Saucer Smear - Vol 45 No 09 - 1998

Magazine Overview

This issue of the "Sunday Sun-Times" includes a section titled "SAUCER SMEAR," which is the official publication of the SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY. The publication date is Sunday, September 13, 1998, with the newsletter itself dated November 1st, 1998. The cover features a prominent headline about "Clinton strikes back at 'smear'" and the "SAUCER SMEAR" title.

Convention Announcement

The "FINAL WARNING" section announces an upcoming convention at the Days Inn in Bordentown, New Jersey, on the weekend of November 7th and 8th. Advance tickets by mail are no longer available, and the price at the door is $40 for one day or $70 for both days. Rooms at the Days Inn are approximately $50 per night. The "Smear" editor, James W. Moseley, will be among the lecturers and will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Local host Pat Marcattilio is also a speaker. Other lecturers include Karl Pflock, Sonny Desvergers, Curt Sutherly, Rick Hilberg, Antonio Huneeus, David Huggins, Dr. Richard Sauder, Tom Benson, George Hansen, Bob Durant, and Peter Jordan, who will cover topics such as UFO evidence, Fortean phenomena, the modern history of UFOs, UFOs in South America, abduction experiences, underground bases, the Roswell Incident, cattle mutilation, and remote viewing. Contact numbers for further information and reservations at the Days Inn are provided.

Natural Disaster at "Smear" Headquarters

The newsletter reports on the impact of Hurricane Georges, a Category 2 hurricane, on the Florida Keys on September 25th. While the hurricane caused significant destruction and took lives in the Caribbean and mainland US, damage in the Keys was less severe, with no reported deaths or injuries. "Smear" Headquarters experienced minimal damage, though power was out for several days. The printing shop, located 22 miles north of Key West, also suffered considerable flooding. The issue was rescued by non-subscriber Jack Bennett, who transported the printed copies to his home amidst hurricane debris. The editor expresses gratitude to Bennett, granting him a free lifetime non-subscription.

Due to the hurricane, the editor canceled his attendance at the Project Awareness Space Coast UFO Conference in Cocoa Beach, Florida, which featured Whitley Strieber and Stanton Friedman.

Miscellaneous Ravings

This section discusses the ongoing efforts to move away from the Roswell Incident as the sole focus. The editor dismisses a recent story about ufologists analyzing a document from General Ramey's hand, calling it "ludicrous." The newsletter then discusses a story from John White's UFO convention in Connecticut, where Bob and Ryan Wood presented documents purportedly from the MJ-12 series. While some documents have obvious flaws, others require extensive research to verify or disprove. The editor notes that these documents follow from the Eisenhower briefing document presented by William Moore.

MJ-12 Document Controversy

The newsletter delves into the MJ-12 affair, mentioning Tim Cooper, a private detective and former Navy crypto expert, as a key figure. Cooper is described as a "Todd Zechel type person," referencing Zechel's past claims about crashed saucers and espionage. The editor expresses the opinion that a sophisticated group of hoaxters is attempting to promote the idea of an interplanetary Roswell Incident, despite contrary evidence. Barry Greenwood, a UFO document researcher, is quoted as saying that the new MJ-12 documents are not worth investigating due to their anonymous source.

Ronald D. Story's Encyclopedia

Ronald D. Story, editor of "The Encyclopedia of UFOs" (1980), is preparing an enlarged and updated version. Interested individuals can contact him for a questionnaire and instructions on how to contribute.

Australian Fortean Story

An item from an Australian newspaper describes a gigantic outline of an Australian aborigine warrior, approximately two miles in length, carved into a remote plateau. The land is subject to a tribal dispute, and the origin of the carving is unknown, with a visiting American being a potential suspect.

News Briefies

The death of Max Petersen of Scottsdale, Arizona, a long-time non-subscriber, is reported. Petersen had corresponded with Dr. Leo Sprinkle and others in the New Age ufological spectrum.

Radio Mystery: Art Bell's Resignation

Art Bell, an overnight radio host known for supernatural and paranormal talk, announced his resignation on October 13, 1998, citing a "threatening, terrible event" that occurred to his family a year prior, along with other events. He promised to explain further when possible. His syndicator stated that reruns would air, and they would work with Bell for his return.

Book Reviews

• Several books are reviewed:
• "Alien Rapture – The Chosen" by Brad Steiger and Edgar Rothschild Fouche, co-authored by Steiger, is described as containing usual themes of secret government dealings with aliens, Area 51, and the Roswell crash. Its press release notes that parts have been fictionalized to protect identities, which the reviewer dislikes.
• "Cosmic Test Tube – Extraterrestrial Contact, Theories & Evidence" by Randall Fitzgerald is a 380-page softcover book.
• "UFO Sightings – The Evidence" by Robert Sheaffer is mentioned, with the editor expressing delight at a positive review of his own book within the newsletter.
• "Shockingly Close to the Truth!" by James W. Moseley and Karl Pflock is mentioned as still seeking a publisher.
• "Invisibility and Levitation" by "Commander X" (possibly Tim Beckley) is available from Global Communications.

UFO Flap and Reporting

Martin Kottmeyer, an ufological philosopher, notes a significant increase in UFO reports, with the National UFO Reporting Center recording 108 reports covering 80 incidents in September, a rate ten times the average since January 1996. He compares this to the flaps during the Project Blue Book years and expresses delight at this development, which he believes is necessary to keep the UFO subject alive. The editor acknowledges being unaware of this "flap" until Kottmeyer brought it to his attention.

Transcript of Art Bell's Resignation

A transcript of Art Bell's final broadcast on October 13, 1998, is included. He explains that due to a threatening event to his family and a succession of other events, he is ending his broadcast career. He assures his audience that he will share the full story when it is safe to do so, emphasizing the need for family protection. He expresses gratitude for his audience and the forum he hosted.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently expresses a skeptical yet open-minded approach to UFO phenomena. While acknowledging the possibility of extraterrestrial explanations, the editor and contributors often question the authenticity of evidence, highlight potential hoaxes, and scrutinize claims. There is a strong emphasis on critical analysis, particularly concerning documents like the MJ-12 papers and the Roswell Incident. The publication also serves as a platform for discussing UFO conventions, book reviews, and news within the ufological community, while also maintaining a critical stance on sensationalism and unsubstantiated claims. The editor, James W. Moseley, appears to be a central figure, providing commentary and personal opinions throughout the publication.