Saucer Smear - Vol 36 No 04 - 1989

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 36, No. 4
Date: April 25th, 1989
Publisher: SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of Saucer Smear, edited by James W. Moseley, is a non-scheduled newsletter that addresses various UFO-related topics, with a significant focus on the ongoing controversy surrounding the Gulf Breeze sightings.

Gulf Breeze Controversy

The newsletter details the ongoing battle between 'Mr. Ed' and his critic, Dr. Willy Smith. Smith has provided a photo of a Gulf Breeze-type UFO near the Crysler Building in New York City, which the magazine reproduces. Smith believes the photo to be a hoax, a sentiment echoed by 'Mr. Ed' for reasons related to the object's shape. 'Mr. Ed' describes how the object's appearance changes depending on the viewing angle. The issue also revisits the 'ghost' or 'demon' pictures taken by 'Mr. Ed' at parties, which Smith claims are deliberate double exposures. 'Mr. Ed' insists they are accidental reflections. MUFON investigator Bob Reid conducted an experiment to see if these 'demons' would persist, and they did.

Dr. Willy Smith is scheduled to present an anti-Gulf Breeze paper in Tampa, Florida, which the editor plans to attend and report on. 'Mr. Ed' has reportedly signed a book contract with a major publisher.

The newsletter clarifies a point regarding Nick Mock, whose mother, Linda Chepult, contacted the publication. The editor apologizes for previously misquoting 'Mr. Ed's' suspicions of vandalism against Mock, stating that 'Mr. Ed's' accusations were not outright accusations but rather suspicions.

Zan Overall, a Gulf Breeze investigator, offers his perspective, suggesting 'Mr. Ed's' actions stem from a desire to mystify people and get them involved in activities, likening him to a 'big kid.' Overall believes 'Mr. Ed' may have faked photographs and fooled the town, citing his experimentation with trick photography before the 'ghost-demon' photos. He also notes 'Mr. Ed's' apparent interest in making money from his book and media appearances.

Dr. Donald Menzel: A Skeptic's Perspective

An exclusive section presents correspondence from 1962 between Captain William Nash, a retired Pan American pilot and UFO believer, the late Dr. Menzel, and the late Prof. Charles Maney. Nash recounts a classic saucer sighting in July 1952 where he and his co-pilot observed six objects changing direction at high speed. Menzel, in his letters, consistently seeks conventional explanations, even suggesting a reflection of a cigarette in the cockpit. He repeatedly emphasizes that any 'normal' explanation is preferable to accepting an anomalous event. Menzel also denies being an official consultant to any government agency on UFOs, though he did provide explanations to Project Bluebook.

Menzel's correspondence suggests a deep skepticism about UFO visitations, stating in a letter to Maney on January 8th, 1962, that he would be happy to be proven wrong about UFOs, but that 1962 would pass, as would the years 2000 and 3000, without visitations unless humans went to retrieve them. This is contrasted with the idea of Menzel being part of a cover-up, such as being a member of MJ-12.

Miscellaneous Ravings and Updates

MUFON and Conventions: Walt Andrus confirms Dr. Willy Smith's removal from MUFON posts. Rumors suggest a rival non-MUFON conference in Las Vegas featuring Bill Cooper, while John Lear will also speak at this event but not at the MUFON convention.

MJ-12 Affair: The March issue of 'Just Cause' reports that the FBI considers the MJ-12 documents not genuine, thus no security violation occurred when they were released. An expose on the MJ-12 issue is available from British researcher Christopher Allan.

Northern Lights in Florida: An unusual event of Northern Lights in Southern Florida around March 13th is reported, with a newscaster humorously suggesting it was Martians.

Christopher Allan's Critique: Christopher Allan writes about Dr. Willy Smith's endorsement of dubious cases, including the Trindade Island photos and others, questioning the validity of UFO photos if 'experts' cannot find fault with them. He also expresses wariness of 'repeater' witnesses, questioning why ufologists are not wary of 'Mr. Ed'.

Phil Klass on Free Speech: Skeptic Phil Klass clarifies a report about CSICOP in Hawaii, stating that a university faculty member exercised free speech by criticizing the university for offering parapsychology courses taught by Pendragon. Pendragon's lawsuit against his critics and CSICOP was dismissed.

Richard Henry on Scientific Journals: Prof. Richard Henry recommends subscribing to the Journal of the Society for Scientific Exploration, noting its price and its support for scientists publishing on fringe subjects.

Samisdat News Bulletin: A bulletin advertises the 'Samisdat Hollow Earth Expedition' and 'Search for Hitler's Antarctic U.F.O. Bases,' featuring Nazi flying disc designs.

Donald Keyhoe Obituary: Jim Maney writes about the obituary of Donald Keyhoe, crediting him with bringing respectability to the UFO cause in the 1950s through his books like 'The Flying Saucers Are Real.'

Stanton Friedman on Menzel's Files: Nuclear Physicist Stanton Friedman blasts a letter from Dr. Menzel's widow, defending himself against claims of not knowing about Menzel's UFO files and waiting until MJ-12 members were dead to bring forth his MJ-12 suggestion. He asserts that the IUR article he published made clear these charges were nonsense.

John Lear on the Truman Letter: John Lear writes about the leak of a Truman letter, stating he will send the entire document upon which his research is based. He warns that publishing the letter may put the editor in danger.

Dick Freeman on the Truman Letter Attribution: Dick Freeman suggests the 'Top Secret Page 8' document is written in 'Texican' and attributes it to the late Lyndon B. Johnson, not Reagan or Bush.

Erich Brown's Message: Malok IV, Senior Elder of the Council of the Twelve Ringed Planets, sends a message praising Phil Klass's book 'UFO Abductions' and claiming Klass has been under their control since 1953, with a brain stem implantation at the North Pole.

Conferences: Information is provided on the 10th annual Rocky Mountain Conference on UFO Investigation and the 28th annual New Age Space Conference.

Linda Howe's Book: Linda Howe's book 'An Alien Harvest' is mentioned as being published this month.

Todd Zechel: It is reported that Todd Zechel has surfaced again.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently adopts a critical and often skeptical stance, particularly towards claims lacking robust evidence. The editor, James W. Moseley, frequently engages with controversies, presents differing viewpoints, and offers his own commentary, often with a touch of wry humor. Themes include the investigation of specific UFO cases like Gulf Breeze, the examination of historical UFO research and personalities (such as Donald Menzel and Donald Keyhoe), and the ongoing debate between believers and skeptics within the ufology community. There is a clear emphasis on journalistic integrity, with apologies issued for errors and a commitment to presenting information, even if controversial. The publication also highlights events, books, and other publications within the UFO field, acting as a central hub for information and discussion among its readership.