Saucer Smear - Vol 46 No 01 - 1999

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Saucer Smear", dated January 10th, 1999, is presented as a "Non-Scheduled Newsletter" and the "Official Publication of the Saucer & Unexplained Celestial Events Research Society". It is edited by James W. Moseley and features a contributing column by Karl T. Pflock. The magazine is dedicated to "the highest principles of ufological journalism" and carries the tagline "SHOCKINGLY CLOSE TO THE TRUTH!".

Pflock Ptalk: The Fifth Column by Karl T. Pflock

Karl T. Pflock begins his column with a humorous acknowledgment of his role, stating his purpose is to "sound off, enlighten the masses (smirk), make a fool of myself on my own terms, and generally harass the ufoological booboisie." He intends to comment on the "downward spiral" of ufology, highlight brave souls, review books, propound theories, and advance the notion that ufologists should take UFOs more seriously. He also humorously admits to insinuating "shockingly close to the truth disinformation" to "keep the lid on The Truth."

Pflock then addresses Timothy Good's observations regarding his conclusion that government records do not establish that Uncle Sam recovered crashed saucers or ETs by the mid-1950s. Good suggested that such information might be "compartmented" and not included in mere Secret and Top Secret documents. Pflock dismisses this as "Balderdash!", questioning why a bright individual like Good would not see that government officials would not have lied to each other about such evidence and would have upgraded classification levels if it existed.

He contrasts the "real world" with the "wet-dream spook-land of pimply faced conspiracy freaks." Pflock concludes this section by mentioning Bob Wood, Ryan Wood, Tim Cooper, and Joe Firmage, and notes that he is out of space.

Editor's Note

The editor notes that Karl Pflock is well-known to "Smear" readers and the UFO field, expressing pride in having him aboard.

Miscellaneous Ravings

This section discusses William Moore's "Personal Communication, Confidential." Moore still believes the MJ-12 documents may be genuine and denies fabricating them or knowing who did. He considers Phil Klass, Richard Doty, Jaime Shandera, Stanton Friedman, Bruce Maccabee, and Whitley Strieber as potential fabricators or unwitting tools. Moore concludes that if the documents are fabrications, it's likely a government plan to dupe people.

Phil Klass is mentioned again, with a letter reproduced later in the issue, stating he recently found a copy of his June 4th, 1987 letter to the FBI reporting the existence of MJ-12 documents. The magazine notes that Klass "almost protesteth too much."

Barry Greenwood, editor of "U.F.O. Historical Revue," is mentioned for finding a "fatal flaw" in recent MJ-12 documents online. His findings are to be published in the next issue of his zine.

Joe Firmage, a millionaire, is introduced as a new player launching the "International Space Sciences Organization." Regarding MJ-12, Firmage believes "The mere existence of such documents as these, containing the verifiable details that they do, is powerful evidence for the reality of the basic storyline in the history they recount." Pflock dismisses this as "Egads!" and argues that even if the documents are fake, the incidents they describe must have happened.

Breakthrough?

This section critiques Roger Leir's article in the MUFON Journal about an implant operation filmed for a TV special. Leir's rules for the TV crew, such as not using debunkers or skeptics, not showing the patient's face, and highlighting only his material, are criticized for destroying scientific value and objectivity. The magazine states that "So far, none of these alleged implants has been shown to have any function," making implant research "absurd."

Y2K and Doomsday Prophecies

The issue discusses the Y2K computer problem and how extremist groups are using it to foretell "race war and 'end-times battles'." One extremist predicts a financial meltdown leading to an international depression and the establishment of a one-world economic system by the antichrist.

"Smear" Headquarters intends to take extra money out of their bank account but otherwise "hope for the best," acknowledging that some prophecies are self-fulfilling.

Pre-Millennium Madness in Ufology

Peter Gersten, director of CAUS, predicted a UFO landing on December 7th, 1998, on Mount Elden, Arizona. When nothing happened, believers attributed it to a government-induced snow storm. Gersten's remark about the event being "irrelevant whether it is a hoax or not" is quoted.

Movie Review: "Out There"

The magazine reviews the fictional UFO movie "Out There" (1995). The plot involves an alien abduction in the early '70s. The film explores the idea of humans whose DNA has been altered to be pro-alien. A humorous scene involves a bumbling Air Force officer who dismisses the importance of UFO investigations. The movie's resolution involves pro-alien earthlings being defeated by accordion music. The reviewer notes that the real aliens are in league with the U.S. real estate industry.

Wax Museum Problems

A brief news item from Sydney, Australia, reports that Madame Tussaud's wax figure of President Clinton had its zipper sewn shut because visitors kept undoing it.

Do Not Smell This Page

This section discusses artist Chris Ofili, who uses elephant dung in his paintings and won the Turner Prize. It humorously notes the use of "pachyderm parcels" and "resin-coated balls of the stuff."

Business-Oriented Comic Script Character

This section questions the naming of a "business-oriented comic script character" and Moseley, wondering if it's a coincidence.

FOX Network UFO Debunking Special

The "long-delayed FOX Network UFO debunking Special" called "World's Greatest Hoaxes - Secrets Finally Revealed" is mentioned. UFO debunker Kal K. Korff is featured. The show reportedly covered Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, Billy Meier, and the Ray Santilli alien autopsy video, but notably omitted Mexico City UFO videos, which the magazine calls "the height of hypocricy."

Tidbits of Trash

This section includes several short news items:

• The 36th National UFO Conference (NUFOC) will be in San Antonio, Texas, hosted by Dennis Stacy.
• Confusion and disarray at the Roswell Museum since the departure of its director.
• Subliminal Vision expert Erik Beckjord is moving to San Francisco and running for mayor, having shut down his Bigfoot museum due to lack of funds.
• Dr. Frank Stranges sent a "Certificate of Award" to the magazine.
• Mel Fisher, treasure hunter, died of cancer at age 76. The editor has been invited to speak at the Mel Fisher Museum.

Books to Keep Your Bonfire Burning Brightly

"UFOs The Secret History" by Michael Hesemann is reviewed. The reviewer calls Hesemann a "True Believer masquerading as an objective researcher" and lists several acknowledgments, including Colman VonKeviczky, Wendelle Stevens, Erich von Daniken, Robert Dean, Jaime Maussan, Timothy Good, and Whitley Strieber. While acknowledging the author's extensive work, the review concludes that presented as fact, the book is "ludicrous, and a waste of the author's time."

Missives From The Masses

This section contains letters from readers and researchers:

• Phil Klass writes regarding the debate about whether he created the MJ-12 documents. He includes a copy of his June 4th, 1987 letter to the FBI, stating he never received a response and that his letter did not trigger an FBI investigation. He sarcastically suggests that if he had counterfeited the documents, he wouldn't have brought them to the FBI's attention.
• Dr. Gary Posner, founder of Tampa Bay Skeptics and a friend of Phil Klass, announces he has reviewed Klass's involvement in the MJ-12 hoax. Posner claims Klass confessed to forging the MJ-12 documents and mastermind the Kenneth Arnold case, the Roswell incident (claiming Klass was disguised as an alien), and J. Allen Hynek's persona.
• Bob Durant, Roswell researcher, challenges the "Mogul" explanation for Roswell, claiming Jesse Marcel Jr.'s "hieroglyphs" were geometric figures on Prof. C.B. Moore's radar reflector tape. He provides a comparison of Moore's and Marcel's figures, stating there are no similarities and no mechanism for the Moore tape to produce the Marcel figures.
• John Ford, former head of the Long Island UFO Network, mentions his lawsuit and $60 million judgment against Bill Knell for libel and defamation. He also shares information about the arrest of John Powell, a Republican Party leader in Suffolk County, involved in a "chop shop" and bribery scam, noting its potential effect on his case.
• Christopher Roth, researcher, shares a story about a hunter in Washington State who supposedly killed an alien and stuffed it in his freezer, with a middleman trying to sell photos of the being.

Editor's Notes and Reader Contributions

• A reader asks if the name "Smear" is a coincidence with a "business-oriented comic script character."
• Kurt Peters (writing as KOW PFLOP) clarifies that he is not George Hansen and criticizes Peters for attempting to capitalize on his work.
• Warren Gammel expresses his preference for the printed "Smear" over an online version, citing convenience.
• Herbert Taylor regards "Smear" with affection, appreciating its lack of "sacred cows" and its direct reporting.
• Greg Sullivan expresses his enjoyment of the publication and his regret for missing the National UFO Conference.
• Bob Zanotti provides a source for "Long John (Nebel)" tapes on the Internet, run by Max Schmid.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of "Saucer Smear" include skepticism towards widely accepted UFO claims, particularly the MJ-12 documents and implant research. The magazine actively critiques and debunks perceived excesses and unsubstantiated theories within the ufology community, often contrasting them with a more grounded, evidence-based approach. There is a strong emphasis on journalistic integrity and a willingness to challenge established narratives, even within the UFO field itself. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, aiming to separate fact from fiction and to encourage a more serious, less sensationalist approach to the study of unexplained phenomena. The magazine also touches upon broader societal anxieties, such as the Y2K problem, and their intersection with fringe beliefs.