Saucer Smear - Vol 34 No 01 - 1987

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue Date: January 5th, 1987
Volume: 34, Number 1
Publisher: SAUCER SMEAR
Editor: James W. Moseley

This issue of "Saucer Smear" is a non-scheduled newsletter dedicated to ufological journalism. It begins with a notice to subscribers about potential ejection from the mailing list if an "X" follows their name on the envelope.

Major Shake-Up in Governing Board of National UFO Conference

James W. Moseley, the editor and Permanent Chairman of the National UFO Conference (NUFOC) Permanent Organizing Committee, announces a significant change in the board. The four Cleveland, Ohio-based members—Rick & Carol Hilberg, Bob Easley, and Al Manak—are being replaced due to their lack of cooperation and neglect. They are being replaced by four researchers more active in the field: Tom Benson (New Jersey State Director of MUFON and editor of "Sixth Quark Journal"), Bill Moore (co-author of "The Roswell Incident" and "The Philadelphia Experiment"), Ron Schaffner (Ohio, active in OUFOIL and editor of "Creature Chronicles"), and Hal Starr (Arizona State Director of MUFON).

Other members of the Permanent Organizing Committee include Tim Beckley, Ed Biebel, Charles Wilhelm of OUFOIL, and Kal K. Korff. Korff is also under scrutiny for his lack of recent contact, similar to the "Cleveland Four." Moseley emphasizes his determination to keep the NUFOC alive and led by dedicated individuals.

Tid-Bits of Trash

The editor apologizes for the delay in publication and the infrequent mailing of "Smear," attributing it to time-consuming non-ufological problems. He expresses hope for more frequent bulletins.

Borderland Sciences Research Foundation (BSRF): Tom Brown, the new director, is reportedly interested in George Van Tassel's Integretron in the California desert. Brown believes the all-wood apparatus, being wired by BSRF, could be a rejuvenation machine or a time-travel vortex, and plans to publish findings in their journal.

Joe Newman: The inventor continues his battle with the U.S. Patent Office over his invention, which the government suspects is a "Perpetual Motion Machine."

Col. Wendelle Stevens: Contrary to earlier speculation, Stevens has not been released from prison but has been transferred to a maximum security unit. Those wishing to write to him can do so at ASPC Douglas, Pima Unit (E-14 #2), P.O. Box 5003, Douglas, AZ 85608-5003.

Al Greenfield (Spider Rainbow): The co-founder of the National UFO Conference has returned to Atlanta, Georgia, after a brief stay in Key West. He found that local residents were not receptive to his seminars on paganism. Greenfield participated in an interview on UFOs for the local artsy newspaper "Solaris Hill."

Martin Kottmeyer: The researcher notes that approximately ten percent of extraterrestrial names in UFO literature end in the letter "O," which is significantly higher than in a random phone directory.

News Briefies: The dates and location for the 1987 National UFO Conference (NUFOC) convention are still pending, but it is expected to be in the Los Angeles area in June. Skeptic John Merrell is appealing a $25,000 libel judgment against him related to statements made about a Florida psychic.

Top Government UFO Official is a Space Alien!

This article, featuring a dramatic headline and a grainy photo, alleges that the U.S. government's top official in charge of investigating UFOs, Second Asst. Under Secretary of Defense Henry Froebel, is himself an alien. World-famous UFO expert Armand Paunchville claims to have identified Froebel by his "ugliest shoes" and other tell-tale signs of a non-Earthling. Paunchville alerted the President, but no action has been taken to remove Froebel. The article suggests Froebel has been covering up UFO reports and junking testimony. Paunchville is reportedly in hiding and has written a book titled "They're After Me."

Letters to Ye Olde Editor

Antonio Huneeus: Sends a drawing and states that a computer query about CUFOS yielded the answer "IUR FATE."

Christopher Allan (England): Responds to William Moore's suggestion that Phil Klass retire. Allan questions the date of the Roswell crash (July 2nd, 1947, vs. June 14th, 1947) and reminds readers that the modern UFO era began in 1946 with the "ghost rockets" over Scandinavia.

Tom Burch: Writes about a promoter's "Anti-Demon and Monster Spray" and proposes two similar aerosol repellents: "Amway Away" (to deter Amway sales reps) and "Alien Away" (to deter those fearing UFO abductions). "Alien Away" would replicate the body odors of Carl Sagan and Edward Condon, and a higher-tech version would broadcast Phil Klass's anti-UFO arguments to bore potential abductees.

Ron Schaffner (Ohio UFO Investigators League, Inc. - OUFOIL)

Schaffner expresses frustration with the "Cleveland problem," specifically with Hilberg, who allegedly backed out of publishing a newsletter after Schaffner offered help. He notes that the Cleveland group has a history of backing out of agreements.

Tom Benson ("Sixth Quark Journal")

Benson discusses the breakup of the Cleveland area "Gang of Four" and UAPA, comparing it to earlier collapses of ufological groups in Ohio. He suggests that reviving old efforts might be best left to the next generation or that Erik Beckjord could arbitrate disputes. He also inquires about the next issue of Todd Zechel's "For Your Eyes Only."

Denis Corey

Corey laments the inability of the "Clevetown group" to cooperate, suggesting it might be a natural course of evolution for the mainstream UFO clubs. He questions what the movement will evolve into.

Armand LaPrade ("Would You Believe?")

LaPrade suggests James W. Moseley should run for Commander in Chief of Ufology, replacing J. Allen Hynek. He argues that while Maccabee is too pro-UFO and Klass too anti-UFO, Moseley sits on the fence, aiming for renown. LaPrade claims to read between the lines of "Smear."

Larry Peters (Bigfootologist)

Peters nominates Dr. Bruce Maccabee as the unofficial spokesman for Ufology. He recounts a negative experience with Erik Beckjord, whom he claims was tired and fell asleep during a Bigfoot investigation, and who did not thank him for his efforts. Peters also criticizes Beckjord for calling him a "MARCEN-ite."

Peters believes that if he is away from Maryland, others will discover the creatures he has seen, and they too will be laughed at. He expresses a desire to show his experiences and pictures to someone who will take them seriously. He calls the "Gang of Four in Cleveland" a joke and suggests turning the UFO field into a reality by promoting figures like Bruce Maccabee.

Mark Opsasnick (New Non-Subscriber)

Opsasnick, researching Bigfoot sightings in Maryland, expresses enjoyment of "Saucer Smear" and finds it informative and humorous. His research led him to Larry Peters, who claimed to have sighted "red-eyed, three-toed Bigfoot creatures" in Patapsco Valley State Park. However, a park ranger, Carl Livesay, denied any Bigfoot reports in the park and recalled only bear reports. Opsasnick notes that Peters has since left the area.

Erik Beckjord

Beckjord addresses criticism of his lecture at the Phoenix NUFOC convention. He defends CSICOP chapters and argues against the idea that only Mensans are intelligent. He states that both Major Mogaha and Bob Sheaffer felt Phil Klass's "squid boat theory" was wrong, despite Sheaffer's support for it. Beckjord recommends "The Kaikoura UFOs" by Startup and suggests Speiser and Moseley read it. He also mentions Warren Thompson's Bigfoot Bibliography, noting that Thompson dislikes being written about by people he doesn't know, and provides Thompson's address.

Bob Schmidt

Schmidt comments on the "smoldering religious controversy" in recent issues. He notes hostility when religion enters ufological discussions and suggests that the spiritual realm is a mechanism wed to folklore rather than modern physics. He believes that the UFO problem is as much a part of mankind as anything else and that the "Age of Enlightenment" is producing tunnelvision, preventing people from seeing things as they are. He concludes that without overcoming prejudices, efforts will remain futile.

Bruce Walton

Walton responds to Tom Brown's critique of his "born again" perspective on UFO origins. Walton states his born-again experience resulted from his UFO research, leading him to conclude, like John Keel and others, that UFOs are the result of demonic spiritual manifestations. He believes New Agers are being duped by demons posing as "space gods." Walton cites Air Force bibliographer Lynn E. Catoe, who concluded that much UFO literature is linked with mysticism and phenomena like poltergeist manifestations and possession, often resembling demonic possession.

Tommy R. Blann (Evangelist)

Blann tells Tom Brown that while he is entitled to his viewpoint on evil forces, he hopes Brown's "search for understanding" will enlighten him about Christianity.

Nation/world News

Mystifying flames in house 'beat all': In Wharncliffe, W.Va., flames leaped from electrical outlets and closets in a house, and even ignited bulletin boards at a neighboring church after the occupants moved their belongings. Firefighters were baffled by the series of blazes, which continued even after the power was shut off.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue reflects a strong editorial stance by James W. Moseley, characterized by a critical and sometimes confrontational approach to ufology. Recurring themes include internal organizational politics (NUFOC board changes), debates about the nature of UFO phenomena (demonic vs. physical), skepticism towards certain researchers (Phil Klass), and the ongoing search for credible leadership and evidence in the field. The magazine also touches upon related phenomena like Bigfoot and includes a news report on an unusual fire incident. The editor's personal opinions and frustrations are often evident in the commentary and letters sections.