Saucer Smear - Vol 34 No 06 - 1987

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 34, Number 6
Date: August 4th, 1987
Publisher: SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of "Saucer Smear" is dedicated to the highest principles of ufological journalism and focuses heavily on the "Majestic 12" (MJ-12) documents, presenting an update and analysis of the controversy surrounding their authenticity.

The "Majestic 12" Documents: An Exclusive "Smear" Update

The editorial begins by referencing the previous issue's discussion of the sensational government documents released by Bill Moore and others, which purportedly prove a crash of an extraterrestrial vehicle near Roswell, New Mexico, in 1947, with four dead alien bodies. The editor, James W. Moseley, acknowledges Bill Moore's sincerity but criticizes the way the documents have been censored to varying degrees, contrasting it with their uncensored state when obtained. The issue features a partial reproduction of one page of the document, as printed in the MUFON UFO Journal, highlighting the censored sections that "Smear" considers most intriguing.

An accompanying text box describes a 1947 incident where a civilian pilot observed nine flying disc-shaped aircraft in formation over the Cascade Mountains, Washington State, which gained widespread public attention. It also mentions that on July 7, 1947, a secret operation began to recover the wreckage of such an object for scientific study.

"Smear" admits to indulging in its own investigation into the MJ-12 documents, primarily through long-distance calls, due to the intriguing nature of the claims. The publication notes that the consensus of opinion, even among pro-UFO researchers, is that the documents are not authentic. The investigation explored whether the documents were internally consistent regarding the alleged twelve individuals involved.

The Menzel Connection

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to the testimony of Dr. Ernest Taves, a retired psychiatrist and friend of the late Dr. Donald H. Menzel, a prominent ufologist and skeptic. Taves states that the "Moore-Shandera-Friedman Research Project" (MSF) cannot endorse the authenticity of the MJ-12 document, and he personally believes it to be a hoax. He points out that the document has not been officially declassified and questions the implications if it were genuine. Taves refutes MSF's claims that Menzel's correspondence and autobiography suggest his participation in a governmental cover-up of a crash-landed UFO. Taves asserts that Menzel, who had extensive classified work for the government, would have welcomed genuine UFO investigation but would have been unable to participate in a "misguided and unnecessary coverup." He strongly believes Menzel would have been incapable of the intellectual dishonesty of debunking UFOs while knowing of a genuine crash.

Further Update

Ufological opinions on MJ-12 are presented as varied. Tommy Roy Blann provided a copy of a June 1952 document titled "Report by the Joint Logistics Plans Committee of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Joint Logistic Plan for 'Majestic'", which is identified as a legitimate document about a master plan for attacking the Soviet Union, unrelated to UFOs. Blann also informs that the "Robert Cutler document", found by Moore and Shandera, is not authentic due to internal inconsistencies like the watermark on the stationery.

A supposed CIA memo mentioning "MJ-12" and "Project A" is discussed, with a CIA spokesman stating in a letter to Blann that the document was not originated by the CIA and is a "rather poorly done fabrication."

Miscellaneous Ravings

The Incredible Texas UFO Incident: This section criticizes a tape and booklet from the International Space Science Foundation as a high-pressure sales pitch for a pyramid scheme disguised as a UFO business opportunity.

ABC's "Night Line" TV Show: The issue notes a TV show devoted to the 40th anniversary of the UFO enigma, featuring a debate between Stanton Friedman and Phil Klass on the MJ-12 documents. It also mentions a film segment about comedian Jackie Gleason, who died that day, and the persistent rumors that Gleason knew something specific about crashed saucers and dead alien bodies.

Jim Speiser's "Missing Time-Share": This is presented as a dubious business opportunity.

Missives From The Masses

Phil Klass writes, defending his attitude on national security and suggesting that those condemning his stance on MJ-12 should ask for evidence rather than leap to conclusions. He reiterates his belief that the MJ-12 documents are counterfeit and that the FBI should prosecute those responsible for such hoaxes.

Jennings Frederick writes, strongly asserting the authenticity of the MJ-12 document, claiming to have seen an untouched copy while working for the government and stating it is the one piece of authentic verification Phil Klass cannot debunk.

Dennis Stillings of the Archaeus Project suggests that the MJ-12 affair might be a hoax concocted by Moore et al. to create a sense of impending doom, given the lack of support for the "hardware theory." He also criticizes Moore's co-authorship of "The Philadelphia Experiment."

Barry Greenwood of CAUS and MUFON hopes MJ-12 is proven authentic but cannot endorse it until questions about its origin and appearance are answered.

Mike Dennett, a skeptic, believes most skeptics want UFO facts to be available and agrees that the public has a right to know. He also thinks the whole MJ-12 thing sounds like a big hoax.

Stanton Friedman writes about his upcoming article on Menzel and his positive response in D.C. to his paper on Menzel's "Double Life." He recounts an instance where Phil Klass was corrected on a point about Reagan and Spielberg.

An anonymous American skeptic signing as "MJ-12" criticizes Phil Klass and others for allegedly suppressing skeptical analysis of the Socorro, N.M. case.

John Keel predicts Moseley's Burbank convention will be a dismal failure, contrasting it with the success of a New York City UFO convention and a MUFON convention in Washington. He predicts the demise of ufology in the U.S.

Jim Dehling, a non-subscriber, states that the MJ-12 documents are not real and questions why arrests haven't been made if they were genuine classified information.

Lynn Volpe writes about an Alaskan UFO encounter, noting that FAA controllers believed there was a radar track of an object, not just a split image of a 747, and that the case remains open.

Brian Parks, working with Bill Moore, expresses pleasure with the MJ-12 coverage and challenges Phil Klass. He mentions talking to Dr. Thornton Page and notes that Dr. Lloyd V. Berkner, a member of the MJ-12 group, was also on the Robertson panel.

Gary Casey finds the MJ-12 situation interesting but believes it's a hoax, stating it's "too good to be true" and questioning where the rest of the evidence is.

Barry Hoffman, an inactive researcher, speculates that Donald Menzel knew about the crashed saucer and aliens, humorously questioning why ETs capable of interplanetary craft wouldn't have invented parachutes or anti-gravity devices.

British Jet Diverted Over U.S.S.R.

This section reports on an incident on April 22, 1987, where a British Airways Boeing 747 crew reported seeing an unidentified flying object with twinkling lights over the Soviet Union. The crew, described as "bitter, cynical aviators who like a scientific explanation for everything," were "foxed" by the sighting, which Soviet air traffic control could not corroborate.

Moseley Chairman Steps Down In Reorganization

This is a brief note indicating that Moseley is stepping down as Chairman as part of a reorganization.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the controversy surrounding the "Majestic 12" documents, the debate between believers and skeptics, and the nature of evidence in ufology. "Saucer Smear," under the editorship of James W. Moseley, appears to lean towards skepticism regarding the MJ-12 documents, highlighting criticisms and potential hoax aspects, while also presenting differing viewpoints from its readership and contributors. The magazine maintains a critical stance on sensationalism and encourages readers to question information, even while acknowledging the intriguing nature of the UFO phenomenon.