Saucer Smear - Vol 38 No 10 - 1991

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 38, No. 10
Date: December 1st, 1991
Publisher: OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Editor: James W. Moseley

This issue of Saucer Smear, dated December 1, 1991, is a non-scheduled newsletter that serves as the official publication of the Saucer & Unexplained Celestial Events Research Society. The editor, James W. Moseley, announces his upcoming travel plans, including a visit to New Jersey and a pilgrimage to Clarksburg, West Virginia, to see the Gray Barker Collection of UFO books and correspondence. He invites interested readers to join him on December 14th.

Book Reviews and New Releases

The newsletter reviews several recently published books related to the UFO field:

• "Alien Liason: The Ultimate Secret" by Timothy Good (England): While the book has not been seen by the editor, it is mentioned that Chapter Ten contains sensational information supplied by researcher Bob Oechsler. Transcripts of telephone conversations suggesting Oechsler may have been inaccurate are offered to readers for a dollar.
• "From Out of the Blue: The Incredible UFO Cover-Up at Bentwaters NATO Air Base" by Jenny Randles (England): This book covers the famous RendleSHAM Case. It is published in the U.S. by Tim Beckley and sells for $13.95.
• "Revelations: Alien Contact and Human Deception" by Jacques Vallee: This book by the famed French author/scientist/philosopher has not yet been seen by the editor. Jerry Clark reportedly likes it with reservations, while "Mr. Ed" dislikes it for speaking ill of Gulf Breeze. Bob Girard of Arcturus Books loves it and is selling it for $20.
• "The Bennewitz Papers" by Christa Tilton: Available for $25, this 75-page work by an abductee is written by Christa Tilton and discusses Paul Bennewitz, a UFO researcher who was reportedly "informed on" to the government.
• "Angels and Aliens UFOs and the Mythic Imagination" by Keith Thompson: This book offers a new, open-ended perspective on UFOs. It is priced at $19.95, and readers are directed to write to Thompson at P.O. Box 104, Aptos, Ca. 95001.
• Manuscript: "UFOs, Aliens, and 'Ex'-Intelligence Agents: Who's Fooling Whom? The Inside Story of John Lear, Bill Cooper, and 'The Greatest Cover-Up in Human History" by Lars C. Hansson: This unpublished manuscript is described as being filled with libel. It focuses on a version of the John F. Kennedy assassination film where Secret Service man William Greer allegedly turns and fires at the President. The author also discusses John Lear and Bill Cooper, accusing Cooper of being a "fraud and a liar" while admitting some of his information is valid. Hansson also suggests Lear's involvement in unauthorized flights to Iran and a CIA plot concerning the Marcos family's gold. The manuscript is 118 pages long and can be requested from Hansson at Paragon Research & Publications, P.O. Box 981, Orlando, Fl. 32802.

The James Randi Story - Part Three

This section details the ongoing legal conflict between Saucer Smear and James Randi. Following the publication of the October 10th issue, the magazine received a letter from a Kansas City lawyer representing Randi, threatening a lawsuit and demanding a full retraction, an apology, $10,000, and a promise to cease mentioning Randi. The magazine did not accept this offer.

The lawyer also requested that Saucer Smear publish a statement from Randi. The published statement, titled "A Statement by James Randi (In Correction of Defamatory Allegations)", details Randi's involvement in investigating paranormal claims and his belief that his enemies are those who prevent proper investigations or legitimate test results. He recounts a blackmail campaign initiated against him in February 1983, following an NBC-TV program featuring Uri Geller. This campaign involved defamatory material, a fake "rap sheet," and a cassette recording. Randi contacted the FBI, and the case was turned over to the U.S. Postal Service Investigation Department in Newark, New Jersey, where it remains open.

Randi's statement addresses specific accusations: newspaper clippings were edited to misrepresent stories, including one about misconduct in the Middletown, New Jersey police force. He also clarifies that a cassette tape included in the blackmail package was a copy of a tape he made in cooperation with the Rumson, New Jersey police in 1968 to trace obscene phone calls. Another event mentioned was a young man accusing him of being a pornographer as a defense tactic during a trial for breaking and entering; Randi notes he was preparing an article on pornography for Popular Photography magazine at the time.

Randi condemns blackmail as a "cowardly, detestable, malicious performance" and states his intention to continue attacking "nonsense."

The magazine also clarifies points from previous articles regarding Randi: the use of the word "pederast" was regretted due to varying legal definitions. Randi's claim about "blackmail packets" being sent to the U.S. Postal Inspector in Newark is noted, but a recipient reportedly sent the packet directly to Randi. The issue confirms there have been four lawsuits by Uri Geller against Randi, with the fourth filed in Japan. Regarding a lecture in New York City on May 17, 1988, where Randi allegedly made libelous statements about Eldon Byrd, the magazine corrects that the lecture was sponsored by "New York Skeptics," not CSICOP, though Mark Plummer of CSICOP provided help.

Letters to the Editor

This section features correspondence from various individuals:

• James Oberg (Arch-Skeptic): Oberg expresses his support for Phil Klass and praises his "doggedness in digging out technological puzzles." He notes that Phil Klass's understanding has evolved and deepened with experience.
• George Earley: Earley comments on a quote from the "Skeptical Inquirer" regarding Phil Klass working on a "fifth" book, humorously comparing it to an aging baseball player.
• Phil Klass: Klass writes to correct Erik Beckjord's claim about the number of letters sent to him, stating he had written Erik ten letters between May 13th and September 18th of that year.
• HAL STARR: A former Arizona State Director for MUFON, Starr explains his decision to leave the country and abandon his ties with ufology due to high taxes, "Big Brother" oversight, and the "bickering and sniping within the ranks of Ufology." He also criticizes charlatans and those who lack critical thinking.
• Christa Tilton: Tilton responds to Bill Moore's insinuations about her involvement in spreading a rumor about him. She states she only mentioned it in passing to two individuals and that her original source was the editor of Saucer Smear. She believes Moore's accusation shows he lives in a "Bill Moore Disneyland."
• Christopher Allan (England): Allan questions Dennis Stacy's view on Bob Oechsler's story, suggesting the purpose of the "Freedom Space Station" is to watch for and capture UFO invaders. He advocates for open minds in an age where "absolutely anything is possible."
• Manuel Fernandez: Fernandez thanks the editor for his letter and expresses sympathy for Randi's threatened lawsuit, suggesting Randi is trying to get money. He hopes Uri Geller will put Randi in his place.
• Riley Crabb: Crabb recounts an experience with "The Amazing Randi" during a Hindu Fire Walk ceremony in Sri Lanka, where Randi was "buffaloed" by the evidence but continued his debunking career.
• Joan Jeffers: Jeffers questions if James Randi is broke and asks about the grant money from the McArthur Foundation.
• Ed Komarek Jr.: Komarek, who will host the 1992 National UFO Conference (NUFOC), expresses his subscription and membership in UFO organizations, favoring MUFON for its inclusivity.

The Martian Chronicles

This section discusses a new find on Mars' geological rogues gallery: a mountain ridge that is the "identical twin" of Saddam Hussein. Jon Erik Beckjord, curator of the Crypto-Phenomena Museum, estimates the odds of such a coincidence are a trillion to one. His hypothesis is that a "theoretical higher intelligence" created these images millions of years ago for the "future edification of Earthlings."

Other Mentions and Snippets

• "Berry's World" cartoon: Depicts "space aliens" ordering "Fiesta Soft Tacos" from Taco Bell, humorously suggesting they are intelligent life forms.
• "UFO often been in Gulf Breeze" photograph: Features photos of UFOs reportedly taken in Gulf Breeze by Ed Walters in 1987 and P. Weatherford on November 5, 1991.
• "Therapy helping residents who encounter UFOs": A news clipping from the Gazette, Kalamazoo, MI, dated August 5, 1991, about therapy for people who have encountered aliens.
• "USELESS BUT INTRIGUING DATA": A snippet noting the number of nude males with visible penises in Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel frescoes (19) and referencing an article on censorship.
• Carol Salisbury: Discusses her and her husband Rex's demotion in the MUFON hierarchy and suggests a convention for demoted MUFON Section Directors. She also speculates that Duane Cook sold the Gulf Breeze Sentinel to Gannet to avoid publishing more stories about red lights in the sky.
• Bob Sheaffer: Recounts his experience at the "Phenomicon" conference, describing it as a meeting of "weird ufologists with weird conspiracy-ologists." He mentions Bill Cooper's theories about the "UFO cover-up," the Secret Government, and the Illuminati plan for a World Dictatorship. Sheaffer notes Cooper's claim that saucer technology is real, derived from Nazi technology captured by Allied nations, and warns of the suspension of the Bill of Rights within two years. He also mentions Donald Ware of MUFON stating that six million Americans have been abducted by UFOs and that the government is using movies and TV to prepare the public for the "Zeta Reticulans." Sheaffer also describes a debate with Robert Anton Wilson.
• Monty Cantsin: Expresses that Betty Hill confuses common objects with UFOs and that her recent incident of mistaking a salt shaker for a UFO led to her retirement.
• Dick Freeman: A humorous statement from a Jewish perspective about being from outer space and wanting letters published by the Supreme Commander.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Saucer Smear maintains its critical and often skeptical stance towards UFO phenomena and its proponents, while also engaging with various controversies and legal battles within the field. The editor, James W. Moseley, appears to champion free speech and open discussion, even when dealing with potentially libelous material or personal attacks. The magazine actively reviews new books, providing commentary that ranges from supportive to critical, often highlighting perceived inaccuracies or gullibility among authors and researchers. The ongoing legal conflict with James Randi, a prominent skeptic, is a central theme, with the magazine defending its right to publish and criticize. The inclusion of letters from both believers and skeptics, such as James Oberg and Bob Sheaffer, showcases a diverse range of opinions, though the editorial tone often leans towards questioning extraordinary claims and exposing perceived charlatans or misinformation. The magazine appears to be a platform for airing grievances, debating theories, and documenting the complex and often contentious landscape of ufology.