Saucer Smear - Vol 38 No 07 - 1991

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 38, No. 7
Date: August 25th, 1991
Publisher: SAUCER SMEAR
Editor and Still Supreme Commander: James W. Moseley

This issue of SAUCER SMEAR, a non-scheduled newsletter and the official publication of the SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY, delivers a mix of UFO news, personal opinions, and ongoing debates within the ufology community. The newsletter, published from Key West, Florida, notes the challenges of finding reliable printers and the increasing costs associated with production.

Editorial and Administrative Notes

The editor, James W. Moseley, highlights the use of a new printer and a darker ribbon, which improved the quality but came at a higher price. He laments that this new printer has been shut down by the IRS, forcing the use of yet another printer at an even higher cost, urging readers to remember this "terrible Persecution" when sending donations. A final warning is issued about the upcoming 28th National UFO Conference (NUFOC) in Cleveland, Ohio, on September 13th-14th, providing contact information for reservations and further details.

Moseley also mentions that the book "UFO Crash Secrets at Wright Patterson Air Force Base," allegedly written by him, is still available for purchase, along with autographed copies and back issues of "Smear" from 1983 to the present.

Miscellaneous Ravings and Book Mentions

In the "Miscellaneous Ravings" section, Moseley expresses surprise at being mentioned on page 228 of Bill Cooper's book, "Behold a Pale Horse," where he is listed as an alleged CIA operative in the UFO field. He notes that he is in "good company" with other notable figures in ufology also listed, such as Stanton Friedman, John Lear, Bill Moore, John Keel, Charles Berlitz, Bruce Maccabee, Linda Howe, Phil Klass, Virgil Armstrong, Wendelle Stevens, and J. Allen Hynek.

A booklet titled "Bill Cooper and the Need for More Research (UFOs, Conspiracies, and the JFK Assassination)" by William Jones and Rebecca Minshall of MidOhio Research Associates is recommended. The booklet is described as a scholarly analysis of Cooper's work, suggesting that while Cooper offers much to consider, more research is needed before drawing conclusions.

The ongoing dispute between Long Island UFO investigators Bill Knell and John Ford is mentioned, with Ford dedicating three issues of his zine to a three-part expose of Knell, accusing him of various wrongdoings. Moseley views this as "overkill" and a "tempest in a teapot," noting that Knell could sue Ford for damages unless Ford can prove his allegations.

Moseley also touches upon the issue of free speech, criticizing Phil Klass and others who, he believes, promote a climate of fear regarding lawsuits to stifle controversial discussions. He asserts that this is exactly what figures like Klass want.

Crop Circle Phenomena

A detailed article from the "New Age Journal" by Dennis Stacy, editor of the "MUFON UFO Journal," discusses the increasingly complex crop circles appearing in England. A formation with three concentric rings, later found to have a fourth encircling ring only six inches wide, is highlighted as particularly baffling and difficult to explain as a hoax. Hilary Evans, another "Smear" non-subscriber, is quoted stating that crop circles are tangible evidence, shifting the question from their existence to their meaning.

Erik ("Gashawk") Beckjord is reported to have returned from an expedition to England where he and a group attempted to send a message to the creators of the crop circles. The message, "TALK TO US," was written in 25-foot tall letters. Following this, nine complex formations appeared in Germany, which Beckjord claims to have decoded using the Viking Tifinag alphabet. The translated message speaks of "extraterrestrial dragons" coming from Pegasus to "give a trial to the earth globe." A second coded message was received by a British psychic named Diana Webbe.

Reader Contributions and Debates

Ed Komarek Jr. writes, accusing Phil Klass of a "methodical discrediting operation" aimed at keeping people ignorant for his own perceived "common good." He challenges the editor to print his letter, calling those who disagree "ignorrant (sic) bastards."

Phil Klass responds to Daniel Cohen, refuting Cohen's claim that Klass sent back letters unread and unopened. Klass states he respected Cohen's request for no phone calls and mail returns, with one exception: a letter sent in April 1982 containing photocopies of articles about "Mysterious Airships" from the "MUFON UFO Journal," which he thought Cohen might find interesting due to his book on the subject.

Dr. Willy Smith comments on Daniel Cohen's method of dispute resolution, calling it "ignoring your opponent" and a way to "terminate an issue when one of the contenders has no more rational arguments to offer." He specifically mentions Daniel Wright, Budd Hopkins, and Jerome Keith Clark as examples of "political ufologists" who employ this tactic.

Jerry Lucci, a researcher from Flushing, N.Y., praises the book "UFO Crash at Roswell" by Randle & Schmitt but notes he has not yet seen their paperback version.

Stanton Friedman reports that Gerald Anderson passed a polygraph examination related to the Roswell incident. He also addresses Hilary Evans's comments about Jenny Randles being "innocently embroiled" in legal issues, calling it "hogwash" and stating that Randles was not innocent, having made similar defamatory statements to the Manchester Evening News. Friedman notes that Randles and MEN paid damages, and that a support group for her was formed.

Len Stringfield is working on a book about UFO crash/retrievals, to be privately published.

Jacques Vallee thanks "Smear" for keeping him on the "non-subscriber" mailing list.

Jerry Clark criticizes Jimmy Oberg's "peculiar brand of UFO-and-ufologist-bashing" and suggests Oberg use rational arguments to dissuade him of the UFO phenomenon's reality.

Ron Schaffner agrees with the editor's note that the Kecksburg, Pa. crash was likely a crashed Soviet space vehicle, suggesting the "hieroglyphic" lettering could be Cyrillic and that the government might have used public belief in flying saucers to cover Soviet penetration.

Ted Schultz expresses a strong interest in reading past "Smear" issues that discussed Al Seckel, formerly of the Southern California Skeptics, and has sent money for back issues.

George Hansen notes that the Seckel scandal apparently caused the demise of the Southern California Skeptics, a large debunking group.

Tom McIver believes that Kurtz and Klass know the allegations of financial misconduct against Seckel are true and are afraid of being implicated due to their association with him.

Dr. Leo Sprinkle, an abduction investigator, suggests exploring the meaning of UFO experiences rather than just explaining them.

Jean Misner expresses satisfaction that James Randi has been confronted by Uri Geller, placing Randi and Phil Klass high on a "UFO Hate List."

Matt Ray questions whether people can still sue for defamation if what they say is true, especially regarding public figures like Uri Geller.

Sheila Franklin sends a donation.

Jane Kroeger cancels her subscription, believing there is a link between ufology and the occult.

William Howard reports on a Virgin Mary apparition in Manila, Philippines, and wonders if it is related to recent volcanic activity.

Dave Reissig suggests that UFOs are a kind of dream and that science's focus on the physical misses much.

George Earley seeks information on the loss of the World War One troopship Lusitania, recounting a survivor's claim of capture by a "giant spherical inter-dimensional craft" with levitating and disintegrating rays.

Sam Enslow discusses "The Protocols of the Wise Men of Zion" and its connection to Rennes-Le-Chateau, the Priory of Sion, and the royal bloodline of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. He suggests the Priory guards knowledge from the innermost circle of the Knights Templer and Knights of Malta, and that the concept of Jesus as a descendant of David is supported by discoveries at Nag Hammadi and Qumran.

Editor's Notes and Additional Content

An editor's note clarifies that Enslow's implication is that "The Protocols" do not necessarily relate to anti-Semitism.

Another section continues the discussion from page 2, where Erik Beckjord's answers were not in English. He quotes Charles Fort: "If there is a universal mind, does it have to be sane?"

Thanks are given to CUFOS for sending "The Roswell Report: A Historical Perspective," which takes the position that the Roswell crash was a real anomaly but the MJ-12 documents are phony. The report is available from CUFOS in Chicago.

Whitley Strieber has closed down his "Communion Letter" zine, attacking the UFO field as being populated by "cruelest, nastiest and craziest people." He believes "abduction reports" are artifacts of hypnosis and cultural conditioning, and that the experiences are a "human thing" indicating that "we and our world are vastly different, and far more strange, than we have ever dreamed."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue reflects a strong stance against debunkers, particularly Phil Klass, and a defense of open inquiry and free speech within ufology. There is a clear interest in controversial topics, including alleged government cover-ups, historical mysteries like the Lusitania incident, and esoteric subjects like the Priory of Sion. The editor, James W. Moseley, actively engages with reader contributions, often offering his own commentary and defending the magazine's approach to controversial subjects. The recurring theme is the pursuit of truth in unexplained phenomena, even when it challenges conventional beliefs or attracts criticism.