Saucer Smear - Vol 33 No 01 - 1986

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 33, No. 1
Date: January 10th, 1986
Publisher: SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of Saucer Smear, a non-scheduled newsletter, features a prominent editorial by Editor and Supreme Commander James W. Moseley, detailing his unexpected "Close Encounter of the Fourth Kind" with criticism from other UFO figures.

Editorial: Close Encounter of the Fourth Kind

Moseley recounts an argument by mail between Jerry Clark of FATE and Phil Klass of CSICOP regarding internal self-criticism in the UFO field. Moseley sides with Clark, citing an extreme example from J. Allen Hynek, editor-in-chief of "The International UFO Reporter" (IUR). Hynek, the scientist, surprisingly takes a more critical stance than Clark, the editor, on the Westchester County UFO flap, which Clark disparages while Hynek insists some events are genuine unknowns.

This dispute has spilled into IUR, where Hynek, in his July/August 1985 issue, criticizes "Saucer Smear" as a "journal of lesser repute," "sometimes called unprintable," and "notorious." This is because "Saucer Smear" printed Clark's letter, while Hynek had previously appeared friendly.

The irony, Moseley notes, is that Clark is also upset with "Saucer Smear" for an editorial that criticized the Rendlesham case in England. In this instance, Clark is the pro-UFO advocate, and Moseley is seen as overly skeptical.

Moseley explains Hynek's strong feelings about the Westchester flap by noting Hynek's involvement in a book about it with UFO researcher Philip Imbrogno, who resigned from CUFOS due to Clark's attitude. "Saucer Smear" insists that both the Westchester and Rendlesham cases have significant adverse factors making them less than ideal. For the "Boomerang" case (Westchester), stunt pilots are suggested as a possible explanation, though some witnesses maintain they saw a single craft.

Moseley questions the alternatives if the small-plane theory is incorrect, wondering if stunt pilots repeatedly tried to confuse people about a real UFO, or if the same UFO persisted over an area for months. He concludes that if there's no connection, the flap is "weird indeed and totally without precedent."

Despite respecting Hynek and feeling sorry for his serious illness, Moseley expresses disappointment in Hynek's "lack of scientific objectivity." He is not surprised by Clark's attitude. A postscript mentions that Jerry Clark states he and Hynek have reconciled, and Hynek has resigned from IUR for health reasons, with Clark taking over.

News and Features

McNamara Tells of Flying Saucers, Alien Beings: This section reports on Barry McNamara, accused of murdering his parents, sister, and niece, who wrote letters claiming to have seen flying saucers, "unusually white" men, and a hovering car.

Mystery of the Secret Keel: A piece by Frederick Klein, accompanied by a cartoon by Schmidt, with a quote about "Beelions and beelions of worlds" and a producer's interruption.

Slip of Tongue Spoils His Case: A brief report from USA TODAY about Dennis Newton, who, while representing himself in an armed robbery trial, accused the manager of lying and made a statement that led to his conviction.

Tidbits of Trash

This section contains various short, often opinionated, notes:

• The "Star Wars" editorial from April 20th, 1985, is mentioned, with a comment on Reagan's remarks implying its correctness.
• A cartoon on Page 4 is credited to Gene Duplantier.
• Former "Doctor" Williard McIntyre is now a peace officer under an alias.
• A "ghost article" rejected by FATE Magazine has been sold to Global Communications, run by Tim Beckley.
• The National UFO Conference (NUFOC) 23rd annual convention is announced for May 16th-18th in Phoenix, Arizona, hosted by Hal Starr. Moseley is the permanent chairman.
• Moseley reports being interviewed on Channel 17 in Miami about antiquities.
• There is no update on membership status with the Society for Scientific Exploration.
• Rumors suggest Pete Mazzola, head of the Scientific Bureau of Investigation (SBI), has had a nervous breakdown.
• Inventor Joseph Newman is still facing challenges with the U.S. Patent Office regarding his "free energy" invention.
• Scot Morris of OMNI has arranged for a free OMNI subscription for Moseley.
• Erik Beckjord has joined the Southern California Skeptics (a CSICOP chapter) and reports that the group lacks democratic practices, with members unable to vote or participate in investigations. He criticizes their newsletter for not printing anything sympathetic to paranormal claims or critical of leaders' policies, stating the group acts like a pro-UFO organization.

The Good Cheer Lives On: A story about G.L. (Gil) Gilbertson of Honolulu, who died of a massive heart attack just before his 65th birthday, ten days after placing a congratulatory newspaper ad.

Activists Hope to Halt Building of Alien Facility: A brief Associated Press item.

Extraterrestrials (Comic Strip)

This page features a comic strip with dialogue about UFOs, aliens, contactees, and abductees. It includes descriptions of UFO shapes (cigar, mushroom, snake, ice cream cone) and aliens. One panel depicts aliens talking and hovering, with the narrator waving at them. Another panel features Ted Owens, who claims direct contact with aliens through "connections in the back of his brain" and the ability to control the weather. A character named Antron speaks ancient Arabic with a Hebrew accent and predicts an evacuation. Another character mentions magnets causing her "boobies" to grow. A separate dialogue describes men in green uniforms from a planetoid between Mars and Jupiter, who don't eat meat and speak perfect English, with astronauts having seen them on the Moon.

Letters to Ye Olde Editor

• Erik Beckjord writes, calling skeptics like Oberg, Klass, and Shaeffer "tools" of "3-D theorists." He suggests UFOs are an energy/life form that can manifest and de-manifest. He recommends Dr. Bruce Maccabee's New Zealand UFO film, which he claims Klass, Sheaffer, and Oberg cannot discredit. He likens UFOs to Bigfoot, stating they are "there - probably watching you in Key West!"
• Editor's Note: Moseley states he has seen the New Zealand film and is unimpressed, preferring the Socorro, New Mexico case and the Cash/Landrum case.
• Judith Starchild writes that she has joined the "drop-out ranks of Ufology," believing the field is delivering itself into "stillbirth." She describes remnant researchers as "inert nostalgics, frustrated old timers, paranoid schizophrenics, and a few initiate students." She views UFOs as mediums for expanding the mind and evolving consciousness.
• Moseley humorously labels himself "inert nostalgic" and "frustrated old timer."
• Bill Nash, a retired commercial pilot, sends New Year wishes.

Reagan Proposal Would Turn Aliens into Serfs, Leader Says: A headline about a Reagan proposal.

Motley's Crew (Comic Strip)

A comic strip with characters discussing excuses for being late, including a suggestion of being kidnapped by a Martian spaceship.

Letters to Ye Olde Editor (Continued)

• Bob ("Raving Robert") Schiller writes about CSICOP's "shocking slander of Space Brothers" and mentions a "capitalist war monger lackies" and a "suit against the Evil Sarcasm of CSICOP." He refers to "Daniel 3-D Hoverson" revealing "War Crimes of CSICOP" and mentions "Viva Adamski; Viva Richard Ogden; Viva Scully; Viva Psychosis; Viva Sickies: From the asylum, with love...."
• Moseley notes he doesn't know who Hodges and Hoverson are.
• Bob Easley, who had a recent brain operation, writes that "Saucer Smear" was "witty, intellectual, and half-assed amusing." He notes Moseley mentioned Hynek's brain surgery but not his own, despite having "no brain." He jokingly calls Moseley a "dreaded censor."
• Michael Dennett, a "Fellow Traveler of CSICOP," writes about a "National Examiner" story and Hynek calling "Saucer Smear" a "journal of lesser repute." He discusses the possibility of rewriting World War II history, citing Wayne Aho's claim to have "sensed" the Battle of the Bulge and relayed it to General Patton, enabling him to counterattack and win the war.

Letters to Ye Olde Editor (Continued)

• Larry Peters reports on a "foul-smelling creature making screeching noises" in Harrisburg, Pa., which was encountered by high school kids and police. A man in a monkey suit appeared, and a screech owl was also present.
• Peters criticizes Moseley's "Star Wars" editorial, suggesting Phil Klass and Tom Burch might have had access to information. He questions why "Saucer Smear" hasn't sued the "National Examiner" for attacking its integrity.
• Tom Benson asks about the Gray Barker estate, inquiring about a home movie, poems, files, and books, and whether they will be auctioned. He also asks how John Keel knew Moseley was an AIDS carrier and what "secret" Keel and Vallee revealed at the Costa Rica convention.
• Moseley states they had Barker's poems before his death and published some despite public apathy.
• Charles Wilhelm of OUFOIL comments on Dr. Maccabee's statement about the Arnold sighting potentially being a hoax. Wilhelm believes the Arnold sighting is "very weak" and that Arnold was involved in a PR stunt to promote the flying saucer craze. He claims Arnold lied and was "hounded" by government agencies, when in reality, he was constantly calling them. Wilhelm also questions CUFOS's tax records.
• Moseley states "Saucer Smear" has no opinion on Arnold's validity but knows "as a person, he stunk."

Editorial: Letter to the editor from the editor-in-chief

J. Allen Hynek, editor-in-chief of IUR, addresses Jerome Clark, the editor of "Saucer Smear." Hynek criticizes Clark for remarks in "Saucer Smear" that call the Westchester boomerang case a "scam." Hynek states he traveled to the Westchester area three times to interview witnesses and worked with Philip Imbrogno. He questions if Clark thought he hadn't checked his sources or was unaware that "planes in formation" were old news. Hynek and Imbrogno are continuing to work on the Hudson Valley UFO case.

Jerome Clark responds, stating that he and Hynek have agreed to disagree about the Westchester events, and IUR will report new developments.

News Brief

Alien attack could save world? A Reuter report from Fallston, Md., states that President Reagan told Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev that a threat from aliens would cause nations to quickly unite and forget their differences. Reagan described Gorbachev as a "determined man but one who is willing to listen."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of "Saucer Smear" heavily features internal debates and criticisms within the UFO community. The editorial stance, particularly from James W. Moseley, is one of skepticism towards certain UFO cases, even while acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena. There's a clear tension between those who accept cases readily and those who demand rigorous evidence. The magazine also highlights the personal dynamics and disagreements between prominent figures in ufology, such as Jerry Clark and J. Allen Hynek. The "Tidbits of Trash" and "Letters to Ye Olde Editor" sections serve as platforms for commentary on various UFO-related news, personalities, and organizations, often with a critical or sarcastic tone. The inclusion of comic strips and brief news items provides a varied reading experience, but the core focus remains on the ongoing controversies and analyses within the UFO field.