Saucer Smear - Vol 41 No 05 - 1994

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 41, No. 5
Date: June 15th, 1994
Publisher: SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY

More on Dr. John Mack, the UFO Abduction Guru

This section of "Saucer Smear" revisits the controversy surrounding Harvard psychiatrist John Mack and his claims about UFO abductions. The article references a critical piece in Time Magazine, which highlighted doubts about Mack's research and included testimony from Donna Bassett. Bassett, a professional writer, infiltrated Mack's circle with a fabricated abduction story, including a bizarre account of being on a spaceship with John Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev during the Cuban missile crisis in 1962. The article notes the chronological impossibility of this claim, as Bassett would have been a child at the time.

The newsletter's interest was piqued upon learning that Bassett's husband, Ed, had worked for "Aviation Week," a publication known to have connections with arch-skeptic Phil Klass. Initially, the editors suspected Klass might have orchestrated the expose, but this was not the case, though Klass is now in contact with the Bassetts and attempting to guide their book towards CSICOP's publishing arm, Prometheus Press.

Following their break with Mack, the Bassetts received threats from "Mackies" (Mack's abductees) and moved multiple times within North Carolina. "Smear" managed to conduct hour-long phone conversations with both Ed and Donna. The Bassetts expressed serious legal and moral objections to Mack's methods and conclusions. The article also mentions that Mack runs a tax-exempt research organization that recently received a $200,000 grant from the Human Potential Foundation, headed by C.B. Scott Jones, who is described as a shadowy operative funded partly by Laurence Rockefeller and deeply involved in New Age interests.

Diana DiSimone, head of MUFON for Massachusetts, provided a statement for "Smear," calling the "sting operation" unnecessary and suggesting that legitimate investigative journalism could have achieved the same criticism without deception. She felt the expose revealed more about the perpetrators' mean-spiritedness than about the reasons people are drawn to the abduction phenomenon.

Another source familiar with Mack's work criticizes him for being unprofessional, lacking follow-up research, and treating clients with indifference. This source suggests Mack's clients become infused with "millennial New Age self-confidence" and political views aligned with Mack's, warning against UFO investigators with political agendas. The source likens this to the "Space Brothers" phenomenon and questions the recurring theme of cliched past-life regressions among Mack's abductees.

Miscellaneous Ravings

This section covers a variety of UFO-related topics and personalities.

• Harley Byrd: "Dr." Harley Byrd, known for his "Hollow Earth" theories, is sending "Smear" numerous letters and exposes of ufologists he dislikes. He is organizing a UFO convention in Burbank, California, on September 17th, the same weekend as the National UFO Conference (NUFOC) in Cleveland, Ohio.
• Col. Michael Aquino: Harley Byrd sent a hoax letter using the name of "Col. Michael Aquino, Hub Four Facility, Stormtrooper Group, Dotham, Alabama." It turns out a real Col. Michael Aquino exists; he is a retired military intelligence officer and the head of a Satanic church in San Francisco.
• James Randi's TV Special: The newsletter reviews James Randi's "Secrets of the Psychics" documentary, made for NOVA. Despite differences with Randi, the review is favorable, noting that Randi came across well personally, though the show itself is criticized for its "bad science" presentation. The show covered segments on Uri Geller, psychic healers, psychic surgery, astrology, and Russian psychics, including an amusing segment where Randi gave identical horoscopes to a group of 30 people.
• MUFON UFO Journal: The May 1994 issue of the MUFON UFO Journal is noted for its similarity in tone to "Saucer Smear." It features an expose of the "Guardian" case, suggesting it was a hoax by investigator Robert Oechsler. An article discusses UFOs being "bigger on the inside than on the outside." The issue also covers the MUFON 1994 Annual Award voting, where Budd Hopkins was the winner, with rumors that the initial vote was canceled because Pat Marcutillio won.
• MUFON Membership: The newsletter provides information on how to join MUFON for $25 per year.
• Armand Laprade: Armand Laprade, editor of "Would You Believe?," has suffered a serious stroke and may not be able to continue publishing his zine, which focused on reprinting older ufological articles.
• Tim Beckley's Convention: The editor attended one of Tim Beckley's New Age UFO conventions in San Diego, California. Beckley's conventions are held annually in San Diego and Phoenix. The attendance was low, with about 100 people present, and only one paid attendee at the editor's workshop.

Gray Barker and the Roswell Incident

• Gray Barker: The editor stopped in Clarksburg, West Virginia, to participate in a documentary about the life of Gray Barker, a friend of the publication. The documentary focused on Barker's family and local acquaintances, with the editor sharing anecdotes about Barker's cynical humor and sense of "wonderment" regarding UFOs.
• "The Truth About the UFO Crash at Roswell" Book: The publishers of this book sent a review copy. The newsletter notes that most Roswell experts are disappointed with the book, finding it flawed, contradictory, and inconsistent. The article mentions that only one favorable review has been found within the UFO field.
• Skeptical Theories on Roswell: Curtis Peebles, in his book "Watch the Skies," suggests the Roswell object was a Rawin target balloon or a nuclear detection balloon. He points out that the intact alien bodies found would be unusual in a crash scenario. Todd Zechel, in his publication "AIR 1½," proposes that the Roswell object was a cluster of balloons launched from White Sands by the CIA for reconnaissance.
• Robert Todd: A conservative pro-UFO investigator, Robert Todd, is reportedly working on a terrestrial theory for the Roswell incident.

Other UFO Books and Events

• "Ice Falls and Angel Hair": A book by Allan J. Manak and Rick Hilberg, detailing chronological ice falls and angel hair anomalies. Manak is also a co-sponsor of the 1994 National UFO Conference in Cleveland, Ohio.

Letters from Readers

• W. Todd Zechel: Zechel writes a lengthy, satirical letter criticizing Phil Klass and Captain Oberg, accusing them of losing focus. He announces the formation of his own skeptical group, arguing that the real UFO cover-up is perpetrated by mainstream UFOlogy. Zechel also makes outlandish claims about bankruptcy from Bob Lazar's UFO propulsion scam and a failed attempt to become Chevy Chase's sidekick.
• Jerry Lucci: Lucci writes about the Randle & Schmitt book on Roswell, finding serious flaws and suggesting it is a "money trap." He believes the book uncovers revelations but finds the evidence regarding bodies thin. He also criticizes the book's claims about Roswell archaeologists.
• Herbert S. Taylor: Taylor expresses disappointment with "The Truth About the UFO Crash at Roswell," calling it a flawed work with contradictions and omissions, adding to the "heat" rather than shedding light.
• Phil Klass: Klass provides a humorous anecdote about sharing an office with Ed Bassett at "Aviation Week," detailing their sleeping arrangements and how their bylines sometimes became confused.
• Howard Kaufman: Kaufman comments on a Phil Klass TV appearance, describing Klass as acting "like an ass with a lot of class" and asking readers for their opinions on equal time for pro and con UFO exposure.
• Robert Anton Wilson: Wilson addresses accusations of being a government agent, humorously recounting a charge from Mae Brussell that he worked for David Rockefeller and his own playful confession involving gold bars and the Hounds of Tindalos.
• George Earley: Earley discusses a "ball lightning" story, comparing it to a 1952 Army Engineers project that produced similar phenomena, questioning the funding and claims of Bob Golka.
• Kody Ryan: Ryan questions whether artificially produced "ball lightning" is the same as natural kinds and notes that many people have produced artificial ball lightning without taxpayer money. He also laments the passing of "old guard" UFO pioneers.
• John Lear: Lear states he still believes in flying saucers and mentions recent MAC flights to Kwajalein, Midway, and Johnston Island. He claims General Doolittle was his source for the existence of MJ-12.
• Alan Abel: Abel comments on his busy schedule of lectures and pranks.
• Monty Cantsin: Cantsin, identifying himself as an "extraterrestrial savior" and "court jester," writes about helping earthlings develop a sense of humor to laugh at themselves and bring down power structures.

Hoax of the Month

The "Hoax of the Month" feature displays a photo of a faked UFO crop circle, with the caption "Circular Evidence."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of "Saucer Smear" exhibits a strong skeptical and critical stance towards many prominent figures and claims within the UFO community, particularly concerning Dr. John Mack's abduction research. The newsletter actively seeks out and publishes dissenting opinions and exposes perceived flaws in UFO narratives. There is a recurring theme of questioning the authenticity of UFO evidence and the motives of researchers and organizations. The editorial stance appears to favor investigative journalism that uncovers potential hoaxes, deceptions, and questionable practices within ufology, often employing a satirical and sometimes harsh tone. The newsletter also highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the Roswell incident, presenting various theories from both believers and skeptics. The publication seems to position itself as a counterpoint to what it perceives as a mainstream UFOlogy that is perpetuating its own cover-up by avoiding critical examination of its subject matter.