Saucer Smear - Vol 41 No 07 - 1994

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 41, No. 7
Date: August 15th, 1994
Publisher: SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Editor: James W. Moseley

This issue of "Saucer Smear" features a channeled message from an astral entity named OISEAU, who posits that UFO stories, particularly those involving crashed saucers and underground bases, are disinformation tactics by the U.S. Government to distract from the "Black Budget" – a collection of secret, potentially illegal, immoral, and expensive projects. OISEAU urges an "Operation Right to Know" to demand revelation of these budget items.

Project Mogul, Moore vs. Moore, Roswell, and the Mantell Case

The magazine revisits the Roswell incident, noting that while Project Mogul, a classified balloon project, might explain some debris, it likely doesn't account for supposed craft and bodies. Professor Charles B. Moore, who led Project Mogul, is quoted stating that many UFO reports were misidentifications of his high-altitude polyethylene balloons. He recounts his own sighting in 1949 of an elliptical object moving at extreme speeds. Moore expresses skepticism about William Moore's interpretation of the Roswell event, particularly concerning the "Roswell Incident" book, and details how Brazel's account of the Roswell debris changed his own opinion, suggesting the debris might be from ML-307/AP radar targets.

The Strange Story of Robert Spencer Carr

The issue details the life and claims of Robert Spencer Carr, who died in April 1994. Carr, a former teacher, held a press conference in 1974 claiming the Air Force possessed alien bodies and flying saucers. He also claimed knowledge of an impending UFO cover-up end. An interview with Carr from March 1984 reveals his account of encounters with 32-foot-tall humanoids and their 19-foot-diameter craft over an 11-month period. Carr believed he was communicating with extraterrestrials and provided them with pure water. His son, Timothy Carr, later suggested his father's stories might have been fabricated to seem more interesting.

Miscellaneous Ravings

This section covers several disparate topics:

• MUFON Politics: An update on the MUFON "Man of the Year" Award controversy, with Donald Ware complaining about the election being declared null and void, leading to Budd Hopkins winning for the third time. The situation is likened to Haitian politics.
• Don Ware's Tract: Mention of a 20-page tract by Don Ware titled "Telepathic Communications and UFO Phenomena".
• MUFON Convention Incident: An account of an exchange at the MUFON convention in Austin, Texas, between Robert Dean and debunker Phil Klass, which escalated to Klass calling Dean a "liar and a con man" and accidentally hitting Dean's wife with a pen.
• National UFO Conference (NUFOC): A promotion for the upcoming 1994 NUFOC in Cleveland, Ohio.
• "I made love to E.T." claim: A brief mention of a woman's claim, accompanied by a note about aliens potentially eating humans, though assuring readers this is unlikely.
• Phil Klass on Roswell: Phil Klass is quoted stating that the Brazel ranch crash was not a Mogul balloon but a cluster of weather balloons and radar reflectors.
• Universal UFO Expo: A mention of an expo in Burbank, California, with "Dr." Harley Byrd offering to speak for a $10,000,000 lecture fee.
• Jerry Lucci on Roswell: A Roswell fan praises the issue and states that evidence against Roswell being an extraterrestrial crash is mounting.
• Jean Sider on Karl Pflock: The French UFO author dismisses Karl Pflock's hypothesis, calling him a former CIA agent.
• Robert Golka on Ball Lightning: The ball lightning expert discusses the Roswell mystery and offers instructions on how to create pseudo ball lightning using a microwave oven.
• Erik Beckjord on Teardrop Circle: Beckjord reports on investigating a Teardrop Circle in Wiltshire, England, described as impossible to hoax.
• Harley Byrd's Response: Harley Byrd responds to a previous mention, promoting his Universal UFO Expo in Los Angeles.

The Readers Strike Back

This section features letters from readers:

• John Alexander: Head of the non-lethal weapons program at Los Alamos, Alexander offers an "Execution Permit" as a solution to the desire for non-lethal options, essentially authorizing immediate execution upon arrest. He states his estate will cover all expenses.
• Monty Cantsin: Responds to Alexander, suggesting a more "intellectual" target and advising Alexander to connect with Armen Victorian for support.
• Phil Klass: Reiterates his stance that the Brazel ranch crash was not a Mogul balloon.

More Reader Correspondence

• Jerry Lucci: Praises the issue and notes increasing evidence against an extraterrestrial explanation for Roswell.
• Jean Sider: Criticizes Karl Pflock's hypothesis, citing his alleged CIA background.
• Robert Golka: Discusses Roswell and ball lightning, offering a DIY method.
• Erik Beckjord: Reports on investigating a "Teardrop Circle" in England.
• Harley Byrd: Promotes his UFO Expo in Los Angeles.
• James: Responds to an unspecified accusation, listing alleged negative interactions with Beckjord and Erik from 1990-1993.
• Chris Roth: Comments on MUFON's "ufologist-of-the-year" award, criticizing the winner for not revealing evidence, likening it to a "Who shot J.R.?" approach to science.
• Rex Salisbury: Reports on a witness who claims no UFO was seen during Ed Walters' claimed photo sessions in Gulf Breeze, suggesting aliens might only make craft visible to selected individuals. He also mentions a "nursery ship" for hybrid children over Gulf Breeze.
• Curt Sutherly: Mentions the defunct "Pursuit" magazine, founded by Ivan T. Sanderson.

SITU and "Pursuit" Magazine

This section discusses the history of "SITU" (Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained) and its publication "Pursuit." It notes that SITU began as a result of communication between Ivan T. Sanderson and Loren Coleman, with John Keel taking over as editor-in-chief after Sanderson's death. "Pursuit" continued under various editors but faded by the early 1980s.

Memories of August C. ("Augie") Roberts

Swiss radio personality Bob Zanotti shares memories of the recently deceased UFO researcher August C. Roberts. Roberts participated in media activities, including Long John Nebel's show and Zanotti's "Coffee Klatsch" radio show. Zanotti describes Roberts as intelligent but not articulate, often playing the "Burlesque figure" or "Lou Costello of Ufology." He notes Roberts was largely unhappy, prone to bad luck, gullible, and often worked tirelessly for others in ufology at his own expense.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently questions official narratives and promotes skepticism towards government secrecy, particularly concerning the "Black Budget." It highlights internal disputes and political maneuvering within ufological organizations like MUFON. The editorial stance appears to favor investigative journalism that challenges established explanations and encourages a broader scope of inquiry beyond just UFOs to include government accountability. There is a recurring theme of distinguishing between genuine UFO phenomena and misidentifications or disinformation.