Saucer Smear - Vol 30 No 03 - 1983

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Vol. 30, No. 3
Date: March 20th, 1983
Publisher: SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of SAUCER SMEAR, a non-scheduled newsletter, is dedicated to ufological journalism. It announces an upcoming "Spring UFO Party" and "Pre-Convention Pep Rally" on April 30th, coinciding with the 20th annual National UFO Conference (NUFOC) in Tucson, Arizona, scheduled for May 14th. The conference will feature speakers such as Timothy Green Beckley, Hal Starr, Kal K. Korff, and Rick Hilberg.

Book Review: "George Adamski: The Untold Story"

The issue features a critical review of the book "George Adamski: The Untold Story," co-authored by Timothy Good and Lou Zinsstag. The reviewer expresses a reluctance to criticize the book due to prior courteous interactions with Timothy Good, but ultimately finds the book "way off base." The review highlights the authors' "will to believe" and contrasts their conclusions with SAUCER NEWS' own "Special Adamski Expose Issue" from 1957, which the reviewer states was a 25-page factual account that convinced readers Adamski was exaggerating his claims. The book is criticized for only briefly mentioning this expose and rejecting its conclusions. The reviewer points to a specific instance on page 156 where the authors cite Richard Ogden's statement about a scientist being his friend, while omitting Ogden's subsequent admission of being "insane" and unable to write further on the topic. The review also notes the book's reliance on "circumstantial evidence" for the R.E. Straith letter, suggesting better research would lead to a different conclusion.

Tid-Bits of Trash

This section covers various short news items and reader contributions:

• Subscription Expiration: An "X" on the envelope indicates a non-subscription has expired.
• Cartoon Controversy: A cartoon by Piet Hoebens, published in the January "Smear," has caused controversy, with skeptics allegedly pressuring the cartoonist to withhold reprint permission.
• Radio Appearance: The editor appeared on WMCA's Candy Jones Show to discuss Daniel Cohen's book "The Encyclopedia of Monsters," which led to a discussion of Mothman and UFOs.
• TV Segments: Mentions of UFO segments on "P.M. Magazine" featuring 1970s photos and a "In Search Of" episode on abductions using hypnotic regression.
• OUFOIL Report: Commends the OUFOIL group from Cincinnati for their thorough and objective investigation of a UFO sighting in Mainville, Ohio, which likely involved a natural electrical phenomenon.
• Abductee Defense League: Notes the formation of a militant Abductee Defense League.
• Hoax Letter: A hoax letter is described, questioning why UFO abductees are predominantly Jewish or Indian, ending with a drawing of the New York skyline marked with a Star of David.
• NASA Budget: The NASA budget includes $1.5 million for an instrument to study radio frequencies for messages from intelligent beings, with Carl Sagan noted as a key lobbyist.
• President Roosevelt Study: An article mentions a 1940 top-secret study commissioned by President Roosevelt to explore resettling wartime refugees on other planets.
• New Book: "The Awesome Force" is advertised, covering topics like the Oregon vortex, spontaneous combustion, teleportation, pyramid energy, the Hollow Earth, and buildings on the Moon.
• Press-Time Flashes: Robert Wanderer's article "The Lessons of NOVA" in the "MUFON UFO Journal" is favorably reviewed. French researcher Jacques Vallee appeared on the Merv Griffin TV show.

Art Smashed for God

A news brief from Fort Worth, Texas, reports that Evangelist James Robison and millionaire T. Cullen Davis destroyed $1 million worth of jade, ivory, and gold art objects related to Eastern religions, deeming them "graven images."

Missives from the Masses

This section features letters and comments from readers and researchers:

• Len Stringfield: Corrects information about the availability of his paper "UFO Crash/Retrievals: Amassing the Evidence," stating it is available only from his home address in Cincinnati, Ohio.
• Riley Crabb: Comments on the readability of "Smear," expresses interest in attending the Tucson UFO convention, and mentions an upcoming BSRA Journal.
• Tom Burch: Argues against government conspiracy theories related to UFOs, stating that while the government lied about its interest, no significant knowledge about the phenomenon itself was gained. He suggests that any recovered UFO would likely be lost or stolen.
• Ken Behrendt: Agrees with James Randi that Uri Geller's feats can be duplicated by trickery but believes there is a real field effect involved in spoon bending.
• William Retoff: Laments the disappearance of UFO magazines from newsstands.
• Hilary Evans: Discusses a conference with French ufologists, noting their skepticism and the French tendency to be pure ufologists. He observes a growing realization that visions of the Virgin, Bigfoot sightings, and poltergeist pranks are linked to UFO activity, concluding that "something exists, call it what we will."
• Ron Schaffner: Praises "Smear" but questions Beckjord's logic, comparing him to pushing a concrete drum.
• Jon Beckjord: Responds to critics of his Walla Walla Bigfoot Weight Testing, asserting that Bigfoot's anomalous weight suggests it is not an ordinary animal. He notes the similarity of this criticism to that leveled against UFO researchers.
• George Earley: Critiques the validation of UFO reports based solely on the absence of sound, arguing that wind aloft is often overlooked. He warns against uncritical acceptance and the equating of "scientific ufology" with "scientific creationism."
• Dave Reissig: Discusses Raymond E. Fowler's "The Andreasson Affair: Phase Two," pondering the objective vs. subjective nature of the UFO phenomenon and quoting G. K. Chesterton.
• Larry Peters: Compliments "Smear" for publishing comments from "frustrated misfits," suggesting they should enter politics.
• Allen Benz: Provides details about the Gindilis Report, an official Soviet government publication on atmospheric phenomena in the USSR.
• Tom Benson (I. Givva Damsky): Comments on a cartoon featuring Phil Klass and Bob Sheaffer, suggesting Jim Oberg should have been included. He also quotes Betty Hill and criticizes Timothy Green Beckley's endorsement of Billy Meier and his "time warp" theory.
• Jim Oberg: Discusses mixed reactions to his studies on Russian UFOs, noting endorsements from some and veiled suggestions of CIA sponsorship from others. He offers to assist ufologists with literature searches on Soviet UFOs and warns about the challenges of researching Chinese UFO reports, suggesting that glowing endorsements would indicate a failure to learn from Soviet pseudo-UFO cases.
• Hans J. Petermann: Responds to Amy Davidson, suggesting Wendelle Stevens, Gray Barker, and others are more interested in profit than in researching facts, particularly regarding the "Meier hoax case."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing debate between ufologists and skeptics, the critical examination of prominent UFO figures like George Adamski, and the challenges of UFO research, including the potential for hoaxes and misinterpretations. The editorial stance, as expressed through the book review and various reader comments, leans towards a critical and analytical approach, questioning unsubstantiated claims and advocating for rigorous research. There is a clear skepticism towards sensationalism and a concern for maintaining objectivity within the ufological community. The magazine also serves as a platform for diverse viewpoints, featuring both proponents and critics of various UFO-related phenomena and theories.

Advertisement: 20th Annual National UFO Conference

Page 8 contains a detailed advertisement for the 20th Annual National UFO Conference (NUFOC) in Tucson, Arizona. It provides dates, times, locations, admission fees, speaker information (Rick Hilberg, Kal Korff, Hal Starr), and details for delegate reservations and housing. It also suggests incorporating a vacation with the conference, listing local attractions and astronomical sites of interest, including the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and Kitt Peak National Observatory.