Saucer Smear - Vol 46 No 05 - 1999

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 46, No. 5
Date: May 5th, 1999
Publisher: SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Country: USA
Language: English
Cover Headline: SHOCKINGLY CLOSE TO THE TRUTH!

Updates and Events

National UFO Conference (NUFOC)

The 36th National UFO Conference (NUFOC) is scheduled for Saturday, September 25th, and Sunday, September 26th, at the Seven Oaks Hotel and Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas. Hosted by former MUFON Journal editor Dennis Stacy, the event will feature speakers including MUFON czar Walt Andrus, abduction researcher Kevin Randle, and Whitley Strieber. Computer expert Joe Firmage has also joined the lineup, along with Karl Pflock, Patrick Huyghe, Tom Dewley, Constance Clare, and Linda Corley. The "Smear" editor, James W. Moseley, will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Information can be obtained by writing to Dennis Stacy at P.O. Box 12434, San Antonio, Texas 78212. The convention is anticipated to be a unique event.

Budd Hopkins' Intruders Foundation Convention

As predicted in a previous issue, Budd Hopkins' Intruders Foundation held a one-day convention in New York City on April 10th. Speakers included Stanton Friedman, Jerome Clark, Carol Rainey, Budd Hopkins, and David Jacobs. Jerome Clark was slated to moderate but was replaced by Greg Sandow. Notably, Kevin Randle, co-author of a forthcoming abduction book, was not invited. The conference reportedly attracted about 300 people and was considered successful.

Tidbits of Trash and Editorial Commentary

Photo Quality Apology

The editor apologizes for the poor quality of the photo of Walt Andrus in the previous issue, attributing it to excessive darkness and lack of detail, stating it was unintentional.

'Enemies List' and Personal Conflicts

James W. Moseley, editor of "Saucer Smear," presents a list of individuals he considers "The Enemy," stemming from his 46 years in ufology and his skeptical/negative style. The list includes:

• Budd Hopkins: Criticized for his defense of the Linda Napolitano abduction case, which "Smear" identified as the Linda Cortille case, printing Linda's real name.
• Jerry Clark: Described as emotional and a friend of Hopkins, Clark is noted for his more moderate abduction views but dislikes criticism. Moseley admires him as a historian but notes personality clashes.
• John Keel: Accused of being a ufologist, which Keel rejects, identifying as a Fortean. Moseley notes Keel's past positive disposition towards Gray Barker but a current dislike for "Smear," including accusations of involvement in the Ed Walters' Gulf Breeze capers.
• Richard ("Dick") Hall: Formerly of NICAP, Hall is still upset after over thirty years due to "Saucer News" (a predecessor to "Smear") attacking NICAP.
• Lucius Farish: Dislikes Moseley for not taking Billy Meier's claims seriously and for refusing to attend his Arkansas UFO conferences.
• Don Ecker: Staff member of "UFO Magazine," described as having a chip on his shoulder. Moseley recounts a phone call where Ecker was screaming about negative remarks made about him by Militia sympathizer Bill Cooper.
• James Randi: Criticized for hypocrisy regarding the sex problems of psychic researcher Eldon Byrd and for his own alleged unsavory sex habits, particularly concerning the "Blackmail Tape" where Randi allegedly solicits teenage males. Moseley notes the tape's transcript may be printed in "Smear."

Positive Mentions

• Col. Wendelle Stevens (Ret.): Despite having served prison time for sex with underaged girls, Stevens is noted for not holding a grudge against Moseley for a past "exclusive" summary of court documents in "Smear."

Other Individuals

• Richard Adams: President of James Randi's Educational Foundation, described as a computer millionaire devoted to exposing psychic fraud, though Randi reportedly does not want his identity known.
• Joe Firmage: A computer millionaire who has entered the pro-UFO movement.

UFO Sightings and Cases

Elk Abduction in Washington State

A peculiar incident allegedly occurred on February 25th in Washington State, where fourteen forestry workers reportedly witnessed a flying saucer abduct an elk from a herd. The UFO then disappeared with the animal. The story is considered "fishy" due to the forestry workers being on a contract for an unnamed "large corporation."

Philadelphia Experiment Re-hash

Karl Pflock submitted an article about the "Philadelphia Experiment," where a Navy ship, the USS Eldridge, allegedly became invisible in 1943. A reunion of surviving crew members in Atlantic City, N.J., concluded that the incident never happened. The legend originated from Morris K. Jessup's 1955 book, "The Case for the UFO." Carlos Miguel Allende claimed to have witnessed the event. Crew members joked that the only true part of the book was that the crew was "a little crazy." Al Bielek, a lecturer and self-proclaimed time-traveler, keeps the legend alive, claiming Albert Einstein's involvement.

Book Reviews and Publications

"Alfred Loedding & The Great Flying Saucer Wave of 1947"

This book, by Michael Hall and Wendy Conners, published by Rose Press, is a detailed chronology of UFO sightings from 1947-1948, focusing on the peak period of June 24th to July 11th, 1947. Researcher Jan Aldrich assisted the authors. Alfred Loedding, a civilian aeronautical engineer at Wright Field in the late 1940s, was in charge of Project Sign, the first Air Force UFO investigation. He reportedly formulated the hypothesis that some UFOs are interplanetary but was "purged" from investigations by 1949. The book's emphasis on Loedding is described as peculiar, as it contains little information about him despite interviewing his brother and son. The authors are criticized for their handling of the Roswell Incident, rejecting the Mogul Balloon explanation without sufficient reason, possibly to preserve the mystery. The book is considered worthwhile, with interesting appendices and a good bibliography, though the index is mediocre.

IllumiNet Press Publications

• "Saucers of the Illuminati" by Jim Keith: Explores "the truth behind stories of alien invasion, secret underground bases, and the secret plans of the New World Order." Covers mind control, saucer abductions, government anti-gravity testing, and more. Price: $12.95 for 128 pages.
• "Spies, Traitors and Moles" by Peter Kross: A quiz-format book on spy and counter-spy, with brief answers and explanatory pages. Price: $14.95 for 248 pages.

UFO Historical Revue

Barry Greenwood's "UFO Historical Revue" ($15 per year) exposed "the" Fatal Flaw in a key "new" MJ-12 paper. Greenwood's work, in conjunction with Project 1947, aims to create a year-by-year saucer history.

Loren Gross's "UFOs: A History"

Loren Gross's work is a source for material from contemporaneous accounts of UFO events, compiled into booklets covering a year-by-year saucer history up to September 1958.

Letters to the Editor

William Moore on the Cutler Memo

William Moore addresses an earlier "Saucer Smear" article about an eleven-year-old National Archives report on the Cutler Memo. He argues that the typewriter used for the memo shows over 30 distinct points of similarity to those used in Cutler's office, suggesting it was indeed written by someone in Cutler's office, and that the lack of signature on the carbon copy is not unusual.

Matt Graeber's Apology

Cartoonist Matt Graeber issues a public apology to Walt Andrus and MUFON regarding his analysis and sketches of the Ledonia, Texas alien skeleton. He retracts his previous comments, now believing the remains might be Marvin the Martian's cousin, "Vinnie the Venusian."

Chris Roth on Walt Andrus

Chris Roth criticizes Walt Andrus's "paleontological boner" and expresses gladness at not subscribing to the MUFON Journal. He suggests Tim Beckley as a model for credulousness and sensationalism.

Michael Dennett's Comments

Skeptic Michael Dennett praises "Smear" and the "confidential" cartoon/forensic sketch of the Ladonia, Texas remains. He jokingly warns that writing more about Walt Andrus might cause the loss of "J.S. (Journal Subscriber) status." He also inquires about John Ford being the only non-subscriber in jail.

Denis Corey on Walt Andrus and Aurora UFO Crash

Denis Corey comments on Walt Andrus's photo, calling him a "dork." He expresses interest in the Aurora UFO crash, noting it has been described as "yellow journalism." He questions the authenticity of the skeleton and notes the presence of swords, comparing it to Buck Rogers serials. Corey disagrees with Karl Pflock's view that TV has caused ufology's slump, praising programs on Discovery, Learning Channel, and History Channel, while criticizing FOX.

Hal Russell on CAUS and Peter Gersten

Radar engineer Hal Russell looks forward to receiving "Smear." He recounts an interaction with Peter Gersten of CAUS, where Russell offered assistance with FOIA requests related to military/governmental lingo. However, Gersten's response, expressing aversion to governmental/military secrecy, led Russell to withdraw his offer due to his own security clearance and employment with the DOD. Russell describes Gersten's subsequent response as "scathing."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of "Saucer Smear" maintains its critical and often skeptical stance towards prominent figures and claims within the UFO community. The publication actively engages in critiquing research methods, questioning the authenticity of evidence, and highlighting personal conflicts within the field. While acknowledging significant UFO research organizations like CUFOS and the Fund for UFO Research, the editorial tone often leans towards debunking or questioning sensational claims. The "Enemies List" exemplifies the publication's willingness to publicly confront individuals whose work or claims it finds problematic. The review of books and articles also reflects a discerning approach, praising well-researched content while criticizing perceived flaws or biases, such as the handling of the Roswell Incident. The inclusion of letters from various contributors, including skeptics and researchers, provides a platform for diverse opinions, often reinforcing the publication's critical perspective.