Saucer Smear - Vol 45 No 03 - 1998

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 45, No. 3
Date: March 20th, 1998
Publisher: OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of "Saucer Smear" is a non-scheduled newsletter dedicated to ufological journalism. The cover features a bold headline "SHOCKINGLY CLOSE TO THE TRUTH!" and highlights the editor's attendance at the Seventh Annual International UFO Congress.

Editor's Report: Seventh Annual International UFO Congress

The editor, James W. Moseley, details his experience at the UFO Congress held in a gambling casino in Laughlin, Nevada. He notes that holding conventions in casinos has become a trend in Nevada due to the affordability of lecture halls and hotel rooms. Laughlin, a town that grew rapidly in 25 years, is described as a small city with skyscrapers and traffic jams, situated along the Colorado River. The congress, founded by Lt. Col. Wendelle Stevens, drew over 400 paying attendees.

Moseley reports on various speakers, finding David Oates' presentation on backward speech analysis particularly intriguing. Oates' thesis suggests that backward messages reveal subconscious thoughts and act as a 'Truth Serum.' Examples given include Neil Armstrong's moon landing quote, which when played backward, allegedly reveals "MAN WILL SPACEWALK."

Michael Hesemann of Germany is described as being omnipresent at the convention, delivering a lecture that included a detailed account and video of a 1995 UFO incident in Zimbabwe where dozens of school children witnessed strange creatures emerging from a landed craft.

Barry Chamish from Israel spoke about strange events in his country, including mass killings of farm animals, and also mentioned Donald Ware, who supports Ed Walters of Gulf Breeze fame.

Speakers from England, Peter Wrigglesworth and David Spoor, presented boring videos of alleged aerial phenomena. Jim Diletosso, Peter Gersten, Clifford Stone, Jim Marrs (author of "Alien Agenda"), and Wendelle Stevens were among the American speakers. Stevens presented still photos of aliens materializing from the sky.

On Wednesday evening, a "roast" was held for Wendelle Stevens in honor of his 75th birthday, with Moseley, Michael Hesemann, Bob Dean, and Jim Diletosso participating. Moseley humorously claims his own speech was the best and shortest.

The report also briefly mentions Wendelle Stevens' past legal troubles in 1983 concerning sexual misconduct with underaged females, a story previously covered by "Saucer Smear."

Fiasco-Type Side Trip to "Area 51"

The editor recounts a day trip to the vicinity of "Area 51" on Thursday, February 5th, with about a dozen other UFO enthusiasts. The journey involved a van ride from Laughlin, through Las Vegas, to the Extraterrestrial Highway near Rachel, Nevada. The drivers provided a lecture on how to behave if confronted by law enforcement.

Upon reaching the "Area 51" area, after a 250-mile journey, the group encountered a white mailbox (replacing the recently displayed original black mailbox at the convention). Unfortunately, the drivers got lost. They eventually saw a small white van on a nearby dirt road, which appeared to be pacing and watching them. A sign with the words "No Trespassing" was briefly visible. Before they could photograph it, the driver made a hurried U-turn and sped away, ending the "confrontation" before it began.

The group then visited the "Little A' Le' Inn" in downtown Rachel, described as a place with plenty of booze, friendly companionship, and decent food. The owners, Joe and Pat Travis, reportedly make a good living from visiting ufologists.

The editor mentions catching a bad cold, which caused him to miss the farewell banquet on Saturday evening, attributing it to the price of "Getting Out into the Field."

Miscellaneous Ravings

This section covers various topics and reviews. A video called "Alien Interview" is discussed, which may or may not feature Stan Friedman and a live alien. The video includes a segment with no sound of a sickly-looking being, possibly a grey-monkey hybrid, being 'interviewed' via telepathy by an unseen government agent. The editor expresses skepticism about the authenticity of the alien's responses, suggesting the agent might be fabricating them. The key figure in the video is "Victor," who appears with a distorted voice and hidden face, claiming to be an insider wanting to reveal the truth about aliens, motivated by money from "Rocket Pictures."

Commentary in the video includes Robert Lazar, Sean David Morton, Jim Dilettoso, Bob Dean, and Michael Hesemann. The editor states he does not take this video too seriously.

A verbatim item from an internet posting by Ted Oliphant III, sent by Tom Benson, discusses MUFON, the Church of Scientology, and the FBI. It mentions the attention MUFON garnered due to the arrest of its Puerto Rican Director on firearms charges, who is also an FBI employee. This appointment by MUFON Chief Walt Andrus had previously caused concern among Puerto Rican MUFON members.

Hot Flashes

This section contains brief news items and updates:

• Apologies are made for a strange vertical line of missing letters on Page 4 of the February 15th issue, attributed to a printing error.
• The February 1998 MUFON Journal confirms that if Walt Andrus resigns or dies, John Schuessler will become the Director of MUFON.
• Jaime Shandera, a co-worker of Bill Moore involved with the MJ-12 documents, has reportedly disappeared mysteriously.
• A "P.S." clarifies that the "Alien Abduction: Incident in Lake County" video may not be based on a real family, as no McPherson family is recorded in Lake County, Minnesota.
• The Winter 1997-98 issue of the International UFO Reporter features an article by physicist Bruce Maccabee titled "My Mission from the Ashtar Command," where he ultimately rejected channeled UFO material despite initial curiosity.
• David Morehouse, author of "Psychic Warrier," is authorized to teach a three-day course in Remote Viewing at the University of Houston for law enforcement officers, focusing on police applications.
• Phil Klass is experiencing difficulty walking and talking due to unsuccessful upper spinal surgery but remains active.

Books to Keep Your Bonfire Burning Brightly

• "Millennium VII" by Dr. Frank E. Stranges, Ph.D., is reviewed. The book interprets the Millennium positively, predicting a thousand years of peace and disagreeing with prophecies of new coastlines. It suggests the Millennium will directly affect every living person and sphere in the universe. The book can be obtained from the author for an unstated price.
• "After Nostradamus: Great Prophecies for the Future of Mankind" by A. Vodben is mentioned as taking a more negative view of the Millennium, predicting spacemen will rescue a "chosen few" from Earth before a fire destroys the world around the year 2000.
• "Around and About the Saucer World" by Rick Hilberg is a 40-page soft-cover tome reprinting sightings from various UFO zines. It is available for $9.95.
• Jerry Clark's famed three-volume "UFO Encyclopedia" is being revised into a two-volume edition totaling 1,180 pages, available for $125.00.
• Robert Anton Wilson's new book "Everything is Under Control: Conspiracies, Cults, and Cover-Ups" is mentioned, with Wilson promising to mark references to "Saucer Smear."

Letters to Ye Olde Editor

• Martin Gardner, a Founding Fellow of CSICOP, writes to be removed from the mailing list, finding the UFO scene "too boring" and preferring Phil Klass to keep up with it. He mentions his new Oz book, "Visitors from Oz."
• William (Bill) Moore responds to Phil Klass' suggestion to release photos, stating the material has been circulating for years.
• Phil Klass addresses rumors about Monica Lewinsky and himself being abducted by a UFO, calling them "absolutely false."
• Prof. Charles Moore submits a book review of "UFO Crash at Roswell - The Genesis of a Modern Myth" from SCIENCE magazine, noting it received "Establishment's seal of approval."
• Rob Swiatek of FUFOR confirms that Dick Hall has resigned as Fund chairman but denies he is leaving the Washington, D.C. area, stating Hall will remain integral to decision-making and continue to challenge "ufological bilge-spouters."
• John Alexander returns Phil Klass' newsletter and notes shared questions with Phil Klass and Phil Corso.

The Devil's Advocate

• Tim Brigham writes about his theories on the Gulf Breeze case, now finding it less interesting and suggesting military psychological warfare as a possible explanation for the "red light UFO." He notes the capabilities of AFSOC and Eglin AFB in unconventional warfare and psychological operations. Brigham also mentions shifting his focus to the internet version of "The Devil's Advocate."
• Christopher Allan corrects a misreading by Phil Klass regarding the "Twining memo," clarifying that it was published in the Condon Report 25 years earlier, not in a pro-Roswell book until 1994. He also comments on the Ziegler, Saler & Moore book about the Roswell myth, praising its scholarly approach.
• Sheila Franklin reports on a UFO research trip to Brazil, encountering many researchers and describing the experiences as "terrifying and physically debilitating" but occasionally similar to contacts elsewhere. She is enclosing a story about an abductee they met.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO conventions, specific UFO incidents (Zimbabwe, Roswell), the ongoing mystery and speculation surrounding Area 51, and the critical examination of UFO-related claims and personalities. The editorial stance, as expressed by James W. Moseley, is one of skepticism towards sensational claims, a focus on detailed reporting, and a willingness to engage with diverse viewpoints within the UFO community, while maintaining a critical perspective. The publication also engages with critiques from figures like Martin Gardner and Phil Klass, demonstrating an active dialogue within the field.