Saucer Smear - Vol 31 No 06 - 1984

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue Date: August 15th, 1984
Type: Non-Scheduled Newsletter, Volume 31, No. 6
Publisher: SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Editor: James W. Moseley

This issue of "Saucer Smear" is presented as a departure from its usual format, being a "non-scheduled newsletter" that comes out shortly after the previous issue. The editor, James W. Moseley, explains that this approach was taken to accommodate a backlog of cartoons and other "fillers." The issue includes a "charming tribute to Tim Beckley" and promises the "cream of the 'fillers'" that have accumulated.

The publication also announces a new mailing address in Key West, Florida. It highlights the upcoming 21st annual National UFO Conference (NUFOC), scheduled for September 21 & 22 in Cleveland, Ohio. Featured speakers include Gray Barker, Ed Biebel (discussing UFO sightings in Arizona), Pete Mazzola (Director of the Scientific Bureau of Investigation), Madeline Teague (on "The Contactee Syndrome"), Al Manak (presenting results of a 3-year UFOCOM study on "light source UFOs"), Charles Wilhelm (of OUFOIL), and Ron Schaffner debating Larry Peters on "Sasquatch and Alien Hominid Hoaxes" and "The Truth About the Rome, Ohio Bigfoot Affair." John Keel's attendance is uncertain. Moseley himself will be present as Master of Ceremonies. Information for motel reservations and further details are available through Bob Easley in Cleveland, Ohio.

The cover features the headline "ALIENS Invade NJ" and a caricature of "MR. UFO ADMIRAL BECKLEY" with an ET-like figure, suggesting a satirical or humorous tone.

Articles and Features

Comic Strip: "Abomination"

A comic strip, thanked to Kris Bjork, presents a humorous take on aliens and the Air Force. An alien expresses distress to "Hynek" about the government wanting people to join the Air Force, which uses a "few (many) more Good Men" with plentiful openings in food service ratings. The alien is shown near a jar labeled "AIR FORCE PICKLE AND PRESERVES," which is described as "AIR FORCE ALIEN preserves! Made especially for those with an exotic palate." A second panel shows a character named Joey looking at a "BIG JAR!" and being told it's "NEW improved AirForce Brand Pickle Jelly," which is "More TASTY THAN THE USUAL BLAH SQUID in the Raw!"

A "NOTICE" at the bottom of the comic states that researchers at the "CREATION-BIBLE-BELT DEMON REVIVAL INSTITUTE" found the "DEAD BODY OF George ADAMSKI" full of beans, and that they flew in the body of "MENZEL" and found it full of "BULL."

Letters to the Editor

George Earley questions Charles Wilhelm's late "discovery" that the June 24, 1947 sighting was faked by Palmer and Arnold, asking where Wilhelm's investigative skills were when the participants were alive.

Ken Behrendt observes a "new mentality" in ufology characterized by a tendency to re-examine "classic" cases and cast doubt on their authenticity. He attributes this to a growing distrust of authority, interest in government conspiracy theories, and resistance to unifying efforts. Behrendt suggests that the decline in large-scale UFO sightings since the 1970s might be due to "sinister 'silencer' type activities" or the increase of man-made orbital junk, making it unnecessary for alien craft to approach Earth closely. He calls for "cleaning up the internal problems" and "sweeping" near space.

Bigfootologist Larry Peters recounts an experience in a mid-western state where he claims to have seen a Bigfoot creature. He is seeking six men for a three-year expedition to study these creatures in their natural environment, with a goal of forming a corporation for sponsorship. Peters describes the creatures as not being "Red Eyed" but having bright yellow eyes, being at most seven feet tall, and wary of humans. He states they observed the creatures hunching down behind bushes when a low-beam flashlight was shone on them. Tracks were found all over the place. Peters also mentions that a roll of film with tracks was destroyed, and he misplaced two other rolls, with the only usable film showing "eyes in the flashlight" that could be mistaken for fireflies. He expresses that the experience relieved his mind about his own "craziness" and looks forward to meeting "you" at the Cleveland convention. He plans to return to the area in August for more documentation.

Bigfootologist Erik Beckjord comments on Larry Peters' endeavor, noting Peters' request for $400,000 to investigate and capture Ohio-area Bigfoots. Beckjord also addresses Peters' upset with "Omni" Magazine for reporting that his old group with McIntyre (MARCEN) had disbanded. Beckjord suggests that Peters should focus on accuracy in spelling names. He also criticizes the desire of Ohio ufologists to obtain photos from Ray Wallace's old hoax film and Ivan Marx's films, questioning why such "dead items" are given publicity. He notes that Wallace is reportedly a media star on radio, allowed extensive airtime to discuss Bigfoot.

"TALES FROM THE SPACE WIFE'S KITCHEN"

A comic strip featuring "Doctor Shrinkola and THE CAPTAIN." The Captain reports seeing another UFO, describing it as "ROUND, BROWN, WITH RED GLOBES ON TOP AND LITTLE BLACK THINGS ON THE SIDE," which made him sick with fear. The response is a question about a connection between the wife's baking and UFO sightings, with the answer being that she's using recipes from "GRAY BARKERS NEWSLETTER."
A note wishes a happy birthday to Geo. Fox. A coming publication from Sewage Press, "The Anti-UFO Diet Book," is also advertised.

BOOK (?) REVIEW: "Flying Saucers from Khabarah Khoom"

This section reviews a book by Dominick Lucchesi, published by Gray Barker. The reviewer finds the book "confusing" and notes that the author's starting point was a supposed trip in the summer of 1978, where he met a surveyor named "Mr. H" who had found a grounded craft. "Mr. H" introduced Lucchesi to the pilot, an entity named "EONE" from a place called "Khoom," described as a group of complex, ancient caverns in South America. Eone is presented as a "Highly Evolved Being" whose people manufacture flying saucers and have advanced technology, aiming to be left alone. The book also discusses "The Group," described as evil beings living on "Sky Islands" who control the world indirectly.

The reviewer notes that the book contains "meaningless mathematical-type gibberish" and illustrations, but no photos. The book also includes renderings of Tarot cards. The reviewer mentions knowing Lucchesi since 1953, when he was already talking about writing a book.

The review quotes Eone's definition of "Reality" from page 63 of the book, which is highly technical and abstract, involving "discontinuity," "statistical stress factors," "permutation," "energy field's primary structure," and "T-Space."

Those interested in the book can send approximately $13 to Gray Barker at New Age Books, Box D, Jane Lew, West Virginia 26378. The reviewer suggests the "unique art work" might be worth the price, although some illustrations are "somewhat unconnected with the text."

The issue includes an illustration labeled "THE SKY ISLAND," which is described as Lucchesi's rendition.

News Briefs

'Crime-Fighting' Tale - Was Monkey Business: A UPI report from Peking states that an award-winning magazine story about a monkey reporting a crime was a hoax. The original story, published in China's "Mystery Pictorial," claimed a monkey helped capture an assailant. An investigation by the Shanghai Wen Wui Bao newspaper found no records to support the tale.

Putty-pecking crows terrorize suburb: A UPI report from Traunstein, West Germany, details how crows have become addicted to window putty, leading them to smash window panes. Experts believe chemicals in the putty make the birds hyperactive and aggressive. Hunters are to be called in to deal with the problem.

Keel tries to get what he wants: This is a headline with no accompanying article visible on the scanned pages.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue demonstrates a blend of serious UFO investigation, skeptical analysis, and satirical humor. The editor, James W. Moseley, uses "Saucer Smear" as a platform to comment on the UFO community, often with a critical or humorous edge, as seen in the comic strips and the book review. There's an ongoing tension between genuine research and what Moseley and other contributors perceive as hoaxes, sensationalism, or internal problems within ufology. The inclusion of Bigfoot reports alongside UFO topics, and the critical examination of claims, suggest a broad interest in unexplained phenomena but with a discerning and sometimes cynical viewpoint. The editorial stance appears to favor critical inquiry and a healthy dose of skepticism, while still engaging with the community and its events, such as the NUFOC conference.