Saucer Smear - Vol 38 No 03 - 1991

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 38, No. 3
Date: March 1st, 1991
Publisher: The Saucer and Unexplained Celestial Events Research Society
Description: This issue of Saucer Smear, a publication dedicated to ufological journalism, features a prominent headline about the ongoing developments and controversies surrounding the Roswell Incident. It also includes various "tidbits of trash," letters to the editor, and discussions on related topics within the UFO community.

The Roswell Case Staggers On, Ever Onward and Upward:

The lead article delves into the complexities and inconsistencies emerging from the Roswell Incident. It highlights concerns about the credibility of key witnesses. Gerald Anderson, a newly proclaimed witness, is reportedly a fake, according to a letter from Kevin Randle. Randle, co-authoring a book on Roswell with Don Schmitt, notes that Anderson's supplied diary uses pre-1947 paper but post-1970 ink, which he finds astounding. Another witness, ex-Warrant Officer Irving Newton, has allegedly changed his story in recent years without clear reasons. J. Bond Johnson, another key witness, has also consciously altered his account. The article notes that Christopher Allan of England is disgusted by these developments. The piece also mentions that Stanton Friedman and Don Berliner are working on a new Roswell book, adding to the three current research teams (Friedman/Berliner; Schmitt/Randle; and Moore/Shandera), with the latter two teams reportedly in public conflict, possibly leading to lawsuits. A terrestrial explanation for the Roswell crash is also explored, with Joe Kirk Thomas speculating in the MUFON UFO Journal that the military's confusion and security might have stemmed from a belief that the object was a Soviet balloon reconnaissance attempt, rather than extraterrestrial. Thomas insists that neither the "real" nor the "fake" object in Roswell photos resembles an extraterrestrial craft, a sentiment the "Smear" staff agrees with.

Tidbits of Trash:

This section presents various short news items and observations:

• Howard Menger: The 1950s contactee Howard Menger of Vero Beach, Florida, is pictured with a replica of a craft he built. He is reportedly working on a 40-foot-diameter flying saucer and has written a new book, "The High Bridge (New Jersey) Incident," detailing his 1950s UFO experiences. His earlier book was "From Outer Space to You."
• AI-TRAD: A UFO investigation group called AI-TRAD (Alien Information Technology Research and Development) is mentioned. Their publication, "Extraordinary Science," reportedly features a 32-minute videotape showing an alien crash site and dead aliens being hauled away in bodybags by the military. The report includes a photo of an alien hand with disproportionately long fingers.
• Larry Bryant: UFO researcher Larry Bryant of Citizens Against UFO Secrecy (CAUS) has lost a legal battle with the U.S. Government regarding his right to be a Government employee while pursuing his UFO hobby, including placing UFO ads in military publications.
• Government Employee Restrictions: A new law effective January 1st prohibits Government employees from accepting money for outside activities, impacting those involved in speaking and writing, even if unrelated to their Government work. This has led Larry Greenwood, editor of "Just Cause" magazine, to resign.
• Censorship and Surveillance: The article notes increasing censorship and surveillance in American life, partly due to the Mideast War, suggesting dark days ahead for freedom of speech.
• James Randi and Penny Pellito: James Randi, an anti-psychic "expert," testified on TV against Penny Pellito, who claimed to have lost her psychic powers due to a construction accident. Pellito sought damages from the lumber company, but the verdict awarded only $1,200 for medical expenses, with no compensation for her alleged psychic powers.

Letters to the Editor and Editor's Notes:

This section features correspondence from various individuals and editorial commentary:

• Al Seckel: Al Seckel of Southern California Skeptics is described as unpopular, with several informants sending information about his alleged misdeeds. The Southern California Skeptics are reportedly not listed in a January 1990 IRS publication of legitimate non-profit organizations.
• Ed Walters: Ed Walters, known for the Gulf Breeze UFO case, is reportedly discontinuing his monthly newsletter, "The UFO Report," due to technical reasons. He plans to return to his profession of building and selling middle-class homes.
• Christa Tilton and Martin Cannon: A "bitter feud" is ongoing between abductee Christa Tilton and ufologist/author Martin Cannon. Tilton initially promised her biography to Cannon but switched to Tim Beckley of Inner Light Publications, leading to angry letters.
• UFO Conclaves: The issue lists several upcoming ufological gatherings, including Tim Beckley's San Diego convention and Pat Marcatillio's New Jersey gathering on the same weekend (March 15th). The editor opts for San Diego. Other events mentioned are a convention in Biloxi, Mississippi (March 30th), organized by Charles Hickson with MUFON, and the "TREAT III" conference in Kansas City (March 7th-10th), sponsored by Rima Laibow, M.D. The Ozark UFO Convention is scheduled for April 5th-7th, followed by the CSICOP anti-Fortean convention near San Francisco (May 3rd-5th). Wayne Aho's annual contactee conclave and the MUFON convention in Chicago (July 5th-7th) are also noted. The most important event for the publication is the 28th National UFO Conference in Cleveland, Ohio (September 13th-14th), sponsored by the United Aerial Phenomena Agency (UAPA).

• Don Schmitt (CUFOS): Schmitt responds to Christopher Allan, accusing him of "passing the buck" and having a "myopic tunnel vision." Schmitt states Allan has not interviewed Roswell witnesses and criticizes his "condescending attitude" towards the 300 witnesses. He challenges Allan to identify a witness to support his position.
• Kevin Randle: Randle addresses the Fugo balloon theory, stating his research has rejected it. He also discusses Gerald Anderson, noting discrepancies in his account and a diary with pre-1947 paper and post-1970 ink. Randle expresses concern about commenting on the dispute with Moore and Shandera due to potential lawsuits.
• Editor's Notes: The editor questions Anderson's motive and notes Stanton Friedman apparently believes Anderson. The editor also mentions sending Randle & Schmitt's anti-Fugo article to John Keel, who reportedly threw it away.

• Bill Knell (Island Skywatch): Knell praises the recent "Smear" issue, particularly the opening quote from Keel. He humorously speculates about Keel's state of mind and mentions his friend Monty Cantsin's close relationship with "Aliens." Knell also donated UFO photos.
• George Earley (NICAPer): Earley critiques John Keel's Fugo balloon theory, questioning how a balloon could remain aloft for over two years and suggesting prevailing winds would have taken it around the world. He notes Keel did not reply to his comment.
• Hal Starr (Arizona MUFON): Starr comments on the Anderson/Roswell situation, stating that he, like others, remembers events from age five if they were exciting or unusual. He implies Anderson's memory is likely reliable due to the event's impact.

Letters to the Editor (Continued):

• Dr. Richard Henry (Johns Hopkins Space Grant Consortium): Henry responds to a remark about Bob Lazar's Element 115 claim being "patently absurd." He argues that while Lazar's story might seem absurd to a non-physicist, elements 112-116 are being researched, and a billion-year technological advance could make Element 115 plausible. He suggests UFO investigators who are "scientifically not too literate" might be better off than overeducated individuals who dismiss such possibilities.
• Grant Cameron (North American Institute for Crop Circle Research): Cameron discusses Lazar's Element 115 claims, noting that physicists contend elements 112-116 may be stable and referencing a "Scientific American" article. He states that Bill Moore suggested Lazar may have gotten the idea from this article and that Cameron followed up on leads related to Lazar's 115 claims, finding evidence to support them.
• Jan Marzyglod: A former UFO researcher from England, Marzyglod notes that studying ufologists is more fun than studying the subject itself.
• R. Max Petersen: Petersen writes from the perspective of "Max, the Crystal Skull," playfully referencing Tim Beckley's "CIR-CUS" workshop and Beckley's fee.
• Ed Komarek Jr.: Komarek praises Stanton Friedman as being far superior to other "so-called Ufologists," calling the truth "horrible" but necessary to state.

Further Correspondence and Editor's Notes:

• Dr. Jim Deardorff: Deardorff writes regarding the giant Hindu Symbol in Oregon, questioning the "case closed" conclusion and the "six confessors." He argues that the effort required to create the sriyantra etching on the dry-lake bed with a stick is impossible and suggests it may have been created by "ancient astronauts" with spiritual significance that the government wishes to conceal.
• Louise Braisted: Braisted discusses ball lightning as a potential cause for poltergeist effects and hallucinations, referencing Robert Anton Wilson. She notes that while this might explain single occurrences, many percipients experience multiple strange events, ruling out simple ball lightning unless people "manufacture their own brand." She agrees with Whitley Strieber that odd occurrences often happen to witnesses of unidentified aerial objects.
• Monty Cantsin: The UFO contactee Cantsin makes playful and suggestive remarks about Victoria Lacas and Klass, and about having sex with aliens.

Tim Beckley & Inner Light Publications Conference Announcement:

An advertisement for the "NATIONAL NEW AGE & 'TRUTH ABOUT UFOS' CONFERENCE" presented by Tim Beckley & Inner Light Publications is included, scheduled for March 15-17, 1991, at the Clarion Hotel in San Diego, California.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance:

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the credibility of UFO witnesses, particularly in the context of the Roswell Incident, and the internal disputes and rivalries within the UFO research community. The publication seems to favor skepticism towards claims that lack strong evidence, as seen in their agreement with Joe Kirk Thomas's terrestrial explanation for Roswell and their critical stance on certain individuals like Al Seckel. The editor, Jim Moseley, maintains a somewhat cynical and humorous tone throughout, evident in the "Tidbits of Trash" section and his editorial notes. There's a strong emphasis on reporting on various UFO conferences and the activities of prominent figures in the field. The publication also touches upon broader issues of censorship and freedom of speech in relation to UFO information. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, questioning claims while still engaging with the subject matter and its proponents, often with a dry wit.