Saucer Smear - Vol 43 No 08 - 1996

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 43, No. 8
Date: September 10th, 1996
Publisher: SAUCER SMEAR
Editor: James W. Moseley

This issue of "Saucer Smear," the official publication of the SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY, is dedicated to ufological journalism. It features a prominent headline about Bob Guccione, editor and publisher of "Penthouse" and "Omni" magazines, being criticized for featuring alleged alien photographs.

Bob Guccione and the "Penthouse" Alien Photos

The lead article details how Bob Guccione featured three alleged alien photos in the September issue of "Penthouse." "Smear" has learned that these are actually pictures of a publicly-displayed alien model at the International UFO Museum in Roswell, New Mexico. The editor of "Smear" states he photographed the same model himself. Guccione is reported to have paid $50,000 to $200,000 for these pictures. The article references an expose in a Japanese UFO magazine by Jun-Ichi Takanashi, which traced "Chinese Alien Photos" that appeared on the World Wide Web in late 1995. Takanashi's magazine also included two of the three photos published in "Penthouse," which are identical down to the last detail. Deon Crosby, Director of the Roswell Museum, confirmed to "Smear" that Guccione does have "their" alien in his magazine. Guccione's write-up in "Penthouse" describes the images as potentially the "most important pictures in the history of photography," comparable to a photograph of Jesus Christ. He also claims the pictures belonged to the daughter of a German scientist who worked with Einstein and Oppenheimer and was involved in top-secret government research, including the Philadelphia Experiment and the Roswell crash investigation. "Smear" notes the irony that Guccione's "Omni" magazine has a policy of taking a skeptical view of UFO reports, yet his "Penthouse" publication features "pure garbage."

The Roswell Incident and Official Documents

"Smear" reports on the ongoing "Roswell kick," with humorous material continuing to arrive. An article from "Forbes" magazine is cited, highlighting the economic boom in Roswell due to renewed interest in the 1947 crash, with new cottage industries and increased motel occupancy. The town is preparing for its 50th Anniversary Celebration in July 1997. More seriously, "Smear" has obtained a copy of a formerly classified document dated November 3rd, 1948, signed by Colonel Howard M. McCoy, Chief of Intelligence. Titled "Flying Object Incidents in the United States," the document states that "no mysterious crashed at Roswell" and that "no physical evidence of the existence of the unidentified sightings has been obtained." It also notes that while the possibility of objects being vehicles from another planet has not been ignored, tangible evidence is lacking, and similar phenomena have been reported for over a century. The document concludes that the exact nature of these objects cannot be established until physical evidence, such as that resulting from a crash, is obtained. "Smear" argues that McCoy, as Chief of Air Force Intelligence, would not have been ignorant of or lied about the Roswell crash.

MUFON Controversy

The issue continues the report on a "Revolt of the MUFONites." In Georgia, a married couple, Kelly and Henry Owens, appointed as co-Directors, are causing problems. Henry Owens is described as overbearing, making threats, and displaying a swastika tattoo. He also allegedly sent racist jokes to another MUFON member, leading to the belief that he is a racist. MUFON Headquarters reportedly did nothing, resulting in the resignation of at least seven key members of Georgia MUFON. This has led to the formation of a new group, the International Society for UFO Research (ISUR), which plans to put all UFO sighting data on the Internet.

A New Kind of Contact Case? (Meteorite Event)

A New York writer, Tom Hackney, is featured for his interest in an unusual event on October 9th, 1992. A rare green meteor, estimated to weigh over a ton, broke up and was seen by thousands. A piece weighing 27 pounds hit a young woman's car in Peekskill, New York. This is notable as it's the first time a parent meteor was filmed from which a meteorite was recovered. Hackney believes this event was a deliberate attempt at communication by an extraterrestrial intelligence, despite not believing in UFOs as interplanetary vehicles. He points to details like the town name "Peekskill" and the license plate number "933" correlating with the timing of the NASA SETI Project. The car owner reportedly sold the car for $25,000 and the meteorite for $50,000.

Another Bigfoot Hoax?

Harry Kemball confesses to being present when the Patterson Bigfoot hoax was created. He claims that an extra-tall buddy played the role of Bigfoot, and they used a gorilla costume, laughed about it, and carefully chose muddy ground to make the footprints expand. The ape costume was reportedly created by ace ape-suit-maker John Chambers.

Ye Olde Book Bag

This section reviews several books:

• "TOP SECRET/MAJIC" by Stanton Friedman: "Smear's" editor disputes Friedman's claims about Dr. Donald Menzel leading a "double life" and being involved with "MJ-12." The editor, who knew Menzel personally, states Menzel was a skeptical UFO debunker with a whimsical obsession for mythical Martians, not involved in UFOs. The review also criticizes Robert Bletchman's review of Friedman's book in the MUFON Journal, noting Bletchman's role as MUFON's Director of Public Relations.
• "Forbidden Science Journals 1957-1969" by Jacques Vallee: This is a diary of Vallee's investigations, with the "Smear" editor mentioned on page 163. Available from Marlowe & Co.
• "Strange Encounters" by Curt Sutherly: This book from Llewellyn Publications contains 15 stories about the bizarre, from monster sightings to UFO cover-ups. The "Smear" editor is mentioned on several pages.
• Kal K. Korff's upcoming book: This book will expose the true origins of Ray Santilli's alien autopsy film.

Letters to Ye Olde Editor

• Phil Klass: Writes a humorous, albeit threatening, letter to Moseley, warning him to stop publishing items critical of Jerome Clark, or face a lawsuit funded by a "Spare Jerry Clark Defense Fund." Klass also notes that "Smear" is getting more interesting and refers to it as the "National Enquirer version of 'SUN'."
• Dr. Ellen Crystall: Author of "Silent Invasion," she comments on the confusion surrounding AC/DC names and criticizes Lee Walsh. She emphasizes the continuous sightings in Pine Bush, the hundreds of photos taken, and the authenticity of real photos.
• Lee Walsh: Responds to Crystall, stating that while she is female, she initially used the name "Lee" to get published in the UFO field. She claims that many sightings in Pine Bush are by people coming from miles around and that long-time residents are annoyed.
• Dr. Gary Posner, M.D.: Comments on Roger Leir being a "D.P.M." (podiatrist) rather than an "M.D." He congratulates "Smear" on breaking news about Budd Hopkins and contrasts NASA's scientific quest with ufologists' efforts.
• Rob MacGregor: Author of "The Phantom," he enjoys the "Tampa Bay Septics" joke and recounts seeing Uri Geller perform and spoons bend, suggesting it might be mass hysteria.
• Robert Todd: A notorious Roswell critic, he is "loosening up" by eating his voluminous UFO files. He hopes his letter to Boreass will be his last battle in ufoology, which he considers a hopeless hobby club. He threatens to resurrect "The Cowflop Quarterly" if attacked publicly. He expresses a desire to get drunk in Roswell on the 50th anniversary of the "Roswell alien spaceship crash."

Other Contributions

• Sheila Franklin: Author of "The Excyles," she writes about crop formations near Stonehenge, describing a spiraling Julia set pattern investigated with the Ministry of Defense.
• Robert Anton Wilson: Recounts attending memorial services for Tim Leary in Los Angeles, describing Leary's "Designer Death" and subsequent messages received by friends.
• The Far Side by Gary Larson: A cartoon depicts a professor's presentation on alien emotionlessness, with colleagues unimpressed, and a caption about a woman who gets started on UFOs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The editorial stance of "Saucer Smear" is critical of sensationalism and perceived hoaxes within the UFO community, particularly regarding the Roswell Incident and the presentation of questionable evidence. The magazine actively debunks claims, exposes potential financial motivations, and highlights internal controversies within organizations like MUFON. There is a clear emphasis on skepticism towards unverified accounts and a preference for documented evidence, even while acknowledging the ongoing public fascination with UFOs and related phenomena. The magazine also engages in book reviews and publishes letters from various figures in the UFO and skeptical communities, often with a critical or humorous tone.