Saucer Smear - Vol 43 No 01 - 1996

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 43, No. 1
Date: January 10th, 1996
Publisher: SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Editor: James W. Moseley

This issue of "Saucer Smear" delves into various controversial topics within the UFO community, with a strong emphasis on skepticism and debunking. The cover boldly proclaims "SHOCKINGLY CLOSE TO THE TRUTH!" and features a stylized alien head.

Key Articles and Discussions

Another Key Roswell Witness Bites the Dust:

The lead article focuses on researcher Robert Todd's article in "The KowPflop Quarterly" (formerly "The Cowflop Quarterly"), which scrutinizes the military personnel file of Major Jesse Marcel, a key figure in the Roswell Incident legend. Todd's investigation suggests Marcel exaggerated or lied about his career, including claiming 3,000 flight hours as a pilot (with no record of this), flying combat missions as an Intelligence officer rather than a pilot, and being awarded five Air Medals when he only received two. Furthermore, Marcel's claimed rank of Lt. Colonel is disputed, with records showing he was only a Major while on active duty, becoming a Lt. Colonel in the Air Force Reserve after retirement. Marcel also claimed a B.S. degree from George Washington University and attendance at four other colleges, but his record indicates only one year of college. Todd also points out Marcel's claim of writing the report President Truman read on the air about Russia's atomic device was inaccurate; Truman issued a written statement, not a broadcast report. The article commends Todd for his work using Marcel's complete file.

New "Saucer Smear" Theory: Explaining the Roswell Incident and Other Early "UFO Crashes":

This section presents a theory that the U.S. Government, since the start of the Cold War in 1946, has engaged in a disinformation campaign to mislead the Soviet Union about alien technology. This involved spreading rumors and possibly faking "little men" landings in the late 1940s and early 1950s, and continuing to fuel "Area 51" speculation. The goal was to make the Russians overestimate U.S. technological capabilities and over-spend into bankruptcy. The theory suggests that Frank Scully, author of "Behind the Flying Saucers," was a "useful idiot" for the government, as are current UFO researchers endorsing the MJ-12 documents. This theory focuses on the Cold War aspect of ufology.

Perils of the Internet:

The magazine acknowledges its own limited understanding of the internet but discusses the legal complexities of putting "Smear" online. They express concern about copyright issues for poetry and the potential for non-subscribers to read the magazine for free online. The article provides the Web address for "Saucer Smear": http://www.mcs.com/~kvg/smear.htm.

Tidbits of Trash:

This section offers a collection of brief news items and observations:

• Glenn Campbell is seeking information on felony convictions of ufologists for his "On-Line" biographies.
• The anagram for "RAY SANTILLI" is "SAINTLY LIAR."
• The "Alien Autopsy" video's original owner was Volkar Spielberg, a German producer of pornographic films. Wendelle Stevens is mentioned as promoting the video.
• John Alexander has moved to Las Vegas, possibly to be closer to Robert Bigelow, who is rumored to be funding a PSI-TECH Foundation (NIDS).
• "Unsolved Mysteries" featured the 1964 UFO landing at Socorro, New Mexico, witnessed by Lonnie Zamora.
• Marcello Truzzi is recovering from surgery.
• The magazine notes the passing of Gray Barker.
• President Clinton signed an Executive Order exempting "Area 51" from environmental laws to counter a lawsuit by employees claiming harm from radioactive waste, which the magazine suggests might be a deliberate tactic to increase "Area 51" hype.
• President Clinton stated that as far as he knows, an alien spacecraft did not crash in Roswell in 1947.
• "Video Dave" is selling a 2-hour video showing UFOs.
• Saber Enterprises is selling a video about the surgical removal of alien implants.
• A film shown at a German UFO conference allegedly depicts a flying saucer on a U.S. military flatbed truck, possibly related to a 1947 recovery.
• The National UFO Conference (NUFOC) will be held in Minneapolis/St. Paul, sponsored by Cope Schellhorn. Several ufologists are listed as speakers.
• Recent reports confirm the CIA has used psychics for intelligence gathering, though their reliability is questioned.
• A mysterious 3-minute broadcast from "Asteron" interrupted a TV signal in England.
• The Phoenix Skeptics have released their 1996 predictions, claiming a higher hit rate than psychics.

Sex & Saucers in Fort Lauderdale, Florida:

This section reviews Mia Adams' self-published book, "The Excyles: The True Experiences of a Woman Who is Loved by Extraterrestrials and was Romanced by a U.S. Government Intelligence Agent." The review highlights a particularly startling claim from the book: that FBI agent Jordan Perez (a pseudonym) discovered Ms. Franklin (the author) was his mother, conceived via a donor egg where her genetic material was substituted. The reviewer notes the book also discusses underground bases, genetic tampering, and abduction, and that Ms. Franklin has experienced surveillance and persecution.

Other New Books of Interest:

• "Phoenix in the Labyrinth" by C.B. Scott Jones, PhD, a compilation of lectures on UFOs.
• "Popular Alienation: A Steamshovel Press Reader," edited by Kenn Thomas, an anthology touching on UFOs, assassinations, and political intrigue, featuring contributors like Tim Leary and Stanton Friedman.

Missives from the Masses:

This section features letters from readers:

• Robert Anton Wilson praises the "Saucer Smear" website for its accuracy and skepticism, calling it a "damn good skeptical journal."
• Richard Aguilar expresses delight at rediscovering "Saucer Smear" online and notes its increased humor and irreverence.
• Mark Ausmus recounts meeting the "Saucer Smear" editor at the National UFO Conference and found the Q&A session fascinating. He notes that while other speakers were interesting, few seemed to focus on UFO research.
• Hilary Evans, a British ufologist, congratulates Dr. Frank Stranges on receiving the NUFOC Ufologist of the Year Award but questions the grounds for this prestigious title, referencing Stranges' past personal tragedy and alleged crimes.

Other Contributors' Letters:

• Dr. Thornton Page, a retired NASA engineer and member of the 1953 Robertson Panel, writes that he was misled by Jim Oberg regarding his appearance in a TV segment.
• Bill Moore, a Roswell investigator, expresses vindication regarding his past criticisms of Don Schmitt and others, noting that allegations he made years ago are now seemingly being acknowledged.
• Stanton Friedman, a nuclear physicist, states his skepticism about everything, including the Santilli autopsy footage, and details his research methods, including polygraph examinations and archival investigations. He claims to have exposed false credentials and found "REAL MJ-12 documents."
• Armen Victorian calls the "Alien Autopsy" film bogus, noting the alleged cameraman is deceased and that MUFON has been misled.
• Dennis Stillings, Director of the Archaeus Project, writes about an article in "Der Spiegel" concerning the "transparent fraud" of the "Alien Autopsy" film, citing issues like a modern wall phone and amateurish procedures.
• Alexander Mebane suggests Santilli and Fox Network are maximizing the effect of the "Alien Autopsy" film.
• Betty Hill, a famed abductee, expresses enjoyment of the discussions about the autopsy film, stating that only those who have seen UFOs can truly judge.
• K. Ryan criticizes "debunkers" like James Randi for their "embittered, petty, spiteful" rants.
• Monty Cantsin discusses "Project Awareness," questioning its effectiveness against aliens and criticizing Jim Moseley for giving himself awards. He also comments on Whitley Strieber's return to ufology and the Roswell video, suggesting the military might use propaganda regarding aliens.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of "Saucer Smear" are skepticism towards prominent UFO claims and personalities, a focus on debunking perceived hoaxes (like the alien autopsy film), and a critical examination of the Roswell Incident narrative. The magazine appears to adopt a "live and let live" editorial stance, generally presenting critical viewpoints and allowing readers to voice their opinions, even when those opinions are critical of the magazine itself or its contributors. There is a consistent undercurrent of questioning official narratives and exposing what the magazine perceives as deception or self-aggrandizement within the UFO community. The Cold War disinformation theory is presented as a unifying explanation for many UFO phenomena. The magazine also highlights the growing influence and challenges of the internet in disseminating information.