Saucer Smear - Vol 40 No 05 - 1993

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 40, No. 5
Date: June 10th, 1993
Publisher: James W. Moseley, J.S.
Type: Non-Scheduled Newsletter

Main Editorial: The Brooklyn Bridge Blunder

The central focus of this issue is a scathing critique of Budd Hopkins and Jerome Clark, particularly concerning the Linda Napolitano UFO abduction case. The editorial, titled "HOW CAN BUDD HOPKINS SELL US THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE WHEN HE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW WHERE IT IS???", expresses annoyance that Hopkins and his associates continue to refer to the abductee as Linda Cortile, when her real name, Napolitano, has been published. Furthermore, the article highlights a significant geographical error on the cover of the "International UFO Reporter" (IUR), edited by Jerome Clark. The cover featured a photograph of the Brooklyn Bridge with a caption by Hopkins stating its location was in Manhattan, with New Jersey on the left and Manhattan out of sight to the right. The "Saucer Smear" editor points out that the Brooklyn Bridge actually runs from lower Manhattan to Brooklyn, making Hopkins' description factually incorrect and suggesting a lack of basic geographical knowledge.

The editorial criticizes the IUR, the organ of the J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS), for what it perceives as a decline in scientific integrity under Clark's editorship. It notes that 19 out of 24 pages in the IUR issue are dedicated to the Linda case, with 11 pages being diatribes by Clark and Hopkins attacking researchers George Hansen, Joe Stefula, and Richard Butler, while allegedly ignoring factual evidence presented by them. Articles by David Jacobs and John Mack take up another 3 pages, and Donald Johnson and Willy Smith argue against the case's validity.

The "Smear" editor is mentioned dismissively by Clark as a "Saucer Smearer" and by Hopkins as a "dubious personage" and a "cynical and parasitic journalist" who might accept the "Linda-as-diabolical-hoaxer theory" because he himself once perpetrated a UFO hoax. The editor retorts with the motto: "IT TAKES ONE TO KNOW ONE."

Hopkins is also quoted comparing Hansen/Stefula/Butler to Muslim extremists and criticizing Hansen's "character trashing." The "Smear" editorial staff believes Hopkins and Clark are humorless and fanatical in pushing the Linda case, positioning "Smear" as a beacon of sanity, self-criticism, humor, and moderation.

Miscellaneous Ravings

David Huggins and Alien Encounters

This section discusses commercial artist David Huggins, who claims a lifetime of sexual encounters with alien women and an "insect being." Huggins states that these alien women prefer to be on top during intercourse due to their delicacy. He claims one of these beings always watches during his encounters. While Huggins offers no proof, he appears sincere. He was a speaker at a recent UFO convention in Bordentown, N.J., and is scheduled to appear at the National UFO Conference (NUFOC) in October.

Dr. Eldon Byrd vs. James Randi

The libel/slander case between parapsychologist Dr. Eldon Byrd and James Randi is being heard in U.S. District Court in Baltimore, Maryland. Randi, who claims to be broke, has a court-appointed lawyer. Byrd's lawyer has previously worked for Uri Geller in a case involving Randi. The infamous "blackmail tape" is part of the court record, but was played for the jury with earphones, preventing the courtroom audience from hearing it. The "Smear" editor has heard the tape and has a transcript, finding no impression that it was altered, contrary to Randi's claims. "Smear" hopes to make copies of the transcript available to readers.

Randi's finances and reputation are reportedly ruined by his remarks. He called Byrd "the shopping market molester" and accused him of sending copies of the "blackmail tape." The "Smear" editor received a copy of the tape and transcript anonymously after "Smear" began publishing articles about Randi in late 1991.

UFO Abduction Mystery and Overpopulation

Dr. John Miller of Los Angeles, who works with MUFON, discussed the UFO abduction mystery. He raised the question of why aliens, despite discussing problems like atomic annihilation and ecological ruin, have never mentioned overpopulation, a significant global issue.

Book Recommendation

A New Age book titled "Permutation" by Shirle Klein-Carsh is mentioned, available for $11.95 from Earth Star in Paonia, Colorado.

Comic Strips

Several "Dilbert" comic strips by Scott Adams are included, humorously depicting themes of hypnosis, alien abduction, and memory recall. One strip from October 5, 1992, shows Dilbert being hypnotized to draw aliens, who are described as looking like "E.T.". Another strip from October 6, 1992, features a character recalling being in a dark room, fed popcorn-like substance, with feet stuck to the floor, and being charged six dollars to enter a "ship."

Tidbits of Trash

This section contains various short news items and rumors:

• Rima Laibow: Director of TREAT, is accused of skipping out on a hotel bill of over $5,000 from a TREAT V convention in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with rumors of other financial irregularities.
• Donald Ware: Eastern Regional Director of MUFON, has refused Walt Andrus' request to resign and is facing a mail vote by the MUFON Board of Directors.
• Phil Klass vs. Tom McIver: Arch-skeptic Phil Klass and anti-CSICOP skeptic Tom McIver are involved in a feud. Klass sent McIver a copy of a letter to the Post Office Dept. complaining about McIver, which McIver perceived as a joke but complained about Klass to the Post Office.
• MUFON Conference Planning: Vickie Lyons and MUFONites in Pensacola, Florida, planned a UFO conference. Florida MUFON State Director Charles Flannigan sent a negative letter to some speakers, pushing Christianity and offending Jewish speakers.
• Ed Komarek: Mentions Thomas P. Deuley, MUFON's Corporate Secretary, has a background in the NSA and is on the Board of Directors of the Fund for UFO Research.
• Jerome Clark vs. Walt Andrus: Jerome Clark and Walt Andrus of MUFON had a dispute via telephone, followed by a nasty letter from Clark. Andrus then distributed copies of Clark's letter and his own reply to the CUFOS Board of Directors.

Ye Olde Mailbag

George Hansen's Letter: Parapsychologist George Hansen writes regarding an error in the photo caption of the March/April 1993 issue of IUR. He offers three plausible explanations for the aliens moving the Brooklyn Bridge during the abduction: (1) It's part of Hopkins' "5000 facts" forming a consistent account; (2) Jerome Clark, living in isolation, has limited geographical familiarity; or (3) Clark and Hopkins have accepted assurances from Larry Warren.

Robert Anton Wilson's Letter: Wilson praises the "alien ladies" issue and ponders a mystery about Jerome Clark's photos being upside down. He discusses the False Memory Syndrome Foundation (FMSF), noting that it consists of psychotherapists and thousands of couples accused of parental abuse. In these cases, "memories" of Satanic ritual abuse are recovered under hypnosis, but parents are often acquitted, and other children deny the charges. FMSF publicizes cases where juries failed to convict and highlights that "remembered" events under hypnosis are not necessarily true. Wilson agrees that memory is creative and people can be convinced they "remember" things that never happened. He emphasizes the need for caution with memory-based evidence, especially in cases involving alleged alien encounters.

Tom Benson's Letter: Former MUFON New Jersey State Director Tom Benson writes about the March/April 1993 IUR issue, which he states defends the "Linda Cortile Case of the Century" and denounces investigators who questioned its veracity. He notes Jerome Clark's editorial calling New Jersey researchers "saucer smearers."

Monty Cantsin's Column

Monty Cantsin expresses resentment towards "normal" people like Wilson, who he feels fill niches that rightfully belong to non-conformists. He criticizes the ufology, art, entertainment, and media industries for excluding "real talents." Cantsin also critiques David Huggins' paintings, finding them flawed like "trick photography" and suggesting they reflect a fantasy of Huggins as David Koresh with multiple wives, combined with "insect beings" and "praying mantises." He questions why alien chicks would want to have babies with Huggins, suggesting it sounds "fishy (or do I mean buggy?)."

Letters from Readers

Robert Anton Wilson (continued): Wilson discusses the implant in his penis, stating aliens offered to install it, but he declined due to having "enough trouble already." He laments that ufology used to be a "wholesome science" but now aliens seem like "perverts."

He expresses surprise at sympathy for Donald Ware, questioning MUFON's system of "Achievement." Wilson also ponders the philosophical implications of Queen Elizabeth abdicating for her son, relating it to Libertarianism and "anti-Statism."

He believes Christa Tilton's letter in "Smear" is sincere, despite her being an "unpleasant person." He notes her belief in artificial insemination and suggests Huggins could inform her that aliens enjoy their experiments and treat hybrids like beings.

Wilson comments on Jerome Clark's appearance, picturing him as a "spindly gray mid-westerner" like the farmer in "American Gothic."

Fearon Hicks: An independent UFO researcher and former MUFONite, Hicks writes about his decision to go public with his abduction experience while in the U.S. Navy. After returning from Puerto Rico, he became ill with radiation poisoning. His physician could not diagnose the cause of his tan and symptoms, and Hicks wonders if it was a close encounter with a UFO or the "intelligence" community.

News Items

• Toronto Sun, March 18, 1992: A headline reads "Woman sat dead for two months."
• China's Synchronized Jump: A report details a plan for China's population to jump simultaneously on June 27th, allegedly to prove their country is a force to be reckoned with. This plan is described as suicidal, potentially causing the Earth to freeze. A similar attempt in 1991 failed due to a counter-jump by Europeans and Americans.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of "Saucer Smear" are skepticism towards prominent UFO researchers like Budd Hopkins and Jerome Clark, criticism of perceived scientific and journalistic integrity within ufology organizations (specifically CUFOS and MUFON), and the exploration of controversial topics such as alien abduction, false memory syndrome, and alleged psychic phenomena. The editorial stance is one of critical inquiry, self-proclaimed sanity, and a defense of what the publication views as moderation and common sense within the often-dogmatic UFO community. The publication actively positions itself as an independent voice challenging established narratives and researchers it deems to be promoting unsubstantiated claims or engaging in personal attacks.