Saucer Smear - Vol 43 No 06 - 1996

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 43, No. 6
Date: June 25th, 1996
Publisher: SAUCER SMEAR
Editor: James W. Moseley

This issue of SAUCER SMEAR, a non-scheduled newsletter dedicated to ufological journalism, covers a variety of topics related to UFOs, alleged paranormal phenomena, and related personalities. The issue includes a brief mention of the death of Dr. Timothy Leary, the 1960s hippie guru, who had an interest in UFOs.

Miscellaneous Ravings

Roswell Incident Film Flaw Researcher Karl Pflock has identified a potential flaw in Ray Santilli's notorious alien abduction film. The film reel-can labels bear a stamp from the National Military Establishment, which was not introduced until October 1947 at the earliest. This date is later than the Roswell Incident's occurrence in late June or early July 1947, raising questions about the film's authenticity.

Uri Geller's Spoon Bending The newsletter provides follow-ups on Uri Geller's spoon-bending abilities. One account, from a British music magazine and sent by Marcello Truzzi, describes a reporter witnessing Geller's spoon bending to a right angle. Another account comes from Dr. Bruce Maccabee, who recounts a story told to him by Dr. J. Allen Hynek. Hynek reportedly witnessed a spoon continue to bend after Geller removed his hand, an event that clearly shook him.

James Randi Educational Foundation Marcello Truzzi and the internet are the source of information about the newly-formed James Randi Educational Foundation. The newsletter expresses skepticism about its purpose, suggesting it might be a tax dodge. It criticizes the foundation's stance, which it characterizes as a rigid belief system that rejects new information, and notes that Randi has had an asteroid named after him by sympathetic scientists. The foundation is reportedly funded by an anonymous sponsor in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Timothy Leary Dr. Timothy Leary, who died at age 75, is mentioned as having had an interest in UFOs, which he reportedly developed during his time in prison. A photograph shows Leary at a gathering with psychologist Frank Baron and Buddhist Matthew Brenner. Robert Anton Wilson, a friend of Leary's, is quoted describing Leary as a 'marvel' and the 'funniest and happiest dying man' he ever saw, attributing this partly to his hopes in cryonics and partly to his personality. Wilson notes Leary's continued happiness during his prison years.

Quantum Physics Breakthrough An item from the New York Times is shared, reporting that a team of physicists has proven that an entire atom can exist simultaneously in two widely separated places. This phenomenon, described as a violation of common sense, is a breakthrough in quantum physics.

National UFO Conference (NUFOC) Attention is drawn to the 33rd annual National UFO Conference, to be held on October 5th & 6th in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. This year's conference will feature all three recognized experts on the Roswell Incident: Karl Pflock, Stanton Friedman, and Kevin Randle. Dr. Frank Stranges will be the Master of Ceremonies, and James Moseley and Brad Steiger will be speakers. The conference is sponsored by the 'Permanent Organizing Committee of the NUFOC', whose members include James Moseley, Rick Hilberg, Al Manak, Antonio Huneeus, Tom Benson, Tim Beckley, Al Greenfield, Ed Komarek, and Bill Moore.

Editor's Travel and Schedule The editor, James W. Moseley, will be out of town for most of July, attending the MUFON Conference in Greensboro, N.C., and other engagements. Consequently, there will be no new 'Smear' issues until August. Moseley also mentions an invitation to lecture in London, England, in April 1997, at a convention sponsored by 'Fortean Times'.

Press-Time Bulletin: John Ford A bulletin announces that John Ford of the Long Island UFO Network has become "Radioactive Man" in a bizarre death plot, with a story to be found on page 8.

Ye Olde Book Bag

Review of "The Jim Ragsdale Story" The editor expresses a prejudice against "The Jim Ragsdale Story" before even reading it, having had to pay $17.45 for a 40-page soft-cover book from the International UFO Museum and Research Center. His copy also mysteriously disappeared, leading him to pay another $35 for a second copy.

Jim Ragsdale, a Roswell witness who died in 1995, made a video tape shortly before his death, available for $29.50. A Ragsdale T-shirt is also sold for $13.95.

Ragsdale's account, shared with a girlfriend on the night of July 4th, 1947, describes seeing a 20-foot-diameter flying saucer crash nearby while they were in his pickup truck. The name of the young lady is given as Trudy Truelove.

Both Ragsdale and Trudy collected crash fragments, as did Walter Whitmore from another supposed Roswell crash site. Ragsdale claims to have seen the bodies of four aliens inside the craft, all dead and less than four feet tall, contradicting other accounts. He also claimed to have tried to pull a helmet off one of the bodies and buried about a dozen golden helmets.

The book also includes testimony from other Roswell witnesses and investigators. Stanton Friedman found Ragsdale believable. Karl Pflock, however, is quoted negatively, describing Ragsdale's reported trysting place as unlikely and his account as internally contradictory, with claims of mysterious post-incident events resembling "bar room tall tales."
The editor agrees with Pflock, stating, "The only good thing we can say about this book is that the illustrations are top quality. No shit!"

You Are What You See!

"Strange Encounters: UFOs, Aliens & Monsters Among Us" A book by Curt Sutherly, a non-subscriber and UFO researcher, is due out soon. Published by Llewellyn, it includes "fifteen gripping stories" about UFO sightings and alleged cover-ups. The book is 272 pages and sells for $5.99.

Sutherly has connected the editor with the Celestial Visions School of Metaphysical Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where both will give lectures on September 21st. Sutherly will discuss his book, and the editor will share personal UFO and psychic experiences.

"UFO-Related Human Psychological Effects" Another book by MUFON's medical researcher, John F. Schuessler, is in the works. It will sell for $15 plus postage and handling.

Letters to the Editor

Robert Todd's "Roswell UFO Rehab Center" Researcher Robert Todd writes on a letterhead that reads: "Roswell UFO Rehab Center - Home of the Magestic 12 Step Roswell UFO Recovery Program". Todd expresses his view that "Ufology" is a religion and Roswell True Believers are a fanatical sect. He criticizes major UFO publications for not mentioning his magazine, "Cow-flop," and states that the UFO 'press' is a propaganda machine responsible for misinformation about UFOs and government cover-ups.

Todd also references Colonel Howard McCoy, who headed technical intelligence at Wright Field during the Roswell Incident. McCoy's statement about a "saucer" sighting and over 300 reports is mentioned, but Todd notes that the same statement denies the existence of crash-recovered exhibits.

Tom Carey on Roswell Tom Carey offers a different perspective on the Roswell case. He describes Dr. Jesse Marcel Jr. as a 'nicer, clearer-thinking straighter-shooting person'. Carey suggests that any negative response from Marcel Jr. to inquiries is more a reflection of the inquirer than of Marcel. He addresses the idea of Roswell "losing ground year by year," attributing this to debunkers who will accept no evidence. Carey argues that the 'pro' position on Roswell is more reasonable than the 'anti' position, which he sees as based on faith that it can't be true.

Dr. Bruce Maccabee on McCoy and A&E Dr. Bruce Maccabee responds to a previous 'Smear' mention of his 'diatribe' about Colonel McCoy's statement. Maccabee clarifies that McCoy also referred to over 300 saucer sightings from competent personnel, including Air Force and Airline people. Maccabee also comments on an A&E TV special that portrayed him as a "careful, critical scientist rather than a hardcore Believer." He states that the show's slant was towards the idea that UFOs are a myth, and that only portions of his interview critical of the subject were used.

Psychologist George Hansen on Robert Bigelow Psychologist George Hansen comments on Robert Bigelow's National Institute for Discovery Science, lamenting the lack of information from John Alexander. Hansen notes that Alexander's background, including a 'doctoral' degree in 'thanatology' from Walden 'University', and his association with Elisabeth Kubler-Ross and Jay Barham, raises questions about his scientific contributions.

Researcher Lee Walsh on Pine Bush Researcher Lee Walsh writes that he did not know Ellen Crystall's book had gone into a second printing. He states that he was raised near Pine Bush, N.Y., and that there were no UFO reports from that town in 1974 when he returned, nor are there any now. He has read Crystall's 'Silent Invasion' and asserts that there is no UFO/alien story in Pine Bush.

"Bryn" on "The Excyles" Ad A reader identified as "BRYN" points out that the ad for "The Excyles" on page 2 of the June 1st issue was printed upside down. The editor confirms this was intentional to draw attention to the ad.

Sheila Franklin (Mia Adams) Sheila Franklin, also known as Mia Adams, writes that she hopes interest in her will wane when Budd Hopkins releases his new book about Linda Napolitano. She states that she has endured significant challenges and remained resilient.

Karl Pflock on Sheila Franklin/Mia Adams Karl Pflock writes that he is surprised Mia Franklin/Adams does not know who he is, given his presence in the UFO field. He humorously questions why she uses a pseudonym if she intends to reveal herself in her book.

Christa Tilton on Monty Cantsin Famed UFO abductee Christa Tilton writes, expressing amusement at a letter from Monty Cantsin. She questions who in the UFO community gives credibility to "this Sicko" and wonders about the sanity of the sender.

John Ford and the Long Island UFO Network The newsletter reports on John Ford, former president of the Long Island UFO Network. Ford claims a worker named Mazzuchelli was beaten as part of a plot to suppress his information about alleged UFO landings. However, a New York Post article details the arrest of Ford and Mazzuchelli for plotting to kill officials, involving radioactive material and weapons. Ford's home contained radioactive canisters, weapons, and a gas mask. He admitted to stalking an official with a high-powered rifle. Literature of the Freemen group was found in Ford's home. Ford's bulletin ends with the word "VERITAS", the name of Bill Cooper's pro-Militia magazine.

Ford has filed a lawsuit against rival UFO researcher Bill Knell, who has since moved to Florida. Knell has a history of arrests for selling unlicensed handguns and has made written death threats against the SAUCER SMEAR editor.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SAUCER SMEAR include skepticism towards sensational UFO claims, a critical examination of individuals and organizations involved in ufology, and a focus on the Roswell Incident. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, often questioning the validity of paranormal claims and the motives of those promoting them. The editor, James W. Moseley, frequently expresses a skeptical viewpoint, particularly regarding spoon bending and alleged alien encounters, while still acknowledging the need for explanations for unexplained phenomena. There is a clear distinction made between rigorous scientific investigation and what the publication views as unsubstantiated belief or propaganda within the UFO community.