Saucer Smear - Vol 29 No 06 - 1982

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Vol. 29, No. 6
Date: July 15th, 1982
Publisher: James W. Moseley (Editor and Supreme Commander)
Focus: Official publication of the Saucer and Unexplained Celestial Events Research Society, dedicated to ufological journalism.

Editor's Report: MUFON Symposium and Unity Conference, Toronto

The editor, James W. Moseley, recounts his experience attending the 13th annual MUFON conclave and the subsequent UFO "Unity Conference" in Toronto. Despite not being a MUFON member, he was intrigued by the event. He notes that his initial fears of MUFON attempting to dominate the Unity meeting were unfounded. Pete Mazzola of New York's Scientific Bureau of Investigation (SBI) was given ample opportunity to present his work and was included in the "steering committee" for a proposed, as yet unnamed, federation of UFO clubs. This committee, intended to usher in a new era in ufology, comprises representatives from various UFO organizations and regions.

The steering committee members include Mimi Hynek (wife of Dr. J. Allen Hynek), Walt Andrus (International Director of MUFON), Charles Wilhelm (Director of OUFOIL), John Schuessler (Deputy Director of MUFON, NASA), Rick Hilberg (UAPA, Cleveland), and Henry McKay (MUFON, local host). Notably, APRO was represented by Bill Moore as an "observer," with the organization choosing to remain on the sidelines for the time being.

Conference Presentations and Key Figures

The editor acknowledges that he could not attend all lectures due to their extensive schedule but highlights several impressive presentations. John Schuessler's talk on the "Cash/Landrum Radiation Case" was noted for its overwhelming evidence of radiation poisoning, though the editor wished for more detail on the non-medical aspects of the investigation. Paul B. Norman of Australia presented the Frederick Valentich case, detailing a pilot's encounter with a UFO before his disappearance.

Bill Moore received "Smear's" Most Professional Speaker Award for his lecture on the Roswell, New Mexico crashed disc case. Moore also presented a "bombshell" Government document, which he had self-censored, purportedly proving the U.S. Government's continued quiet pursuit and secrecy regarding the UFO mystery. Moore threatened to reveal the censored details if anything happened to him.

Dr. Michael Persinger presented a thesis on "luminosities," which he described as strong electromagnetic disturbances of natural origin, detailing their adverse effects on the human brain. The editor suggests this analysis could also apply to "artificial" UFOs with strong magnetic fields.

Dr. J. Allen Hynek gave a lecture on "Preparing for the next UFO Flap." Other speakers mentioned include Arthur Bray, Dr. George & Iris Owen, Bjame Hakansson, David Haisell, Walt Andrus, and Henry McKay. The overall presentation was described as professionally produced and a credit to the MUFON hierarchy.

Editorial Stance and Humor

Moseley humorously describes his publication's role, suggesting it is akin to Jack Anderson with a sense of humor, Lenny Bruce, or Voltaire. He reiterates his commitment to "calling 'em as we see 'em" and wishes the new UFO super-group well, acknowledging past failed attempts at similar federations.

News Briefies

Brief news items include an upcoming social gathering at Headquarters, the death of Admiral Roscoe H. Hillenkoetter (first director of the CIA and former NICAP board member), and the 35th anniversary of the Kenneth Arnold UFO sighting. A mention is made of Tom Benson's "Jumping Disc" demonstration, which the editor did not see in action. A "semi-threatening anonymous letter" was also received but could not be printed due to space limitations.

Miscellaneous Ravings: UFO Theories and Psychology

The editor discusses Professor Alvin Lawson's theory, published in the MUFON UFO Journal, suggesting that typical UFO "abduction" stories are repressed memories of birth and pre-natal experiences, elaborated with a UFO motif and triggered by a real UFO sighting or hypnotist suggestion. This theory is linked to an article by Robert Wanderer on "Birth Trauma and 'Abductions'." Lawson expressed amazement at the lukewarm reception his theories have received from UFO researchers.

Moseley reflects that ideas based on human psychology often clash with the views of "saucer buffs," but he personally sees the influence of Freud and Jung in ufology. He also notes that while he is a skeptic about UFOs, astrology, and psychic phenomena, he is open-minded about fairies, leprechauns, and Santa Claus, and even the possibility that 2+2=5, referencing George Adamski's views on mathematical possibilities.

Letters to the Editor

Marcello Truzzi (The Zetetic Scholar) clarifies that his Center for Scientific Anomalies Research (CSAR) is not in opposition to CSICOP, despite Phil Klass's portrayal. Truzzi emphasizes his goal of building bridges between anomaly proponents and critics, noting that CSAR consultants include CSICOP Fellows and that his "Zetetic Scholar" #9 editorial was his personal opinion.

Phil Klass (writing to Moseley) suggests that CSAR needs subscribers and contrasts "Zetetic Scholar" with "The Skeptical Inquirer," noting that CSICOP has significantly more subscribers. Klass describes "Zetetic Scholar" readers as likely more comfortable with it than "The Skeptical Inquirer," and points out that CSAR's Associate Director, Ron Westrum, is a "UFO-believer." Klass also implies that Truzzi's professed neutrality on paranormal claims is contradicted by his participation in organizations promoting such claims, while resigning from CSICOP.

Gary Posner, M.D. refutes Moseley's characterization of CSAR as "open-minded" skeptics versus CSICOP as "the other kind." Posner argues that figures like Phil Klass, Bob Sheaffer, and Jim Oberg are not closed-minded, citing their involvement in aerospace and scientific fields and their fascination with the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI). He questions how anyone could accuse Isaac Asimov of not being open-minded and defends his own position as a CSICOP associate member who was formerly involved with NICAP.

Dr. Thornton Page (NASA) writes about the physical challenges of keeping the "Saucer Smear" pages together and recommends two books: "Life in the Universe" by MIT Press, which discusses NASA's SETI Conference and the evolution of life, and "Planetary Science" by S. R. Taylor, which covers information on planets and their moons. Page agrees with Taylor's skepticism about interstellar or interplanetary UFO spacecraft.

Jon Beckjord (Project Bigfoot) addresses remarks about a "chipmunk-type head" seen on a screen, denying involvement and suggesting it was a "genuine miracle." He also notes the complexity of the Pilichis/Rome, Ohio events and promises a separate report. He mentions that witnesses in the Pilichis book "Night Siege" backed up the narrative, but that Pilichis was unfriendly and tried to have him arrested. Beckjord claims Pilichis is withholding evidence of "white Bigfoot blood."

Bill Retoff offers a linguistic correction, stating that the plural of Bigfoot is "Bigfoots," not "Bigfeet," using the analogy of "hotfoot" vs. "hotfoots." He also humorously suggests that a single Bigfoot should be called a "Bigfeet."

Charles Wilhelm (OUFOIL) responds to McIntyre's criticism of an OUFOIL report on the "Tomato Man" case, calling it a "phantom publication" with "gross omissions" and "outright lies." Wilhelm asserts that OUFOIL's report has more copies in circulation than real MARCEN members and suggests that McIntyre is trying to hide something by not allowing them to read his report. Wilhelm reveals that "Mr. X," listed in the report's acknowledgments, is not McIntyre but someone else, implying it was McIntyre's "fantasy story."

Bob Sheaffer (CSICOP) criticizes Bill Moore, stating that Moore has been wrong about the Roswell yarn. Sheaffer claims to have published a multi-page review in "The Skeptical Inquirer" listing errors in Moore's book, including the acceptance of an April Fool's Day joke. Sheaffer also points out that Moore and Berlitz were reportedly fooled by another April Fool's Day hoax. He argues that Moore and Berlitz disregard first-hand accounts while accepting second-hand ones.

Judith Starchild questions the thoroughness of the character background check in the Shallcross case, having investigated it herself for MUFON and APRO. She found the encounter convincing until a character reference check revealed crucial inconsistencies in Shallcross's claims. She highlights that police records show three calls logged within one minute, and questions how a truck driver could travel two miles to a pay phone and make a call in that timeframe. She also mentions Shallcross researched pyramid stories and an ancient Indian space god before the alleged encounter.

Don Strachan (editor of "Light Times") comments on the "latest unidentified flying object" being time. He notes the Leary-Liddy debates and the "tragic flaw" of both being artists who see themselves as actors. He humorously asks why Bill Spaulding hasn't written a comic book about himself and questions how a "3-D ufologist" can spot a "4-D Bigfoot."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the state of ufology, the tension between believers and skeptics, and the reporting of UFO-related conferences and cases. The editor, James W. Moseley, maintains a humorous and often critical stance, using "Saucer Smear" to offer his unique perspective on the UFO community. He champions open-mindedness but is also critical of what he perceives as unsubstantiated claims or flawed research. The issue highlights a divide between those who rigorously question evidence (skeptics like Klass and Sheaffer) and those who are more open to possibilities, sometimes leading to debates about the definition of "open-mindedness" itself. The publication also serves as a platform for various individuals to voice their opinions and present their research or critiques within the UFO field.