Saucer Smear - Vol 48 No 07 - 2001

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 48, No. 7
Date: August 4th, 2001
Publisher: Official Publication of the Saucer & Unexplained Celestial Events Research Society
Editor: James W. Moseley J.S.
Contributing Editor: Karl T. Pflock

This issue of Saucer Smear, dated August 4th, 2001, marks the editor's 70th birthday and features a mix of news, opinions, and research within the UFO community. The publication maintains a critical and often skeptical stance, particularly towards what it terms 'New Age hogwash' in ufology.

Dick Hall Resigns from MUFON

The lead story details the resignation of veteran ufologist Richard Hall from the MUFON organization. Hall, who had been writing the "Perspective" column for MUFON's magazine, resigned on June 17th after his column critical of the 2001 symposium's speaker line-up was censored by John Schuessler. Hall expressed frustration with the lack of dissension allowed within MUFON and the prevalence of 'blatantly New Age content' on their websites. He hopes that other scientifically oriented MUFON members will join him in protesting and demanding a more scientific approach to the subject.

Saucer Smear offers Hall the opportunity to write a column for them, with minor restrictions: no negative comments about Moseley, Pflock, or Mogul Balloons, and no positive comments about philosophy, NICAP, or Major Donald Keyhoe.

Hot Flashes

This section covers several brief news items:

• Mars Face: NASA released new, higher-resolution pictures of the 'traditional' Martian face, which the publication finds does not resemble a real face. The article touches on the human tendency to find patterns in randomness and the 'will to believe'.
• Loch Ness Monster: Geologist Luigi Piccardi's theory that earthquakes might explain sightings of the Loch Ness Monster is presented. However, other scientists and Saucer Smear disagree that this theory explains all sightings.
• Human Cloning: The Raelian Movement's cloning project is mentioned, with the lead scientist threatening legal action to protect it from U.S. government scrutiny. The Raelian outfit plans to produce a cloned child within the year, viewing cloning as a means for achieving eternal life.
• Socorro UFO Case: An article in the 'Skeptical Inquirer' by David Thomas suggests a Lunar Surveyor landing craft as the most likely explanation for the 1964 Socorro UFO case. Thomas admits the explanation doesn't perfectly fit all details but considers it better than others. Saucer Smear notes that this angle was first mentioned in their publication.

Other News and Commentary

• Patrick Huyghe's Book: The issue mentions Patrick Huyghe's new book, "Swamp Gas Times My Two Decades on the UFO Beat," which also features the "Smear" editor. Both Huyghe and Karl Pflock seem to consider the Socorro mystery unsolved.
• Roswell Festival: The 54th anniversary of the Roswell incident was celebrated with a festival themed around the movie "2001: A Space Odyssey." Actor Gary Lockwood was a guest, and the "Smear" editor is slated to be a guest the following year.
• "The Allies of Humanity": The publication inquires about the 'real story' behind "The Allies of Humanity," noting a report of a representative picketing a Steven Greer meeting and claiming aliens are not as benevolent as Greer suggests.
• Dr. Greer Photo: An apology is issued for a very dark picture of Dr. Greer in the previous issue, attributed to technical difficulties.
• Fate Magazine: The July issue of Fate Magazine is praised for an article by Antonio Huneeus about a mini-convention in Clarksburg, West Virginia, focusing on the collected papers of Gray Barker. The August issue features an article by Karl Pflock on Giant Rock, California, and George Adamski's "Desert Contact."

PFlock PTalk / THEY WERE HERE (Part 1 of ?)

By Karl Pflock, Contributing Editor & Fifth Columnist

Pflock reiterates his long-held belief that UFOs are real, unexplained phenomena, and that the evidence points to visits by nonhuman intelligence. He speculates that these visitors likely arrived in the early to mid-1940s and departed in the late 1960s or early 1970s, having studied Earth. He suggests that occasional 'buzzing of natives' or 'ambitious scientists' interfering with locals, such as the Barney and Betty Hill abduction, were isolated incidents. Pflock notes that sightings have dropped off significantly in the past 25 years, questioning whether this is due to improved identification abilities or a genuine decrease in activity. He also observes that the classic flying saucer sightings are no longer being reported.

Missives from the Masses

This section features letters and responses from various individuals:

• William Moore: Moore responds to criticism regarding his comments about Philippe Krass, defending his reluctance to praise Krass due to years of alleged mistreatment. He feels that Matt Graeber's judgment is based on limited, out-of-context quotes.
• Phil Klass: The famed UFO debunker responds to Bill Moore's 'latest blast,' stating he will not sue for slander. Klass expresses confusion over Moore's bitterness, attributing his departure from pro-UFO circles to a 1989 MUFON conference speech. Klass also addresses Rick Doty's claim that 'Falcon' was an DIA employee identified by Klass, challenging Doty to reveal Falcon's identity.
• Matt Graeber: Graeber comments on Phil Klass's debunking of the MJ-12 documents and their link to Moore, suggesting it has affected Moore.
• Dave Thomas: Thomas writes regarding Richard Doty's letter and an article he co-authored in the 'Skeptical Inquirer.' He clarifies that their conclusion about 'Falcon' being Doty was based on Curtis Peebles' book 'Watch the Skies' and other sources, and suggests Doty take up any issues with Peebles, Gersten, and Howe.
• Jim Greenen: A vendor at UFO conventions, Greenen apologizes for selling 'FAKE' Area 51 signs, noting that the signs have changed. He expresses that he will not attend the Austin convention to avoid upsetting the editor.
• Chris Roth: Roth comments on the 'Face on Mars' theory, calling it a social phenomenon rather than a viable scientific theory. He notes that new photos of the Face look less like it.
• Eldon Byrd: Byrd responds to William Moore's letter, questioning Moore's logic regarding the Book of Mormon. Byrd argues that if the Book of Mormon's teachings are false, then the Church's teachings are also false, and that the Spalding argument hinges on whether Rigdon and Smith colluded to produce the book.
• Jean Misner: Misner recommends the book 'Knowledge from the Stars' by Wesley H. Bateman in response to an item about 'intelligence report by non-human interplanetary agents.'
• Steve Barnett: Barnett assumes Bill Moore is upset about comments regarding Klass. He expresses a desire for everyone to rest comfortably within their belief systems and notes a lack of strange news in the papers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing debate about the nature of UFO phenomena, the internal politics and controversies within ufology organizations like MUFON, and the tension between scientific inquiry and what the publication terms 'New Age hogwash.' The editorial stance, particularly from James W. Moseley and Karl T. Pflock, is one of critical examination, skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims, and a preference for evidence-based reasoning, while still acknowledging the reality of unexplained aerial phenomena.