Saucer Smear - Vol 47 No 09 - 2000

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 47, No. 9
Date: November 10th, 2000
Publisher: Celestial Events Research Society
Type: Non-Scheduled Newsletter

This issue of Saucer Smear provides a detailed recap of the 37th National UFO Conference (NUFOC) held in Corpus Christi, Texas, on September 23rd-24th, 2000. The newsletter also delves into various UFO-related news, controversies, and personal accounts from the ufological community.

2000 National UFO Conference (NUFOC) Recap

The conference, co-hosted by MUFON researchers Doris Upchurch and Susanna Washburn, is described as energetic despite several logistical issues. Unfortunately, Walt Andrus, a planned speaker and recipient of the NUFOC 'Lifetime Achievement' Award, could not attend due to the recent death of his wife, Jeanne. Rick Hilberg, a co-founder of NUFOC, was also absent due to his wife Carol's illness. Substitute speakers were found for these absences.

The editor, James W. Moseley, opened the program with his lecture, "Weird Personal Experiences of a Skeptical Believer," and presented a plaque to Doris Upchurch for Walt Andrus. Jeronimo Flores from Mexico presented UFO videos from his native land, accompanied by his interpreter Diana Perla Chapa. Nuclear physicist Stanton Friedman was also a speaker.

A notable disruption during the Saturday afternoon session was loud music from a neighboring Christian evangelical group, leading to a pending lawsuit against the hotel's banquet department.

Other speakers included Ann Druffel, author of "How to Defend Yourself Against Alien Abduction," and Dennis Stacy, co-editor of "The Anomalist" magazine. Constance Clear, author of "Reaching for Reality," was also featured. Judith Slaughter brought an alleged alien skeleton from Dallas, belonging to her late husband.

Next year's NUFOC is scheduled for September 14th-16th in Austin, Texas, with Miles Lewis as the local sponsor. The format is expected to differ, with potential speakers including Joe Firmage, Timothy Green Beckley, Karl Pflock, Ray Stanford, and Jenny Randles.

Skepticism and Interpretation

A snippet from a newspaper account features James Moseley expressing his continued skepticism about UFOs, stating, "I accept the fact that I have seen them. The trouble with the sciences like 'ufologism' is in interpretation. You have a mystery that is beyond our current understanding, one that can't be measured more than once."

Follow-ups on Recent "Smear" Stories

MUFON Internal Scandal

The newsletter addresses an internal scandal within MUFON concerning John Carpenter, their Director of Abduction Research, who reportedly sold 140 abduction case histories to John Bigelow of NIDS. Despite a promised investigation by an Ethics Committee, the October issue of the MUFON Journal contained no mention of the Carpenter affair. Instead, Carpenter authored an article defending an "abduction video," suggesting he remains in a high position within MUFON.

Lawsuit Against James Randi

An update on the lawsuit against arch-debunker James Randi indicates that Randi has opted for a defense based on technicalities rather than directly confronting the alleged libel and slander.

Tidbits of Trash (formerly News Briefies)

FATE Magazine Articles

The September issue of FATE Magazine featured an article co-authored by Jim Moseley and Karl Pflock titled "UFOs: 3-D or 4-D+?" The November issue of FATE includes "Saucer Logic" by the same duo, with expanded content to be included in their upcoming UFO book, "Shockingly Close to the Truth."

The November FATE also features a unique cover with a Bigfoot-like creature and an article titled "The Ghosts of the St. James Hotel" by Robert L. Allen. Moseley notes his personal unsuccessful searches for ghosts at the St. James Hotel.

Project Mogul vs. Roswell Debris

Bob Galganski strongly disagrees with the assessment that Project Mogul debris is "close enough" to the material found by Mac Brazel at Roswell. He argues that the amount of metalized paper from Project Mogul targets is insufficient to explain the alleged debris field and that Jesse Marcel Jr.'s description of all-metal fragments does not match the Mogul debris.

William Moore on Dr. Hynek and MJ-12

William Moore addresses a challenge concerning Dr. Hynek, suggesting that Christopher Allan can obtain documentation of Hynek's 'consultant' contracts with the USAF via FOIA. Moore confirms that Bennewitz first told him about Hynek's 'visit' and that Hynek confirmed it. Moore also mentions that Brian Parks obtained copies of Hynek's 'day-a-year' USAF consulting contracts. Moore speculates that the USAF maintained a contractual relationship with Hynek long after Project Blue Book ended. He further suggests that MJ-12 might have existed in the '70s and '80s and fostered belief in UFOs for self-serving purposes, possibly to mislead the Soviets about UFO technology.

Karl Pflock's "PTalk"

Karl Pflock discusses the PAX-TV series "Encounters with the Unexplained," specifically an episode devoted to Roswell. He criticizes the "docudrama" for its inaccuracies and the portrayal of figures like Mack Brazel, J. Bond Johnson, Glenn Dennis, and Philip Corso. Pflock notes that Michael Shermer and he were presented as skeptics, while Kevin Randle was shown supporting Glenn Dennis's story. Pflock learned that the show used old footage of Randle without his consent and questions whether Randle will take legal action.

Other UFO News and Cases

• Richard Doty: Now reportedly does research for NIDS, despite past questions about his competence and veracity regarding MJ-12 documents.
• John Alexander: Has been downgraded in the NIDS hierarchy, possibly due to a falling out with Robert Bigelow.
• Phil Klass: Underwent spinal surgery and is in rehabilitation.
• Rael Cult: A cult called Rael is gearing up to produce the world's first human clone of a deceased baby, funded by a half-million-dollar donation.
• "Mothman Prophecies" Movie: A movie based on John Keel's book is set to begin production, starring Richard Gere.
• Giant Radio Telescope: A one billion dollar radio telescope is planned for operation by 2015, capable of scanning over a million stars.
• Frederick Valentich Case: New evidence suggests a green light was seen hovering over Valentich's plane before its disappearance, with a search for the wreckage being considered.
• Nicholas Mariana UFO Film: Barry Greenwood's "U.F.O. Historical Revue" features an article on the 1950 Great Falls, Montana UFO film, concluding it likely shows genuine unknowns.
• UFO Hall of Frauds Website: A new website is mentioned that unfavorably lists Peter Gersten, Richard Boylan, Ray Santilli, Billy Meier, Donald Schmitt, Steven Greer, and Richard Hoagland.

Cartoon by Matt Graeber

Matt Graeber contributes a Roswell-related cartoon and discusses "presidential UFO sightings," referencing Jimmy Carter's observation and a historical account of Abraham Lincoln, which he suggests might be a hallucination or a pre-Civil War military test vehicle.

Paul Fuller on British UFOs

Paul Fuller reports that research into Britain's D-Notices Committee records from 1952 to 1969 revealed no indication that UFOs were a defense concern or that there was pressure on the press regarding UFO incidents.

Richard Glenn Sentencing

A Canadian ufologist named Richard Glenn has been sentenced to a year in jail for sex with underage boys, claiming he was abducted by aliens at age five.

Chupacabras

An article in the Miami Herald discusses chupacabras sightings, noting that in Nicaragua, a mysterious skeleton identified as a chupacabras turned out to be an ordinary dog. However, the man who shot the animal claims it was different, with rose-colored teeth, and that it killed sheep.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently adopts a skeptical yet open-minded stance towards UFO phenomena. It critically examines claims, investigates alleged cover-ups, and reports on conferences and developments within the ufological community. The editorial stance often questions official narratives and highlights perceived inconsistencies or lack of transparency from organizations and researchers. There is a clear emphasis on investigative journalism and presenting multiple viewpoints, even while expressing personal skepticism on certain aspects of the field.