Saucer Smear - Vol 43 No 04 - 1996

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 43, No. 4
Date: April 25th, 1996
Publisher: SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY

This issue of Saucer Smear, a non-scheduled newsletter, delves into various UFO-related topics, with a significant focus on the enduring legacy of the Roswell Incident. The publication is dedicated to the principles of ufological journalism and serves as the official publication of the SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY.

The Roswell Incident Rides Again!

The lead story details a sensational development concerning the Roswell Incident. On March 24th, 1996, a small metal fragment, claimed to be debris from a UFO crash site near Roswell in July 1947, was delivered to the International UFO Museum by an anonymous individual. Max Littell, a spokesman for the museum, announced this development on or about March 27th, 1996, leading to media coverage. The magazine contacted Professor Charles Moore of Socorro, N.M., who was the project engineer for the 1947 balloon project known as Project Mogul. Moore, while not identifying himself as a UFO researcher, is involved in the analysis of the fragment. The issue also includes a poem about the Roswell crash, suggesting its lasting impact.

Miscellaneous Ravings: UFO Conferences and Personal Encounters

The editor recounts his attendance at the Fourth Annual Gulf Breeze (Florida) UFO Conference from March 15th-17th. He notes the absence of "Mr. Ed" Walters but mentions speaking with him by phone. Notable speakers included Dr. John Mack, whom the editor found to be under strain and projecting his worldview onto aliens. Whitley Strieber was also present and discussed losing his "cabin" in New York due to financial difficulties related to the "Communion" movie. He is reportedly working on a new book called "The Secret School."

The editor also describes an encounter with abductee Judy Veltidi, whose children were featured in a NOVA production. Veltidi became hostile when she realized the editor was a semi-skeptic. A significant moment at the convention was confronting Stanton Friedman with information about Roswell from a previous "Smear" article. Friedman dismissed a 1948 document as irrelevant because it was classified "SECRET."

Other speakers mentioned include Dr. Michael Grosso, Dr. Barry Downing, Michael Lindemann, and Dr. Edith Fiore. The editor concludes that he learned more from informal conversations with friends than from the speakers themselves. Friends mentioned include Rex Salisberry, Tim Brigham, and authoress Mia Adams.

Moon Structures and MJ-12 Forgery Claims

The issue discusses the growing idea of possible artificial structures on the Moon, contrasting a Fox TV News report with a hostile Washington Post article. Richard Hoagland, known for his Moon-structure theories, is criticized. The controversy centers on photos that suggest artificial structures, with a Palm Beach newspaper headline proclaiming "EXTRATERRESTRIAL LANDING BASE FOUND ON MOON."

Capt. Kevin Randle (Ret.) contributes an article titled "The MJ-12 Operations Manual: Another Forgery?" in the Spring 1996 International UFO Reporter. Randle argues that the MJ-12 documents are fake due to non-conformity with regulations, inaccurate information, incompleteness, and lack of provenance or independent verification. This contrasts with Stanton Friedman's long-held belief in the authenticity of these documents.

Radio Talk Show Controversy and Personal Anecdotes

A transcript from a Pensacola, Florida radio talk show, "Terra Nova," features Stanton Friedman as a guest. A listener, Tim Brigham, questions Friedman about research by Robert Todd concerning Jesse Marcel's military record. Friedman responds with a personal and critical attack on Todd, describing him as an "interesting individual" who has filed many FOIA requests and lives at home with his parents, never having held a job or security clearance.

Book Reviews and Obituaries

The "Ye Olde Book Bag" section reviews three new books:

1. "Visions of Angels and Tales of Bowmen" by Kevin McClure: A 24-page booklet describing alleged religious visions of Allied troops in World War One. It is described as scholarly but offers no proof of supernatural events.
2. "Unconventional Flying Objects" by Paul Hill: A former NASA scientist's work suggesting UFOs "obey, not defy, the laws of physics" and are "explainable but attainable." The book is available for $16.
3. "Fastwalker" by Jacques Vallee: A fictional book about a cold warrier trying to capture a flying saucer. It is suggested that the book contains material Vallee cannot present as non-fiction. The book costs $14.95 plus shipping.

An obituary is presented for saucer researcher Harry Lebelson, former UFO editor for OMNI Magazine. Ellen Crystall writes that Lebelson passed away on November 9th, 1995, and lived a reclusive life, distrusting people in the UFO field.

Tidbits of Trash and Conference Updates

This section mentions a declassified "SECRET" letter from Colonel McCoy in late 1948, confirming his remark about the desire to recover crashed objects. The magazine has made a reservation for the 50th Anniversary Convention of the Roswell Incident in Roswell for July 4th weekend, 1997.

Back issues of "Smear" are available for $1. Recent issues are $1, while older ones (back to 1954) are available from Tom Benson. A book by Gray Barker, "UFO Crash Secrets at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base," is also for sale.

The "Smear" editor plans to attend the MUFON conclave in Greensboro, NC, and the National UFO Conference (NUFOC) in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN, in July and October, respectively. He may also attend Tim Beckley's event in Phoenix, AZ.

Other upcoming conventions include the "7th Great UFO/ET Alien & Abduction Congress" in New Jersey and the Great Plains UFO Conference in South Dakota, featuring Christa Tilton and John Mack.

Presidential Candidate and Alien Detector

Gene Buck, a publicist from Seattle, is running for President on a pro-UFO platform, promising to "OPEN 'AREA 51' AND EXPOSE ALL UFO SECRET FILES." The issue includes a drawing suggesting that presidential candidate Bob Dole might be an alien hybrid.

Letters to the Editor and Further Roswell Fragments

Betty Hill writes in reference to comments about Dr. Wilbert B. Smith, describing him as the official scientist for the Canadian government's UFO investigation. She recounts meeting his widow and discusses a "foundry waste" object that fell from the sky, which was examined but could not be opened, cut, hammered, or broken apart. Some pieces were given to a U.S. UFO organization and lost.

Researcher Karl Pflock corrects information about John Schuessler, stating he is not an MD but holds engineering and future studies degrees, and administers the MUFON Medical Committee. He also comments on Mia Adams/Shiela Franklin.

Stanton Friedman explains military security classification systems, noting that UFOs were considered TOP SECRET by the Army and Air Force, and many such documents are not part of the Blue Book system.

Brian Boldman comments on Whitley Strieber, suggesting he needs money and that his work sells because "weird sells." He quotes Strieber from a tape: "I was meditating out in the woods, and I noticed a kind of breeze sorta fool around with my balls, to be perfectly crude."

Analysis of Roswell Fragments

Professor Charles Moore has investigated the link between Project Mogul and the Roswell crash. He photographed a fragment and participated in its scientific analysis. The fragment is triangular, about 63 mm long, with a base width of 36 mm and a thickness of no more than 1/4 mm. Its front side appears to be copper with a fuzzy silver-like pattern, while the back side is all silvery and untarnished. Analysis showed a mixture of copper and silver with other trace elements. A further test to determine copper isotopes, which could indicate its origin (solar system or not), would require destroying a portion of the fragment and permission from the owner.

Moore believes the fragment is likely from an unknown terrestrial device but is interested in the isotopic analysis. The issue also mentions two other supposed Roswell fragments: one acquired by the Space & UFO Museum in Hakui City, Japan, and a 2-foot-long piece of metallic debris bought from the widow of a Los Alamos physicist, which was analyzed and found to be a common steel alloy used in aircraft construction.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO phenomena, particularly the Roswell Incident, and critically examines claims and evidence. There is a skeptical yet open-minded approach, with the editor often presenting personal anecdotes and opinions alongside reports from researchers. The publication highlights UFO conferences, debates among prominent figures in the field, and the ongoing search for definitive proof of extraterrestrial visitation. The editorial stance appears to favor investigative journalism within the ufological community, often questioning official narratives and promoting independent research.