Saucer Smear - Vol 41 No 08 - 1994

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 41, No. 8
Date: November 1st, 1994
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. The cover features a cartoon and a prominent headline regarding the official Air Force report on the Roswell Incident.

Official Air Force Report Confirms Saucer Smear's Mogul, Balloon Story Re the Roswell Incident

The lead article discusses the General Accounting Office (GAO) audit initiated by Congressman Steven Schiff to locate records related to the 1947 Roswell Incident. The audit is titled "Records Management Procedures Dealing with Weather Balloon, Unknown Aircraft, and Similar Crash Incidents." The Air Force, in a "preemptive strike," has publicly released its conclusions before the GAO investigation is complete. The Air Force's basic conclusion is that a Mogul balloon, not an alien spacecraft, was involved. This conclusion has angered ufologists, with leading Roswell/UFO authorities, including Stanton Friedman, criticizing the findings, particularly a New York Times summary. The article notes that the Air Force report admits to not interviewing all Roswell witnesses and acknowledges errors of omission and commission. It also highlights the Air Force's statement that no Special Access Programs (SAPs) exist for extraterrestrial spacecraft/aliens and that personnel with knowledge of Roswell have been released from security oaths. The magazine's editorial stance is that while there is no spaceship-oriented cover-up, the descriptions of bodies by witnesses need explanation, leaving the Roswell Incident as a "frustrating paradox."

No Contest Plea Set in Seduction Case

A brief news item reports on a 59-year-old Stateline man, Barry Alan Briskman, who pleaded no contest to charges of seduction after allegedly using a space alien story to lure an underage girl. Prosecutors stated Briskman told the girl he was from another planet and could grant her immunities if she had sex with him.

Lawsuit Time Again

This section details a malicious letter from Erik Beckjord of California, who is threatening a lawsuit against "Saucer Smear." Beckjord, a researcher of monsters, crop circles, and UFOs, demands that the magazine print nothing by or about Harley Byrd. The editor recounts a personal encounter at "UFO Expo West" where Beckjord allegedly attacked him while drunk. The magazine states that while Harley Byrd has psychological problems, he is less disagreeable than Beckjord. The editor defends freedom of speech and refuses Beckjord's demand.

Miscellaneous Ravings

This section addresses the "mysterious death" of Ron Johnson, MUFON's Deputy Director for Investigations, who died suddenly. While the tract speculates on murder by intelligence operations, the magazine suggests it was likely a brain hemorrhage, noting that such deaths are not uncommon. It also references the "suicides" of early UFO personalities Morris K. Jessup and James McDonald, suggesting that many in the UFO field struggle to accept these as genuine personal tragedies.

UFO Convention Round-Up

The 31st National UFO Conference was held in Cleveland, Ohio. Lecturers included Roswell experts Kevin Randle and Stanton Friedman, UFO and psychic authority Allen Greenfield, Dr. Frank Stranges, G. Cope Schellhorn, Simone Mendez, and the "Smear" editor. The event was sold out, but faced issues with attendance at simultaneous workshops. This marks the last NUFOC convention in Cleveland. The article also mentions Harley Byrd's "Universal UFO Expo" in Burbank, California, held concurrently, noting a discrepancy in the number of advertised versus listed speakers.

Tidbits of Trash

This section contains various short news items:

• Financial Breakthrough in UFO Research: MUFON, CUFOS, and FUFOR will receive funding from the Bigelow Foundation. "Smear" notes rumors that the Bigelow Foundation is a CIA conduit.
• William Moore's FOCUS Newsletter: A new issue of FOCUS is out, featuring an article on the Paul Bennewitz Affair co-authored by Moore, Shandera, and Richard Doty.
• Jean Sider's Book: French author Jean Sider's book "Contacts Supra-Terrestres" is mentioned, with Sider believing UFOs are 4-D.
• Bob Girard's Catalogue: A humorous quote from Arcturus Books' catalogue is included.
• Mel Tennis Resigns: Mel Tennis resigned as MUFON Section Director for Dade County, Florida. Mary Margaret Zimmer is the new Section Director.

Letters to Ye Olde Editor

• Prof. Charles Moore: Writes about the identification of weather radar targets, correcting his previous identification of type ML-306/AP to ML-307/AP. He clarifies he was not the "scientific leader" of Project Mogul, but the project engineer for the NYU Balloon Group, which worked on detecting distant explosions with low-frequency microphones. He suspects a June 1947 test flight may have produced the Roswell debris.
• Herbert Taylor: Commends "Saucer Smear" for its coverage of the Roswell affair and praises the investigative efforts of Karl Pflock and Robert Todd.
• Robert Anton Wilson: States he reads every issue of "Smear" and finds it "funny enough" to read like a letter. He admits he doesn't see the importance of the Moore/Mogul document, finds the Roswell event boring, and doubts that negative evidence will sway believers, who will likely label it part of a cover-up. He is more interested in UFO cases that present a profound enigma beyond alien spaceship or hoax theories.
• Karl Pflock: Praises the latest "Smear" issue and finds Jean Sider's views on Roswell insightful. He notes Phil Klass's declaration that the Mogul device was "NOT a giant Mogul balloon" is not as firmly established as Klass implies. Pflock reiterates he was never a CIA agent.
• Erik Beckjord: Writes to Moseley, seeking attorneys to sue "Saucer Smear" for libel based on comments about Harley Byrd. He claims "Saucer Smear" has caused damages exceeding $1,000.00 and threatens further punitive damages, citing Moseley's "sincere desire to inflict damage, pain, and mental distress."
• Ed Komarek (ORTK): Writes that the stress of the UFO/ET problem is taking a toll, suggesting Moseley might need therapy with Dr. John Mack. He believes the "coverup ending" may be too stressful and expresses hope for Moseley's peace of mind, mentioning Don Ware as a potential helper.

George Earley Writes

Earley comments on a message in "Smear" regarding "horror" over the costs of a black-budget spy building near Dulles Airport, suggesting part of the cost is for "special housing provided therein for visiting aliens."

John Alexander Writes

John Alexander, head of the non-lethal weapons program at Los Alamos National Laboratories, discusses law enforcement use of force, stating that killing a suspect is often preferable to wounding. He agrees that drug legalization is a logical solution to reduce violent crime and allow resource concentration on prevention and rehabilitation, but notes it's not politically correct. He argues that nonlethal weapons are necessary for other situations and are not intended to reduce crime. He mentions that recent Los Angeles riots were mild compared to potential future events and that law enforcement officers now have a wider range of responses.

Bob Wanderer Writes

Wanderer expresses disappointment that the magazine didn't question a story about Africans trying to walk on water, which was later admitted to be a hoax by the San Francisco Chronicle.

John Lear Writes

John Lear expresses honor at being personally selected by "your Supremeness" to fly the editor to Harley Byrd's UFO Expo in Burbank, requesting flight details and catering requirements.

Other Brief Items

• "Rat worship worsens India plague"
• "Apes have souls too, says primate" (By Roger Highfield, Science Editor)
• "Sink your teeth into a chocolate Easter bat"

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing debate surrounding the Roswell Incident and the Air Force's explanation, the internal disputes and legal threats within the ufology community (e.g., Beckjord vs. "Smear"), and the broader implications of UFO research and government involvement. The editorial stance, as expressed by James W. Moseley, is one of critical inquiry, acknowledging the complexities and paradoxes within the field while maintaining a degree of skepticism towards definitive conclusions, particularly regarding the Roswell crash itself. The magazine appears to champion freedom of speech and open discussion, even when it involves personal conflicts and controversial claims.