Saucer Smear - Vol 44 No 06 - 1997

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 44, No. 6
Date: June 20th, 1997
Publisher: SAUCER SMEAR
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of "Saucer Smear" is dedicated to the highest principles of ufological journalism and presents a "SPECIAL ANTI-ROSWELL ISSUE!". It features a collection of articles, letters, and book reviews that critically examine the Roswell Incident and broader UFO phenomena, often from a skeptical perspective.

Miscellaneous Ravings

The issue begins with "Miscellaneous Ravings," highlighting an advance copy of Kent Jeffrey's article for the MUFON UFO Journal, titled "Roswell Anatomy of a Myth." Jeffrey, author of the "Roswell Declaration," asserts that while he believes in the possibility of interplanetary saucers, he is now "100% sure that no such craft crashed at Roswell." His evidence is presented in three categories: his 26 years of experience as a U.S. commercial airline pilot, making the crash of a perfected alien spaceship seem near-impossible; the release of formerly classified documents; and his recent association with survivors of the 509th Bomb Group, which was based in Roswell during the alleged 1947 crash.

Another piece of information obtained by "Smear" is a letter from Colonel H. M. McCoy, dated October 7th, 1948. As Chief of (Air Force) Intelligence, Air Materiel Command, McCoy stated in a secret letter to the CIA that no concrete evidence had been received regarding the identity or origin of reported "flying discs," suggesting the possibility that some sighted objects might be of domestic origin. Notably, the interplanetary hypothesis was not mentioned in his assessment.

Air Force Report on Roswell

A semi-reliable source indicates that the Air Force is preparing a second official report on the Roswell Incident, delayed due to Colonel Corso's forthcoming UFO book. The report may discuss the crash of an experimental modified B-29 aircraft carrying nuclear material, intended as a back-up plan if atomic bombs failed. Fear of radiation contamination at the crash site was a primary concern. An alternative rumor suggests the report might pertain to a modified Japanese Fugo Balloon. The official Air Force Report, titled "The Roswell Report: Case Solved," is expected to be available for $52.

Comic Relief

A brief, unrelated item is included under "Comic Relief," detailing a case where a former teacher in New Mexico used a "past-life defense" to justify a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl, claiming she had sacrificed her life for him in a past life. The judge did not agree, and the man was sentenced to prison.

Skeptic Jim Oberg's Statement

Well-known UFO skeptic and space expert Jim Oberg released an open letter to Dr. Steven Greer of CSETI following a meeting in Washington, D.C. Oberg, a founding fellow of CSICOP and associate of Phil Klass and J. A. Hynek, expresses fascination with the folklore of UFO beliefs. He applauds CSETI's efforts to remove the "government secrets prosecution" barrier to disclosure and supports the call for a government declaration dissolving legal restraints against disclosure. Oberg argues that claims of fear of prosecution are often a "gimmick" to avoid taking responsibility for the authenticity of stories, as he believes no one has been arrested or charged for sharing UFO accounts. He then expands his call for disclosure beyond "real UFOs" to include government-related activities that have led to public perceptions of UFOs being real when they were not. He suggests these activities, whether orchestrated or impromptu, have incited public interest in UFOs while deflecting attention from real classified government activities. Oberg refers to situations where government representatives, military officers, etc., used "UFO" as camouflage for classified activities like retrieving crashed aircraft or nuclear weapons, or used artificial "UFO stories" as "tracers" to study security safeguards and personnel responses. He requests that "UFO secrets" be included in disclosure demands and that government personnel involved be granted immunity from prosecution for actions related to these practices. He believes this would allow people who were involved in government activities leading to well-known "UFO cases" to come forward, helping the public understand the origins of UFO mythology.

Book Reviews

Several book reviews are featured:

• "The Roswell UFO Crash - What They Don't Want You to Know" by Kal K. Korff: This book is discussed, with the reviewer noting that Korff's conclusion that the "mysterious" object was a classified Mogul Balloon aligns with views of Phil Klass and Karl Pflock. The review mentions that Korff's publisher, Prometheus Books, is facing legal threats from Ray Santilli's organization over the chapter on the notorious Alien Autopsy Film.
• "Why People Believe Weird Things" by Michael Shermer: Directed by Michael Shermer, director of the Skeptics Society, this book covers UFOs, Creationism, and the Holocaust. Shermer shares his own experience of imagining an abduction due to sleep deprivation. The review praises his "reasonable and low-keyed" discussion of the abduction phenomenon, contrasting it with the "shrill debunking" of CSICOP.
• "The UFO Silencers - Mystery of the Men in Black" by Timothy Green Beckley: This is a re-issue of a 1990 book, coinciding with the re-issue of Gray Barker's "They Knew Too Much About Flying Saucers." The review notes an introduction by John Keel and references to the "Smear" editor.
• "CoEvolution": This book is described as a supposedly true story of a New Zealand man taken to an extraterrestrial civilization in 1989. The publisher is Nexus Magazine of Australia.
• "Psychic Discoveries": An apparent re-issue by Sheila Ostrander and Lynn Schroeder, mainly about psychic research, with one chapter on UFOs in Russia.
• "The Conspiracy Quartet": A book of admitted fiction by David Clewell, described as a mixture of prose and poetry, fact and fantasy.

Missives From The Masses

This section includes letters from various individuals:

• Dr. Bruce Maccabee: Co-author of the new Ed Walters book "UFOs Are Real: Here's the Proof," Maccabee writes about Rex Salisberry's investigation into the Gulf Breeze photos. Maccabee explains the lack of reflection in a "road shot" was due to the truck hood being bent in an accident, not evidence of a fake. He advises finding "uncommon sense" if "common sense" suggests Salisberry's information is true.
• Tim Brigham: Editor of "The Devil's Advocate," Brigham shares his experience visiting the National Archives to view UFO files. He describes the security as a "complete joke" and notes that it would be easy to access or remove documents. He concludes that "THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE," but finding it will take a long time.
• John Rimmer: Editor of the English magazine "Magonia," Rimmer writes about Budd Hopkins' reception at the Fortean Times "UnConvention" in London, where he was reportedly not well-received by skeptical British attendees.
• Frank Spaeth: Associate Editor of FATE Magazine, Spaeth clarifies FATE's circulation figures, stating they have 66,000 subscribers, higher than Fortean Times, and emphasizes reader loyalty.
• Ingo Swann: A pioneer in Remote Viewing (RV), Swann thanks "Smear" for its "study and archive of the sociology of UFOdom" and humorously compares the editor to Noel Coward, noting his "wit" and ability to sling "merde del toro."
• Jerome Clark: Famed UFO historian, Clark comments on Patrick Huyghe's praise for Robert Todd, listing Allan Hendry, Brad Sparks, Walter Webb, and William Weitzel as other impressive American researchers.
• Robert Anton ("Bob") Wilson: Wilson expresses gladness that the editor enjoyed the Fortcon in England but states he cannot afford to go. He mentions he will be writing less due to finishing a new book for Harper Collins, "The Walls Came Tumbling Down," which deals with UFO abduction, reincarnation, and other "spooky stuff."
• Chris Roth: An anthropologist and former radio talk show host, Roth expresses disgust with the media's handling of the Heaven's Gate affair, criticizing the emphasis on irrationality while people harbor equally "ridiculous beliefs." He found the Heaven's Gate members to be intelligent and kind.
• Karl Pflock: Co-author of a forthcoming book, Pflock makes a humorous and graphic comment regarding David Huggins' description of his liaison with a "space seductress."
• Gail Aggen: A Midwestern artist, poetess, and UFO buff, Aggen humorously disputes the editor's use of the word "humble" to describe himself, comparing him to Muhammad Ali and Phil Klass.
• Rick Hilberg: A researcher from Cleveland, Hilberg enjoys a tidbit about a Londoner with an Austin Metro car.
• Denis Corey: Writes to the editor, reminding him of his responsibility as a former MUFON Monroe County (Florida) Section Director to protect citizens from alien threats.
• K. E. Sackett: From Wayne State University, Sackett considers "Saucer Smear" a valuable archive of the UFO phenomenon. He expresses a personal wish that UFOs and advanced beings were real, finding the lack of imagination in UFO believers disappointing. He characterizes "Ufoology" as belonging to aging, lower-middle-class individuals exploited by untalented charlatans.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism towards the extraterrestrial origin of UFOs, particularly the Roswell Incident, and a critical examination of government secrecy and disclosure. The editorial stance, as reflected in the "SPECIAL ANTI-ROSWELL ISSUE!" and the content, is to challenge conventional UFO narratives and promote a more critical, evidence-based approach. The magazine actively features voices that question mainstream UFO beliefs and highlight potential alternative explanations or governmental involvement in creating UFO mythology. The inclusion of book reviews and letters from readers further broadens the discussion, touching upon related topics like abduction, psychic phenomena, and the sociology of belief systems.