Saucer Smear - Vol 34 No 07 - 1987

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 34, No. 7
Date: October 20th, 1987
Publisher: SAUCER SMEAR
Editor: James W. Moseley

This issue of Saucer Smear, a non-scheduled newsletter, is dedicated to an in-depth report on the controversial "MJ-12" documents that gained prominence earlier in the year. The publication aims to provide an exclusive "Smear" report on the matter, questioning the authenticity of the documents and exploring potential hoaxes and disinformation campaigns.

The "MJ-12" File: An Exclusive "Smear" Report

The editorial begins by acknowledging the two-month gap since the last issue and the significant developments regarding the "Majestic 12" or "MJ-12" documents. It highlights Admiral Roscoe H. Hillenkoetter, the alleged "MJ-1", as the most important member of the group, supposedly responsible for briefing President-elect Dwight Eisenhower in November 1952. The article questions the credibility of Hillenkoetter's alleged involvement, given his later membership in NICAP, a pro-UFO organization.

The publication references its previous exclusive information from Dr. Ernest Taves, a friend of Dr. Donald Menzel (alleged "MJ-10"). Taves, like others who knew Menzel, finds it unbelievable that Menzel, a former director of Harvard Observatory, could have possessed knowledge of UFO reality and still have written anti-saucer books and debunked UFOs.

The editorial notes the differing stances of various UFO organizations. CUFOS, through Jerry Clark, expressed a supportive view of MJ-12, stating the "verdict is still open." MUFON, while having expressed mixed opinions, used Taves' material and, in its August newsletter, warned that the "MJ-12 circus" created by Moore, Shandera, and Friedman could be detrimental to document research, criticizing the hunger for publicity.

CSICOP, represented by Phil Klass, issued a negative press release based on insufficient information. In contrast, "Just Cause," published by Laurence Fawcett and Barry Greenwood, provided extensive negative data on the "MJ-12 Fiasco." Bill Moore's only comment to "Smear" regarding this was "Sour Grapes."

The article introduces Richard Doty, an intelligence officer assigned to Kirtland Air Force Base, as a potential source for Bill Moore. The editor admits that "Smear" may have been "scooped" on identifying the probable perpetrator, but Moore denies Doty is his source, deepening the mystery.

Phil Klass, relying on British researcher Christopher Allan, highlighted the unusual date format in the MJ-12 briefing paper, which matches the format Bill Moore uses. The "Smear" editor suggests this similarity might be an attempt to frame Moore rather than a mistake by Moore himself.

The editorial states that most ufologists believe MJ-12 is a hoax, with some attributing it to Moore and his associates, while "Smear's" position is that while MJ-12 is likely a hoax, Moore's group is not behind it. The editor recounts spending three days with Moore and Shandera, concluding they might be victims of a sophisticated hoax or disinformation campaign.

Moore has been involved since 1980 with supposed "inside" government informants, similar to "Deep Throat," guiding his research. He has largely abandoned his literary career, focusing on UFO research and selling UFO books and tracts. Shandera joined Moore in 1982, and Friedman is described as a more passive partner.

Evidence for MJ-12, according to the article, consists of more than what has been released, with informants controlling what can be revealed. One document was allegedly lent to Moore for only 20 minutes for photography and transcription. Several videotapes were also viewed, featuring a disguised agent answering questions, with the identities of the agent and newsman known to Moore and Shandera.

The scenario presented is that by the end of the year, Moore's informants will either provide more information or Moore will go public himself. The article expresses gratitude to various individuals and publications for their contributions and mentions several zines that have reprinted or condensed "Smear's" MJ-12 material.

Tid-bits of Trash

This section covers various brief news items:

• The location for the 1988 National UFO Conference (NUFOC) convention is still undecided, with negotiations ongoing for sites in Florida and New Jersey.
• William Steinman has released a book titled "UFO Crash at Aztec (New Mexico)", co-authored by Col. Wendelle Stevens, detailing an alleged saucer crash in 1948 involving dead aliens. The book is available for $18.95.
• Pete Mazzola, co-founder of the Scientific Bureau of Investigation (SBI), died of brain cancer on June 10th. The SBI, once with hundreds of members, is now defunct.

Other News and Commentary

• Tim Curry of Waterloo, Indiana, a non-subscriber and Bigfootologist, committed suicide since the last issue. He was in his mid-twenties.
• An organizational meeting for the New York Fortean Society was held, with John Keel elected president.
• Erik Beckjord claims to have obtained more still pictures of the Loch Ness Monster, including a blow-up of what he describes as a skull-type head, an old man's face, and other "4D-ish entities."

Miscellaneous Ravings

The editor expresses skepticism about the validity of psychic visions, questioning the consequences if a prediction were to come true. A case in point is Etta Louise Smith of Los Angeles, who, based on a psychic vision, led police to a murder victim. She was jailed briefly and later sued the city for false arrest, receiving $26,000.

The fortieth anniversary of Kenneth Arnold's UFO sighting prompts discussion about Arnold and Ray Palmer, co-founder of FATE Magazine. An article in the June "MUFON UFO Journal" by Greg Long discusses these figures. The "Smear" editor recounts a past attempt to get Arnold and Palmer to participate in a 1967 convention, detailing Arnold's exorbitant financial demands and subsequent refusal to cooperate.

Ray Palmer is described as a gentleman, while Arnold, even ten years later, refused to speak to the "Smear" editor. Palmer, known for his articulation despite eccentricity and a dwarf-like deformity, died shortly after speaking at a FATE Convention.

Charles Wilhelm and Ron Schaffner had planned an "expose" of Kenneth Arnold for the 40th anniversary, but the project fizzled.

Courtroom Courtship

James Moseley, the editor, met Diana Serpe during the Bernhard Goetz attempted murder trial, where they served as jurors. He fell in love with her and they are now a couple, as depicted in a photo.

A brief note mentions cryonics, specifically freezing only the head, available at the Institute for Cryobiological Extension (ICE) in Los Angeles.

Lettres to Ye Olde Editor

Several letters from readers offer diverse perspectives:

• Christopher Allan (England): Questions the authenticity of the MJ-12 documents, pointing to the use of leading zeros in dates (e.g., "01 August, 1950") as a modern computerization practice not used in the 1950s or 1960s. He suggests readers experiment by checking date formats in letters received over the past four years to identify a potential culprit.
• Bob Zanotti (Switzerland): Congratulates "Smear" on its reporting but believes the MJ-12 document is a hoax, citing the date structure (day, month, year) as a post-1960s government practice and the use of the word "media" as a 1980s creation, not used in the 1940s.
• Walt Andrus (MUFON): Praises "Saucer Smear" for its insights into the MJ-12 documents.
• Riley Crabb (New Zealand): Criticizes Dr. Donald "Quack Quack" Menzel's "pseudo-scientific blatherings" and dismisses his views on flying saucers. Crabb finds Menzel's alleged involvement in early government summaries like MJ-12 despicable.
• Stanton Friedman: Questions the respect given to Taves' opinion on MJ-12 and Menzel's involvement, citing his own MUFON paper "The Double Life of Donald Menzel" and demanding details on Taves' clearance level and Menzel's postwar involvement with the NSA.
• Dennis Stillings: Urges "Saucer Smear" to "keep the guns on MJ-12," predicting its downfall along with American ufology.
• Jennings Frederick: States there was only one original MJ-12 document, marked "one of one," but what he saw were xerox copies marked "Top Secret." He describes a highly secure vault where the document was kept, requiring multiple access codes and guarded by armed personnel and dogs.
• Mike Lindner: Appreciates "Saucer Smear" as the "Roto-Rooter of Ufology." He expresses skepticism about the government's ability to keep secrets, citing recent scandals like ContraGate and the Moscow Embassy fiasco, and questions if Moore, Shandera, and Friedman truly believe no one would have leaked information about MJ-12 over 40 years.
• Bob Pratt: Doubts the authenticity of the MJ-12 document, finding it too neat. He also takes issue with a comment about cynics attributing sightings to planes.
• Blaine Hamrick: Suggests "Smear" establish a "celestial dating service" for non-subscribers, humorously implying it could be a CIA front for gathering information.
• Gerd Hovelmann (West Germany): Agrees with the editor's agnostic stance, finding it easy to understand his views on anomalies. He notes that people in parapsychology and skeptical camps find it difficult to grasp that interpretations of phenomena are less important than the phenomena themselves.
• Michael A. McKown: Finds "Saucer Smear" a refreshing change from overly serious UFO magazines, criticizing scientists for not following the scientific method correctly.

Moseley Earns Redemption

A brief, untitled section suggests that James Moseley has achieved some form of redemption.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the critical examination of the MJ-12 documents. The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards the documents' authenticity, leaning towards the possibility of a hoax or a deliberate disinformation campaign. While acknowledging the work of researchers like Bill Moore, the publication suggests they may be unwitting victims rather than perpetrators. The issue also touches upon other UFO-related topics, historical sightings, and critiques of scientific and ufological methodologies, often with a satirical or critical tone. The editor, James W. Moseley, positions himself as a "middle-of-the-road" investigator, avoiding strong commitment to either belief or skepticism, but consistently questioning official narratives and sensational claims.