Saucer Smear - Vol 48 No 05 - 2001

Magazine Overview

Title: Saucer Smear
Issue: Volume 48, No. 5
Date: June 1st, 2001
Publisher: Saucer & Unexplained Celestial Events Research Society
Editor: James W. Moseley
Contributing Editor: Karl T. Pflock

This issue of "Saucer Smear" is a non-scheduled newsletter dedicated to ufological journalism. It features news, personal accounts, and discussions on various UFO-related topics, including book reviews, conference reports, and historical cases.

Karl Pflock's New Book Announced

The issue highlights the upcoming publication of Karl T. Pflock's new hardcover book, "Roswell: Inconvenient Facts and the Will to Believe," published by Prometheus Books. The book is described as a significant contribution to the Roswell case, regardless of one's stance on the event. Readers are encouraged to purchase it from various sources, including Amazon.com and Barnesandnobel.com.

Mothman Lives! Mini-Convention Report

The newsletter details a mini-convention held at the Clarksburg, West Virginia Library, hosted by David Houchin. The event featured talks by the editor, Tom Benson of MUFON, Antonio Huneeus, and Rick Hilberg. Following the convention, Moseley, Benson, and Huneeus took a side-trip to Point Pleasant, West Virginia, an area known for Mothman sightings dating back to World War I and culminating in the 1960s with the Silver Bridge collapse. The article speculates that a forthcoming movie about Mothman could lead to a resurgence in public interest, similar to the 'Roswellia' phenomenon.

News Briefies and Conference Announcements

In the "News Briefies" section, the editor announces his invitation to speak at the 2002 Roswell Festival, acknowledging the publication's conservative views on the Roswell Incident. The newsletter also mentions upcoming appearances at the 38th annual National UFO Conference in Austin, Texas, from September 14-16, 2001. The editor notes that while "Smear" is online, he is not, and encourages readers to submit significant UFO news from the internet or other sources.

Harold E. Burt on MUFON Symposium

The issue includes a lengthy quote from UFO author Harold E. Burt, originally published in the April MUFON Journal. Burt compares the work of MUFON Symposium speakers to that of Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, and the Wright Brothers, asserting that ufologists are expanding our understanding of physics and consciousness beyond planetary boundaries. He encourages attendance at the MUFON Symposium 2001.

British Flying Saucer Bureau Closes

A "depressing item" from England reports the closure of the British Flying Saucer Bureau, founded in 1953, due to a lack of UFO sightings in recent years. The Bureau had a peak membership of 1,500.

S.A.U.C.E.R.S. and the 'Space People' Theory

In contrast, the newsletter notes that the Saucer and Unexplained Celestial Events Research Society (S.A.U.C.E.R.S.), of which "Saucer Smear" is the official organ, was founded in 1954, making it older than the British organization. The article touches upon Karl Pflock's theory that 'Space People' observed Earth from the mid-1940s to the early 1970s, suggesting this might explain the decline in sightings. An alternative explanation offered is that humanity has improved its ability to identify UFOs.

Stanton Friedman and the Aztec Crash

The newsletter reports on Stanton Friedman's participation as a speaker at the annual UFO festival in Aztec, New Mexico. The Aztec saucer crash, alleged to have occurred in 1948, is described as less credible than the Roswell crash, with the local library using the UFO theme as a fundraiser.

UFO Conferences and Disclosure Events

• Three major conferences are highlighted:
• May 8th, New York City: A news conference featuring former astronaut Brian O'Leary and others, presenting evidence of past intelligent life on Mars, including a large 'female face' and artificial structures.
• May 9th, Washington D.C.: A National Press Club conference, followed by a public briefing on May 12th, organized by Dr. Steven Greer. Greer presented evidence of classified energy generation and anti-gravity propulsion systems, suggesting the potential for free energy. The article expresses skepticism about such industries readily adopting new energy sources.
• May 12th, UFO Internet Convention: This event, featuring Clifford Stone, Stanton Friedman, and Robert Dean, was intended to showcase a controversial saucer fragment. However, the convention was cancelled, with speculation pointing to hackers or insufficient sign-ups. Friedman reportedly stated the fragment was the same one from the 1997 Roswell Festival, which analysis found to be unimportant.

Timothy McVeigh and William Cooper

A recent article confirms that mass-murderer Timothy McVeigh visited ufologist Bill Cooper, seeking help. McVeigh was also a listener to Cooper's right-wing radio program. Cooper is described as a tax evader, with federal authorities hesitant to apprehend him due to past incidents like Waco and Ruby Ridge. The article also recalls Cooper's past as a lecturer at Tim Beckley's UFO conventions, noting his departure from the circuit after Beckley suggested he pay taxes on his earnings.

Karl Pflock PTalk: UFOlogical Blasphemy

This section features a guest column by Matt Graeber, a cartoonist and ufologist. Graeber expresses his disillusionment with the quality of information and investigators in ufology, criticizing the tendency to jump to conclusions, invent data, or suppress evidence. He argues that many UFO groups prioritize collecting dues and publishing newsletters over resolving the enigma, suggesting that the resolution of the UFO phenomenon would end the industry it has become.

Missives from the Masses

• This section contains letters from readers:
• Dave Swink of the International UFO Museum & Research Center in Roswell, New Mexico, expresses excitement about the editor being a VIP speaker at the 2002 UFO Festival and the availability of his new book.
• Stanton Friedman writes, expressing confusion over disagreements with the editor and defending his research on Dr. Donald Menzel and MJ-12, emphasizing the importance of archival visits for factual data.
• Christopher Allan comments on Karl Pflock's timeline regarding the Menzel affair and Stanton Friedman's potential response. He suggests Menzel's 1949 sighting was mentioned in his first book and that the Wilbert Smith memo was circulated by Friedman in 1979, not 1982.
• William Moore accepts the editor's apology for a previous "scoop" but criticizes being blindsided and the potential job repercussions for those involved. He also makes a disparaging remark about "Mr. Krass."
• Richard Doty is mentioned as another key player in the MJ-12 drama, with a small part of his letter reproduced, discussing his role as 'Falcon' and the disclosure of information related to an NSA project.
• Ed Mitchel, a saucer researcher, enjoyed touring West Virginia with the editor and Tom Benson, acquiring a documentary. He notes the absence of Gray Barker's presence in the documentary but expresses increased respect for Barker after the event.
• Rob Martin shares a humorous account of subscribing to "Saucer Smear" via a "love offering" and the unexpected benefits, including his cat being cured of rectal cancer after using the magazine as litter box liner.

Sidelines

• This section contains brief, often humorous, items:
• SNORTING THE DOG: A story about burglars mistaking dog ashes for cocaine.
• CASH-LANDRUM UFO INCIDENT: A mention of a book by John Schuessler about a UFO encounter involving Texans and military helicopters.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of "Saucer Smear" revolve around the ongoing investigation and discussion of UFO phenomena, with a particular focus on the Roswell incident, the Mothman legend, and the controversial MJ-12 subject. The editorial stance, as represented by James W. Moseley and Karl T. Pflock, appears to be one of critical inquiry, skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims, and a dedication to ufological journalism. While acknowledging the importance of historical cases and ongoing research, the publication also highlights the challenges of misinformation and the commercialization of the UFO field. The inclusion of diverse reader contributions and critiques suggests an open, albeit discerning, approach to the subject matter.