Saucer Smear - Vol 31 No 04 - 1984

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 31, No. 4
Date: June 15th, 1984
Publisher: SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Editor and Supreme Commander: James W. Moseley

This issue of Saucer Smear, a non-scheduled newsletter dedicated to ufological journalism, presents a mix of exposés, personal opinions, news briefs, and reader contributions. The publication maintains a critical and often skeptical stance towards certain figures and organizations within the UFO community.

Expose of the Month: William Steinman's Ufological Ethics

The lead article, "Expose of the Month," details an ethical breach by William Steinman, a devotee of crashed discs. The editor recounts sending Steinman original typed notes from a 1953 interview with Frank Scully, author of "Behind the Flying Saucers." These notes were intended for Steinman's information only and included the editor's personal appraisal of Scully as a "hypocritical Catholic and a possible ufological hoaxer." Steinman has since admitted to forwarding these private notes to Scully's elderly widow, with whom Steinman is in correspondence. The editor expresses dismay at this action, questioning its "research" purpose and stating that they will no longer share private material freely with individuals like Steinman.

Miscellaneous Ravings

This section covers several points:

• Dr. Richard Haines: Dr. Haines has not responded to a previous editorial but reportedly claims to be shocked that his confidential "muzzling" letter to the Federation board members was taken as a "personal affront." The editor clarifies that the letter was taken personally because the editor was the only individual named.
• Dr. Hynek and Federation Board: A rumor about Dr. Hynek resigning from the Federation's board is confirmed as false. However, Rick Hilberg has resigned and been replaced by Al Manak. Both Hilberg and Manak, along with Bob Easley, are involved in planning the 21st annual National UFO Conference in Cleveland, scheduled for September 21st-22nd.
• Editor's Location: The editor is spending half his time in Key West, Florida, setting up an antique gallery, with plans for "Smear" to eventually be published from there. Readers are advised to continue writing to the Fort Lee box and to be patient for replies.
• Lee Spiegel's Radio Program: The editor discusses Lee Spiegel's radio program on WNBC, New York, featuring Stanton Friedman and Phil Klass. Klass is noted for out-talking Friedman in both quantity and quality, leading the editor to question if Friedman is slowing down or if Klass is making a move against psychic research.
• Timothy Greed Beckley: Timothy Greed Beckley, known for his UFO and psychic phenomena work, is now Executive Producer of a forthcoming hard-core pornographic film titled "Driller," described as featuring a "Zombie Orgy." Plans are also underway for a non-X-rated "dramatic UFO alien-type" movie.

News Briefs

• British UFO Writer: A question is posed about a well-known British UFO writer rumored to be a transvestite, with a note that it is not Trench.
• "The Philadelphia Experiment" Movie: A ten million dollar movie based on the book "The Philadelphia Experiment" by Berlitz & Moore is being released by New World Pictures in late July.
• Calvin Beck Marriage: Non-subscriber Calvin Beck, who has been ill, was married on April 27th to Sharon Kayser.
• "Cess Poll" in Iowa: An Emmetsburg, Iowa, radio station (KEMB) is conducting a "cess poll" to measure water drained from the city's water tower when people flush their toilets, as a unique voting method.
• Baby Eaten by Dog: A brief, disturbing report from Dallas about a police officer's testimony regarding a woman's reaction to her dog killing and eating her infant daughter.

Missives from the Masses

This section features letters from various individuals:

• Ron Schaffner: Expresses gladness for the exposure of Dr. Haines but doubts Dr. Hynek's credibility. He believes the Federation (NAUFOF) is doomed and sees MUFON as the resistance, rejecting theories that question the extraterrestrial hypothesis.
• Denis Corey (Columbus, Ohio): Criticizes Dr. Haines' perceived overblown opinion of his group's importance.
• Ed Biebel (Arizona): Views the NAUFOF problem as unsurprising and suggests Haines might need to learn from Phil Klass.
• Tommy R. Blann: Responds to a letter from Blaine Hamrick, refuting accusations and clarifying his involvement with MUFON. Blann states that Hamrick misrepresented the situation regarding the MUFON symposium in Dallas, the reasons for its cancellation, and the status of Stan Ferguson. Blann also clarifies Lindy Whitehurst's employment situation and his own limited involvement in the symposium planning.
• Blaine Hamrick: Writes to Tommy Blann, retracting statements made in a previous letter published in "Smear." Hamrick admits that some information was gathered from "other sources" and that certain details were incorrect. He expresses a wish for a retraction and acknowledges being wrong.
• Bill Moore: Critiques Phil Klass, humorously noting Klass's alleged preference for certain aspects of the male anatomy. Moore disputes Klass's accuracy, citing errors in Klass's account of the Roswell incident. He also criticizes Klass's interference with the University of Nebraska conference, comparing it to inviting a Politburo member to speak at a Republican convention. Moore also reports on forgeries of his letters being distributed, which falsely claim his involvement in a frame-up leading to Wendelle Stevens' incarceration.
• Editor's Note: The editor acknowledges receiving fake letters similar to those described by Bill Moore, noting that one was clearly fake because the editor's name was misspelled.
• Phil Klass: Submits a comment suggesting that Ken Behrendt's "Skeptics Creed" could be adopted by CSICOP. He jokes about Ufologists having a scant sense of humor and plans to use the University of Nebraska incident in his next book, tentatively titled "Klose Encounters with UFO Kooks," to illustrate how Ufologists jump to erroneous conclusions based on poor information.
• Todd Zechel: Criticizes Phil Klass, accusing him of aiding the Communist Cause and citing Klass's alleged past associations with KGB agents and secret rendezvous. Zechel suggests Klass's accusations are a smokescreen to divert attention from his own actions and motives.
• Jim McCampbell (MUFON): Writes regarding Jim Oberg's UFO questionnaire, finding it poorly developed and designed to divert attention from UFOs towards personalities.
• Erik Beckjord: Submits a cartoon from "The Skeptical Inquirer" and discusses cryptozoology. He contrasts the conservative International Society of Cryptozoology's expedition to New Guinea with his own research, finding no evidence for "Ri" or mermaids. Beckjord mentions a petition calling for the resignation of the International Society of Cryptozoology's treasurer, Richard Greenwell, and offers a free copy of his "Cryptozoology Bulletin" to those who send him the petition. He also critiques Janet & Colin Bord's book "The Evidence for Bigfoot" for omitting key physical evidence and for misinterpreting the Patterson Film.
• Ron Schaffner (OUFOIL): Intends to expose the Walla Walla and Rome, Ohio Bigfoot cases at the upcoming NUFOC convention in Cleveland.
• Larry Peters: Supports Beckjord's view on the Rome and Walla Walla cases and plans to present evidence at the NUFOC convention.

Editor's Notes and Other Contributions

• Barry Hoffman: Writes about John Keel's "Unicorn Review," admitting to "breaking security" by exposing Keel's publishing endeavors. He mentions Keel's response and also notes "Big Apple News," an ad sheet featuring various individuals and their "reports" on ET encounters.
• Martin Kottmeyer: Corrects that John Keel's "Strange Mutants" is an incomplete reprint of "Strange Creatures from Time & Space." He thanks the editor for the cartoon.
• Ian Mrzyglod: Formerly editor of PROBE, praises "Smear" as a "welcome breath of fresh air" and appreciates its willingness to show that even UFO experts can be fallible. He believes solving the UFO mystery would spoil the fun.
• Bill Lutters: Thanks the editor for the latest issue of "Saucer Smut" (referring to "Smear"), calling it a unique blend of sanity, insanity, and porn, and expresses gratitude for the past 20 years.
• Charles Wilhelm: Claims to have evidence that Kenneth Arnold lied in his book "The Coming of the Saucers" and that the 1947 sighting was staged by Arnold and Ray Palmer.
• Don Strachan: Shares an experience involving his friend Kathy's cats, Nommo and Isis, and a CE3K event witnessed by Kathy and her cat's mother, Kyoko. He notes the cats' otherworldly quality and pointy ears.
• Bill Nash: Responds to George Earley's accusations of "tap dancing" and "hand waving." Nash's son contacted Ivy League university science departments regarding the effect of wind on the sound of high-flying aircraft. The response indicated that while wind might shift the perceived location of sound, volume should not change unless there is significant turbulence, which could scatter the sound and reduce volume.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include skepticism towards certain prominent figures in ufology (e.g., Dr. Haines, Phil Klass), criticism of organizational practices (MUFON, NAUFOF), and a general questioning of established narratives. The editorial stance, as expressed by James W. Moseley and various contributors, is one of critical inquiry, a willingness to expose perceived flaws or ethical lapses, and a belief that even within the UFO community, fallibility exists. There is a clear demarcation between those who are seen as genuine researchers and those who are criticized for self-aggrandizement or questionable practices. The publication also touches upon related phenomena like cryptozoology and psychic research, often with a critical or humorous undertone. The overall tone is informal, opinionated, and aimed at stimulating discussion and debate within the ufological community.