Saucer Smear - Vol 33 No 05 - 1986

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 33, Number 5
Date: June 25th, 1986
Publisher: SAUCER SMEAR
Type: Non-Scheduled Newsletter

This issue of SAUCER SMEAR, dedicated to ufological journalism, provides a detailed report on the 23rd annual National UFO Conference (NUFOC) held in Phoenix, Arizona, from May 16th-18th, 1986. The convention was dedicated to the memory of the late Dr. J. Allen Hynek. The newsletter also covers recent changes within the MUFON hierarchy and includes several letters to the editor discussing various aspects of ufology, including the passing of Dr. Hynek and a debate on racial issues within the field.

RE-HASH OF THE RECENT PHOENIX, ARIZONA NUFOC CONVENTION

The 23rd annual NUFOC convention was held at the Executive Park Hotel in downtown Phoenix. The event honored the memory of Dr. J. Allen Hynek, who had previously received the 'Ufologist of the Decade' award from NUFOC in 1983. Walt Andrus of MUFON was a special guest, attending in a spirit of cooperation despite past differences with the editor.

Hal Starr, a local ufologist and media personality, served as the genial host and MC, receiving praise for his planning and execution. The convention hall was nearly at capacity, with the banquet seating approximately 100 people.

Speakers and Presentations:

• Bigfootologist Erik Beckjord presented the famous New Zealand UFO film, challenging arch-skeptic Phil Klass to admit it showed an interplanetary spacecraft. Beckjord was accompanied by Molly Squire, who offered to perform psychic surgery but instead distributed a 'UFO Attitude Survey'.
• Dr. (?) Dan Fry, author of 'The White Sands Incident', discussed his 1950 contact and flight by saucer. He claimed to still be in contact with the E-T pilot, who he stated lives in the U.S.A. and passes as an ordinary earthling.
• Robert Sheaffer of the Bay Area Skeptics presented a skeptical viewpoint, offering a refutation of various UFO cases.
• Ted Hunt, a Phoenix engineer, attended but admitted to never having read a book on the subject.
• James McGaha, a military fellow, was also noted for his skepticism.
• Brad Steiger, author of over 100 off-beat books, delivered a lecture on the Unknown (UFOs), which the editor found to be professionally delivered but potentially insincere.
• William Moore presented evidence regarding the Roswell incident, arguing it was not a weather balloon, a conclusion the editor disagreed with.
• Stanton Friedman, a nuclear physicist, gave the convention's principal talk at the banquet, described as factual and entertaining, though not all his conclusions were accepted by the editor.

Panel Discussion and Notable Absences:

A panel discussion on Sunday, May 18th, included the main speakers, along with Timothy Green Beckley ('UFO Review') and pro-contactee writer Timothy Good from England. Hal Starr moderated. A significant portion of the discussion involved arguments between supporters and opponents of Billy Meier and Col. Wendelle Stevens, with the editor firmly in the latter camp.

Notable absentees included Kal K. Korff (host of the previous year's convention), Arizona State MUFON Director William Spaulding, and contactee Travis Walton, who reportedly attended the hotel but did not interact with the crowd.

Future Conventions:

Despite a general decline in UFO interest, the NUFOC has at least four potential locations for the next year's conclave: Los Angeles, Miami, Cleveland, and Fredricton, New Brunswick. Details will be announced in upcoming issues.

YOUR EDITOR GROPES FOR SEMI-RESPECTIBILITY BY JOINING MUFON

Some Recent Changes in the MUFON Hierarchy:

James Moseley, the editor of SAUCER SMEAR, details his long-standing efforts to join UFO-related organizations, including NICAP and GSW. He recounts how he was eventually appointed State Section Director for Monroe County, Florida, after previously being a 'Contributing Subscriber' to MUFON. This appointment is seen as a result of 'Peace Efforts' at the NUFOC convention and a 'More Positive Attitude' from concerned parties. The hierarchy above him includes Donald M. Ware (State Director for Florida) and Walt Andrus (International Director).

Bill Spaulding's Replacement:

Bill Spaulding has been replaced as MUFON State Director for Arizona, with Hal Starr taking over the position. The editor expresses gratitude to Walt Andrus for his 'Change of Heart' regarding Moseley's membership.

MISCELLANEOUS RAVINGS:

• Gray Barker's Files: A recent article in the Clarksburg, W. Va. Exponent-Telegram reported that Gray Barker's extensive UFO file has been donated to the Clarksburg Public Library. The editor expresses a slight disappointment at not being mentioned in Barker's will, particularly regarding potential access to movie films and video tapes.

LETTERS TO YE OLDE EDITOR:

• Bob Pratt (former editor of The MUFON Journal) writes to Jerry Clark regarding the new format of The International UFO Reporter (IUR). Pratt questions the need for advertising in the IUR, given its claimed favorable response, and expresses concern over Jerry Clark's response to John Schuessler's assessment of CUFOS. Pratt felt Clark's reply was 'snide' and a 'put-down' to Schuessler.

• Jerry Clark (in response to Pratt's letter) clarifies his perspective on CUFOS, stating that it is in 'damned good hands' and is healthy. He explains that his response to John Schuessler was a reply to Schuessler's assessment of CUFOS's struggles without J. Allen Hynek.

• Ian Marzyglod (British researcher) expresses sadness at the death of J. Allen Hynek, recalling his pleasant stay with Hynek and his wife Mimi in 1983.

• Pete Tate (British ufologist) laments the loss of Dr. Hynek to ufology, predicting that various individuals will emerge to claim his legacy. Tate defends Dr. Hynek's integrity and believes his passing marks a significant change in ufology, potentially leading to its decline as an organized interest.

• Ken Behrendt expresses sadness at Hynek's passing, respecting his efforts to promote the UFO subject and the credibility he brought to the field, despite philosophical differences regarding Hynek's '4D man' concept.

• Walter Rogers jokingly suggests that James Moseley become the new head of ufology, or alternatively, that John Keel be brought back.

• Eugene Steinberg (former researcher) declares 'The UFO field died this week' with the passing of Dr. J. Allen Hynek. He describes Hynek's influence in giving the field credibility and how his absence signifies an inevitable decline and fall due to skepticism and boredom.

• Bob Schmidt (UFO researcher & cartoonist) addresses Tom Cannon's previous comments. Schmidt discusses a conversation with a 'black brother' regarding racist remarks, and contrasts the intelligence of ufologists, suggesting that black men do not need the 'aggravation' of becoming 'assholes' within the UFO community.

• Tom Cannon responds to Schmidt, explaining his perspective on racism as a victim, and expresses admiration for those who have challenged it. He looks forward to a future event involving 'black aliens'.

• Sid Gould questions the recent focus on 'black skin color' in SAUCER SMEAR, wondering if it's a lead-up to something. He also raises the point of why UFO experiences of Native Americans are not discussed.

• Judith Starchild (former MUFON investigator) criticizes the magazine's recent focus on racial statistics, suggesting it detracts from the UFO track and should be filed under 'SO WHAT??'.

• Richard Ogden writes from PORTAL, a rehabilitation program. He claims the 'Straith Letter' was a hoax masterminded by Soviet Intelligence, and that Adamski's UFO data was obtained from Soviet Intelligence. He states that 'Mr. Straith' worked for the Soviets to embarrass the State Dept.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue reflects a strong editorial stance by James Moseley, characterized by a blend of skepticism towards certain claims and individuals within the UFO community, while also defending the legitimacy of UFO research. There is a clear emphasis on the importance of Dr. J. Allen Hynek's legacy and the impact of his passing on the field. The editor also engages in debates and critiques of other figures and organizations within ufology, such as Phil Klass, Jerry Clark, and MUFON. A notable theme is the exploration of racial issues within the UFO community, which the editor seems to both acknowledge and, at times, question the prominence of. The overall tone is informal, opinionated, and often humorous, as is typical of a newsletter format.