Saucer Smear - Vol 47 No 01 - 2000

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 47, No. 1
Date: January 15th, 1900 (humorous date)
Publisher: SAUCER SMEAR
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of "Saucer Smear" is a non-scheduled newsletter dedicated to ufological journalism, published by the Saucer & Unexplained Celestial Events Research Society. The editorial stance is critical and often humorous, with a focus on debunking or questioning mainstream skeptical viewpoints while also engaging with the UFO community.

World Fails to End!

The lead article humorously addresses the non-occurrence of the predicted Y2K computer bug, noting that the planet Earth did not suffer the predicted breakdowns. It jokes about private businesses and bars having emergency plans and questions the future branding of companies like 'Twentieth Century Fox' and 'Century 21'. The article concludes that the 'Space People' likely knew it wasn't the real millennium and would 'carry on as usual'.

This is Amazing, Randi and Also Amusing!

This section critically examines an article in the January-February 2000 issue of CSICOP's "Skeptical Inquirer" which asked its consultants to name the outstanding skeptics of the twentieth century. The winner was James Randi. The article highlights the irony of Randi's win, given that he had resigned from CSICOP under a 'cloud' after lawsuits related to his remarks about Uri Geller. Randi is now allied with Michael Shermer's rival magazine, "Skeptic". The article then lists the next seven 'outstanding skeptics' as Martin Gardner, Carl Sagan, Paul Kurtz, Ray Hyman, Isaac Asimov, Philip Klass, Bertrand Russell, Harry Houdini, and Albert Einstein. The "Saucer Smear" editor expresses strong disagreement with Randi being compared to figures like Russell, Houdini, and Einstein, calling anyone who makes such a comparison 'plainly deranged'.

Our Plans for the 2000 NUFOC Convention:

This section announces that the National UFO Conference (NUFOC) will be held on September 23rd and 24th at a Ramada Inn in Corpus Christi, Texas. Doris Upchurch of Texas MUFON is the local host. Confirmed speakers include Stanton Friedman, Constance Clear, Dennis Stacy, Walt Andrus of MUFON, Ann Druffel, Rick Hilberg, and the "Smear" editor. The article also mentions that last year's NUFOC in San Antonio was covered by FOX, which aired a special called "We Are the Aliens" featuring interviews with speakers, including the "Smear" editor. Karl Pflock had the opportunity to discuss the Roswell Incident, and Whitley Strieber, Patrick Huyghe, and Dr. Kevin Randle were also featured. The show is described as a good overview of ufology, better than the alien autopsy video.

Miscellaneous Ravings:

This section contains a series of short, often critical or opinionated, updates:

• Joe Firmage: According to a document from his International Space Sciences Organization, Joe Firmage now believes the MJ-12 documents may be government-forged Cold War forgeries, and that fake alien landings might have been staged. He is noted for not tying his belief in interplanetary UFOs to any single piece of 'proof'.
• Larry Bryant and MUFON: Larry Bryant has won his battle to stay on MUFON's Board of Directors but continues to upset people, particularly Dan Wright. Support for Bryant is waning.
• MUFON's State: MUFON itself is described as being in worse shape than usual, with Walt Andrus's impending resignation, declining membership, and internal factional clashes.
• CAUS & Effect Magazine: Information is provided on subscribing to "CAUS & Effect", a magazine from Citizens Against UFO Secrecy (CAUS), available for $20 per year.
• Project Awareness: The closure of "Project Awareness", hosted by Vicki Lyons, is noted.
• Jim Moseley and Gulf Breeze: The "Project Awareness" closure is linked to the end of fifteen conventions organized by people associated with the Gulf Breeze UFO controversy. The recent Clearwater Beach convention was the last.
• Timothy Green Beckley ('Mr. UFO'/'Mr. Creepo'): Beckley, a long-time figure in the UFO field, has reinvented himself as 'Mr. Creepo' and is producing films with lurid titles. He previously produced a hardcore porn film called 'Driller'. While Beckley still maintains an interest in UFOs and posted an anti-MJ-12 article online, the "Smear" notes that he is not a skeptic and his writings encourage belief.
• Uri Geller: A "USA Today" cover story about Uri Geller is mentioned. Geller, famous for spoon-bending, is selling his mansion in England. His arch-enemy was James Randi, and they had several lawsuits. The "Smear" editor recounts meeting Geller in Miami and receiving an autographed spoon.
• Fate Magazine: An article by Karl Pflock in the January 2000 issue of "Fate Magazine" is mentioned, titled "NUFOC Report: World's Oldest Continuing UFO Conference". The article covers the NUFOC gathering in San Antonio. A photo of Jim Moseley from that event is included. The return of Phyllis Galde as editor of "Fate" is noted with approval.

Books to Keep Your Bonfire Burning Brightly:

This section reviews several UFO and offbeat books, offering brief, often critical, paragraphs:

• "Gardner's Whys & Wherefores" by Martin Gardner: Written for Prometheus Books, this collection of essays by a CSICOP pillar is noted for its mathematical treatise on 'Pi'. Flying saucers are not mentioned, which is seen as a mercy, given Gardner's negative views.
• "The Mystic Healers: A History of Magical Medicine" by Paris Flammonde: This book is described as an expose of fake cures, including those from the Church of Scientology. It's a revised edition published by Scarborough House.
• "Alien Base: The Evidence for Extraterrestrial Colonization of Earth" by Timothy Good: This book suggests Earth is a base for alien species. The photographs are noted as interesting but include those by George Adamski, Howard Menger, and Paul Villa.
• "UFO Odyssey" by Brad Steiger and Sherry Steiger: This book is said to offer profound insights into UFOs and their impact on the new millennium. The "Smear" editor's own opinions on the philosophical aspects of the UFO mystery are quoted on page 275.
• "Alien Identities" by Richard Thompson: This book is praised by Berthold Schwarz on the back cover as 'stimulating, well organized, and an encyclopedic smorgasbord of UFO data and ancient Indian counterparts', with Schwarz suggesting it will become a classic.

PFlock PTalk / Klassic UFOLOGY

By Karl Pflock, Our Contributing Editor & Fifth Columnist.

This column addresses Phil Klass's criticism of "Smear" for taking him and other 'skeptics' to task regarding their explanations of UFO reports. Pflock defends his example that the seven men involved in the Travis Walton UFO-zapping incident could have conspired in a hoax. He suggests that Walton and Mike Rogers could have rigged the event, using clever theatrics and priming the crew with UFO talk, to make the other five believe they saw a hovering, hostile UFO. Pflock notes that eyewitness testimony is often unreliable and people are suggestible, yet Klass implicitly accepts the witnesses' descriptions of the UFO. Pflock also brings up testimony from Steve Pierce, obtained by Klass in 1978, which he claims Klass has never revealed, describing a possible deer hunter-rigged object.

Letters to Ye Olde Editor:

• Dr. Gary Posner (Tampa Bay Skeptics): Posner thanks Karl Pflock for introducing the word 'amanuensis' but challenges Pflock's characterization of him as fighting 'down and dirty' and suppressing evidence. He asks if Jim Moseley is aware of anyone whose writings are more honest and reasoned than his own.
• Dr. Kevin D. Randle, Ph.D.: Randle responds to being called out for his Ph.D. being 'half-assed', stating it's at least 'three-quarters assed' and possibly 'fully assed'.
• Chris Roth: Roth discusses his experience with 'distance learning' for his Ph.D., comparing it to mail-order education and noting that while California Coast University is accredited, a traditional university degree guarantees more real learning. He jokes about 'web-based learning' and criticizes the celebration of the millennium's dawn, linking it to fiscal irresponsibility.
• Alexander Mebane: Mebane discusses Pflock's adherence to Charles Fort's 'extraterrestrial-constructions' conjecture, suggesting it leads him to reject UFO-associated phenomena as imaginary. He wonders how Pflock would account for Kary Mullis's experience and agrees that unseen entities are playing with humanity.
• Denis Corey: Corey disagrees with Pflock's 'nuts and bolts' viewpoint, questioning why advanced aliens would be interested in Earth if they could visit more 'fabulous places'.
• Matt Graeber (Cartoonist): Graeber humorously questions Pflock's endorsement of Betty Hill's notion that aliens resembling elephants would be interested in terrestrial elephants, suggesting it's 'pure ufoology' and that elephants are primarily interested in peanuts.
• George Earley (Researcher): Earley is baffled by Walt Andrus discussing the old Valentich case, suggesting a prosaic explanation of carbon monoxide fumes causing hallucinations. He asks for information about Dennis Crenshaw, who used to publish 'The Hollow Earth Insider'.
• Rick Hilberg: Hilberg notes the positive reception of "Smear" among 'oldtimers' and mentions that Al Manak chose not to 'go national' like many in the UFO/Fortean fields. He highlights Manak's extensive research and documentation.
• Ann Druffel (UFO Researcher & Lecturer): Druffel clarifies that Kal Korff was rumored to analyze the Heflin photos to prove they were hoaxes, but states that only their three-person team has had access to the Polaroids. She mentions that Rex Heflin received a call about the original photos being chemically treated to prevent data extraction.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of "Saucer Smear" consistently exhibits a critical and often skeptical, yet engaged, approach to ufology. The editorial stance is to question the pronouncements of mainstream skeptical organizations like CSICOP, particularly when they dismiss phenomena or individuals without thorough examination. There's a clear disdain for what the editors perceive as overly rigid or biased skepticism, as exemplified by the critique of the "Skeptical Inquirer"'s list. Simultaneously, the publication engages with the UFO community, reporting on conferences, discussing ongoing controversies (like the Travis Walton case), and featuring reader contributions. The tone is often informal, humorous, and sometimes provocative, aiming to provoke thought and discussion within the UFO research field. The recurring themes include the critique of skepticism, the internal politics of UFO organizations, the reporting of conferences and new research, and the review of relevant literature. The publication positions itself as a voice for those who question the status quo, both within the skeptical community and the UFO research community itself.