Saucer Smear - Vol 42 No 07 - 1995

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 42, No. 7
Date: August 10th, 1995
Publisher: The Saucer & Unexplained Celestial Events Research Society

This issue of "Saucer Smear" is dedicated to the principles of ufological journalism, with a strong focus on the ongoing "Roswell circus."

The Roswell Circus Continues

The lead article, "The Roswell Circus Continues," posits that while something strange may have occurred near Roswell in 1947, the truth is becoming increasingly elusive. The article cites the passing of original witnesses and the conflicting accounts of researchers as primary reasons for this.

It highlights the shifting location of the "crash site" by witness Jim Ragsdale, from 35 miles north of Roswell to approximately 50 miles west, suggesting this change is motivated by the potential to turn the new location into a tourist site. Furthermore, Ragsdale claimed to have found 15 gold alien helmets, which he reportedly buried in the desert, though the precise location remains unknown. The article notes Ragsdale's passing earlier in the year, preventing any further elaboration on his story.

The 47th anniversary of the Roswell event was marked by a UFO convention in Roswell, sponsored by the Roswell Chamber of Commerce and held in conjunction with local UFO museums. The convention, titled "The First Roswell UFO Encounter," featured costume contests, races, laser-light shows, open forums with UFO researchers, and live entertainment.

The "open forum" included speakers such as Stanton Friedman, Kevin Randle, Don Schmitt, and cattle mutilation expert Linda Howe. The article draws a parallel between the growth of the Roswell legend and the development of Christian doctrine after Christ's death, suggesting a similar pattern of mythologizing.

A Roswell video is also discussed, with "Smear" having seen still pictures but not the video itself. Rumors persist that former President Harry S. Truman is depicted in the video, either in an autopsy room or at the debris field. The article references the panic caused by Orson Welles' 1938 "War of the Worlds" broadcast as a parallel to the potential fear of alien contact.

It is revealed that a federal law, the Extraterrestrial Exposure Law (Title 14, Section 1211 of the Code of Federal Regulations, adopted July 16th, 1969), exists, which could impose jail time and fines for "extraterrestrial contact." The purpose of this law is stated as fear of extraterrestrial contamination, and it may have been rescinded in the early 1980s. Readers are directed to the June 1995 issue of "Delve" for more details.

The article expresses skepticism about the upcoming General Accounting Office (GAO) report on the Roswell crash, anticipating it will be a "tightrope" act to address complaints without criticizing the Air Force or fueling interplanetary theories, rendering it "worthless."

Other News and Mentions

John Keel Quote: The issue opens with a quote from John Keel, writing in the March 25th, 1977 issue of "Saucer Glues" (a former name of "Saucer Smear"), stating, "You are....a boil on the ass of ufology."

• Book Reviews and Zine Mentions:
• "The Devil's Advocate": A new skeptical UFO zine from Tim Brigham in Pensacola, Florida. The first issue features an in-depth interview with James Moseley.
• MUFON Board Meeting Agenda: "Smear" obtained a confidential agenda, noting a jab by Walt Andrus at MUFON Journal editor Dennis Stacy regarding the workload of the associate editor.
• Harley Byrd's Convention: A convention is planned for September 23-24 in Los Angeles, with the location kept secret to avoid MUFONites. Erik Beckjord has reopened his Bigfoot Museum in the same area.
• "West Virginia: Close Encounters in the Mountain State": A 200-page book by Bob Teets, containing over 150 UFO cases from West Virginia, praised for its professional writing style.
• "West Virginia UFO Newsletter": Published by Bob Teets, it features a writer calling James Moseley a "greatest figure" alongside Adamski, Menger, and Keyhoe.
• "Threads of Light to You": A new book by Howard Menger and his wife Connie, with a subtitle by their daughter Heidi Evans.
• "Roswell UFO Crash Update: Exposing the Military Cover-Up of the Century": A book by Captain Kevin Randle (Ret.).
• "The Cowflop Quarterly": A zine critiquing ufological frauds and fantasies, edited by Robert Todd.
• "Contacts Supra-Terrestres", Volume Two: A UFO book by French ufologist Jean Sider.
• "Trajectories": A zine by philosopher/author Robert Anton Wilson.

• Reader Contributions:
• Betty Hill writes about her experiences with hypnosis, noting its common use in Europe for medical procedures and its difference from the methods used in the U.S. She clarifies that she did not experience missing time during her encounter, remembering the UFO men and their equipment.
• John Ford, Chairman of the Long Island UFO Network (LIUFON), writes about a vendetta against him by William Knell, an alleged UFO expert, whom Ford accuses of slander and libel.
• Dr. John Miller discusses research into "missing fetus" cases, stating that objective medical proof has not been found, and such experiences function as a powerful subjective reality.
• Patrick Huyghe humorously questions if other UFO researchers are secretly employed by the Post Office.
• Tom Benson corrects an error in Jerome Clark's UFO Encyclopedia regarding the death date of Orfeo Angelucci.
• Phil Klass issues a humorous warning against criticizing Jerry Clark.
• Michael Dennett reports on the MUFON convention, noting Phil Klass's popularity.

• Other Items:
• A cartoon by Gail Aggen titled "Swamp Gas, Ball Lightning or the Planet Venus" is featured, based on the 1989 abduction of Linda Napolitano.
• A cartoon by Matt Graeber is included.
• A cartoon depicts a humorous take on astral projection.
• A list of death statistics from drugs in 1990 is presented, with tobacco and alcohol leading by a wide margin.
• A humorous cartoon from "NATIONAL ENQUIRER" is included.
• A brief mention of a SubGenius Foundation booklet on harnessing eccentricities.
• A quote from Robert Anton Wilson discussing futurists and their track records.
• A letter from Jeffrey King expresses his enjoyment of "Saucer Smear" and compares ufologists unfavorably to attorneys.
• Diana DeSimone writes about her concerns regarding an expose on abductionist John Mack by Ed & Donna Bassett, citing concerns about journalistic ethics and betrayal.
• Herb Taylor criticizes the "bitterness and animosity" in the Roswell debate and the perceived "blinders" of advocates.
• Pat Davey praises Gail Aggen's poem "Alien Tattoo."
• Lee Walsh questions the persistence of "Carp/Guardian crapola."
• Vaginaya Romantikova humorously discusses the debate about alien genitalia.
• Monty Cantsin speculates that Kevin Randle might be a government agent.
• An advertisement for Subway is present.
• A section titled "OUR VOICE IN THE U.S. SENATE!" mentions Carol Moseley-Braun and Mike Luckman's comments on Michael Jackson's alleged plan for an extraterrestrial landing pad.
• An advertisement for a booklet from The SubGenius Foundation is included.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The editorial stance of "Saucer Smear" appears to be critical and somewhat skeptical, particularly regarding the commercialization and mythologizing of UFO events like Roswell. The publication highlights conflicting accounts, researcher rivalries, and the potential for financial or ego-driven motivations within the UFO community. There is a recurring theme of questioning the established narratives and exposing what the editor perceives as "frauds and fantasies." The newsletter also engages with a wide range of reader opinions and contributions, showcasing diverse perspectives within the ufology field, while often injecting its own brand of commentary and humor.