Saucer Smear - Vol 32 No 07 - 1985

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 32, No. 7
Date: September 10th, 1985
Publisher: SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Country: USA
Language: English

Content Summary

This issue of "Saucer Smear" opens with a dramatic "FLASH!" announcing that the "SMEAR" Editor, James W. Moseley, is in danger of ejection from the Society for Scientific Exploration. The cover also features a cartoon of an agitated man exclaiming "I'M MAD AS HELL... ABOUT THIS!".

Miscellaneous Ravings:

Item 1: Moseley recounts attending a 'Conclave of Highly Evolved Beings' in New York City on August 4th, coinciding with his 54th birthday. Attendees included contactee Wayne Aho, his wife Lee, spiritual leaders John Keel, Harold Salkin, Barry Hoffman, and two young ladies, Mary Gallante and Beth Lovitt. Moseley expresses frustration that despite years of UFO research, no concrete answers have emerged.

Item 2: The newsletter reports on the significant fortune of Mel Fisher in Key West, Florida. Fisher, a master of underwater treasure hunting, has located the Spanish galleon 'Atocha', which sank in 1622 with an estimated $300-$400 million worth of loot. The search took 15 years and cost the lives of his son, daughter-in-law, and two others. Fisher operates a treasure museum and faced significant overhead and legal battles with the government over taxes, ultimately signing away most of the proceeds to continue his venture. Despite making history, Moseley notes he was not among the investors who profited.

Item 3: A fake Comet cleanser advertisement is presented, with an explanation that it was created through digital retouching by animators Alan Green and C. Robert Hoffman III, highlighting how digital manipulation can create deceptive imagery.

Item 4: The July issue of "Whole Earth Review" is mentioned for an article titled "Digital Retouching: The end of photography as evidence of anything." This article discusses how UFOs or other objects can be digitally added to or removed from photographs, making it difficult to discern authenticity.

Item 5: Moseley shares an anecdote from FATE Magazine about writer Ann Druffel's experience with raccoons. He contrasts this with his own experiences in Key West, where raccoons and stray cats routinely visit his backyard and even enter the house. He questions whether this is a 'miracle of human-animal communication' or simply wild animals becoming tame.

Item 6: The death of Harry Hoffman is reported. Hoffman called his apartment in Queens, NY, "The Interplanetary Embassy" and was a follower of the UFO contactee and free-energy syndrome. He is survived by his son Barry, a contributor to "Smear".

Item 7: The passing of John J. ("Jack") Robinson, former Assistant Editor of SAUCER NEWS, is noted. A story is shared about UFO photographer August C. Roberts' last meeting with Harry, involving a bad hot dog experience.

Item 8: Moseley discusses a conversation with John Schuessler of Texas, a researcher of the 1980 Cash/Landrum UFO case. Schuessler has reportedly given up efforts to convince the public of the case's reality due to 'negativists' like Philip Klass. A civil lawsuit filed by Peter Gersten on behalf of the victims is pending trial.

Item 9: The article touches upon the 'Twenty Year Curse' for presidents elected in '00' years, suggesting Ronald Reagan might not complete his term, following John F. Kennedy's fate.

• News Briefies:
• The next NUFOC convention is scheduled for May 16th-18th, 1986, in Phoenix, Arizona.
• Ken Behrendt's zine 'AURA' claims to reveal the secret of UFO propulsion.
• FATE Magazine featured an editorial on 'Star Wars'.
• A "six mile wide" UFO was reportedly sighted over China, potentially the largest in history.
• Bill Moore publishes a zine called 'FOCUS'.
• The APRO Bulletin is suspending publication due to Coral Lorenzen's ill health.
• A West German non-subscriber is seeking photos and tapes of U.S. contactees.

Missives From The Masses:

Laurence W. Fredrick (Secretary, Society for Scientific Exploration): Apologizes for a procedural error regarding Moseley's membership application, which was mistakenly referred to the Membership Committee. He explains that due to this, his check would be refunded and his application re-processed.

Editor's Note: Moseley expresses astonishment at Fredrick's letter, noting that his membership application had already been accepted and his $10.00 fee had cleared his bank.

Bill Moore (Famed Author): Writes to Moseley, questioning the "Star Wars" UFO story and suggesting that Philip Klass was behind it, with the intent of exposing UFO believers as "kooks." Moore claims to have a "usually reliable source in Washington, D.C." confirming this. Moseley dismisses this idea as "ridiculous."

Colman VonKeviczky (ICUFON): Writes regarding the "Star Wars" editorial and Moseley's commentary. He questions who is interested in Harry Lebelson's opinions on SDI and suggests that the "classian" UFO ideology should be confronted. VonKeviczky claims his memorandum to the 99th Congress Defense Appropriation Subcommittee generated the "SDI vs. UFO FORCES" discussion.

Tom Burch (UFO Researcher): Writes about Colman VonKeviczky, questioning his background, rank of 'Major', organization (ICUFON), and the acronym MMSE. He asks for clarification on VonKeviczky's claims, referencing a documentary and a letter previously published.

Dennis Stacy (Editor, MUFON Journal): Responds to Moseley's characterization of Jenny Randles' article as 'hysterical'. Stacy defends Randles' article and criticizes Moseley for not applying the same scrutiny to ufologists like Philip Klass. He offers Moseley a chance to write an article on Warren's voice-stress analysis and mentions featuring articles by Ian Ridpath and Robert Wanderer.

Hilary Evans (ASSAP, England): Discusses the Rendlesham incident, questioning why disinformation is being spread if nothing significant happened. He wonders if it's a "gigantic leg-pull" or a government cover-up, and legitimizes ufologists asking "who and why?"

Tommy R. Blann (Researcher): Hints at information that could jeopardize ongoing investigations, expressing eagerness to see the reaction of Philip Klass, Jim Oberg, and CSICOP after September 3rd, 1985.

Erik Beckjord (Bigfootologist): Reports on a filmed sighting of a "finless hump" creature in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, nicknamed 'Tessie'. The footage, shot by Jim Mitchell, is reportedly being withheld from the media.

Armand LaPrade (Editor, "Would You Believe"): Comments on Moseley's approach, suggesting that while publishing both sides is not fence-sitting, Moseley provokes by publishing criticisms without judging.

Poetry of Gray Barker: The issue includes continued poetry, "The Three Men in Black Speak" and "Christmas Thought in Blank Verse."

Back to You, Gray Barker:

Moseley writes a poem detailing his attempts to contact Gray Barker via phone and mail, encountering robotic responses and warnings. He also describes a telepathic dream where various UFO figures gather around a caldron.

MUFON Member Suffocates:

A brief news item reports the death of Charles Janes, who suffocated in a manure pile at a chicken farm.

American Family Publishers Ad:

An advertisement suggests James Moseley may have won "FIVE MILLION DOLLARS... (AND MAY BE PAID MILLIONS MORE!)"

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of "Saucer Smear" reflects a strong editorial voice, often critical and provocative, particularly from editor James W. Moseley. Key themes include:

• Skepticism towards mainstream UFO research: Moseley expresses frustration with the lack of concrete answers and criticizes researchers he perceives as overly credulous or as part of a "negativist" agenda (e.g., Philip Klass).
• Defense of "Smear's" editorial choices: Moseley defends his publication's content, even when challenged by other UFO organizations and researchers, as seen in his exchanges with Bill Moore and Dennis Stacy.
• Interest in fringe topics: Beyond UFOs, the magazine touches upon treasure hunting, digital image manipulation, and cryptozoology, indicating a broad interest in unexplained phenomena.
• Personal anecdotes and humor: The newsletter is peppered with personal stories, jokes, and poetic entries, giving it a distinct, informal, and often sarcastic tone.
• Critique of ufological community dynamics: The "Missives From The Masses" section reveals internal disagreements, rivalries, and differing approaches within the UFO community, with Moseley often positioning himself as an independent commentator.

The editorial stance is clearly one of challenging established narratives, questioning authority (both within and outside the UFO field), and encouraging reader engagement through letters and commentary, even if it leads to controversy and potential "danger" for the editor.