Saucer Smear - Vol 42 No 08 - 1995

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 42, No. 8
Date: September 1, 1995
Publisher: Official Publication of the Saucer & Unexplained Celestial Events Research Society
Editor: James W. Moseley

This issue of Saucer Smear, a non-scheduled newsletter, is dedicated to ufological journalism and presents a collection of news, updates, and opinions on UFO phenomena. The cover features a dramatic graphic with the headline "SHOCKINGLY CLOSE TO THE TRUTH!".

Reader Donations and Mailing List

The newsletter begins by addressing subscribers who have an "X" next to their name on the envelope, requesting a "generous Free Will Love Offering type Donation" to remain on the mailing list. Donations are also welcomed from those without an "X". Checks and money orders should be made payable to the editor.

Upcoming UFO Conventions

Two major UFO conventions are announced:

• 3rd Annual Gulf Breeze UFO Conference: To be held in Pensacola, Florida, from October 20th to 22nd. Details can be obtained by writing to Vickie at P.O. Box 730, Gulf Breeze, FL 32562.
• 32nd Annual National UFO Conference (NUFOC): Scheduled for October 14th-15th at the Castlegate Hotel & Convention Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1764, Decatur, GA 30031, and the Convention Hotline is 404-621-5734. Seventeen speakers are lined up, and the "infamous Roswell video" is expected to be shown.

Roswell Update: GAO Report and Mogul Balloon

The General Accounting Office (GAO) Report on Roswell has been released, but it "solves nothing." The Mogul Balloon explanation remains, though records for the Roswell Army Air Field (RAAF) for a period of over three years, including June-July 1947, have been destroyed. The report does not indicate who destroyed the records or under what authority. The editor speculates that the records were destroyed either to cover up something more significant, like atomic secrets, or as a "meaningless act of military incompetence."

The Roswell Video Controversy

The infamous Roswell video is discussed further. Copies of the video are being sought from England, where its release is apparently controlled by producer Ray Santilli. The video was shown at a UFO convention in Sheffield, England, hosted by Philip Mantle, which was reportedly sold out. The Fox TV Network has bought the American rights and plans to air a program called "Alien Autopsy: Fact or Fiction" on August 28th, featuring UFO "experts" like Kevin Randle, Bruce Maccabee, Stanton Friedman, Linda Howe, and Dr. Jesse Marcel (son of the Roswell witness). Most of these experts, along with real film and medical experts, believe the video is a fake.

Fragment from Roswell Debris Site

An item from Prodigy reports that an unnamed person claims to have a fragment from the Roswell debris site that has been "authenticated as being extraordinary material not of any known origin." This person is asking fifteen million dollars for the fragment.

Tidbits of Trash

John Mack's UFO Work

Harvard University psychiatrist and abduction researcher John Mack has apparently "beaten the rap" regarding efforts to censure his UFO work. While not formally censured, he received an "unusual public warning from the Dean not to let his enthusiasm for UFO research steer him from the path of professionalism." Saucer Smear expresses support for Mack, emphasizing their commitment to Freedom of Speech.

Jerry Clark's UFO Encyclopedia

Jerry Clark of CUFOS is releasing the third volume of his UFO encyclopedia in January of next year. This volume, titled "High Strangeness," will be nearly 400,000 words long and over 700 pages, including a cumulative bibliography. The editor eagerly awaits a free review copy.

Death of Earl of Clancarty

England's 8th Earl of Clancarty, Brinsley Le Poer Trench, has died at the age of 83. Trench was the editor of "Flying Saucer Review" in the 1950s and authored several books on the subject. He also founded a UFO study group in England.

Roswell Video Still Pictures and Other News

Clear still pictures from the Roswell video have been received, courtesy of Dennis Stacy. One gory photo is reproduced. The entire video may be shown at the Atlanta convention. A photo of Phil Klass (or possibly Robert Redford) in "Deep Meditation" at the Seattle MUFON Convention is also included.

Budd Hopkins and Abduction Research

James Wolcott, in a New Yorker Magazine article, criticizes Budd Hopkins for hyping abduction stories, calling a story about a woman being whisked past the Brooklyn Bridge "so implausible that even the pop-science magazine OMNI was highly dubious." Wolcott refers to the Linda Napolitano abduction case. Rumor has it that Hopkins has found a publisher for his work.

Dr. Richard Neal's Stroke

Dr. Richard Neal, who researched the "missing fetus" syndrome related to UFO abductions with Dr. John Miller, suffered a life-threatening stroke on July 19th while in California. He is recovering slowly. Neither Neal nor Miller has found conclusive evidence for the "missing fetus" syndrome.

Dr. Richard Boylan's Misconduct

Dr. Richard Boylan, an abduction researcher and clinical psychologist from Sacramento, California, has been stripped of his state licenses due to alleged sexual misconduct. This included "imposing his views of space aliens into the dreams and memories of two patients, nude hot tub bathing with patients, and bartering nude massages in return for psychological therapy."

Financial Support for UFO Organizations

Las Vegas businessman Robert Bigelow has reportedly terminated his financial support to MUFON, CUFOS, and FUFOR due to "irreconcilable differences." Bigelow allegedly wanted more control over how his money was spent. One ufologist was reportedly escorted from a meeting with Bigelow.

John Alexander and Non-Lethal Weapons

John Alexander, director of the U.S. Government's non-lethal weapons program at Los Alamos Laboratories, is discussed in a critical tract by Armen Victorian. Victorian questions Alexander's definition of "nonlethality," suggesting that many "nonlethal weapons" could cause death if used to extreme. The tract suggests redefining these as "slow to kill weapons."

Book Reviews

"Disneyland of the Gods" by John Keel

This book, recently reprinted, is described as a "catchy title" but largely a "re-hash of articles Keel wrote for Saga Magazine some twenty years ago." The reviewer found it disappointing, noting a lack of index and bibliography, "unproven assertions," and "sweeping generalizations." The reviewer suggests it is "worthless whatever valid insights the author may accidentally have stumbled upon."

"Zen in the Art of Close Encounters: Crazy Wisdom and UFOs"

This book is a compilation of short works by 35 contributors, edited by Paul David Pursglove. Contributors include Steven Greer, Michael Grosso, Rima Laibow, Timothy Leary, Terence McKenna, Brian O'Leary, John Mack, Leo Sprinkle, Dennis Stillings, Whitley Strieber, Keith Thompson, John White, and Robert Anton Wilson. The reviewer highlights Robert Anton Wilson's contribution as a reprint of a letter to the editor published in "Saucer Smear" in 1993. The book is described as a "highly intellectual, highly rarified attempt to see deep meaning as well as humor in the chaos of present-day ufology."

Letters to the Editor

Bill Moore on the "Cowflop Quarterly"

Bill Moore apologizes for the delay in writing and refers to Robert Todd's publication as "The Cowflop Quarterly," calling its contents "poisoned pen" and "autobiographical." Moore discusses the Roswell Alien Autopsy footage, suggesting it depicts scenes of actual autopsies performed on victims of Turner's Syndrome in a remote Brazilian village around 1960. He believes the footage was shot by a "B" grade sci-fi film outfit and was intended for a feature film but was shelved. He suggests that individuals with counterintelligence connections may have been aware of the film for years and that it was considered for disinformation but rejected as too incredible.

Chris Roth on the Roswell Film

Chris Roth expresses cynicism about the Roswell film, believing it to be a hoax. He notes that the "MUFON UFO Journal" carries an intelligent assessment by Kent Jeffrey and that the hoax has demonstrated that "there really is nothing that Colin Andrews won't believe."

Herbert Taylor on the GAO Report

Herbert Taylor comments on the final GAO report regarding the Roswell Incident, stating it failed to uncover any information to bolster the belief in a crashed alien spaceship. He concludes that "the Roswell 'smoking gun' simply does NOT exist! It's time for the Roswell advocates to grow up and face the truth - it never happened!"

Glenn Campbell's Move and Internet Availability

Glenn Campbell, editor of "The Groom Lake Desert Rat," writes that he has moved his business to Las Vegas. He appreciates "Smear" and wishes it were available on the Internet, offering to scan it for a World Wide Web page. The editor confirms that "Smear" material is not copyrighted and re-use is permitted with credit, but states that "Smear" is computer illiterate.

Lee Walsh on 'Inter-action' and Trance States

Lee Walsh discusses S. Karagulla's book "Through the Curtain," which reviews letters from people experiencing conscious awareness during night classes at a university while asleep. Walsh draws parallels between these experiences and UFO encounters with aliens, suggesting a similar "inter-action" and trance state, akin to Edgar Cayce's experiences. She also mentions experiments in "Survival in Space" where participants experienced sensations of real experiences.

Denis Corey on UFO Mystery Solutions

Denis Corey believes the UFO mystery and other paranormal occurrences will be solved by a blend of scientific and non-scientific disciplines, involving intelligent, skeptical, and open-minded individuals without a "hidden agenda."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently reflects a skeptical yet open-minded stance towards UFO phenomena. While reporting on conventions and research, there's a critical examination of claims, particularly regarding the Roswell Incident and the "Alien Autopsy" video, which are largely dismissed as hoaxes or misinterpretations. The editor champions freedom of speech, as seen in the defense of John Mack's work, but maintains a critical perspective on what he deems "loonies" or unsubstantiated speculation. The magazine appears to be financially dependent on reader donations, emphasizing the need for support to continue publication. There's a recurring theme of questioning official reports and explanations, while also being wary of unsubstantiated claims within the UFO community itself. The editorial stance is one of critical inquiry, seeking truth while acknowledging the complexities and often dubious nature of the subject matter.