Saucer Smear - Vol 44 No 08 - 1997

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 44, No. 8
Date: September 1st, 1997
Publisher: SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Editor and Still Supreme Commander: James W. Moseley

This issue of Saucer Smear, a non-scheduled newsletter, focuses heavily on recent revelations concerning the CIA's involvement in UFO studies and the ongoing debate surrounding the Roswell Incident and related phenomena. The cover headline, "THE DREADED CIA BARES ITS SOUL (IF ANY):", sets the tone for an issue that scrutinizes official admissions and historical UFO cases.

The CIA's Role in UFO Study

The lead article discusses the CIA's own Web page, which features an article titled "CIA's Role in the Study of UFOs, 1947-90" by Gerald K. Haines, a historian at the National Reconnaissance Office. The press highlighted the CIA's admission of having lied to the public about sightings of U.S. spy planes in the 1950s and 1960s, attributing them to natural phenomena. The newsletter notes that this might still be a form of misdirection regarding currently secret planes.

The Robertson Panel

Of particular interest to "Smear" was the CIA's admission regarding the 1953 Robertson Panel. The panel, convened by the CIA, concluded unanimously that there was no evidence of a direct threat to national security from UFO sightings and found no evidence that the objects were extraterrestrial. The newsletter mentions that some UFO believers still suspect the panel was lying or unaware of all the evidence. The panel also recommended monitoring two civilian UFO clubs, Civilian Saucer Intelligence (CSI) of Los Angeles and APRO, for subversive activities during the McCarthy era.

CIA's Troubled Efforts

The CIA reportedly expended considerable effort trying to counter the demands of Major Donald Keyhoe of NICAP for UFO information. Dr. Leon Davidson, a persistent letter-writer, is mentioned as someone who believed UFOs were a CIA plot or hoax. The CIA report also notes that a DIA Psychic Center and the NSA study parapsychology, and that the CIA is part of an Incident Response Team for UFO landings, though this team has never met. The lack of CIA documentation on UFO activities in the 1980s is highlighted as making that period murky.

Telephone Interview with Sgt. Richard Doty

The newsletter features an interview with former Sergeant Richard Doty, who worked for the Air Force's Office of Special Investigations (OSI) in the 1980s. Doty is linked to William (Bill) Moore and the alleged forging of the MJ-12 documents. Doty, now with the New Mexico State Police, was investigated by the FBI in 1987 but passed a lie detector test. He believes in MJ-12, though perhaps under a different name, and considers the MJ-12 documents to be generally true. Doty also believes there were two UFO crashes in New Mexico in 1947 with alien bodies involved. However, he does not believe in abductions, having investigated 17 cases in New Mexico around 1981 and finding them all to be hoaxes except one. He also commented on the recent Air Force reports about the Roswell Incident and the Santilli alien autopsy video, finding the latter to show "non-humans but not aliens."

Doty's past involvement with Moore is noted, with Doty having been called upon to investigate Moore for the OSI. Moore later became a source or conduit but was "terminated" in 1986. Rumors suggest Doty had issues regarding other questionable documents, leading to his reassignment out of Intelligence.

Tidbits of Trash

This section covers various miscellaneous news items:

• Roswell Festival Promoter: Jeffrey Immediato is accused of passing bad checks totaling over $92,000 during the Roswell Festival. His company, Newport Entertainment, Inc., apparently did not exist.
• Col. Philip Corso and FOIA Lawsuit: Ufologist Larry Bryant is seeking cooperation from Col. Philip Corso for a FOIA lawsuit regarding claims made in Corso's book, "The Day After Roswell".
• James Randi Educational Foundation: The foundation is soliciting donations, with Randi claiming pledges to reward anyone who proves paranormal claims.
• Kevin McClure's "Abduction Watch": A new British UFO magazine focusing on alien abduction mythos is introduced.
• Robert Spencer Carr: The newsletter references an article in CSICOP's Skeptical Inquirer where Carr's son confirms "Smear's" earlier assessment of Carr as unreliable.

Media and Scientific Commentary

• Fox TV Special "UFOs - The Best Evidence Ever Caught on Tape": The issue mentions a Fox TV special featuring numerous UFO videos and interviews with various UFO figures, including Ed Walters and Bruce MacCabee. It notes that retired admiral Bobby Ray Inman believes saucers are not interplanetary.
• Quantum Physics and Computer Security: Two science articles are discussed, one suggesting quantum physics could lead to secure computer codes, and another indicating it could also lead to computers capable of breaking any code.

Book Reviews

• "The True Quest for the Holy Grail The Western Sex Magick Tradition" by Bishop Allen Greenfield: Described as a scholarly booklet on sex magick, with a connection to the UFO field through Greenfield's past research.
• "Casebook on the Men in Black" by Jim Keith: A 220-page book discussing MIB situations, with renewed public interest due to the movie "Men in Black". Keith's work is praised for attempting to sift through evidence, though the lack of an index is noted.
• "UFO Crash at Roswell - The Genesis of a Modern Myth" by Benson Saler, Charles Ziegler, and Charles Moore: A new book on the Roswell myth.

Missives From the Masses

• Curtis Peebles: Writes about the CIA report and the false Air Force explanations for U-2 and A-12 sightings. He disputes the claim that more than half of UFO sightings in the late 1950s and 1960s were due to these planes, but agrees they caused many pilot and radar sightings. His research indicates between 20-30 A-12 sightings by airliner pilots and many by Air Force pilots.
• Christopher Allan: Questions the credibility of CIA pronouncements on UFOs, suggesting they would be more believable if specific cases were explained rather than broad claims about spy planes.
• Karl Pflock: Responds to perceived distortions in "Smear", clarifying his role in Congressman Schiff's Roswell inquiries and mentioning his own book, "Roswell in Perspective". He also notes the Air National Guard program "Operation Snowbird" in relation to the Phoenix Lights.
• Kevin Randle: Discusses Jesse Marcel Sr., suggesting his record was not always accurate and that labeling him a liar might be unfair. He also provides responses regarding the Project Mogul theory and notes that FAA announcements of balloon launches meant pilots at Roswell were aware of them.
• Jerry Clark: Praises Kent Jeffrey's piece in the MUFON Journal.
• John Shirley: Expresses skepticism about Derrel Sims, calling him a "shady guy" and a "classic bullshit artist" who claims combat with aliens and rapid karate mastery.
• Dr. Bruce Maccabee: Critiques Philip J. Klass' explanations for UFO sightings, particularly the Kenneth Arnold sighting. He enunciates "Two Rules of Credulous Skeptic Debunking (CSD)". Maccabee also analyzes the Air Force's "crash dummies" explanation for the Roswell alien bodies, pointing out discrepancies in timing and location.
• Louise Braisted: States that "Smear" is the only ufologist she takes seriously, noting that others have fallen into "gullibility".

Letters and Opinions

• Charles B. Moore: Responds to a query about Lt. Col. Corso's book. Moore expresses skepticism about Corso's claims regarding the transfer of Roswell debris via highway, suggesting air transport was more likely. He also doubts Corso's assertion that modern technology stems from analysis of alien debris, citing a lack of acknowledgments in scientific literature.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue reflects a critical stance towards official explanations of UFO phenomena, particularly those from government agencies like the CIA and Air Force. There is a strong emphasis on scrutinizing admissions, questioning debunking efforts, and highlighting inconsistencies in official narratives. The newsletter champions independent research and critical analysis, while also acknowledging the complexities and sometimes dubious claims within the UFO community itself. The editorial stance appears to favor a persistent, albeit sometimes cynical, pursuit of truth in the face of what is perceived as widespread deception and misdirection. The recurring theme is the ongoing effort to uncover credible information about UFOs, even amidst skepticism and controversy.