Saucer Smear - Vol 44 No 04 - 1997

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 44, No. 4
Date: April 20th, 1997
Publisher: SAUCER SMEAR
Editor: James W. Moseley

This issue of "Saucer Smear" is a non-scheduled newsletter dedicated to ufological journalism. It features a mix of investigative reporting, commentary, and letters from various figures in the UFO community.

Key Articles and Features

Another Amazing Roswell-Related Story:

The magazine highlights the forthcoming book "The Day After Roswell" by retired Army officer Lt. Col. Phillip Corso. "Smear" has obtained a revised chapter outline and synopsis, which suggests Corso's main thesis is that alien artifacts from the Roswell crash, beginning in 1961, were given to American private industry, providing a significant technological advantage. The article notes that the book mentions MJ-12 and the Roswell alien autopsy video. It questions why the military waited until 1961 to release these artifacts and why similar UFO crashes in Russia were not exploited. The editor calls for someone with a similar background to confirm or refute Corso's claims.

Hale-Bopp's "SLO" Leads to Disaster!

This section details the mass suicide of 39 members of the religious cult "Higher Source" on March 26th. The cult believed a "Saturn-Like Object" (SLO), which they thought was following Comet Hale-Bopp, was a spaceship that would take them to another realm. The leader is identified as Marshall Applewhite, who previously founded a similar cult in the 1970s with Bonnie Nettler, known then as "Bo and Peep" or "The Two."

What Will MUFON Do If & When The Unthinkable Happens???

This piece raises concerns about the future of MUFON, specifically what would happen if their International Director, Walt Andrus, were to pass away. The author questions whether there are by-laws in place to ensure continuity and prevent the loss of valuable files, referencing the past loss of APRO and NICAP archives when their leaders departed.

"Project Awareness" Does It Again:

The editor recounts attending the 5th annual Gulf Breeze UFO Conference. He notes that approximately 450 people attended. Speakers included Travis Walton and Mike Rogers, who discussed Walton's 1975 abduction experience. The article compares the Walton case to the Betty and Barney Hill abduction, suggesting the former might be stronger if the accounts of the other six witnesses are true. The movie adaptation of the Walton story is mentioned as being deliberately different from other abduction narratives.

Speakers at the Gulf Breeze Convention:

Mike Rogers presented his story effectively. Travis Walton appeared somewhat ill at ease. Dr. Brian O'Leary, described as a "spacy New Ager," spoke, as did Nick Pope, a British Ministry of Defence official who worked on their "saucer desk." The editor expresses skepticism about Dr. Courtney Brown's Scientific Remote Viewing, despite Brown's efforts. Stanton Friedman and Whitley Strieber are also mentioned. Larry Warren, co-author of a book with Peter Robbins, was pleased with a previous review and gifted the editor a copy of his hardcover edition.

Tidbits of Trash:

This section includes an apology for the poor quality of a reproduction of David Huggins' painting in the previous issue and promises a clearer version. It then presents two unusual UFO-related items: one about an elderly woman in New Hampshire visited by twelve aliens, and another from an Israeli newspaper about Daoud Ahmad being beaten by two small, one-eyed creatures.

Books to Keep Your Campfire Glowing:

• Several books are reviewed or mentioned:
• "UFOs Are Real: Here's the Proof" by Ed Walters and Dr. Bruce Maccabee. The editor expresses skepticism about Walters' Gulf Breeze photos but acknowledges the book as a historical record.
• A re-issue of Dr. J. Allen Hynek's 1977 tome, "The Hynek UFO Report," with a foreword by Jacques Vallee.
• "When Cosmic Cultures Meet," a 400-page book of proceedings from a 1995 conference presented by the Human Potential Foundation, featuring papers by notable figures like Michael Hesemann, Zecharia Sitchin, and John Mack.
• "Of Heaven and Earth," edited by Zecharia Sitchin, with essays by six notables, including Antonio Hunneus.
• "Northern Ohio UFO Casebook" by Rick Hilberg, a collection of 38 UFO reports.

Missives From the Masses:

• This section features letters from several individuals:
• William Moore defends himself against what he calls "hatchet jobs" by Todd/Klass, asserting his weariness with accusations and stating that if any documents he cited are fabrications, he was also deceived. He suggests that the motive for fabricating a document related to General Schulgen would be unclear, as it proves little about Roswell.
• John Alexander writes in defense of Phil Corso, categorizing him as distinct from Al Bielek or Bill Cooper. Alexander states that Corso has twice presented credible tales that were proven true, including testimony before the U.S. Congress about a decades-long war and a KGB POW exploitation effort. He notes that Corso was instrumental in declassifying the "Project Horizon" plan for NASA's moon missions. Alexander concludes that while confirming Corso's crash material claims is difficult, Corso has proven he is not a "bullshit artist."
• Karl Pflock addresses Bill Moore's characterization of his views on Lt. Col. Corso. Pflock believes Corso is lying about his knowledge of Roswell and alien technology but agrees he is not in the same class as Bielek or Cooper. Pflock confirms Corso held the military and NSC positions he claimed but finds the "interesting stuff" bogus. He likens Corso to Frank Kaufmann or Bob Dean with credentials.
• Robert Todd expresses his desire to finish with the UFO subject.
• Christopher Allan praises Todd for exposing the fake Schulgen "Collection Memorandum" documents, lamenting that it wasn't done sooner. He criticizes FUFOR and others like Timothy Good, Stan Friedman, and Bruce Maccabee for their involvement with these documents.
• Jean Sider comments on the oddity of American ufology, noting the rise of debunkers after the USAF closed Project Blue Book and the emergence of UFO abduction reports. She criticizes UFO bulletins for dishonesty and insults, contrasting them with information from sources like Russian scientist Dr. Valery Burdakov.
• Colman VonKeviczky writes to correct "Saucer Smear's" characterization of his activity at the United Nations Secretariat, asserting he was a staff member in the Office of Public Information and was assigned to elaborate the first UN-UFO Project by Secretary General U Thant. He also clarifies his rank as a retired Colonel, granted by the Hungarian Republic's Ministry of Defense Rehabilitation Committee. The editor acknowledges VonKeviczky's corrections regarding his UN tenure and rank.
• Michael Dennett, a skeptic, lists his picks for best and worst UFO books, including "UFOs Explained" by Klass as best and "The UFO Controversy in America" by Jacobs as worst.
• Sheila Franklin expresses enjoyment of the magazine and anticipates the editor's forthcoming book.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently exhibits a critical and often skeptical stance towards many UFO claims and personalities, while simultaneously engaging deeply with the subject matter. There is a strong emphasis on investigating alleged cover-ups, questioning the authenticity of evidence, and scrutinizing the motives and backgrounds of prominent figures in ufology. The editor, James W. Moseley, appears to value rigorous investigation and is willing to challenge established narratives, even those presented by individuals he has previously supported. The magazine also highlights the intersection of UFO phenomena with religion, cults, and societal beliefs, as seen in the coverage of the Heaven's Gate tragedy. There is a clear editorial preference for documented evidence and verifiable accounts, as demonstrated by the detailed discussions and debates surrounding the Roswell Incident and related documents.