Saucer Smear - Vol 32 No 03 - 1985

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 32, No. 3
Date: April 1st, 1985
Publisher: OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Editor: James W. Moseley

This issue of 'Saucer Smear' is a non-scheduled newsletter dedicated to ufological journalism. It covers a range of topics from upcoming UFO conferences to personal reflections and debates within the UFO community.

National UFO Conference and Bay Area Skeptics Meeting

The newsletter announces the upcoming National UFO Conference (NUFOC) scheduled for Saturday, May 25th, at John F. Kennedy High School in Fremont, California. The event will feature speakers Bill Moore, MUFON consultant Thomas Gates, and local host Kal K. Korff, with James W. Moseley acting as master of ceremonies. Out-of-town delegates are encouraged to stay at the Mission Peak Lodge in Fremont. For details, attendees are directed to write to Kal K. Korff. Additionally, on May 23rd, Korff and Moseley are scheduled to speak at a meeting of the Bay Area Skeptics (BAS) at the Campbell Public Library. This event is free of charge. The newsletter also notes that arch-skeptic Bob Sheaffer has moved and provides his new address.

The Mystery of Florida's Coral Castle Solved?

In a lengthy article, James W. Moseley recounts his experience on a Miami radio show where he discussed UFOs, ancient astronauts, and antiquities, using the opportunity for publicity for his Key West art gallery. During the show, he addressed the mystery of Florida's Coral Castle, built by Ed Leedskalnin. Moseley claims to have solved the mystery, stating that Leedskalnin built the castle using simple levers, counterweights, and hard work, debunking theories of extraterrestrial help or rediscovered pyramid secrets. Moseley first wrote about the castle in the September 1963 issue of 'Saucer News,' and his article was later included in Gray Barker's 1967 anthology. He notes that the current owners of Coral Castle, a tourist attraction near Miami, encourage speculation to boost business. Moseley's investigation was prompted by a caller on the radio show who mentioned a living friend who had watched Ed Leedskalnin work in the late 1920s. This led Moseley to interview Earl Lee, who explained the construction methods. Moseley concludes that the mystery is solved and that the castle is not made of coral but oolite stone, a fact obscured by the current name.

Miscellaneous Ravings and Postal Protest

Moseley expresses his displeasure with the U.S. Post Office's recent increase in First Class mail rates from 20 to 22 cents. As a protest, he announces a 10% reduction in the writing quality of 'Saucer Smear,' challenging readers to notice the difference. He humorously threatens further quality reductions if readers complain too much, potentially attracting Postal Inspectors.

Straith Letter Confession and FBI Investigation

A report from an 'unreliable source' provides an update on a 'Straith Letter confession.' The source claims that the reason for not receiving 'on-the-job training in making mail sacks' was Gray Barker's thorough elimination of an offending typewriter. The source mentions having over 400 pages of FBI documents and laboratory reports related to an investigation, suggesting the FBI knew who was responsible but lacked sufficient evidence without the 'Remington corpus delecti' to go to a federal grand jury. The report details how a strange parcel, found during a shopping center expansion in Clarksburg, W. Va., in 1980, was identified by the FBI lab as containing parts of a Remington typewriter that had been disassembled, flattened, burned, and buried. Despite this, the FBI agents handling the original investigation, according to the source, considered the case solved and dropped it, especially since Gray Barker was deceased and Moseley was not home during the initial FBI interviews.

News Briefies

• This section provides brief updates:
• A write-up about 'Smear' appeared in the February issue of 'High Times' Magazine, which unfortunately included the publication's address, leading to a rush of new non-subscribers.
• The editor is traveling in southern Florida, promoting a new antique gallery.
• The February issue of OMNI featured an in-depth interview with UFO guru J. Allen Hynek.
• The next issue of 'Smear' will feature the unpublished poetry of the late Gray Barker, with Moseley possessing what is believed to be the only existing copy.

Missives from the Masses

This section compiles letters from various individuals in the UFO and skeptical communities:

• Dominick Lucchesi, a UFO researcher, criticizes the latest issue of 'Smear' and questions Moseley's decision to discuss Gray Barker, who is no longer alive. He acknowledges that 'Saucer Smear' contributes to 'saucerology' but cannot define how.
• John Keel writes a critical farewell to Gray Barker, calling Moseley's obituary an 'insulting farewell.' Keel describes Barker as an extraordinary person with a poetic soul and wit, who struggled with loneliness. He mentions Barker's fictionalization of 'The Silver Bridge' and a letter from Barker received a few months prior, suggesting it be reprinted as a tribute.
• Scot Morris, Games Editor of OMNI Magazine, thanks 'Saucer Smear' for a mention and praises its wit, humor, and willingness to remain objective. He notes that James Randi is also moving to Florida, suggesting he will be keeping an eye on Moseley for the sake of science and truth.
• David Harrison, Senior Editor of 'High Times' Magazine, praises 'Saucer Smear' as fun and interesting, calling it a 'wacky, wonderful publication.' He expresses interest in UFOs and the possibility of extraterrestrial life, comparing Earth's desirability as a vacation spot to Cleveland.
• Stanton Friedman, a nuclear physicist, agrees with Phil Klass that 'Saucer Smear' provides good moments. He discusses his scientific activities and research into UFOs, calling the subject a 'Cosmic Watergate.' He criticizes Klass and others for attacking Roswell without research and for personal attacks. Friedman mentions being in touch with Bill Moore and having given 13 lectures in Canada, offering his movie 'UFOs Are Real' for sale.
• Betty Hill, known for her 'star map,' expresses surprise at Phil Klass's continued complaints about aliens not performing character checks.
• Ashtar Herron Lee, a new non-subscriber, believes that skeptics like Phil Klass and James Randi know the truth about UFOs but conceal it for personal gain.
• James ('The Amusing') Randi comments on Moseley's editorial, hearing 'Klass popping champagne corks' at the skepticism.
• Robert Sheaffer suggests Moseley is finally sounding sensible due to age and predicts he will plunge into the abyss of skepticism when meeting the Bay Area Skeptics.
• Larry Bryant of CAUS advises Moseley not to lose patience with the UFO verdict, as governments are still withholding information and evidence.
• Joan Thompson of MUFON praises the latest issue of 'Smear' for providing dynamite information and cases, keeping her alert and hopeful.
• Prof. A. H. Lawson of California State University expresses pleasure that Moseley has joined the skeptic crowd and mentions his own work on the Birth Trauma Hypothesis, critiquing CE-III claims and Dr. J.A. Hynek's dismissal of his research.
• Walter Rogers states that after 40 years, no one has the answer to flying saucers, and UFO witnesses lack proof. He suggests John Keel is the closest to understanding ultraterrestrial phenomena.
• Tom Burch humorously notes that Moseley's proclaimed skepticism has jeopardized his own situation with 'the Company' and pleads with Moseley to remain an 'enthusiastic irritant and troublemaker.'
• Gary Underwood comments on a 'hoax' Moseley pulled in 1957, expressing surprise it was kept secret for 28 years and noting how easily the public can be fooled.

Editorial Stance and Recurring Themes

This issue of 'Saucer Smear' demonstrates a complex editorial stance, balancing a commitment to ufological investigation with an increasing embrace of skepticism, particularly from editor James W. Moseley himself. The magazine features news about upcoming UFO conferences and events, alongside personal anecdotes and debates. A significant theme is the debunking of mysteries, as exemplified by Moseley's claim to have solved the Coral Castle enigma. The 'Missives from the Masses' section highlights the ongoing dialogue and sometimes contentious relationships within the UFO community, featuring contributions from both proponents and skeptics. The magazine also engages with broader societal issues, such as the postal rate increase, and reflects on the legacy of figures like Gray Barker. The recurring theme of skepticism is evident in the letters from individuals like John Keel, Scot Morris, and Prof. A. H. Lawson, while Moseley's own editorial choices suggest a shift towards questioning and critical analysis, even as he remains an 'enthusiastic irritant' to the status quo.