Saucer Smear - Vol 43 No 05 - 1996

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 43, No. 5
Date: June 1st, 1996
Publisher: SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY

This issue of SAUCER SMEAR, the official publication of the SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY, is dated June 1st, 1996. It is presented as a non-scheduled newsletter and features a mix of news, commentary, and book reviews related to ufology.

More Roswell Fragments

The lead story details an anonymous letter sent to radio personality Art Bell on April 18th, which included "several" Roswell fragments. The letter, which has been posted on the internet, alleges that a spaceman who survived the Roswell UFO crash told military investigators that the crashed disc was a "probeship" dispatched from a "launchship" stationed at a dimensional gateway. This "launchship" had been conducting operations on Terra for over 100 years, while another group explored Mars. The disc allegedly crashed after colliding with a meteor in orbit of Terra, leading to a malfunction of its propulsion system and a distress signal to companions on Mars. The "launchship" commander supposedly authorized an attempted soft landing on the New Mexican desert. A spokesman for the International UFO Museum admitted that some portions of these claims were "too wild to be credible." The fragments are reportedly made of "pure extract aluminum."

Tidbits of Trash

This section covers various items and controversies within the ufology community:

• Dr. Bruce Maccabee vs. Col. Howard McCoy: Dr. Bruce Maccabee of FUFOR explains how Col. Howard McCoy might have been misinformed regarding UFO crashes when he stated at a SECRET Air Force meeting in 1948 that no UFO crashes had occurred up to that point. This refers to a previous "Smear" issue quoting McCoy. Phil Klass' "Skeptics UFO Newsletter" (SUN) also offers a rebuttal.
• Bill Cooper on Don Ecker and Vicki Cooper: The Miami UFO Center provided information from Bill Cooper's opinion on Don Ecker and Vicki Cooper of "UFO Magazine." Cooper claims Don Ecker was not an Army officer, never in Special Forces or Vietnam, and received no medals. He also states Don had "a problem with alcohol." Regarding Vicki Cooper, he alleges she worked for "The Mayflower Madam." The article notes that Bill Cooper himself also "has a problem with alcohol," referencing a physical altercation at a UFO convention involving him and Erik Beckjord.
• Robert Todd vs. Dr. Jesse Marcel Jr.: A feud is ongoing between UFO researcher Robert Todd, editor of "Cowflop Quarterly," and Dr. Jesse Marcel Jr., son of Major Jesse Marcel, a witness to the Roswell Incident. Marcel Jr. is a strong defender of his father's account and the authenticity of the Roswell Incident. The correspondence between them reportedly degenerated into personal insults, with Marcel Jr. telling Todd to "GO FUCK YOURSELF!"
• Area 51 Lawsuit Dismissed: Following up on a previous article, Glenn Campbell's newsletter "The Groom Lake Desert Rat" reports that a lawsuit against the Government concerning "Area 51" has been dismissed by a federal judge. An appeal to the federal court in San Francisco is planned.

Abduction and Books

• Richard Hoagland's Moon Structures: Two articles in the May/June issue of "UFO Magazine" discuss Richard Hoagland's March 21st news conference on artificial Moon structures, which was reportedly a "Bomb." Reporters were disappointed by his presentation and the poor quality of NASA photos, which failed to show anything conclusive.
• New Cameraman for Roswell Autopsy Video: A new alleged cameraman, Jack Snow, has been found and has given a TV interview for Caveat Productions regarding the Roswell autopsy video. Snow lives near Orlando, Florida, and TV networks are reportedly bidding for the interview.
• Timothy Good's Books: Timothy Good has released "Beyond Top Secret," a sequel to "Above Top Secret." The article humorously suggests the book might be filled with blank pages, as there is "nothing (in the U.S.A., anyway) above or beyond Top Secret." Good is reportedly working on a third book titled "Way Above and Beyond Top Secret."
• Uri Geller's Spoon Bending: The "Smear" editor recounts meeting Uri Geller and family in Miami on April 9th, 1992. Geller allegedly bent a spoon without touching it for about thirty seconds. The editor believes this was a chemically "pre-programed" trick, though a sophisticated one. Phil Klass showed no interest, but Dr. Gary Posner of the Tampa Bay Skeptics did. The spoon and account have been sent to CSICOP for their convention.
• Chupacabras: The "chupacabras" (goatsucker) has reportedly migrated to the United States from Puerto Rico and has appeared in Miami, Los Angeles, and San Antonio, killing goats and other farm animals.

National UFO Conference and UFO Special

• NUFOC: The issue notes the upcoming 33rd annual National UFO Conference (NUFOC) on October 5th and 6th in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. Rick Hilberg has been replaced by Karl Pflock. James Moseley is listed as one of two banquet speakers.
• MUFON Conference: The editor will also attend the MUFON conference in Greensboro, North Carolina, on the July 4th weekend.
• Roswell 50th Anniversary: The editor plans to be in Roswell for the 50th anniversary celebration the following year.
• Arts & Entertainment UFO Special: A 2-hour UFO "special" on the Arts & Entertainment TV Network is described as making a "gallant & largely successful effort to give a balanced history of the UFO saga." Topics covered included the Orsen Welles "War of the Worlds" broadcast, Kenneth Arnold, Roswell, Project Bluebook, George Adamski, "Area 51," abductions (Betty Hill, Budd Hopkins, David Jacobs), Dr. Michael Persinger, Crop Circles, and S.E.T.I. The commentary's closing sentence was "Perhaps what we are seeing is a reflection of ourselves." Dr. Bruce Maccabee was presented as a careful scientist, and aviation historian Curtis Peebles appeared as a skeptic. An advertisement for "FORCED INTO SEX ABOARD A FLYING SAUCER" was also shown.

Back Issues

Back issues of "Saucer Smear" from 1991-1996 are available from Headquarters. Earlier issues, back to 1954, are available from Tom Benson in Trenton, N.J.

Ye Olde Book Bag

• "The UFO Encyclopedia, Volume 3: High Strangeness: UFOs from 1960 through 1979" by Jerome Clark: This is the third volume of Clark's history of ufology, costing $95. It contains almost 800 pages and a cumulative index. The article notes that the editor's activities were "relatively unnoteworthy" during the 1960s and 1970s.
• "Silent Invasion" by Ellen Crystall: This 190-page softcover book details UFO sightings by the contactee Ellen Crystall, focusing on sightings in the "window" area of New York State near Pine Bush. The book features black & white photographs, and Crystall admits she is confused about the meaning of the phenomena. The book is available for $12.95 from Marlowe & Co.
• "The Ultimate Secret" plot outline by Peter Gersten: A partial book "plot outline" from Peter Gersten, a founder of the anti-Government-secrecy pro-UFO outfit "Just Cause," is discussed. The novel, set in 1997, is described as a "diabolical and terrifying plan" that has existed for fifty years, with Part Three deliberately missing and marked "Classified."

The Readers Strike Back

This section features letters and responses from readers and researchers:

• Tom Carey on Robert Todd: Roswell researcher Tom Carey criticizes "Smear" for not publishing his refutations of Robert Todd's arguments, accusing the publication of "spiking" dissenting views.
• Robert Todd's Response: Robert Todd states he has spent twenty-three years researching government UFO involvement and uncovered thousands of documents. He claims that contrary to "self-styled 'experts' like Friedman," documents show the government has not recovered wreckage from flying saucers. He asserts the Roswell case is "solved" and that perpetuating the Roswell/MJ-12 myth serves the interests of "ufologically influential parties."
• Christopher Allan on Stan Friedman: Christopher Allan writes that Stan Friedman's claim about an FBI memo stating UFOs were "top secret" is based on a misunderstanding. The memo from San Antonio in January 1948 was about "Protection of Vital Installations" and the agent had little understanding of UFOs, primarily writing about green fireball phenomena. Later, UFOs were designated "secret," not "top secret."
• Robert Anton Wilson on Roswell and Elvis: Robert Anton Wilson comments that "Roswell, like Dracula, always rises again." He also notes the continued appearances of Elvis and a new Bigfoot sighting prediction.
• Dick Freeman on "Saucer Smear": Dick Freeman, editor of "Batteries Not Included," suggests a business venture with "Smear" to sell topsoil from the Roswell crash site.
• Shiela Franklin on Karl Pflock: Shiela Franklin, author of "The Excyles," questions Karl Pflock's credentials and his claims about her book, stating he has not read it and misrepresents its content.
• Phil Klass on SUN: Phil Klass writes that while "Smear" may "scoop" SUN on occasion, SUN offers a more penetrating look at what is behind the headlines.
• John Alexander on NIDS: John Alexander, associated with NIDS (National Institute of Discovery Science), states that the organization is getting established and plans to make reports available through science journals. He notes that much research is mediocre, often by people lacking adequate experience.
• Chris Roth on "Aviary" and Budd Hopkins: Chris Roth suggests a ufological parlor game based on "avian code names" and criticizes Budd Hopkins' "angry responses" to his portrayal on NOVA, suggesting Hopkins is losing grip with reality.
• Monty Cantsin on Aliens: Monty Cantsin posits that aliens, gods, and angels are the same beings, interpreted differently by various groups. He claims only "real scientists" can distinguish between them.

National UFO and Unexplained Phenomena Conference

An advertisement for the "Dialogue With The Stars" conference, to be held on Saturday & Sunday, October 5th and 6th, in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. Featured speakers include Brad and Sherry Steiger, Stanton Friedman, Budd Hopkins, Colin Andrews, and James Moseley, among others. Tickets for lectures and workshops are available, along with a banquet.

News of the Weird

This section, by Chuck Shepherd, briefly mentions a Japanese animated film "Pompoko" where badgers use their testicles as a secret weapon, noting that Japanese culture is more open about bodily parts.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently features a critical and often skeptical tone towards many UFO claims, while simultaneously reporting on them. There's a strong emphasis on debunking, exposing perceived fraud, and highlighting internal disputes within the ufology community. The editor, James W. Moseley, often injects personal opinions and humor, frequently questioning the validity of claims and the motives of prominent figures. The publication seems to pride itself on presenting a contrarian viewpoint, even to the point of being accused of "spiking" certain arguments. There's a recurring theme of government secrecy and cover-ups, but also a healthy dose of skepticism towards those who claim to have definitive proof of alien visitation or advanced technology. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious investigation, often leaning towards exposing hoaxes or misinterpretations, while still acknowledging the enduring mystery of UFO phenomena. The magazine also engages in lively debates and criticisms of other UFO publications and researchers, fostering a sense of ongoing controversy within the field.