Saucer Smear - Vol 43 No 02 - 1996

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 43, No. 2
Date: February 20th, 1996
Publisher: SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY

This issue of "Saucer Smear" is a non-scheduled newsletter that continues its critical and often skeptical examination of the UFO field. The publication is dedicated to "the highest principles of ufological journalism" and features a mix of news, opinions, reader letters, and book reviews, often with a provocative and contrarian stance.

Key Articles and Features

Miscellaneous Ravings

The "Miscellaneous Ravings" section opens with a discussion of "The Aviary," a group of individuals within ufology who allegedly use bird-like code names. The article references Dr. Richard Boylan's update in "Perceptions" magazine, identifying members such as "Blue Jay" (Dr. Christopher Green, CIA), "Pelican" (Ron Pandolfi, CIA Deputy Director), "Owl" (Hal Puthoff), "Penguin" (Col. John Alexander), "Sea Gull" (Dr. Bruce Maccabee), "Chickadee" (Cmdr. C.B. Scott Jones), "Condor" (Capt. Bob Collins, USAF Ret.), "Falcon" (Sgt. Richard Doty), and "Mockingbird" (William Moore). The editor, James W. Moseley, humorously notes his own attempt to join "The Aviary" as "Buzzard" was rejected.

Dr. Thornton Page's Passing and Legacy

The issue reports the death of Dr. Thornton Page, a retired NASA scientist, on January 2nd, 1996, at the age of 82. Page was known for his involvement with the 1953 Robertson Panel, a CIA-funded group that studied the flying saucer problem. The article mentions Page's brief explanation of his role in a letter published in the December 5th, 1995 issue and a recent 90-minute tape he made about the panel's work, which was significantly shortened for broadcast. Page is described as a "true non-believer regarding UFOs" and a friend of the publication.

Miami MUFON Meeting and UFO Conventions

Editor James W. Moseley attended a monthly meeting of the Miami, Florida MUFON organization, led by Mary Margaret Zimmer, editor of the zine "SKYSCAM." The meeting featured researcher Virgilio Sanchez-Ocejo and Milton Hourcade, who discussed his past UFO organization in Uruguay. A video of recent sightings in Mexico was shown. Moseley offers his services as a speaker but doubts his "radical ufological views" would be accepted.

The publication lists several upcoming UFO conventions in 1996, including "Project Awareness" in Gulf Breeze, Florida; the MUFON bash in Greensboro, North Carolina; the National UFO Conference (NUFOC) in Milwaukee/St. Paul; and three sponsored by Tim Beckley in Denver, Palm Springs, and Phoenix. Pat Marcatillio's "7th Great UFO/ET Alien & Abduction Congress" is also mentioned.

"Kor's Kosmos" and UFOs

Issue #10 of "Kor's Kosmos: Exploring the Borderlands of Knowledge," a 20-page zine by Tom Comella (pen name Peter Kor), is reviewed. Kor is known for his philosophical commentary on the UFO mystery, though the reviewer finds his habit of not stating his conclusions directly frustrating. The zine "tells us, in a series of statements that we happen to agree with, just what UFOs are not."

Tidbits of Trash

• This section addresses several points:
• "Saucer Smear" is now on the World Wide Web (WWW) but does not accept E-mail. Readers are encouraged to write via traditional mail.
• Corrections from the previous issue include Nellis Air Force Base being in Nevada, not New Mexico, and John Alexander moving to Las Vegas, not Albuquerque.
• Unusual animal stories are shared: a "blood-sucking alien predator" in Puerto Rico causing over a thousand animal deaths, and pigeons in England taking subway trains instead of flying.
• The editor has an illustrated article titled "The Dawn of the Flying Saucer Era" in the Spring 1996 issue of "UFO Universe," which was originally written for FATE Magazine.
• An upcoming Air Force statement on the Roswell Incident, addressing rumors of dead alien bodies, is anticipated with interest.

Henry Kissinger and the Bilderbergers

A quote from Henry Kissinger's 1992 address to the Bilderbergers group is presented, suggesting that Americans might be grateful for UN troops to restore order if faced with an "outside threat from beyond," leading them to relinquish individual rights for security.

"The Billy Meier Story: Spaceships of the Pleiades"

Kal K. Korff's skeptical book, "The Billy Meier Story: Spaceships of the Pleiades," is discussed. Korff is known for his indirect role in revealing the incarceration of Wendelle Stevens due to "sexual misconduct with decidedly underage females." The article notes Meier's claims of direct contact with aliens from the Pleiades, including "Semjase," and his production of UFO photographs and "contact notes." Korff's investigation into Meier's commune in Switzerland is highlighted, with the book published by Prometheus Books, associated with CSICOP.

Book Reviews and Mentions

• Jerry Clark's "High Strangeness: UFOs from 1960 through 1979," the third volume of his UFO Encyclopedia, is mentioned as a 700+ page work costing $95 retail. The editor notes only one reference to himself in the index.
• Budd Hopkins is preparing to release a new book on the Linda Napolitano abduction case.
• Whitley Strieber's new book, "The Secret School," is mentioned, focusing on childhood memories of abduction-related experiences.
• Roy Craig's "UFOs: An Insider's View of the Official Quest for Evidence," a skeptical work by a former Robertson Panel investigator, is published by the University of North Texas Press.
• "The Anomalist: 3" is discussed in a letter from Dennis Stacy.

Important Notice: Area 51

A notice states that "Saucer Smear" received the February 8th issue of The Wall Street Journal, which featured a front-page article on the hazardous waste problem at "Area 51." The article will be summarized in the next issue, focusing on government actions concerning citizens in the name of National Security.

Letters to Ye Olde Editor

This section features correspondence from various researchers and readers:

• Robert Todd clarifies details about Jesse Marcel's military rank, stating he was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserve in December 1947, not after retirement, and that his active-duty rank remained major. Todd asserts Marcel did not retire but left active duty as a major in 1950 and was later discharged from the Reserve for failing to qualify.
• Dennis Stacy, Editor of "The Mutual UFO Network UFO Journal," submits the latest issue of "The Anomalist" (Winter 1995-96), noting its expansion to 176 pages and a price reduction. He praises "Saucer Smear's" website.
• Steve Mansee reports that the "Saucer Smear" online version continues to draw steady traffic, averaging 100-200 visitors daily, and calls working with the publication a "highlight of my year (1995)."
• Mark Ausmus expresses appreciation for "Saucer Smear" and requests back issues.
• Kevin Randle addresses claims made by himself and Stanton Friedman regarding false claims about Jesse Marcel, questioning the validity of Friedman's count.
• Tim Brigham, Editor of "The Devil's Advocate," suggests that the Gulf Breeze red light incident might have been a military attempt to fake UFOs for psychological warfare or propaganda purposes.
• Monty Cantsin claims the phone in the alien autopsy film proves its authenticity, stating that the futuristic phone designs of the 1950s were modeled after furniture from the Roswell UFO.
• Jerome Clark, Editor of "The International UFO Reporter," expresses shock at revelations about Jesse Marcel, Sr., criticizing those who might exaggerate their records. He notes that "Smear" serves to alert readers to such "hideously evil souls."
• George Hansen, a parapsychologist, offers an opposing view, praising Robert Todd's work for discrediting earlier researchers and asserting that ufology should focus on gullibility, hoaxes, and myth. He believes "Smear" chronicles "the real UFO phenomena."
• Tom Benson, former New Jersey MUFON State Director, emphasizes the need for basic research techniques in UFO research and criticizes the funding of "fast-talking alleged researchers." He highlights Robert Todd's work in checking the background of primary witnesses like Jesse Marcel.
• Jerry Lucci discusses Robert Todd's piece on Major Marcel, noting that despite evidence against a UFO crash, the field is reluctant to let go of the Roswell mystery, which represents hope for many.
• Herbert Taylor expresses affection for "Saucer Smear," appreciating its willingness to criticize and expose misdeeds within the UFO field.
• Jean Sider, a French UFO author, comments on "strange times" where some researchers focus on discrediting witnesses, thereby labeling incidents as hoaxes. He notes that in France, some claim witnesses are drunkards and that there are no true UFO reports or paranormal events.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of "Saucer Smear" reinforces its reputation for critical analysis and a willingness to challenge established narratives within the UFO community. Recurring themes include skepticism towards certain researchers and claims (e.g., James Randi, Jesse Marcel's background), the importance of rigorous research techniques, and the exposure of alleged hoaxes or misrepresentations. The editorial stance is clearly one of challenging conventional ufology, often through direct criticism and the highlighting of dissenting or skeptical viewpoints. The publication positions itself as a chronicler of the "real UFO phenomena" by dissecting claims and scrutinizing the motives and methods of those involved in UFO research.