SAUCER SMEAR

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue Date: April 25th, 1988
Type: Non-Scheduled Newsletter
Publisher: SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Editor: James W. Moseley

This issue of "Saucer Smear" proudly proclaims itself as the "OLDEST UFO ORGANIZATION IN THE UNITED STATES AND PROBABLY THE WORLD!", referring to the Saucer and Unexplained Celestial Events Research Society (S.A.U.C.E.R.S.). Founded in July 1954, it has maintained continuous existence, unlike some other organizations.

APRO Folds, Lorenzen's Health Declines

The newsletter reports that APRO (Aerial Phenomena Research Organization), founded by Coral Lorenzen in 1952, has ceased operations. This closure is attributed to the recent deaths of Lorenzen's husband and daughter, as well as Coral's own persistent poor health. Robert Marsland, an assistant to Ms. Lorenzen, is directing inquirers to MUFON or CUFOS, notably omitting S.A.U.C.E.R.S. The fate of APRO's extensive files remains unknown.

Coral Lorenzen is described as an opinionated and controversial figure, known for her long-standing feud with Walt Andrus of MUFON. Marsland notes that Lorenzen has mellowed but is still wary of easy explanations for UFO phenomena, particularly those found in books like 'Communion' or 'Intruders'. The publication expresses sincere sympathy for Coral Lorenzen.

Other UFO Organizations

Another organization older than S.A.U.C.E.R.S. is the Borderland Sciences Research Associates (BSRA), now known as the Borderland Sciences Research Foundation (BSRF). Founded in 1945 by Meade Layne, it was managed for many years by Riley Crabb, who has since retired to New Zealand. The current director of BSRF is Tom Brown. BSRF is noted as being more focused on esoteric philosophy than UFO research, though Meade Layne did describe a large UFO over San Diego in 1946 and coined the term "aeroform" for such objects, suggesting a fourth-dimensional origin.

National UFO Conference (NUFOC)

The 25th annual National UFO Conference is scheduled for September 16th and 17th in Cleveland, Ohio. Speakers will include Antonio Hunneus, John Timmerman, Ed Biebel, Ron Schaffner, Charles Wilhelm, Bill Moore, and "Smear" editor Jim Moseley. Local Cleveland figures such as Rick Hilberg, Bob Easley, Al Manak, and Lawrence Blazey will also participate. Details can be obtained from UAPA.

The governing board of the National UFO Conference, founded in 1964, includes Ed Biebel, Tim Beckley, Hal Starr, Bill Moore, Charles Wilhelm, Ron Schaffner, Ken Behrendt, Tom Benson, and Jim Moseley, who serves as Permanent Chairman.

Review of Phil Klass's Book and Abduction Mystery

The issue includes a review of Thomas Bullard's more serious critique of Phil Klass's book "Abductions: A Dangerous Game" and CSICOP. Bullard suggests Klass and CSICOP are motivated by a desire to dismiss the abduction mystery rather than understand it, employing simplistic arguments and rejecting evidence without proper research. Bullard argues that ufologists have responded to accumulating evidence of unusual phenomena, even if they are sometimes incautious or wrong. He posits that the study of abductions offers opportunities for new knowledge about mental processes, cultural traditions, and belief systems, acknowledging the real suffering of victims.

Bullard emphasizes the importance of impartial investigation driven by curiosity, stating that "the only good mystery is a solved one and not just a dead one."

Tidbits of Trash

Several short news items are presented:

• A UFO Convention planned near Trenton, N.J. for Hallowe'en weekend has been canceled due to lack of interest.
• The latest postage increase makes mail to the U.S. and Canada have different prices, complicating mail sorting.
• Evidence from the New York Fortean Society suggests the January 1988 Australian UFO case is "flimsier than we thought," with suspicion cast on the age of three of the four occupants.
• A Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin man, Tom Weber, plans to build a landing site for extraterrestrials but lacks funds and a site.
• Jerry Clark has been appointed Editor of FATE Magazine, replacing Mary Margaret Fuller.
• The "greys" are reported to excrete through their skin.
• Timothy Green Beckley is the new editor of "UFO Universe," with the premier issue due shortly.
• The editor was unable to attend the Eureka Springs, Arkansas UFO convention but hopes for a review from a correspondent.
• New York publicist Mike Luckman is promoting expensive UFO seminars in western cities, featuring John Timmerman.
• Skeptic Robert Sheaffer has written a book titled "Resentment Against Achievement" instead of a UFO book, which he believes will be popular among Yuppies.

Missives from the Masses

This section features letters from readers:

• Erik Beckjord comments on a photo by Alex Crosbie of Edinburgh, taken at Loch Ness, suggesting that the super-enlargement reveals various figures, including Phil Klass's face, and that Commander Jim selects bizarre images for "Saucer Smear."
• Stanton Friedman writes that he still sees no reason to believe MJ-12 is a fraud or that Zeta Reticuli is. He dismisses the idea that Freedom of Information is a key to unlocking all secrets, mentioning Black Programs with a $35 billion annual budget.
• Barry Greenwood of CAUS criticizes Friedman and Moore's "Sour Grapes" remarks, stating that CAUS's concerns about MJ-12 documents stem from their lack of authentication, not wishful thinking. He argues that Friedman is assuming UFO-related meetings without sufficient evidence.
• Christopher Allan, a semi-skeptic from England, questions Stanton Friedman's research regarding Donald Menzel's trips to New Mexico and Washington D.C., providing information from "The Biographical Dictionary of Scientists: Astronomers."
• George Early, a freelance writer, asks if Larry Peters, associated with the "Center Force," was involved in an incident with "dinosaur men" near Rome, Ohio.
• Jim Oberg, a skeptic, mentions rumors of a chapter on Apollo astronaut UFO encounters in Tim Good's book and offers to trade photocopies of his own work.
• Jean Misner questions Gary Kinder about a statement made by artist Elizabeth Brunner regarding Billy Meier's relationship with a spacewoman, noting a discrepancy in dates.

Saucer Physics Cartoon

A cartoon depicts two aliens, MJX-1 and MJX-2, discussing energy sources. MJX-1 uses "MJX-1" (presumably advanced technology), while MJX-2 burns "sensationalist tabloid newspapers." In contrast, the aliens burn "PROMETHEUS BOOKS and CSICOP press releases." The caption notes that "Saucer events can be created, but they can never be destroyed; just embellished... ad nauseum, pro perpetualis."

Letters to the Editor

• Barry Hoffman writes that he was inspired by Stan Friedman's prose and the "curt and soporific transcription" of Jerry Clark's words, as well as the revelation of duplicity in a "Saucer Tome." He provides the "Saucer Physics" cartoon and predicts Phil Klass's visions of "Saucer Futures" will not come to pass after January 1989.
• George Fawcett continues to enjoy "Saucer Smear," appreciating its easy reading, tidbits, insight, and "facts" about the UFO enigma.
• Tom Burch expresses amazement that Paul (Willard F. McIntyre) Mason, with his background, is involved in law enforcement in California. He believes this is "the story of the century" and notes that Mason seems to have reverted to sending crank anonymous missives.
• Martin Kottmeyer claims to have solved the flying saucer mystery, documenting that "flying saucers" are a journalistic error. He explains that Kenneth Arnold described objects as "not circular but somehow crescent-shaped," but Bill Bequette's magical catchphrase of "flying saucers" led to a cultural stereotype of circular objects, ignoring variations and the true origin of the concept.
• Bob Renaud expresses dismay at the use of vulgar language in "Smear," deeming it "egregious impropriety" that demeans the UFO research field and could be read by children.

Artifact Discovered Near Tel-Aviv Proves Existence of Atlantis

This article reports on an "incredible discovery" near Tel-Aviv, Israel, of a fragment known as the "Parah Dish." Found off the shores in July 1987, carbon studies date it to 6500 years B.C. The inscriptions on the dish are claimed to be written in English, thousands of years before the known use of English. The discovery contradicts previous beliefs about Atlantis being in the Atlantic Ocean, placing it instead in the Mediterranean, within 50 miles of Tel-Aviv. Secret studies are reportedly underway to determine its exact location. The research team was led by archeologist Yaakov Levitt.

Hubby Dumps Wife & Marries Her Brother!

This is a sensationalist headline for a brief item that appears to be a tabloid-style story, possibly unrelated to UFOs, hinting at a "bizarre climax to one of the weirdest love triangles ever."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently promotes the longevity and significance of S.A.U.C.E.R.S. and its publication, "Saucer Smear." There's a critical stance towards organizations perceived as overly skeptical or dismissive of UFO phenomena, particularly CSICOP and Phil Klass. The editorial tone is often informal, opinionated, and sometimes provocative, as seen in the "Tidbits of Trash" and "Missives from the Masses" sections. The publication seems to value detailed investigation and open-mindedness, while also engaging in a degree of sensationalism and humor, as exemplified by the cartoons and the "Hubby Dumps Wife & Marries Her Brother!" headline. There's a clear emphasis on historical UFO cases and the ongoing debates within the ufological community, including controversies surrounding MJ-12 and the nature of flying saucers themselves.