Saucer Smear - Vol 36 No 09 - 1989

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 36, No. 9
Date: November 10th, 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, provides a comprehensive report on the 26th Annual National UFO Conference held in Phoenix, Arizona, from September 15th to 17th, 1989. The conference, sponsored by Timothy Green Beckley, was deemed successful, attracting over 200 attendees and filling 80 motel rooms.

26th Annual National UFO Conference Report

The conference featured approximately 20 speakers covering various aspects of the UFO field and the New Age movement. Among the highlighted presenters were:

• Alfred Bielek: A well-spoken lecturer who recounted his alleged involvement in the "Philadelphia Experiment" in 1943, claiming a Navy ship disappeared and he was propelled into the year 1983.
• Martin Cannon: Presented theories that the government is planting monitoring devices to achieve complete control over individuals.
• Jenny Randles: An English UFO writer who gave a slide presentation based on her book "Alien Abductions – The Mystery Solved." Notably, British abductees reportedly see normal-looking humans, unlike the "greys" popular with American abductees. Randles was presented with the NUFOC's "Ufologist of the Year" award by the editor.
• Hal Starr: Delivered a controversial lecture, naming and criticizing several prominent ufologists, including George Adamski, George Hunt Williamson, Dan Fry, Betty Hill, Bill Spaulding, and Billy Meier. Starr also mentioned Lt. Col. Wendelle Stevens, who served five years in prison, and contactees Michael & Aurora El Legion, charged with credit card fraud, and Dr. Frank Stranges, who had served prison time for drug smuggling.

Other speakers included author Brad Steiger and his wife Sherry, UFO investigator Antonio Huneeus, psychic Diane Tessman, contactee Robert Short, and ufologist Allen Benz. The editor, James W. Moseley, presented a UFO case investigated in 1954, known as the Wright Field Story.

A peculiar incident involved a wandering individual who caused paranoia among attendees by posing as a government agent, later revealed to be an electrical engineer seeking amusement.

The report also announced that the next NUFOC will be co-hosted by Timothy Green Beckley and the Saucer Smear editor, scheduled for May 11th-13th, 1990, in Miami Beach, Florida.

Tidbits of Trash: Controversies and Updates

This section addresses various ongoing debates and news within the ufology community:

• Stanton Friedman vs. Bill Moore: A schism is reported between Friedman and Moore, stemming partly from Moore's speech at the Las Vegas MUFON conference. Friedman expressed distrust towards individuals providing information about alleged aliens to Moore and noted Moore's lack of recent research.
• MJ-12 Documents: Phil Klass's investigation into the Harry Truman signature on the MJ-12 documents is discussed. Klass claims the signature is identical to an authentic Truman letter, suggesting forgery. Moore, however, believes the signatures are similar but not identical, leading to an ongoing debate.
• Dr. Willy Smith and UNICAT Project: An article in the CUFOS International UFO Reporter critiques Dr. Smith's UNICAT Project, deeming it "fundamentally flawed" for favoring extraterrestrial explanations over other possibilities.
• Ed Walters and Gulf Breeze: A sighting occurred in Pensacola, Florida, near Gulf Breeze, on September 12th, where Ed Walters was the only one with a camera. His photos, though not spectacular, reportedly show "something there."
• Ed Walters' Business: Despite past legal issues and the controversy surrounding his UFO adventures, Ed Walters' home construction business has reportedly recovered, and he has received awards and recognition for his community involvement.
• Roswell Incident: NBC's "Unsolved Mysteries" featured an objective treatment of the July 2nd, 1947, Roswell crash, suggesting it might have been a top-secret aircraft or something else.
• Russian Landing: A Tass report described three children in a Russian park encountering a ball-shaped object from which a three-eyed creature emerged, highlighting a newfound freedom in reporting such events in Russia.
• Mysterious Circles in Britain: Serious articles have been published on "Mysterious Circles" appearing in British fields, with over 600 occurrences reported since 1980. These flattened crop formations are theorized to be related to UFOs or a "plasma vortex phenomenon."
• Lonnie Zamora Sighting: The editor visited Socorro, New Mexico, and spoke with Lonnie Zamora, who made a spectacular daylight UFO sighting in 1964. Zamora declined to discuss the event further.

Reader Contributions and Opinions

The "Readers Strike Back" section features correspondence from various individuals:

• Bigfootologist (unidentified): Writes about the Beckjord vs. Mark Francis/Fred Twigger death threat controversy, concluding that Beckjord may have sent one actual threat, while Francis likely faked several, citing evidence of tampering and inconsistent writing styles.
• Hal Starr: Comments on Erik Beckjord, referencing a Radio Moscow report of an "abominable snowman" sighting near the Volga River and wishing Beckjord luck in investigating.
• Ed Walters: Critiques Willy Smith's claims about a computer analysis report of a UFO photo, suggesting Smith may have used an altered photo and is refusing to reveal the analyst's name.
• Barbara Becker: Comments on Ed Walters' book, suggesting he is profiting from his UFO claims.
• Riley Crabb: Expresses satisfaction with James Randi facing legal battles and recounts an experience with Hindu firewalkers, suggesting Randi has suppressed evidence of psychic powers.
• Dr. Thornton Page: Critiques William Moore's role in coining the term "BUZZARD" and questions the presence of alien bodies at Homestead AFB.
• Robert Todd: Responds to a defense of MJ-12, arguing that Phil Klass has provided strong evidence of forgery regarding the Truman signature and that the Cutler/Twining memo's validity is still debated, even by Stanton Friedman.
• Christopher Allan: Proposes the "Cracked Saucer" award for Stanton T. Friedman.
• Stan Ferguson: Inquires about receiving a Richard Doty video tape from Bill Moore, who instead sent newsletters when asked for a refund.
• William Howard: Quotes William Moore's confession of being a "stooge" regarding UFO information.
• Larry Peters (Bigfootologist): Expresses frustration with the self-proclaimed experts in ufology and Bigfooting who do not engage in fieldwork, and requests removal from the mailing list.
• Tim Ayres: Thanks the editor for a sample copy and encloses payment.
• Louise Braisted: States that while "Smear" may not solve the "Great Mystery," it helps eliminate wild theories.

Notable Mentions and Obituaries

• Buck Nelson: A contactee known for his Venusian dog, has died.
• Laura Mundo (formerly Laura Marxer): A contactee and UFO newsletter publisher, has died at age 76. She was known for terms like "Negative Polarity of Being" and "Accelerating Sunspots."
• Gray Barker: The editor notes that Barker has been dead for almost five years, and he is still missed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue reflects a critical and often skeptical stance towards many figures and claims within the ufology community, particularly those involving alleged hoaxes, financial impropriety, or questionable research methods. The editor, James W. Moseley, actively engages in debates, critiques prominent personalities, and highlights controversies. There is a strong emphasis on investigative journalism, even when dealing with sensational topics. The magazine appears to champion a more grounded, albeit still open-minded, approach to UFO research, often questioning the motives and evidence presented by various contactees and researchers. The recurring theme is the ongoing struggle to discern truth from fabrication in the often-turbulent world of UFOlogy, with a particular focus on the personal dramas and disputes among its leading figures.