Saucer Smear - Vol 35 No 06 - 1988

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Vol. 35, No. 6
Date: August 20, 1988
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, features a cover headline about a 'Fake party used to lure alien' and includes a re-printed map of 'A Hollow Earth' on page 8. The publication is characterized by its critical and often skeptical tone, engaging with various figures in the ufology community and presenting a mix of news, opinions, and letters.

Miscellaneous Ravings

Jerome Clark, editor of FATE Magazine, takes exception to remarks made by Jenny Randles in the MUFON UFO Journal. Randles believes that most ufologists have an 'inner longing to see their belief vindicated that UFOs are advanced alien visitors'. Clark, however, argues that ufologists fall into two categories: 'secular scientists' and 'contactee movement' followers, asserting that religion and wishful thinking about benevolent aliens are largely absent. The editorial staff of Saucer Smear sides with Randles, suggesting that many ufologists exhibit wishful thinking and that the line between 'secular scientists' and 'crackpots' is a continuous variation. The editor humorously recalls when Clark himself might have believed in fairies.

The publication also announces the re-printing of a map of the Inner Earth, originally from Vicki Cooper's magazine 'UFO', drawn by Danish artist Max Fyfield.

News Briefs

Blow up asteroid, scientist says: A Reuters report from Moscow states that Soviet scientist Alexander Voytsekhovsky suggested building a space interceptor to destroy a giant asteroid, known as 1983 TV, which British astronomers calculated would collide with Earth in 2115.

Zoo worker falls into manure pit: In Milwaukee, a zoo caretaker suffered minor injuries after falling 10 feet into a manure pit while emptying elephant dung. He was not found until another worker emptied a pail of dung on him.

Sexual confusion: A police report from an unspecified location details a case where a man, initially thought to be a woman, reported being sexually assaulted by two men. The victim stated the men first asked for money and gold, then performed oral sex and raped him. The initial police inquiry about penetration of the female sex organ led to a later examination determining the victim was male.

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John Lear's Tracts: The editor mentions receiving two tracts from John Lear, one a 45-page document titled 'A situation report on our acquisition of advanced technology and interaction with alien cultures; January 1988' by 'C. H. Krill', and a 9-pager called 'The Dulce Papers' with drawings of alien fetuses. Saucer Smear offers to lend these documents to interested readers.

Charith Pendragon Lawsuit: A tract soliciting funds for Charith Pendragon, a Hawaiian parapsychologist suing CSICOP for over a million dollars, is mentioned. Pendragon claims CSICOP is trying to control what people see, hear, and learn, and censor the teaching of parapsychology. Saucer Smear sympathizes with Pendragon but did not send money.

Eugene Steinberg's New Zine: Eugene Steinberg, former publisher of 'Caveat Emptor', is launching a new quarterly zine with the same name. The first issue will feature an interview with the Saucer Smear editor. Steinberg can be reached at 8 Gate House Lane, Edison, N.J. 08820. He has been involved in ufology for over 25 years and previously worked with the Saucer News office.

Phil Klass and MJ-12 Correspondence: Phil Klass, via Christopher Allan, has published correspondence between Major Donald Keyhoe, Dr. Donald Menzel, and Admiral Hillenkoetter from the March 1966 issue of 'Flying Saucers' magazine. The correspondence suggests Menzel and Hillenkoetter knew each other casually, disagreed mildly about UFOs, and were not part of the MJ-12 committee. Klass is noted for focusing on differences in date and signature formats on MJ-12 documents, but Saucer Smear suggests these could be due to retyping for publication.

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• Tidbits of Trash:
• Announcement for the 25th annual National UFO Conference in Cleveland, Ohio, on September 17th. Contact UAPA or Bob Easley for details.
• The second issue of Tim Beckley's 'UFO Universe' is out, featuring articles by Stan Friedman, Tom Hackney, John Keel, Brad Steiger, Antonio Huneeus, Bob Pratt, and Vicki Cooper.
• The editor announces the arrival of his new MUFON membership card, signed by Walt Andrus.

• Letters to the Editor:
• Ted Schultz of FRINGES praises Saucer Smear as 'fun, gossipy, and by far the most reliable indicator of what's really happening in the wild and wacky world of ufology.'
• Erik Beckjord writes a lengthy statement, claiming his previous interactions were a 'plot' to test Moseley's trustworthiness regarding a 'large, possible whale's head' find. He accuses Moseley of failing the test and being untrustworthy, citing Moseley's offer to pay for a trip to Mexico and subsequent refusal, and his admitted 'grave-robber and professional smuggler' status. Beckjord questions if Moseley has the integrity to print his reply.

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Walt Andrus Writes: Walt Andrus, International Director of MUFON, writes about Bob Boyd, stating Boyd is lying about being kicked out of MUFON. Andrus clarifies that Boyd was dismissed as state director for Alabama for unprofessional investigating on the Gulf Breeze case, making statements that would embarrass Phil Klass.

Editor's Note on Andrus: An editor's note quotes Andrus from the July 'MUFON UFO Journal' regarding the remorse he felt in asking for Boyd's resignation, which Boyd refused, leading to his removal.

Dr. Thornton Page Writes: Dr. Page comments on the 'great stone face on Mars' featured in a previous issue. He provides its location (Mars latitude 41 degrees north, longitude 9.5 degrees west) and notes it appears on four Viking images. He mentions that Richard Hoagland has more than one photo to analyze and that Mars experts agree with Oberg's view to 'not waste time on artifacts of little green men.'

Ken Behrendt of AURA Writes: Ken Behrendt discusses the Viking I Orbiter photos of the 'face', not convinced it's an artifact due to shadow analysis. He also expresses skepticism about the Gulf Breeze UFO photographs, suggesting they are 'glass reflection' trick photos. Behrendt mentions that AURA #15 will detail how UFOs produce telekinetic effects.

Jim Deardorff Writes: Deardorff questions Saucer Smear's favorable coverage of the 'Face on Mars', suggesting it might be due to a recent AP article and a fear of offending skeptics, rather than independent judgment. He criticizes the editor for not attacking Jim Oberg's statement on the matter.

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Frank Bruckman Writes: Bruckman mentions a new 1-900 number for UFO information in New Jersey and expresses surprise that John Lear's letter was the only one of its kind received.

Bob Pratt Writes: Pratt looks forward to the next 'Smear', hoping it will cover Gulf Breeze and MJ-12, which he believes are frauds. He discusses his book 'Night Siege', noting its poor sales and the lack of community interest, and states he may not write more books about UFOs.

John Barlow Writes: Barlow comments on the Klass/William Tenn connection and the esteem for science fiction writers. He calls Erik Beckjord 'bitter and self-centered' and criticizes the 'mud slinging' in ufology, suggesting Saucer Smear should be renamed 'Lighten Up'.

Joan Jeffers Writes: Jeffers expresses concern about Phil Klass seeking a successor, stating that anyone can do his job by ignoring facts or twisting them, and insulting people without conscience. She suggests a need for a 'Devil's advocate' to maintain objectivity.

Dr. Robert Baker Nominates Kottmeyer: Dr. Baker nominates Martin Kottmeyer as a successor to Phil Klass, describing Kottmeyer as a brilliant younger man with detective skills.

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Martin Kottmeyer Replies to Baker: Kottmeyer declines the nomination, stating his approach is different from Klass's and he lacks the resources for similar investigations. He explicitly states he does not want to fill Klass's shoes.

Dennis Stillings of the Archaeus Project Writes: Stillings reports on a recent SSE meeting, noting the inclusion of 'eccentrics'. He mentions hearing compromising gossip about UFO abduction people and offers details upon contact. He provides two examples: one about a free-lance writer's criterion for identifying abductees (interest in the subject means you were abducted, with estimates of 5-10 million cases), and another about a famous abductionist refusing to believe a country road crew in yellow slickers was the explanation for a reported UFO sighting.

Bob Renaud Writes: Renaud, a contactee, responds to Armand Laprade of 'Would You Believe?' Magazine. He states he doesn't recall Laprade's visit and emphasizes that he does not do interviews, write books, sell photos, or channel Ashtar, and does not know a Pleiadean, stating, 'We have our purposes. Pufflicity doesn't suit them.'

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Lawrence Fawcett of 'Just Cause' Writes: Fawcett critiques Timothy Good's suggestion of Dr. Roger Westcott's work on the authenticity of Hillenkoetter's MJ-12 document style. Fawcett argues that Friedman submitting only Hillenkoetter's writings to Westcott was insufficient. He suggests including letters from other military figures from that period, as well as writings by Moore and Doty, believing one of the latter authored the MJ-12 document.

Greg Danes Writes: Danes calls Saucer Smear a 'good one' and shares his experience as an 'open-minded' disbeliever since 1970. He recounts seeing a '35 ft. long hot dog float' which the Air Force explained as satellite reentry vehicles. In 1977, he saw a WWII-style plane with amber lights and a glowing green canopy, making no noise, which his neighbors also observed.

Barry Hoffman Writes: Hoffman comments on his cartoon, suggesting CSICOP plans to manufacture 'Bob Sheaffer and Friendly Phil robots' for children. These robots would teach children that the only two words they can say are 's-q-u-i-d-b-o-a-t-s' or 'S-Q-U-I-D-B-O-A-T'. He believes this is to trigger subconscious minds and influence their research into UFOs, specifically mentioning the New Zealand Blob of Light Case. He urges readers to 'jump on 'em and wreck 'em' if they spot these 'Evil machines'.

Final Reminder: A reminder about the 25th annual National UFO Conference on September 17th.

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A Hollow Earth Map: A detailed diagram labeled 'A Hollow Earth' depicts 'AGHARTA LAND OF ADVANCED RACES'. It includes various locations such as 'SHAMBALLAH', 'CENTRAL SUN', 'MAN-MADE TUNNELS', 'KING SOLOMON'S MINES', 'VOLCANO', 'DERO CAVES WITH STOLEN SAUCERS', 'RAINBOW CITY', and 'OCEAN'. It also shows Admiral Byrd's Flight 1947, the height of the atmosphere, Kentucky Mammoth Cave, Mato Grosso, Brazil, and Iguassu Falls. The diagram illustrates concepts like 'MELTING ICE', 'COLD AIR RUSHES BACK TO EARTH THROUGH CENTER OF SHAFT', and a 'SPACE SHIP BASE TO & FROM OTHER GALAXIES'. A scale in miles is provided, with a 'CENTER OF GRAVITY 400 MILES DOWN'. The drawing is by Max Fyfield.

Santa robs pizza delivery man: A news item from Shalimar reports that a man dressed as Santa Claus robbed a Domino's Pizza delivery driver at gunpoint, demanding money. The suspect was described as 6-foot, 160-pound Santa who fled on foot. Sheriff's Sgt. Steve Ashmore commented that they assume his direction of travel was north.

UFO QUEST WRECKED OUR LIVES: This is a headline, likely for a feature or article, though no content is directly associated with it on this page.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Saucer Smear consistently demonstrates a critical and often skeptical stance towards ufology, while simultaneously providing a platform for a wide range of opinions within the field. The editor, James W. Moseley, frequently injects his own commentary, often with a sarcastic or humorous tone, challenging the more credulous aspects of UFO research. Themes include the nature of ufologists (secular scientists vs. contactees), the authenticity of UFO evidence (Gulf Breeze photos, Face on Mars), and critiques of prominent figures and organizations like MUFON and CSICOP. The publication seems to revel in controversy and internal debate within the UFO community, positioning itself as a 'Devil's advocate' to keep the field objective, as suggested by Joan Jeffers. There is a clear editorial preference for questioning claims and exposing perceived inconsistencies or wishful thinking, even while acknowledging the complexity and sometimes 'crazy' nature of the subject matter.