Saucer Smear - Vol 30 No 06 - 1983

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 30, No. 6
Date: August 25th, 1983
Publisher: SAUCER SMEAR
Type: Non-Scheduled Newsletter, Official Publication of the Saucer and Unexplained Celestial Events Research Society.

This issue of Saucer Smear, edited by James W. Moseley, focuses on the legal troubles of retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Wendelle Stevens, a prominent figure linked to Billy Meier. It also includes a review of Philip Klass's book, 'UFOs: The Public Deceived,' and various reader contributions and news items related to ufology.

Wendelle Stevens Disappears Unmysteriously

The lead story reports on the legal downfall of Wendelle Stevens of Tucson, Arizona. Anonymous sources provided court documents revealing sixteen felony indictments against Stevens, including child molestation, furnishing obscene items to minors, and making films of minors engaged in sexual conduct. Through plea bargaining, the charges were reduced to three counts of molestation, to which Stevens pleaded guilty. The offenses occurred in the summers of 1981 and 1982. Stevens began serving three concurrent 7-year prison terms on June 1st, 1983. The magazine clarifies that while they do not believe Stevens' sexual misconduct is directly relevant to his UFO work, it reflects on his character. They also express disagreement with the severity of laws regarding voluntary sex acts, even with minors. The editors state they would not have printed the story without photostats of the actual court documents.

An update on the Stevens story notes that he may not have started his prison term on June 1st, with reports suggesting he is either in South America, traveling the U.S., investigating cases in South Africa, or has recently turned himself in. His daughter denies knowledge and threatens legal action, while his defense attorney did not respond to calls.

Review: 'UFOs: The Public Deceived' by Philip Klass

The editor dedicates a significant portion of the magazine to reviewing Philip Klass's new 300-page book, 'UFOs: The Public Deceived.' The review highlights Klass's position as a prominent skeptic, often shunned by the UFO community. The editor notes that Klass's book systematically dissects several well-publicized UFO cases, offering prosaic explanations. The Travis Walton case receives six chapters of detailed analysis, with Klass concluding it is a hoax and criticizing the APRO's investigation as unscientific and subjective.

The review also discusses Klass's analysis of the New Zealand UFO film, where his opponent is Dr. Bruce Maccabee, a pro-UFO physicist. Klass suggests the phenomena could be explained as false radar returns or a brightly-lit Japanese squidboat, while Maccabee believes some lights were genuinely mysterious. The editor notes Klass's mastery of sarcastic humor and his tendency to use ad hominem attacks and generalizations about human perception.

The review acknowledges Klass's competence but criticizes his heavy-handed humor and tendency to oversimplify. The editor agrees with Klass's skeptical interpretation of the New Zealand UFOs and other cases, but questions his conclusions on less-researched cases, such as the Deputy Sheriff Val Johnson case, which Klass calls a hoax.

The review concludes that while no UFO case has ever been proven to be 'weird beyond a reasonable doubt,' the increasing lack of definitive proof for the 'weirdness' of UFOs strengthens the skeptics' position. The book is available from Prometheus Books, which is associated with CSICOP.

Miscellaneous Hot Flashes and Reader Contributions

• "Dreaded X": Readers receiving an envelope with "Dreaded X" will be removed from the mailing list unless they respond.
• Erik Beckjord: Reported filming a long, black object resembling an overturned boat in Loch Ness, though he conceded it might have been a freak wave. He is also involved in a scientific project and is traveling to Loch Ness.
• SBI Convention: The editor attended the mid-August Scientific Bureau of Investigation convention in Albany, N.Y.
• Dr. Thornton Page: A NASA engineer and Rhodes Scholar, who was in England for a reunion.
• George Montgomery: A former Beat Poet who has written a book titled "Kingston (N.Y.), A City."
• Loren Coleman: Has a book titled "Mysterious America" due out in November.
• Dr. Berthold Schwarz: Releasing a book titled "UFO Dynamics" on psychiatric and psychic aspects of the UFO syndrome.
• Gary Posner: An M.D. who believes Betty Hill passed her lie detector test because she is "mentally ill."
• Larry Bryant: Sued the government to release information on captured extraterrestrials, but the suit was dismissed.
• Bruce Maccabee's Fund for UFO Research: Awarded the Lawson Award to John Schuessler for his work on the Cash/Landrum case and an Italian UFO journal.
• North American UFO Federation: Formed from the 'Unity' committee at the 1982 MUFON convention, aiming for a united approach in ufology.
• Hal Starr: Expresses appreciation for the "Ufologist of the Year" award and recounts his challenge to Wendelle Stevens regarding an investigation into Billy Meier's claims, which was reportedly refused because Meier was no longer favored by the Pleiadians.
• Bob Sheaffer: Critiques Hal Starr's account of finding a "bug" in his hotel room, suggesting it could have been planted by the CIA or Starr himself.
• Ken Behrendt: Advocates for a cooperative approach among UFO groups, citing the formation of the North American UFO Federation.
• Tommy R. Blann: States he is involved in a scientific project and cannot discuss it due to the risk of jeopardizing his research.
• Gary Buell: Requests information on Richard Greenwell's expedition to the South Pacific in search of mermaids, referencing articles in 'Globe' and 'Smithsonian.'
• Armand LaPrade: Publishes a UFO zine called "Would You Believe?"
• Richard C. Henry: Discusses the mathematical definition of fractional dimensions.
• Kris Bjork: Suggests a method for contacting UFOs by yelling, "I'm ready for sex!"
• Erik Beckjord: Reports on a UFO crash in Papua New Guinea in 1981, witnessed by a hotel manager.
• Larry Peters: Comments on the mellowing tone of reader comments and mentions a creature sighting.
• Charles Wilhelm: Criticizes "Center Force" as "Center Farce," an organization dealing in "fraudulentus phenomenon," and discusses a mind game called TURPOLUCIDIUM.
• James Oberg: Discusses "pseudo-UFOs" caused by Soviet space activities, citing the launch of 'Cosmos-1481' over South America.

Quotes of The Week

• Ronald Reagan: "People often ask what I intend to do for the sick, the senile and the elderly. Well, that's easy. I plan to introduce legislation to see that members of Congress serve only one term."
• Langley Air Force Base: Officials are using a "chicken gun" to hurl dead chickens at airplanes to study damage from bird strikes.
• Spain: A drug addict sued her pusher for selling her poor quality heroin.
• Washington State: A politician listed his address as the Washington State Penitentiary.

Letters to the Editor

Antonio Huneeus recants a previous article he wrote under the pseudonym "A. Hovni" for The News World, which endorsed the hollow moon theory and claims of alien activities related to NASA and Apollo astronauts. He admits being dazzled by authors' use of NASA documents and photos at the time, and his dependency on weekly income. He states that after visiting the Johnson Space Center and reading more "real" NASA literature, he is convinced that the astronaut sightings, Leonard photo-analyses, and hollow moon stuff are no longer valid. He apologizes for perpetuating these myths and promises to be more careful in his research.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently features a skeptical approach to many UFO claims, exemplified by the review of Philip Klass's book and the critical examination of figures like Wendelle Stevens and Billy Meier. While the editors express a belief in the importance of investigating UFO phenomena, they are critical of what they perceive as unsubstantiated claims and "fraudulentus phenomenon." There is a clear division between those who interpret evidence skeptically and those who interpret it in a "pro-Weirdness" manner. The publication also highlights the ongoing debate and organizational efforts within the ufology community, such as the formation of the North American UFO Federation. The editors seem to value rigorous investigation and evidence, even when it leads to debunking popular UFO narratives. They also show a willingness to publish reader contributions that offer diverse perspectives, from detailed case analyses to more unconventional theories and personal anecdotes.