Saucer Smear - Vol 44 No 05 - 1997

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 44, No. 5
Date: May 20th, 1997
Publisher: SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY

This issue of "Saucer Smear" is a non-scheduled newsletter dedicated to ufological journalism. The editor, James W. Moseley, J.S., reports on his trip to London for the 4th annual "UnConvention" and covers various UFO-related news and book reviews.

"Smear" Editor Hops Across the "Pond" to London's Fourth Annual "UnConvention"

James W. Moseley attended the 4th annual "UnConvention" in London on April 19th & 20th, 1997, an event celebrating "50 years of Ufology." The convention was sponsored by England's Fortean Times magazine. Speakers included Phil Klass of CSICOP, Patrick Huyghe, Hilary Evans, Jenny Randles, and Budd Hopkins. Unfortunately, Budd Hopkins did not appear for the UFO panel discussion, leaving an empty seat next to Phil Klass, which was humorously filled with a styrofoam alien head. Phil Klass was photographed kissing the alien head. Ian Simmons moderated the UFO panel and criticized Hopkins' antics. Moseley's own presentation focused on unexplainable experiences in UFO and psychic fields.

Other Topics at the UnConvention

Beyond UFOs, the Fortean research scope includes topics like the Indian Rope Trick, crop circles, lake monsters, and conspiracies. Moseley and Patrick Huyghe conducted nearly twenty radio interviews prior to the convention. The event was well-attended, estimated at 1500 people.

Post-Convention Activities

Following the UnConvention, Moseley spent three days sightseeing in southern England, hosted by Paul Fuller, editor of "The Crop Watcher."

Possible Interplanetary Spaceship in Sky Near Key West, Florida

On April 15th, 1997, a mysterious unidentified object was observed and photographed near Key West, Florida. The object was described as round and making strange maneuvers, but the local newspaper dismissed the sighting as a "film defect."

What Do We Mean By 'Fortean'?

This section provides a brief biography of Charles Hoy Fort (1874-1932), the founder of Fortean research. It explains that Fortean Times magazine continues his work by investigating strange phenomena and questioning scientific explanations that ignore inconvenient data. Fort's philosophy emphasized continuity and the transient nature of phenomena, and he coined the term 'teleportation'.

Tidbits of Trash

• Pilot Kent Jeffrey, author of the "Roswell Declaration," has reportedly changed his opinion, now believing the Roswell Incident was not interplanetary.
• British and Dutch scientists have successfully floated a small frog in midair using a magnetic field, suggesting anti-gravity might be possible.
• The latest issue of Greg Bishop's zine "The Excluded Middle" (#7) reviews the Gray Barker documentary "Whispers from Space" and discusses the UMMO hoax case.
• The Heaven's Gate cult mass suicide has reportedly impacted plans for the Roswell (N.M.) Festival.
• Dr. Steven Greer's Washington, D.C. conclave, intended to present pro-UFO witnesses to Congress, was affected by the Heaven's Gate incident, with Phil Klass being denied press credentials.

Interplanetary Love, American Style

This section features a drawing by artist David Huggins, depicting an encounter with an alien woman. Huggins describes a sexual encounter and a subsequent pregnancy, resulting in a child.

Ye Olde Book Bag

Several new books in the ufology field are highlighted:

• "Shockingly Close to the Truth!" by Karl Pflock and James Moseley (forthcoming).
• "UFO 1947-1997 Fifty Years of Flying Saucers," a compilation with contributions from many researchers, published by John Brown Publishing Ltd.
• "The Field Guide to Extraterrestrials" by Patrick Huyghe, published by Avon Books.
• "The Roswell UFO Crash: What They Don't Want You to Know" by Kal K. Korff, published by Prometheus Books.
• A similar anti-Roswell book by Phil Klass is also forthcoming from Prometheus Books.
• A re-issue of Gray Barker's "They Knew Too Much About Flying Saucers" with an introduction by John Keel, published by IllumiNet Press.

Letters to Ye Olde Editor

• Kal K. Korff promotes his new book "The Roswell UFO Crash: What They Don't Want You to Know," claiming to have definitive proof of what was recovered at Roswell. He criticizes Stanton Friedman and Bill Moore, and also discusses Eduard "Billy" Meier's ex-wife's testimony about faked contact claims.
• Robert Todd expresses his gratitude for "Saucer Smear" and indicates he is winding down his UFO operations.
• Patrick Huyghe comments on Robert Todd's dedication to ufology, suggesting Todd is too hooked to quit.
• Kevin Randle discusses Don Schmitt's publication of an old letter from Stanton Friedman, questioning Schmitt's tactics and Friedman's claims.
• Phil Klass writes about Bill Moore's denial of creating a counterfeit General Schulgen Draft Collection Memo (SDCM) and lists potential suspects for its creation.
• Jeffrey King questions Bill Moore's accusations regarding the faked SDCM and challenges him to name his sources.
• Jerry Lucci compliments "Smear" and "SUN" as sources of information, discusses "The Alien Interview" video, and inquires about Bill Moore and Todd Zechel.
• Karl Pflock analyzes John Alexander's letter regarding Lt. Colonel Phillip Corso, concluding that technologies attributed to alien artifacts were actually terrestrial in origin.
• Dr. Bruce Maccabee thanks the editor for endorsing his book with Ed Walters and defends his scientific objectivity, asserting that the Gulf Breeze photos are not simple double exposures and are definitely not hoaxes. He provides statistics on Gulf Breeze sightings and other cases.

Foxtrot Comic Strip

A "Foxtrot" comic strip is included, where a character mistakes a comet for an alien spaceship, leading to a humorous reaction from another character about the cold.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of "Saucer Smear" maintains a critical yet engaged stance on ufology. The editor, James W. Moseley, provides firsthand accounts of conventions and sightings, while also featuring critical perspectives from various researchers and skeptics. There's a strong emphasis on book reviews and ongoing debates within the community, particularly concerning the Roswell incident and the authenticity of certain UFO cases and evidence. The publication seems to value independent research and challenges established narratives, while also acknowledging the complexities and controversies within the field. The inclusion of letters from various figures, including both proponents and critics, highlights the diverse and often contentious nature of ufological discourse.