Saucer Smear - Vol 45 No 02 - 1998

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 45, No. 2
Date: February 15th, 1998
Publisher: SAUCER SMEAR
Editor: James W. Moseley

This issue of "Saucer Smear" is a non-scheduled newsletter dedicated to ufological journalism. It features a collection of "Miscellaneous Ravings" from the editor, reader contributions, and reviews, covering a range of topics within the UFO and unexplained phenomena field.

Miscellanous Ravings

The editor begins by discussing a large UFO convention held in Brazil in December, noting confusion surrounding the number of attendees and the signatories of a policy statement intended for the Brazilian government. The statement itself, asserting the reality of UFO phenomena and confirmed visits by space vehicles over 50 years, is described as an exaggeration of known facts. The editor also mentions that the convention's poor attendance led to discussions about scrapping translators.

Further ravings touch upon the upcoming Ozark UFO Conference sponsored by Lucius Farish, noting that "Smear" has had enclosures about conventions deliberately removed from its "UFO Clipping Service" subscription, apparently due to Farish's displeasure with the publication's lack of sympathy for the Billy Meier contact case.

The editor then presents three recent news items as examples of "stuff we can expect as the dreaded millennium comes closer."

1. Taiwan-based God's Salvation Church: Approximately 140 members in Garland, Texas, were reportedly gathering, believing God would arrive in a spaceship on March 31st, drawing parallels to the Heaven's Gate cult.
2. Raelian Church: Members built a replica of their intended embassy out of sand on Miami Beach, Florida, believing aliens would come if humans built a proper embassy.
3. Canary Islands Incident: Police arrested a German psychologist before she planned to lead cult followers in a mass suicide, with the belief that a spaceship would collect their bodies.

MUFON and the Cash/Landrum Case

The newsletter raises the question of who will succeed Walt Andrus as head of MUFON. A source indicates John Schuessler of Houston, Texas, is the likely successor. However, the editor expresses dissatisfaction with Schuessler's handling of the Cash/Landrum Case (1980), particularly his refusal to release medical records, which prevents a full understanding of whether the women were harmed by radiation. The cover art for Schuessler's 1996 book, "UFO-Related Human Physiological Effects," is credited to Richard Doty.

"UFOs The Hundred Year Cover-Up" TV Special

A two-hour TV special called "UFOs The Hundred Year Cover-Up" aired on the science fiction network. The program extended the traditional UFO cover-up timeline from 50 to 100 years, starting with the Aurora, Texas landing of 1897, which Jerry Clark researched and deemed a probable hoax. Narrators included Karl Pflock, Kevin Randle, Timothy Good, and others. Pflock's reinvestigation of the Scoutmaster Sonny Desverges case of August 19th, 1952, is highlighted, noting that despite Desverges' questionable character, the Air Force could not explain the burned soil at the incident site.

The program also presented other cases, but contained factual errors, such as misdating the Lonnie Zamora case and incorrectly listing Dr. J. Allen Hynek as a member of the 1953 Robertson Panel.

"Alien Abduction: Incident in Lake County" TV Program

Described as the "worst and funniest UFO-related program," this TV show depicted an alien abduction of a family. The program's authenticity is questioned due to its actors being listed in the credits, including those playing aliens. Stanton Friedman, a physicist and narrator, stated he was asked general questions without seeing the video, raising concerns about his involvement.

Earth Lights Research

An article in England's "Fortean Times" by Paul Devereux, titled "Everything You've Always Wanted to Know about Earth Lights," is discussed. Devereux suggests that earth lights research is progressing significantly, attracting funding and scientific interest, and may offer a trend that could outstrip other ufological approaches. He does not deny that a small percentage of UFOs might be extraterrestrial craft.

Historical Mars Observations

A December 8th, 1997, Wall Street Journal article is referenced, recalling a 1907 article about astronomical observations suggesting conscious, intelligent human life on Mars. Dr. Lowell of the Lowell Observatory presented photographs interpreted as canals on Mars used for irrigation, which were later dismissed as optical illusions.

Tidbits of Trash

• The 1998 National UFO Conference (NUFOC) will be held in the Los Angeles area, hosted by Dr. Frank Stranges, author of "Stranger at the Pentagon."
• Barry Greenwood of CAUS has resigned from the organization due to a dispute with ufologist/lawyer Peter Gersten and will continue his zine "UFO Historical Review."
• The editor attended the 7th annual International UFO Conference in Laughlin, Nevada, from February 1st to 8th, with highlights to be discussed in the next issue.
• The editor reminds readers that he does not receive email and prefers traditional mail.

Book Reviews & Such

• "THE THREAT: The Secret Agenda: What the Aliens Really Want and How They Plan to Get It" by Prof. David Jacobs (Simon & Schuster): This book proposes that the purpose of the abduction syndrome is the creation of alien/human hybrids to take over Earth. The evidence is primarily from hypnosis, and the reviewer questions the biological feasibility and the aliens' need for human involvement if they are advanced.
• "STAR GODS: Clone Masters of the Universe" by Brad Steiger (Tim Beckley's Inner Light Publications): This is described as a lesser book on a similar theme.

Letters from Readers

• Karl Pflock writes, questioning the authenticity of a photo on the back of the editor's book "UFO Crash Secrets at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base." He also critiques Phil Klass's new book, "OS," pointing out an error regarding the publication date of the Twining memo. Pflock states he is preparing an article titled "Crash Go the Saucers?" detailing 26 classified documents from 1947-1955 that refer to "no crashed saucers" and the "elusive nature" of saucers.
• Timothy Green Beckley responds to criticism regarding his book and the UFO Field. He defends himself against accusations of providing fake photos and making errors, stating he did not rush publication for money and that his writers report claims rather than fabricating them.
• John Alexander writes regarding Phil Corso, suggesting that Birnes, Corso's co-author, took him for a ride, and that Corso has not yet received money despite his book's bestseller status. Alexander also defends Corso's military career, explaining that demotions and rank reductions were common after WWI and WWII due to RIFs (Reduction in Force).
• Bob Zanotti reports on Erich Von Daniken's project to build a mystery theme park near Interlaken, Switzerland, which aims to showcase world mysteries using high-tech visuals.
• Max Petersen writes about the editor's confession of experiencing Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP) 21 years prior, applauding him for coming out of his "EVP closet."
• Chris Roth agrees that "Fortean Times" is a top ufological publication and finds the EVP article fascinating. He compares EVP to Ouija boards, suggesting that energies can intercept daily lives, but messages are often unreliable and potentially malevolent. He notes that parapsychologists link poltergeist activity to psychological states.
• Dick Freeman writes about the "T-CAP," a device claimed to allow a car to run for 100,000 miles on a full tank of gas, noting that oil companies allegedly refuse to release it and that those who know about it have been mysteriously murdered.
• Erskine of "Mystical Inquirer" praises "Saucer Smear" for its humor and objectivity, calling it the only UFO publication he subscribes to.
• Steve Mansee writes about an unfortunate young Puerto Rican found dead with an alien fetus in a vial. He purchased a similar vial containing a green fluid and a fetus with typical gray alien features at a science fiction convention. He notes that the victim's brother claimed the fetus was a toy.

Book Reviews (Continued)

• "Is Earth a vast cosmic laboratory for genetic engineering by extraterrestrials?" by Jerome Clark (Visible Ink Press): This softcover volume, an abridgment of a larger work, is described as an "Encyclopedia of the Extraterrestrial." "Saucer Smear" and James W. Moseley are mentioned in the introduction as "friends, colleagues, and informants."
• "UFO Crash at Roswell: The Genesis of a Modern Myth" by Benson Saler, Charles Ziegler, and Charles Moore (Smithsonian Institution Press): This is described as a scholarly anti-Roswell book. The price is $28.45.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing debate about the reality and nature of UFO phenomena, the role of alleged alien abductions, the influence of cults and belief systems surrounding UFOs, and the critical examination of media coverage and research within the field. The editorial stance, as reflected in the "Miscellaneous Ravings" and the selection of reader letters, is critical and often skeptical of sensational claims, while still engaging with the core mysteries of ufology. There is a clear emphasis on questioning evidence, exposing perceived hoaxes, and maintaining a degree of journalistic integrity, even when dealing with controversial subjects. The publication also highlights the importance of traditional communication methods (mail) over electronic ones for its readership.