to lean towards a more open-minded, though sometimes critical, stance, as evidenced by his "Ufologist of the Year" award and his commentary on various cases and figures. The publication seems to thrive on controversy and the airing of differing viewpoints within the UFO research community.