Saucer Smear - Vol 46 No 06 - 1999

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 46, No. 6
Date: June 5th, 1999
Publisher: SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Type: Non-Scheduled Newsletter

This issue of "Saucer Smear" is dedicated to ufological journalism and features a mix of news, reviews, and opinion pieces related to UFOs and unexplained phenomena. The cover is marked "TOP SECRET / MAJIC EYES ONLY" with a humorous disclaimer.

More on Harry S. Truman's UFO Views

The lead article revisits the issue of Harry S. Truman's views on flying saucers, specifically a quote from a purported April 4th, 1950 press conference. The quote, "I can assure you that flying saucers, given that they exist, are not constructed by any power on earth," is presented with the caveat "given that they exist," implying Truman's disbelief in their existence. The quote was reportedly sourced from "The Unidentified Flying Objects Briefing Document" by Don Berliner and Antonio Huneeus. However, concerns are raised about the authenticity of the press conference itself, with Stanton Friedman claiming no record exists. Antonio Huneeus admits he obtained the quote from someone else and never verified it. The article suggests that some of Joe Firmage's other celebrity quotes, also from the Berliner/Huneeus source, may be misleading or out of context.

Fake Alien Teacher Fired Near Key West

This section reports on an incident in Plantation Key, Florida, where a new science teacher, Hugh Allan, was fired after telling students he was an alien from outer space, though he claimed he was kidding. His behavior led to him being escorted off school property by police. The article notes that concerns about him being "chemically dependent" and potentially violent were also raised.

Fake Martian in Canada

A man in Toronto, Canada, who claimed to be a Martian, had his lawsuit against the Defence Minister dismissed. The court ruled that as neither a human being nor a corporation, he lacked legal standing.

Re-Reviewing Our Own Review

Ann Druffel, author of "How to Defend Yourself Against Alien Abduction," expressed mild dissatisfaction with a previous review of her book. The magazine opts to publish a more favorable review from Jim Owen in Australia, who describes the book as a "rewarding experience" for those interested in abduction phenomena and UFOs.

Crackpots vs. Crackpots

An internet item from Canada highlights concerns from two astrophysicists employed by the Canadian government. They worry that "amateurs" might send messages into space that could give extraterrestrials the wrong ideas, potentially inviting an "alien invasion." They expressed concern that carelessly designed messages could put Earth at risk. A spokesman for the Prime Minister dismissed the concern as "insane."

Update on the Glorious Forthcoming San Antonio Convention

Announces the 36th National UFO Conference (NUFOC) to be held in San Antonio, Texas, on September 25th & 26th. Confirmed speakers include Whitley Strieber, Joe Firmage, Walt Andrus, Kevin Randle, and Karl Pflock.

Shit From the Sky!

Reports on a series of incidents in Salt Lake City, Utah, where raw sewage was dumped from passing airplanes, suggesting a Fortean phenomenon. The article speculates that "Space People" might be responsible.

It's About Time!

An article from "Alternate Perceptions" Magazine by Scott Dow debunks the Fu-go balloon theory for the Roswell Incident, noting that John Keel and Dr. Greg Little have previously proposed it. The article supports the Mogul balloon explanation, a view shared by the "Smear" editor.

Miscellaneous Ravings

This section includes several short items:

• A postscript to a previous article about a possible alien skeleton, clarifying the skeptical introduction by George Toomer and identifying him as Bob Slaughter.
• An update on John Ford, former head of the Long Island UFO Network, who pleaded "not responsible by reason of mental incompetence" in a conspiracy to commit murder case, related to a belief that the county government was hiding UFO crash truths.
• A note about the Sun's 11-year cycle of solar activity peaking around the millennium, potentially causing power failures.
• A mention of Laurence Rockefeller financing England's largest study of the crop circle phenomenon and supporting abduction researcher John Mack.
• Criticism of a MUFON Journal article by Tom Carey and Don Schmitt about Roswell, deeming their "new leads" unlikely to be better than old ones and their idea of digging for "rodent holes" as desperate.

Book Reviews

Several UFO-related books are reviewed:

• "Rick Hilberg's Book of Weirdology" by Rick Hilberg: An anthology of articles from UAPA, suggesting UFOs may be related to Fortean phenomena.
• "Psychiatric and Paranormal Aspects of Ufology" by Dr. Bethold Schwarz: A book detailing psychic manifestations, with the reviewer noting Schwarz's sincerity but also recalling an incident where James Randi's proteges exposed flaws in his experiments.

PFlock Ptalk / Where I Stand

Contributing Editor Karl Pflock states his position on UFOs: they are real, unexplained phenomena, and many point to encounters with nonhuman intelligence, likely from an extra-solar planet. He believes visitors may have been here from the early to mid-1940s and departed in the late 1960s or early 1970s.

Missives From the Masses

This section features letters from readers:

• Jerry Lucci criticizes "Fossil Remains of Mythical Creatures" and MUFON's handling of it, questioning the research standards.
• Judith Slaughter, widow of the author of "Fossil Remains of Mythical Creatures," expresses amusement at the magazine's coverage and mentions Walt Andrus' interest in obtaining alien samples for MUFON's museum.
• Phillip S. Duke Ph.D. calls the alien skeleton story a "Walt Andrus hoax" and suggests MUFON does more harm than good.
• Bob Galganski, a Roswell proponent, argues against the Mogul hypothesis for the Roswell debris field, presenting calculations to support his alternative explanation.
• Robert Todd expresses strong skepticism about the "new" MJ-12 documents and the efforts of Robert and Ryan Wood to authenticate them.
• Herbert Taylor criticizes CUFOS and FUFOR for their promotion of Roswell, stating it overshadows their other work and impacts perspective on the UFO phenomenon.
• Phil Klass humorously lists reasons why he is not on the editor's "Enemies List," including disagreements on ufologists and personal claims.
• Carlos Mentira suggests the "Enemies List" is a result of the magazine's "National Enquirer type journalism" and defends Jerry Clark and Budd Hopkins.
• Matt Graeber, a cartoonist, humorously suggests MUFON should focus on missing elk and moose, and mentions Joe Firmage in relation to "ufologically astute pathological fibbers."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include skepticism towards certain UFO claims and researchers, a critical examination of evidence, and a defense of ufology as a serious field of inquiry, albeit one prone to sensationalism and questionable research. The magazine's stance appears to be one of critical analysis, questioning official narratives and popular theories while maintaining a belief in the reality of unexplained aerial phenomena and potential nonhuman intelligence. There is a clear distinction made between genuine research and what the editors perceive as "crap" or "hoaxes" within the ufology community.