Saucer Smear - Vol 38 No 01 - 1991

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Saucer Smear," dated January 5th, 1991, is a non-scheduled newsletter from the SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY. It is edited by Jim Moseley, who also serves as the Supreme Commander. The publication is dedicated to ufological journalism and covers a range of topics related to UFOs and unexplained phenomena.

Tim Beckley's Reprint of "The Wright Field Story"

The issue announces that Tim Beckley of Inner Light Publications will reprint a tome from circa 1967, originally titled "The Wright Field Story." Although Jim Moseley is listed as the author, the book was ghost-written by Gray Barker. The book details a nationwide tour in late 1953, interviewing UFO sighters and personalities. The article notes that the book is largely fictionalized, but highlights an incident in 1952 at a military base in Columbus, Ohio, which is sometimes referred to as "The Wrong Field Story." Beckley's new version will be titled "UFO Crash Secrets at Wright Patterson" and will include supplementary material on alleged UFO crashes. The probable price is $12.95, with a discount for autographed copies.

Peter Gersten's Challenge on the Roswell Incident

Attorney Peter Gersten, known for his "Freedom of Information" lawsuits, has shifted his focus away from the interplanetary hypothesis. He now believes UFOs may have terrestrial or mundane explanations. In a letter to Dr. Bruce Maccabee of the Fund for UFO Research, Gersten proposed a challenge: if the Fund puts up $50,000 in escrow, Gersten will match it. He would then have twelve months to prove, "beyond a reasonable doubt," that the "Roswell Incident" has a terrestrial explanation. As of the writing, Gersten has not received a response from Maccabee.

Editor's Personal UFO Sighting

On the evening of November 28th, the editor, while flying on a scheduled aircraft over Cape Kennedy, Florida, witnessed a space shuttle launch. He observed a bright white light hovering at a lower altitude after the shuttle had taken off. The light appeared to move closer to the plane. When he inquired about it, a flight hostess identified it as the "wing light." The editor humorously notes that passing the MUFON Field Investigator's Test may not have improved his observational skills.

Split Between UFO Researchers

There has been a significant split between UFO researchers Bill Moore and Jaime Shandera on one side, and Stanton Friedman on the other. The three had collaborated on the MJ-12 documents. In a letter dated August 28th, 1990, Friedman resigned from the Board of Directors of Moore's Fair Witness Project. Friedman accused Moore of making "false charges" based on "ignorance of the facts and seemingly delusions of grandeur," suggesting Moore was acting out of "jealous rage, frustration, and arrogance."

The Gulf Breeze Controversy

The Gulf Breeze UFO case continues to be a major topic. Ed Walters, a key figure in the case, ran for a seat on the City Commission of Gulf Breeze but came in ninth. He attributed his defeat to local political issues and negative UFO publicity inspired by Rex Salisberry. The Salisberrys, who are MUFON Co-Directors for a section of northern Florida, have reportedly ceased to believe in the Ed Walters case after their reinvestigation, leading to their exclusion from a local MUFON subgroup. The Salisberrys believe Ed Walters' famous "road shot" photo (Photo #2319) is a fake, although Bruce Maccabee reanalyzed it and deemed it real. Furthermore, they reportedly accept Phil Klass's analysis that a UFO model found in Ed Walters' former residence was made by Ed himself, a claim Ed denies.

Skepticism and Debunking Efforts

Robert Lazar's claim that interplanetary saucers use Element 115 for propulsion is critically examined. Physicist Dr. Thornton Page confirms that Lazar's story is absurd, as the highest-numbered natural element on Earth is Uranium (92), and artificially created elements with higher numbers have extremely short half-lives.

Phil Klass is mentioned for his audit of the Southern California Skeptics' books, which were found to be in order. However, Molly Squire writes about the Southern California Skeptics, alleging that their tax-exempt status was suspended on December 1st, 1987, despite their continued claims of tax-free status. She questions the integrity and competence of a group that polices credibility.

Zan Overall, a debunker, argues that the Gulf Breeze sightings are unremarkable and that reports of objects "just like Ed's" were not made before Ed's photos were published, suggesting suggestibility and the bandwagon syndrome are at play.

Other UFO-Related News and Opinions

John Keel's theory that the Roswell Case was a World War II Japanese "Fugo" Balloon is discussed, with the article noting that contrary opinions are given less space in a FATE Magazine article.

Patrick Huyghe writes about his new book, "The Big Splash," co-authored with physicist Louis A. Frank, which suggests that small comets may be responsible for many "flying saucers." He notes that Earth is being bombarded by twenty house-sized comets every minute.

Erik Beckjord discusses Richard Hoagland's interest in crop circles and suggests doing them in the snow in Missouri or Alberta. Tim Ayres proposes that crop circles are "giant intergalactic bar codes for the great alien auction."

Jennings Frederick expresses frustration with the infighting among ufologists, calling them "bickering, squabbling, self-centered, dogmatic assholes" and urging a focus on the "Truth about the UFO enigma."

Letters to the Editor

Bill Moore writes regarding Bill English, defending his honor and noting that Stanton Friedman has become increasingly dismayed by Friedman's "over-inflated ego."

Jenny Randles, a British ufological author, writes to Jim Moseley, mentioning that she has heard "Saucer Smear" carries "utterly false stories about me" but is also urged to read it for its humor. She offers an exchange of publications.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of "Saucer Smear" reflects a strong editorial stance that is critical of unproven claims and embraces skepticism, while still maintaining an interest in the UFO phenomenon. The publication actively engages with debunkers and skeptics, presenting their arguments alongside those of believers. There is a clear emphasis on critical analysis, questioning evidence, and exposing potential hoaxes. The editor, Jim Moseley, appears to value humor and directness, even when discussing controversial topics. The recurring themes include the ongoing debate about the nature of UFOs (terrestrial vs. extraterrestrial), the credibility of witnesses and researchers, the role of skepticism in ufology, and the internal conflicts within the UFO research community. The publication seems to champion a more grounded, evidence-based approach, while acknowledging the enduring mystery of the UFO enigma.