Saucer Smear - Vol 42 No 10 - 1995

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 42, No. 10
Date: December 5th, 1995
Publisher: SAUCER SMEAR
Type: Non-Scheduled Newsletter, Official Publication of the SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY

This issue of "Saucer Smear" focuses on two major UFO conventions and the ongoing controversy surrounding the Roswell alien autopsy film. Editor James W. Moseley recounts his experiences at both events, highlighting speakers, awards, and logistical challenges.

A Tale of Two UFO Conventions

32nd National UFO Conference, Atlanta

James W. Moseley attended the 32nd National UFO Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, sponsored by a local group headed by ufologist/occultist Allen Greenfield. The convention featured twenty speakers, including Leah Haley, George Fawcett, Cope Schellhorn, Jim Keith, George Andrews, Robyn Quail, Marc Davenport, Fearon Hicks, Ed Komarek, Al Bielek, and Dr. Frank Stranges, who also served as Master of Ceremonies. Dr. Stranges was honored with the coveted "Ufologist of the Year Award" for his contributions to the field. Moseley, as editor of "Smear" and Permanent Chairman of the National UFO Conference, spoke at the Saturday night banquet and received a standing ovation and a special Lifetime Achievement Award from the local committee. Unfortunately, his speech was not recorded, and photographs of the event are scarce.

The article includes a mention of Rick Hilberg, co-founder of the NUFOC and editor of "Flying Saucer Digest", standing next to a painting by abductee David Huggins. Huggins' painting depicts interplanetary or interdimensional beings, and he has designed a T-shirt with the controversial motto "MISCEGENATION IS GREAT".

Third Annual Gulf Breeze UFO Conference, Mobile

The following weekend, Moseley attended the Third Annual Gulf Breeze UFO Conference, sponsored by Project Awareness. Due to Hurricane Opal devastating Pensacola Beach, the event was moved to Mobile, Alabama. Despite the last-minute change, the conference successfully retained its speakers. The event featured seven speakers: Whitley Strieber, Zecharia Sitchin, Colin Andrews, George Knapp, Dr. Bruce Maccabee, Dannion Brinkley, and Dr. Fred Alan Wolf. Whitley Strieber's lecture was particularly noted, marking his first public appearance since leaving the UFO field in 1989. Strieber's lecture was well-received by an audience of over 800 people.

The article contrasts the professionalism of Project Awareness with the National UFO Conference, suggesting that Awareness focuses on quality over quantity. The next Gulf Breeze conference is scheduled for Spring, and the following year's National UFO Conference will be held in St. Paul, Minnesota, sponsored by Cope Schellhorn.

Roswell Video Update

This section addresses the controversial Roswell autopsy video. The issue notes that copies ordered from England contained a longer, more graphic autopsy scene than other versions. The Fox TV Network was also set to air previously unseen footage. The video room at the Mobile convention continuously showed versions of this film. The authenticity of the film is debated among ufologists, with Ray Santilli being described as a potentially sleazy promoter. Still pictures, purportedly from "Fortean Times", have surfaced showing a human hand working on an alien head, raising further questions.

Walter Haut, public relations officer at Roswell Army Air Field at the time of the incident, is mentioned as rejecting the film's authenticity. Stanton Friedman, a nuclear physicist and UFO lecturer, initially suggested waiting and seeing but has reportedly met with Santilli twice and was not favorably impressed. The article notes that the proper spelling of the name is Santilli, not Sentilli. Efforts to find the military cameraman who allegedly filmed the event are ongoing, with the death of Jack Barnett noted. The article also questions the presence of former president Harry Truman in New Mexico at the time of the alleged incident.

Poems and Commentary

The issue includes a poem by Pat Davey titled "Good Samaritans," inspired by the "Alien Autopsy" show. A song parody, "Santilli's Grey," by Adam Gorightly, is also featured. Herbert Taylor offers a poem about the Roswell crash.

Letters to the Editor and Contributions

Several individuals contributed to this issue:

• Phil Klass is mentioned in relation to a Fox Network alien autopsy show and a SubGenius discussion group.
• Gail Aggen is mentioned in a brief poetic context.
• Paul Fisher writes about "Nurse X" from Roswell, asserting her existence despite doubts from those who haven't thoroughly investigated.
• Herbert Taylor provides a detailed analysis of the Roswell debris, suggesting that the "hieroglyphics" were actually markings on "sticky tape" used in Project Mogul balloon arrays, linking them to Warrant Officer Irving Newton's observations.
• Robert Anton Wilson comments on the Fox Network alien autopsy show and a discussion about jacking off over naked alien bodies.
• John Alexander discusses the demise of "The Coalition" (composed of MUFON, CUFOS, and FUFOR) and his retirement from Los Alamos.
• Armen Victorian writes about nonlethality in weapons and expresses a willingness to listen to Alexander.
• Dr. Richard Boylan corrects an error in a previous article regarding the revocation of his license, stating it was due to "gross negligence" and not sexual misconduct.
• Dr. Thornton Page, a member of the 1953 Robertson Panel, recounts his experience being recorded and his statement that UFOs are a "public myth." He notes that his 90-minute statement was cut to 2 minutes.
• Hal Starr questions the awarding of "Ufologist of the Year" to "Dr." Frank, suggesting he may be a fictional character.
• Paris Flammonde is preparing to liquidate his FS/UFO library and offers items for sale.

Tidbits of Trash

This section includes brief news items:

• Information about Jesse Marcel (Sr.) is promised for the next issue.
• Louis Razzano of Miami is producing a series of UFO shows on Public Access TV.
• Ed Komarek is running for Congress in Georgia in 1996.
• Donations to "Smear" are welcomed.
• Marcello Truzzi has undergone a serious operation and is wished a speedy recovery.
• The MUFON Journal's membership has "leveled off" at about 5,200.
• Ed Walters of Gulf Breeze is still photographing UFOs.
• The article notes personal relationship changes within the Gulf Breeze UFO community.
• CUFOS (Center for UFO Studies) is predicted to fold due to financial and personality problems.
• Two book reviews were postponed due to lack of space.
• "Smear" is now "on-line" on the Internet.

Update on James Randi

The issue notes that the lawsuits between James Randi and Uri Geller have ended. Randi is quoted from "Skeptic" Magazine expressing strong atheistic and anti-religious views, condemning the Christian god and accusing it of encouraging prejudice.

Letters to Ye Olde Editor

• Betty Hill writes that the Roswell autopsy tapes are real and that people should not fear the beings depicted, suggesting that claims of a hoax are motivated by financial gain.

The Devil's Advocate

A brief advertisement for "The Devil's Advocate" magazine is included, promoting a logical and objective approach to UFO phenomena.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

"Saucer Smear" maintains a critical and often skeptical stance towards UFO claims, while still engaging with the subject matter. The editor, James W. Moseley, is presented as a central figure, actively participating in and reporting on UFO events. The publication appears to value direct reporting and personal accounts, but also includes commentary that questions authenticity and motives. There is a clear interest in the Roswell incident and the ongoing debate surrounding it. The magazine also touches upon broader themes of ufology, skepticism, and the personal lives of prominent figures in the field. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry, but with a discerning eye, often highlighting inconsistencies or questionable aspects of claims.