Saucer Smear - Vol 34 No 08 - 1987

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Non-Scheduled Newsletter, Volume 34, No. 8
Date: November 15th, 1987
Publisher: SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Editor: James W. Moseley

This issue of Saucer Smear, a non-scheduled newsletter dedicated to ufological journalism, delves into the potential similarities between the mysterious "MJ-12" affair and the "UMMO Affair" in Europe. The editor, James W. Moseley, introduces an essay by esteemed colleague Antonio Huneeus, a Chilean UFO researcher based in New York City, who writes in both English and Spanish, the latter being the primary language of the UMMO material.

The UMMO Affair and MJ-12 Similarities

Antonio Huneeus's essay explores the UMMO affair, a complex case involving a vast volume of technical and philosophical communications mailed in manila envelopes to numerous Spanish and French ufologists over more than two decades. These communications allegedly originate from intelligent beings from the planet UMMO, which orbits the star IUMMA (astronomically cataloged as Wolf 424), located 14.6 light-years from the Sun. The UMMO emblem, similar to the astronomical symbol for Uranus, first appeared on flying saucers in two UFO incidents near Madrid: the Aluche landing on February 6th, 1966, and the San Jose de Valderas landing and photo case on June 1st, 1967. Despite CUFOS and GSW later labeling the photos a hoax, Antonio Ribera, a key figure in chronicling the UMMO affair, stands by the evidence.

A puzzling detail was the discovery of small metallic tubes containing sheets of polyvinyl fluoride, identified as DuPont's "Tedlar" product, which was restricted to military use and not available on the open market in Spain at the time. The UMMO communications, purportedly from the OEMII (UMMO's central government), began arriving via mail in 1965, sent by Fernando Sesma. These papers were highly technical, discussing the universe, intelligent life, and spacecraft propulsion. Notably, the OEMII explicitly warned recipients not to adopt their ideas at face value, distinguishing the UMMO case from typical contactee narratives.

Huneeus notes that the English literature on UMMO is slim, with mentions in Margaret Sachs' UFO Encyclopedia and Jacques Vallee's "The Invisible College." He also mentions a book by Wendelle Stevens. The main source in Spanish is Antonio Ribera's "Un Caso Perfecto" and "El Mensaje de UMMO," which includes a 403-word UMMO-Spanish-French dictionary.

Huneeus concludes that the mystery of the UMMO affair remains unsolved, possibly being a long-range disinformation experiment or genuine ET communication. He cites a one-page letter in English, postmarked October 1st, 1985, from New York City, bearing the UMMO symbol, which stressed political views about the state's authority and nationalism.

Tidbits of Trash

This section provides various short updates and opinions:

• Gray Barker: His passing is noted with regret.
• NU-FOC Convention: Efforts are underway to find a location for the 1988 annual convention.
• John Keel: Quoted as saying, "REALITY SUCKS."
• J. Allen Hynek: A rumor is being investigated that Hynek was shown MJ-12 documents before his death.
• Brad Steiger: His new book, "The Fellowship: Spiritual Contact Between Humans and Outer Space Beings," is mentioned. Steiger is noted as a prolific author and speaker.
• Bay Area Skeptics: The magazine notes that the "Bay Area Skeptics" apparently changed their name to "Bay Area Septics," as a check cashed with the latter spelling was returned. They charge $15 for their zine "BASIS" (or "BIAS"), while receiving "Smear" for free and using its material.

Missives From the Masses

This section features letters and opinions from various individuals:

• Jerry Clark (CUFOS and FATE Magazine): Believes the MJ-12 business is likely a sophisticated hoax, possibly involving Moore, Friedman, and Shandera. He argues that the language used in the MJ-12 document is consistent with 1952 usage, refuting claims by Bob Zanotti.
• Bruce Maccabee: Is mentioned as seriously believing in the MJ-12 document and speculating that Hillenkoetter, despite his security oath, may have opposed the cover-up.
• Ken Behrendt (AURA): Expresses surprise at the condemnation of the MJ-12 plot before all data is available, suggesting judgment be reserved. He believes confirmation would be a boon to ufologists, while inconsistencies would mark it as a hoax.
• Tom Hackney: Criticizes the lack of leadership in the UFO field, attributing its degeneration to various figures and trends.
• Dr. Leo Sprinkle: Responds to a rhetorical question about his childhood UFO experiences, stating that science involves more than just recording observations; it involves credibility and fund-ability. He notes that being quoted as a contactee, rather than a researcher, leads to ridicule but is tolerable.
• Blaine Hamrick: Discusses research at the University of Texas at Arlington and tunnels, dismissing a comment about them serving for steam heat. He criticizes Phil Klass as a fanatic whose skepticism about UFOs and government security is reminiscent of Madalyn Murray O'Hair's fanaticism about atheism.
• John Rimmer (MAGONIA): Thanks "Smear" for providing material for his magazine's editorial meetings.
• Larry Peters: Poses questions about the legal implications of killing Bigfoot, questioning how society would react to the discovery of its biological components.
• Martin Kottmeyer: Discusses the significance of the "fecal probe incident" in alien abduction narratives, viewing it as a natural progression within the UFO phenomenon and a testament to the "proctufology thesis."

Other Items

• "Outhouse hits, injures woman": A news brief about a freak accident at the Trigg County Ham Festival where an outhouse race resulted in a woman being injured.
• "Flying pig seen again": A brief report of a sighting of a "flying pig" in northwestern Brazil.
• "THIS CAN BE YOUR 'BIG BREAK'": An advertisement for "The Remote Control Institute" which promotes independent thinking and encourages readers to "slack off" from their jobs.
• Artwork: A drawing by Richter is included, depicting a scene related to the "Rules of Skepticism" invented by Jim Randi and Phil Klass. Another illustration accompanies the "Flying pig" report.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing debate surrounding the MJ-12 document, the mysterious UMMO communications, and the broader state of ufology. There is a clear tension between believers and skeptics, with "Saucer Smear" providing a platform for various viewpoints, including those critical of established ufologists and skeptical organizations. The editorial stance, as suggested by the content and the "Missives from the Masses" section, appears to favor open inquiry and a critical examination of both UFO phenomena and the methodologies of skeptics. The inclusion of humorous anecdotes and cartoons, alongside serious discussions, suggests an editorial approach that balances rigor with a degree of levity.