Saucer Smear - Vol 36 No 07 - 1989

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue Date: August 15th, 1989
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 several contentious issues within the UFO and paranormal communities. The primary focus is a $18,000,000 lawsuit filed by Dr. Eldon Byrd against CSICOP, accusing them of being co-defendants in a blackmail campaign orchestrated by Uri Geller and James Randi. The newsletter presents Randi's accusations that Byrd was involved in child molestation and had served time in prison for it, citing Randi's statements from a magazine interview and a public lecture.

CSICOP and the Lawsuit

The article details the background of the lawsuit, stemming from an anonymous "blackmail packet" sent to members of the psychic community, which included an audio tape of Randi's phone conversations and photos allegedly showing him as a pederast. Randi, according to the lawsuit papers, identified Uri Geller and Eldon Byrd as the culprits. Randi's public statements are quoted, including the claim that Byrd was "the one along with Geller who launched a blackmail campaign against me and accused me of being a child molester." Randi also stated that Byrd had been sought by Washington area police for ten years as the "shopping market molester" and had pleaded guilty to child molestation.

Dr. Eldon Byrd, in a phone interview with the editor, denies making any moral charges against Randi. Both Randi and CSICOP Chairman Paul Kurtz declined to comment on the lawsuit. Phil Klass, head of CSICOP's anti-UFO subcommittee, commented that "Byrd will very much regret having taken this action," implying some truth to Randi's charges. The newsletter also notes that Uri Geller has filed a separate lawsuit against Randi for $5,000,000.

UFO Conferences and Events

The issue provides updates on upcoming UFO conferences. The 26th Annual National UFO Conference (NUFOC) is scheduled for September in Phoenix. Planning is already underway for the 1990 conference, which will be held in Miami in May and will feature Ed Walters. Additionally, another convention called "The UFO Experience" is scheduled for November 11th-12th in North Haven, Connecticut, with speakers including Walt Andrus, Jerry Clark, Michael Grosso, John Keel, Bill Moore, and Whitley Strieber.

Debates and Criticisms

Phil Klass is mentioned for potentially debunking the Stanton Friedman-cited Robert Cutler memo of July 14th, 1954, related to the MJ-12 documents. Klass allegedly found that General Twining's schedule for July 16th, 1954, did not include a White House meeting. Stanton Friedman is noted as having a "long, complex answer" to Klass's findings.

Jerry Clark is recognized for an article in FATE Magazine about Dr. Donald Menzel, concluding that Menzel was "just a fool" and likely not a member of MJ-12. Clark also wrote a critique titled "The Smith Principle" in response to Willy Smith's "The Decline and Fall of American Ufology." Clark, as editor of the International UFO Reporter (IUR) and a CUFOS board member, defended his and CUFOS's activities. The newsletter suggests Willy Smith's bitterness stems from not being allowed to take over CUFOS after Dr. J. Allen Hynek's death.

Reader Contributions and Editorials

Several readers contribute letters. Hal Starr, Arizona State Director of MUFON, corrects the editor on dates related to a Las Vegas MUFON event and clarifies his role in a past incident. Ed Walters of Gulf Breeze fame provides testimony refuting Willy Smith's claims about fake UFO photos, with statements from photographer Manuel Fernandez. Fernandez asserts that Willy Smith requested the fake photos and then misrepresented their origin.

Further criticism of Willy Smith comes from the University of Michigan, verifying he does not hold the claimed Masters in Astronomy & Physics or PhD in Physics, nor was he a full professor. Bob Reid of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, also questions Smith's academic claims and urges investigators to focus on UFO evidence rather than personal attacks.

Erik Beckjord writes about being framed with false charges and arrested, leading to a restraining order that prevented him from attending a cryptozoology symposium. He details similarities between the handwriting of the complainant and his own.

Monty Cantsin expresses his reliance on "Smear" to calm his imagination, seeing fewer UFOs when he reads skeptical material.

Jim Oberg, an "Arch-critic" from the CSICOP organization, seeks conceptual artwork of the "Bridge on the Moon" for a lecture and is writing about the Discovery shuttle UFO attack for OMNI.

Dennis Stillings of the Archaeus Project describes ufology as having gone "completely nuts," with people abandoning the field due to its "bungled and botched" nature. He uses the term "goony" to describe something degraded and silly.

Stanton Friedman reiterates his goal to evaluate the legitimacy of MJ-12 and announce if it is a fraud, suggesting his scientific background lends objectivity. He criticizes Bill Howard's assertion that he is obsessed with MJ-12.

Michael Dennett expresses disappointment in Friedman's quickness to sue and questions the surprise grant from the Fund for UFO Research.

Sam Enslow of the Broward County Archaeological Society humorously commends the editor's "sacrifice" in moving to Key West to understand ufologists, sarcastically noting the requirement of a morals charge to be an expert on UFOs.

Richard Freeman distinguishes between "kooks" and "cranks."

David Walley is researching the anomalous interface between man and computer for the N.Y. Fortean Society.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the internal conflicts and controversies within the UFO community, particularly the adversarial relationship between ufologists and skeptics like CSICOP. The newsletter appears to champion the perspective of UFO believers while critically examining the actions and claims of those who debunk or question UFO phenomena. There is a strong emphasis on investigative journalism, with the editor, James W. Moseley, actively seeking and presenting information, even if it is controversial. The editorial stance is critical of perceived dishonesty and misrepresentation within the field, as evidenced by the detailed critiques of Willy Smith and the reporting on the Byrd-CSICOP lawsuit. The newsletter also serves as a platform for reader feedback and debate, reflecting a dynamic and often contentious landscape of ufological discourse.