Saucer Smear - Vol 40 No 09 - 1993

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 40, No. 9
Date: December 10th, 1993
Publisher: SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Editor: James W. Moseley

This issue of "Saucer Smear" is a non-scheduled newsletter dedicated to ufological journalism. It begins with a "IMPORTANT NOTICE" correcting errors in the masthead of the previous issue, specifically the volume and number, and an "ANOTHER ERROR" noting a change in a quote regarding James Randi's court testimony.

Jerry Clark Misses The Point, Again

The lead article critiques Jerry Clark's editorial in the International UFO Reporter (IUR), titled "Into the Mystic." Clark laments the abandonment of the extraterrestrial theory by some ufologists in favor of more complex solutions, which he attributes to Meade Layne and the Borderland Sciences Research Associates (BSRA). The author argues that it's doubtful contemporary thinkers like John Keel or Jacques Vallee were influenced by BSRA. The piece suggests that while UFOs may not be miraculous, they are difficult to explain within current scientific structures, and that these mysteries might be linked. The author expresses disappointment that Clark, who once showed interest in other mysteries like fairies, now sneers at those who theorize beyond accepted norms.

Re-Hash of the 30th Annual National UFO Conference

This section details the 30th National UFO Conference (NUFOC) held in Bordentown, New Jersey, from October 15th-17th. James Moseley served as Master of Ceremonies and presented on his own UFO experiences. Speakers included Tom Benson, who received the Ufologist of the Year Award for his work with MUFON, and whose lecture focused on implications from UFO close encounter reports. Benson believes UFO realities are more complex than simple "nuts and bolts" spaceships. Rick Hilberg presented a slide lecture on early UFO sightings and will co-sponsor next year's NUFOC in Cleveland. Bob Oechsler discussed the controversial Canadian "Guardian" case, involving two landings in November 1989 and August 1991, with details of a close-up video and written material. Oechsler claims to know the identity of the mysterious "Guardian." A female Canadian government employee reportedly saw a human Oriental man in a business suit in charge of aliens during one incident.

Other speakers at the conference included David Huggins, who shared his experiences with aliens and displayed paintings of them. Parapsychologist George Hanson spoke on similarities between MUFON and CSICOP. Joe Stefula updated on the Linda Napolitano case. Pat Marcatilyo discussed brain-scam anomalies in abductees. Cope Schellhorn presented on mutilated cattle. Antonio Huneeus gave a ufological slide lecture. Mohammad Ramadan spoke on alien abductions. Tim Beckley covered Fortean cases, and Alex Fedorov gave a talk on UFO skepticism.

Despite publicity efforts, only about 50 people attended the NUFOC, attributed to poor planning by the local host. The article notes that the National UFO Conference, organized in 1964, has a governing board of nine people, including Antonio Huneeus, Tom Benson, Ed Komarek, Al Manak, Rick Hilberg, Bill Moore, Jim Moseley, Tim Beckley, and Pat Marcutileo. Al Greenfield will replace Pat Marcatilio and host the 1995 NUFOC in Atlanta.

Tidbits of Trash

This section contains various short news items and opinions:

• Gray Barker's Death: The passing of Gray Barker nine years prior is noted.
• J. Fisher: Offers UFO books and magazines for sale.
• UFO Paper Contest: A contest for the best original UFO "paper" is announced, organized by Bill LaParl.
• Time Magazine Article: An article titled "LIES OF THE MIND" from Time Magazine (Nov. 29, 1993) is mentioned, discussing repressed-memory therapy and its potential to create false memories, with a related section mentioning Budd Hopkins and John Mack regarding UFO abductees.
• Operation Right to Know: A demonstration at the UN building advocating for the acknowledgment of UFO phenomena as extraterrestrial is reported. It recalls a similar, earlier demonstration by Andy Sinatra in 1962.
• Noah's Ark Hoax: George Jammal admits his story about discovering Noah's Ark on Mount Ararat was a hoax, intended to expose poorly researched religious propaganda.
• Weekly World News Show: The tabloid newspaper has a new one-hour TV show.
• Erik Beckjord's Booklet: Researcher Erik Beckjord has published a 14-page booklet called "Area 51," detailing sightings and photographs of objects in the Nevada testing area. The booklet is described as having typographical errors but being an honest effort.
• Adam Gorightly's Book: A review of the booklet "UFOs, LSD and Me" by Adam Gorightly, which discusses personal experiences and includes a diagram of the "Forbidden Molecule."

Letters to Ye Olde Editor

• Jean Sider: An author and European UFO authority, writes about canceling her MUFON UFO Journal subscription, suspecting MUFON is controlled by a security agency. She notes the torpedoing of NICAP and APRO, and MUFON's origin from a schism with APRO.
• Carol Salisbury: A MUFON Ex-State Section Director, writes about MUFON's stance on UFOs, distinguishing between those who see UFOs as solid objects and those who believe they can prophesy, labeling the latter as "New Agers."
• Richard Freeman: Offers a humorous observation about a giant statue of Elvis' head on Mars and wonders about Martian monuments to Joseph Stalin.

UFO Crash Secrets at Wright/Patterson Air Force Base

This is a promotional blurb for a publication by James W. Moseley about alleged UFO crash secrets at Wright/Patterson Air Force Base, including recovered alien bodies and photos from Soviet researchers.

Allen Greenfield's Perspective

Allen Greenfield writes that while ufology has gained respectability, the field is stuck in a rut, unable to find solutions to the mystery since 1947 due to a false paradigm. He proposes new organizational approaches and conceptual tools, aiming to break the impasse. Greenfield believes the UFO mystery is neither purely physical nor psychological, but lies on the border between phenomenology and Jungian metaphysics, forming a "Definite Pattern."

Robert Anton Wilson's Thoughts

Robert Anton Wilson comments on a dispute between Randi and Byrd regarding paranormal experiments, noting how such debates often devolve into personal attacks. He expresses sympathy for James Randi, comparing his rhetorical style to that of Senator Joseph McCarthy.

Captain Kevin Randle's Statement

Captain Kevin Randle addresses the Simone Mendez source regarding Roswell debris, stating it is not their source. He confirms the witness was in Roswell at the time and his story is corroborated, but the material has not yet been analyzed.

Bob Pratt's Research

Bob Pratt praises "Saucer Smear" as entertaining and informative but "dreadful." He discusses his research in Brazil, describing it as an "archaeological dig" for ufologists, with sightings often involving terror, injury, or death. He is working on a book about spectacular incidents in Brazil.

Greg Long's Observations

Greg Long notes a perceived decrease in "sharp cynical punch" in the newsletter, lamenting a potential dwindling of "idiocy" in the field and questioning the lack of prominent themes and personalities.

Riley Hansard Crabb's Disappointment

Riley Hansard Crabb, former director of BSRA, expresses disappointment that the latest "Smear" did not contain confessions about a UFO cover-up, but instead offered "bullshit disinformation."

Bill Barker's Appreciation

Bill Barker, an artist and writer, expresses his enjoyment of "Saucer Smear."

Monty Cantsin's Political Commentary

Monty Cantsin offers a libertarian critique of government and taxes, expressing disdain for those who advocate for a police state without supporting it financially.

Richard Toronto on the Shaver Mystery

Richard Toronto, editor of the former zine "Shavertron," discusses the fading relevance of the Shaver Mystery, noting that in 1947, the FBI considered Shaver and Palmer a threat due to their UFO-related stories. He contrasts the past's "innocence" with the present's more "sophisticated" understanding of ufology, humorously suggesting that someone labeled a paranoid schizophrenic for similar claims today would be called a ufologist.

Mars Observer Update

A brief update on the Mars Observer mission, which suffered a failure before entering orbit around the red planet. Speculation about faulty transistors is mentioned, but the cause remains unknown. The article dismisses theories about a rogue space agency group covering up the "face on Mars."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of "Saucer Smear" maintains a critical and often skeptical stance towards mainstream ufology, questioning established theories and organizations like MUFON. Editor James Moseley champions a "consider everything, believe nothing" approach. There is a strong emphasis on investigative journalism, personal accounts, and a desire to break free from perceived limitations in ufological thinking. The publication also engages with broader paranormal phenomena and societal issues, often with a cynical or humorous undertone. The editorial stance appears to favor independent research and a questioning attitude towards official narratives and established ufological dogma.