SAUCER SMEAR

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 45, No. 4
Date: April 25th, 1998
Publisher: OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Editor: James W. Moseley

This issue of Saucer Smear, a non-scheduled newsletter, focuses heavily on the controversial MJ-12 'Briefing Document' and its implications, alongside reports from UFO conferences and discussions on the growing role of the internet in ufology.

MJ-12 REVISITED

The lead article, 'MJ-12 REVISITED,' examines the famed MJ-12 'Briefing Document' dated November 18th, 1952, which first gained publicity in June 1987 at a NUFOC convention in Burbank, California. The document, originally four pages, refers to attachments that are not present and primarily discusses the alleged saucer crash near Roswell, New Mexico, in July 1947, which reportedly involved four dead alien bodies. This crash is also the subject of the first pro-Roswell books by William Moore and Charles Berlitz.

The article reveals that the FBI and other agencies investigated the document. Researcher Antonio Huneeus discovered that material related to MJ-12, including official letters, is now available on the FBI's website. Notably, on some copies of the second page, the words "Top Secret/Magic," "Eyes Only," and "Top Secret" are crossed out, though still legible. The copy distributed by William Moore at the Burbank convention had two whole paragraphs crossed out in a way that obscured the text.

Moore had previously explained this by stating he wanted to 'titillate the press,' a statement that raised suspicions. The FBI's website includes declassified communications from 1991, one of which states that the document was fabricated and distributed across the United States, deeming it 'completely bogus.' The investigation was closed upon learning this.

Despite this, William Moore, Stanton Friedman, and others have written extensively, encouraging belief in the document. However, the article suggests Moore has become more silent and may be ready to admit the document and the Roswell Incident might not be genuine. Kevin Randle disbelieves the document, and Timothy Good has revised his position. Only Friedman is noted as continuing to vigorously promote the 'positive view.'

The publication also contributed to the investigation by publishing material suggesting Dr. Donald Menzel, listed as a member of MJ-12, could not have been part of it. Menzel was known as an extreme UFO skeptic. Interviews with his widow and Dr. Ernest Taves, a friend and co-author, are mentioned. Friedman's investigation into Menzel's papers reportedly convinced him otherwise, but the author of Saucer Smear remains convinced Menzel's inclusion is a 'cosmic joke' and William Moore is a strong suspect in this 'ufological hoax.'

ANOTHER GULF BREEZE UFO CONFERENCE

The editor attended the 6th annual Gulf Breeze UFO Conference in Pensacola, Florida, from March 20th-22nd. Ed Walters, who inspired the conference, was not present but spoke by phone, stating he was not interested in 'preaching to the choir,' though he has published a third book on the subject. Budd Hopkins attended despite a recent heart attack and gave a joint lecture with Dr. David Jacobs. Whitley Strieber was also present.

An alleged UFO was videotaped from a restaurant on a Saturday afternoon by Jeff Ritemann. The object was described as round and traveling in a straight line, possibly an airplane. Streiber was nearby but did not see the object himself. It was acknowledged that no conclusion could be reached without careful study of the videotape.

Linda Moulton Howe is working on another MJ-12 type document, SOM1-01, from 1954. The article questions if Ms. Howe is naive, referencing a past incident where Sgt. Richard Doty allegedly showed her a classified document and later denied it.

Jim Sparks, who claims to have been abducted numerous times, has reportedly learned a holographic alien alphabet and about various alien races. Jaime Maussan from Mexico was the most popular lecturer, drawing a large audience with numerous videos, some of which may not have been genuine.

New speakers included Dr. Scott Mandelker, Forest Crawford, Jim Marrs, Bill Hamilton, and Donald Ware, who discussed Gulf Breeze sightings.

The editor spent time with Tim Brigham of "The Devil's Advocate" and other friends, enjoying conference events.

The next Project Awareness event was scheduled for October 9th-11th at the Cocoa Beach Hilton Oceanfront Hotel.

MORE MADNESS ON THE INTERNET

Tim Brigham has organized a Web Ring called "OPERATION MINDPHUCK," described as a group of subversive spiders conspiring to overthrow the government, but actually a group of UFO-oriented intellectuals.

Dr. Steven Greer of CSETI posted about a nerve gas attack on an ET spaceport near Mount Blanca, Colorado, which allegedly backfired on the attacking forces. Greer also claimed to have 'remote-viewed' ETs inside the mountain and that they were 'under attack by a covert military force.' Steve Moreno found this report 'too Far Out to be believed' and premature.

Paul Fuller from England reported on the controversial Hakui Museum in Japan, devoted to Space and UFOs. A UFO convention held there in July 1996 had low attendance due to poor publicity.

The article acknowledges that "Saucer Smear" is on the internet, but the editor is not, making him dependent on others for information. A general 'thank you' is extended to those who have provided material.

TIDBITS OF TRASH

Frank Stranges, local chairman for the National UFO Conference (NUFOC) in Los Angeles, reported a break-in at his office resulting in the theft of $15,000 in uninsured property, and is seeking donations for relocation.

The 'Face on Mars' is confirmed as a natural formation based on new pictures beamed back to Earth on April 6th. However, some experts noted ambiguity that could allow for interpretations of 'ruins of an ancient face.' Barry Greenwood suggests Martians may have deliberately 'plowed The Face under.'

An expose in the Phoenix New Times, titled "The Hack (= Barwood) and the Quack (Dilettoso)," ridicules ufological activities, particularly Jim Dilettoso, who is described as a fake freeloading off donations. Dilettoso has a history of finding authenticity in various UFO photos and videos, including those of Billy Meier and the 'Phoenix lights.'

Francis Ridge has revived the ancient NICAP organization. A new APRO, unrelated to the original, is headed by Bill Heft and will have members wearing black suits and carrying investigator badges.

William Moore sent a clipping about an anthropologist who trekked into 'Area 51' and escaped detection by security systems, though he ran low on water and did not find his marker. He reported seeing strange things but no UFOs.

Representative Steven Schiff of New Mexico, involved in the Roswell Incident information release, died of skin cancer at age 51. His Chief of Staff was Mary Martinek, wife of ufologist Karl Pflock.

A Taiwanese guru named Heng-ming Chen and 150 followers moved to Garland, Texas, awaiting a divine message that did not materialize. Chen admitted his predictions were nonsense but asked people to 'Keep watching.'

The International UFO Museum at Roswell has acquired large collections of UFO research material from George Fawcett and Bob Sabo, valued at $50,000 by the transit company, but estimated by researchers at upwards of $250,000.

A convention co-sponsored by PEER will take place in Newton, Mass., featuring speakers like John Mack, Edgar Mitchell, and Native Americans discussing 'star people' and Westerners discussing 'alien abduction.'

BOOKS TO KEEP YOUR BONFIRE BURNING BRIGHTLY:

"Ufomania - The Lore and Legend of Ufology" by Allan J. Manak is a 60-page booklet detailing various phenomena, including 'floating aliens,' 'jelly creatures,' and 'human burnings from UFOs.' It can be ordered from UAPA in Cleveland, Ohio.

MISSIVES FROM THE MASSES

Antonio Huneeus writes that the FBI's real UFO X Files can be downloaded from the FBI's FOIA web site, categorized under 'Unusual Phenomena,' including 'Majestic 12,' 'Roswell,' and 'Unidentified Flying Objects.' The Roswell file contains a single page referring to an object resembling a 'weather balloon with a radar reflector.' The 'Majestic 12' file (22 pages) is described as an inquiry into possible unauthorized disclosure of classified information, closed after it was learned the document was 'bogus.' The UFO sub-category is extensive, with 1600 pages.

Dr. Bruce Maccabee has updated his work in his new book "The UFO/FBI Connection."

Budding anthropologist Chris Roth comments on Martin Gardner's authorship of Oz books and his 'un-fantastic and un-mystified view of the universe,' noting that high-level Ozophiles write for academics rather than the general public.

Tim Crawford of UFO Central Home Video reports on the release of "Hoagland's Mars: The NASA Briefing" on Direct TV. Richard Hoagland is fascinated by the symbolism in numbers, particularly the number 19.5 degrees from the equator, which he believes reveals insights into planetary physics.

MORE ON THE INTERNET

Bill Birnes, Corso's book partner, has engineered a deal with an unnamed motion picture company to purchase controlling interest in 'UFO Magazine.' This is seen as corporate America recognizing the potential profit in UFOs.

George Earley questions John Alexander's knowledge of the military, referencing his own service in Korea. He also notes errors in Corso's book.

"BOB" Wilson finds ufology fascinating and a great unsolved mystery, disagreeing with explanations of 'mass hallucination' and criticizing 'Skeptics' as being like 'True Believers' with their own dogmas. His new book, "Everything is Under Control - Conspiracies, Cults, and Cover-ups," is mentioned.

DICK FREEMAN reports on a Laughlin UFO conference lecturer, David Oates, who claims to have played backwards recordings that produced Winston Churchill's 'Iron Curtain' speech with a Stalin-like accent.

Max Petersen enjoyed seeing the editor in Laughlin and hearing his stand-up comic routine, suggesting he could have replaced Jack Parr on TV.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently questions the authenticity of UFO documents and claims, often highlighting official denials or skeptical analyses (e.g., the MJ-12 document being 'bogus,' the 'Face on Mars' being natural). There's a critical stance towards some prominent figures in the UFO community, suggesting naivete or even deception. The publication also notes the increasing commercialization of UFO topics and the growing influence of the internet. The editor, James W. Moseley, maintains a skeptical yet curious perspective, encouraging critical thinking and investigation while acknowledging the enduring mystery of UFOs.