Saucer Smear - Vol 31 No 07 - 1984

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 31, No. 7
Date: October 10th, 1984
Publisher: SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of "Saucer Smear" is a non-scheduled newsletter from James W. Moseley, the "Editor and Still Supreme Commander," based in Key West, Florida. The publication covers a range of topics within the ufology community, including UFO sightings, conferences, organizational news, and debates between researchers and debunkers. The tone is informal and often critical, reflecting Moseley's personal views and those of his readership.

PIE HIGH IN THE SKY OVER NEW YORK STATE

This section details a day-long UFO conference held in Brewster, New York, on August 25th, sponsored by "Smear" non-subscribers Peter Gersten and Philip Imbrogno. The event attracted several ufological luminaries, including Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Pete Mazzola of the SBI, and Larry Fawcett. Hundreds of UFO sightings were reported in the area, with the most common object described as a large V-shaped craft with six lights. The article raises suspicion about the presence of planes flying in tight formations, suggesting they might be operated by the Air Force or CIA to deliberately imitate UFOs and confuse the public.

NEWS BRIEFS

This section provides several short updates:

• SBI Convention: The second annual convention of the Scientific Bureau of Investigation (SBI) was scheduled for November 4th on Staten Island, NY, with Pete Mazzola in charge. Changes in leadership within the North American UFO Federation (NAUFOF) are noted, including the departure of Dr. Richard Haines and the resignation of Walt Andrus, impacting MUFON's participation. Dr. J. Allen Hynek is also mentioned as no longer being on the NAUFOF Board.
• Woodrow Derenberger: The UFO contactee Woodrow "Woody" Derenberger has resurfaced in Parkersburg, West Virginia. A saucer enthusiast named Charles Shuman reportedly sent him $345 hoping for help in meeting a space person, but was disappointed when no contact was made.
• J. Allen Hynek's Move: Dr. J. Allen Hynek announced he was moving his CUFOS Headquarters from Illinois to Phoenix, Arizona, stating plans to spend $2 million a year studying UFO sightings. The article questions the figure and the implications for CUFOS subscriptions.
• Richard Ogden: Richard Ogden of Seattle, Washington, humorously commented that the "girl business" cost him more than the UFO business, suggesting he should have stayed with saucers.
• Recent Deaths: The section notes the passing of Jane Roberts (psychic author), Isabel Davis (co-founder of Civilian Saucer Intelligence), and Joan O'Connell (editor of "New Atlantean Journal").
• UFO Magazines for Sale: Ace publicists Harold Salkin and Mike Luckman are selling UFO magazines from the 1960s and 1970s and organizing a NEW YORK CENTER FOR UFO RESEARCH.

RE-HASH OF THE 1984 NATIONAL UFO CONFERENCE

The 21st annual NUFOC convention was held in Cleveland, Ohio, co-hosted by Bob Easley and Al Manak. The event saw votes to add Kenneth Arnold, Edward U. Condon, and Joan O'Connell to the Honor Roll of ufologists. Pete Mazzola received the Ufologist of the Year Award and became an adviser to the NUFOC Governing Board. Bids were accepted for future conventions in Freemont, California (1985), Phoenix, Arizona (1986), and Key West, Florida (1987), marking significant anniversaries in ufology.

The conference featured various speakers and topics:

• Pete Mazzola: Advocated for unity in the field and criticized Dr. J. Allen Hynek, referencing CUFOS's tax return to question their research spending.
• Larry Peters: Recounted his experiences with "red-eyed creatures" in Rome, Ohio.
• Ron Schaffner: Presented a slide lecture suggesting the Rome case and other Bigfoot incidents were hoaxes.
• Madeline Teagle: Defended the contactee syndrome.
• Larry Blazy: Discussed ancient mysteries in the Bible and elsewhere.
• Gray Barker: Spoke on current ufological mysteries and showed UFO films.
• Antonio Huneeus: Presented a collection of UFO slides from around the world.
• Al Manak: Provided a summary of his computer study of recent UFO cases, finding no clear patterns.

Charles Wilhelm's Talk

Charles Wilhelm of OUFOIL delivered a talk that was considered "best & most interesting." He criticized researchers like Stringfield, Friedman, Andrus, and Hynek as perpetuating the UFO mystery rather than solving it, calling them "the real Cosmic Watergate." Wilhelm argued that UFO cases should be investigated thoroughly and objectively, and that those that cannot be solved have real significance. He emphasized the need for knowledge of experimental military aircraft and criticized most investigators for their ignorance of technical matters. Wilhelm stated there was no hard evidence of the Air Force capturing saucers or alien bodies, suggesting that military cover-ups of mistakes and test flights have fueled UFO rumors. He expressed a move towards skepticism as he continues his investigations.

The Arizona Republic Article

A headline from The Arizona Republic states: "UFO expert moving base to Valley; will fight 'crackpot' image of field," referring to Dr. J. Allen Hynek.

COMIC STRIPS

Two comic strips are included: "THE THERAPY OF BIGFOOT" by Dr. Otto Von Shrinkola, and "NEXT WEEKS APPOINTMENT" which appears to be a humorous take on ufology and related fields.

THE READERS STRIKE BACK:

This section features letters from readers, offering various perspectives and criticisms:

• Dr. Thornton Page: Writes humorously about Moseley's move to Florida and suggests using UFOs for smuggling, referencing "Close Encounters of the Fourth Kind." He also recounts an experience at a symposium where UFOs were discouraged, with Carl Sagan being present.
• Larry ("Old Red Eyes") Peters: Expresses fury at McIntyre for revealing himself and criticizes him for past actions, claiming McIntyre owes him $2,000.
• Gary Underwood: Comments on previous "Smear" issues, noting the magazine's changing descriptions of "Flying Saucer News."
• Bill Retoff: Refers to previous articles on the Aram Churche and the "Khabarah Khoom" book, stating that "It's all starting to fit together now!!"
• Ed Biebel: Reports that Bill Moore Publications has merged with a firm in Cornville, Arizona, to publish survival information and promote automatic weapons.

Jerry Clark of FATE writes:

Jerry Clark details an incident involving Phil Klass and the University of Nebraska. Klass allegedly threatened to sue the university, leading them to withdraw sponsorship for future conferences. Clark criticizes Klass's tactics, comparing them to McCarthyism and accusing him of lumping ufologists with Communists, Nazis, and KKK members. Clark recounts a personal correspondence with Klass that became abusive, including a death threat. He concludes that correspondence with Klass only encourages his excesses and advises against private dealings with him.

Greg Long, a MUFON staff writer, writes:

Greg Long criticizes "Saucer Smear" for its lack of scientific information but acknowledges its entertainment value. He questions why Phil Klass, who dislikes UFOs, continues to write about the subject, suggesting it's for money and potentially CIA connections. Long describes Klass as "obnoxious" and a "low-down, obnoxious, loud-mouthed irritant," arguing that criticizing him only makes him more vocal.

Tom Burch hits us with:

Tom Burch expresses disappointment with the book "Clear Intent," finding it less impactful than its pre-publication hype suggested. He criticizes the book for reprinting only a few official government documents, many of which predate the government's official withdrawal from UFO business in 1969. While acknowledging the book provides reasons to suspect government withholding of information, Burch notes that the authors' accounts of events at Loring and Malmstrom Air Force bases are presented in the authors' words, not government's, forcing readers to accept claims on faith.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of "Saucer Smear" include the ongoing debates and conflicts within the ufology community, particularly the tension between researchers and debunkers. The editorial stance, as represented by James W. Moseley and his readership, is critical of figures like Phil Klass and publications that are perceived as overly skeptical or as perpetuating the mystery without solving it. There is a strong emphasis on personal accounts, reader contributions, and a generally informal, sometimes confrontational, approach to discussing UFO phenomena. The magazine appears to champion a particular faction within ufology, often at odds with mainstream scientific or skeptical viewpoints. The issue also highlights the organizational landscape of ufology, noting shifts in leadership and the formation of new research groups.