Saucer Smear - Vol 34 No 04 - 1987

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR

Issue: Volume 34, No. 4

Date: May 5th, 1987

Publisher: SAUCER SMEAR

Editor: James W. Moseley

Character: This non-scheduled newsletter is dedicated to ufological journalism and serves as the official publication of the SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY. It covers news, events, and opinions within the UFO community, often with a critical or skeptical perspective mixed with enthusiast reporting.

June UFO Conventions Announced

The lead article announces a busy June for UFO enthusiasts with several major conventions. The 24th annual National UFO Conference (NUFOC) is scheduled for June 12th-14th in Burbank, California. Following this is a one-day ufological symposium in New York City on Sunday, June 21st, sponsored by the New York Center for UFO Research, featuring speakers like Antonio Huneeus, Peter Gersten, Budd Hopkins, Phillip Imbrogno, Bob Bletchman, and Colman VonKeviczky. Finally, the annual MUFON convention will take place in Washington, D.C., from June 26th-28th, sponsored by Dr. Bruce MacCabee's Fund for UFO Research. Additionally, Wayne Aho's 26th annual Space Age Convention is set for June 27th-28th in Tacoma, Washington, with special events on June 24th to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Kenneth Arnold's sighting.

Editor's Skeptical Encounters

Editor James W. Moseley recounts his attendance at the 5th annual convention of the CSICOP organization in Pasadena, California, on April 3rd and 4th. He notes the presence of prominent skeptics like Phil Klass and James Randi, as well as CSICOP Executive Board members Ken Frazier, Paul Kurtz, and Mark Plummer. The convention's program notably avoided UFOs and parapsychology, instead focusing on topics such as animal language, chiropractic medicine, nutrition, and crooked gypsies. Moseley found the lecture on Spontaneous Human Combustion (SHC) by Joe Nickell particularly convincing, stating that Nickell's logic effectively explained known cases through natural causes. A highlight of the convention was an address by astronomer Carl Sagan, who emphasized the need for critical inquiry and skepticism, while also suggesting it's acceptable 'not to know all the answers.' Moseley observes that CSICOP is actively fundraising and mentions attending a $100-per-plate banquet on the Queen Mary.

News Briefs and Obituaries

Tragic News - Pete Mazzola: The newsletter reports on the serious health condition of Pete Mazzola, director of the SBI (Scientific Bureau of Investigation), who has been diagnosed with brain cancer and has a limited lifespan. The SBI, co-founded by Mazzola and Jim Fillows, is described as being largely dependent on Mazzola, with the exception of MUFON and CUFOS.

Dominick Lucchesi Dies: Long-time ufologist Dominick Lucchesi of Jersey City, N.J., passed away on April 5th from heart trouble at approximately 60 years old. Lucchesi was one of the original 'Three Men in Black' who investigated the silencing of Albert K. Bender. He appeared on the Long John Nebel radio show and lectured for UFO meetings. He also authored 'Flying Saucers from Khabarah Khoom,' which received a scathing review in Saucer Smear. The editor shares a personal anecdote about Lucchesi's potential psychic abilities, recalling ESP experiments in the late 1950s where Lucchesi achieved mathematically fantastic scores.

Alaskan UFO Sighting: The FAA insists that a recent radar confirmation of a UFO sighting by a Japanese pilot in Alaska was a 'split-image return' of the aircraft. A United Airlines pilot who flew near the path of the Japanese airliner saw no other aircraft.

The Meier Affair: An 18-page article by Hal Starr, 'The Meier Affair,' takes a negative stance on alleged space contacts from the Pleiades and is intended for the MUFON Journal. It is expected to be contrasted with a pro-Pleiades article by Gary Kinder.

Church of the SubGenius P.S.: A postscript mentions that a fire at a party for the Church of the SubGenius was not vandalism but a 'spontaneous appearance' of 'Bob.'

Project Aquarius: Lawyer Peter Gersten is forming Project Aquarius to study UFO abduction reports, which will include a national hotline and a bi-monthly newsletter with a board of twelve consultants.

Phil Klass's Offer: Phil Klass has offered $10,000 to any UFO abductee who reports their ordeal to the FBI, provided the incident is confirmed by FBI investigation.

Letters to the Editor

Kal K. Korff writes to clarify that he is alive and has a new post office box. He discusses the ongoing debate surrounding the Meier case and offers to provide the 'other' side of the claims.

Betty Hill corrects James Randi's assertion that Uri Geller has retreated from the U.S. She states Geller will be in New York for the release of his new book, 'The Geller Effect,' and challenges Randi to make millions like Geller. Hill also defends Dr. Berthold Schwarz's research.

Phil Klass writes, expressing delight that Stanton Friedman is earning a living and doing useful work. He sarcastically questions if Friedman's new company, SCAT Science and Technology, is using extraterrestrial technology from Billy Meier or Betty Hill's Zeta Reticulians. Klass also notes Friedman's endorsement of Captain Terauchi, who admitted prosaic explanations for his UFO sightings.

Bob Zanotti shares that he has become a vegetarian, philosophizing about cows and karma.

Ron Schaffner comments on a previous issue, liking Tom Benson's remarks but disagreeing on certain points. He expresses skepticism about 'red-eyed anthropoids and robots' and suggests that debates about the New Zealand film are 'old hat.'

Martin Kottmeyer presents an etymological analysis of the name 'Anouxia,' captain of a UFO in an abductee experience, suggesting its roots relate to 'anus' and 'itch,' identifying its home world as 'Bright Anus.'

William Steinman shares his ongoing investigation into UFO data, proposing that flying saucers originate from an 'eternal dimension,' are linked to occult secrets and the Bible's 'Mystery of Inequity,' and are influenced by 'Dark Forces' and 'MJ-12.' He suggests these forces motivate governments and are preparing for the 'materialization' of the 'Anti-Christ.'

24th Annual National UFO Conference Details

An 8-page treatise by Bill Moore provides details for the 24th National UFO Conference in Burbank, California, commemorating the 40th anniversary of Kenneth Arnold's sighting. The conference features an unprecedented eight lectures running concurrently during Saturday's four time slots, with a main speaker in the large hall and seven lesser speakers in other rooms. A total of 32 workshops are scheduled over the three days, with major speakers including Stanton Friedman, Dr. Richard Neal, Timothy Good, Hal Starr, Brad Steiger, and Bill Moore. The editor, James W. Moseley, will also present a workshop on '3½-D Aspects of the UFO Phenomenon' and offers to take a lie-detector and urine test on stage, provided other speakers do the same. Other workshop speakers include Vickie Cooper, Tracy Torme, Dale Kaczmarek, Ann Druffel, Jim Speiser, Timothy Green Beckley, and Kal K. Korff.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently features a blend of news from the UFO community, including convention announcements, personal accounts, and reports on ongoing investigations. There is a clear editorial stance that balances enthusiast reporting with a healthy dose of skepticism, particularly evident in the editor's own contributions and the inclusion of letters from critics like Phil Klass and CSICOP members. The publication seems to value critical inquiry and the examination of evidence, even when discussing controversial topics or individuals within the ufology field. The obituaries and personal anecdotes suggest a long-standing engagement with the subject matter and its key figures. The magazine also highlights the ongoing debate between believers and skeptics, often presenting both sides through letters and articles.