Saucer Smear - Vol 48 No 08 - 2001

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 48, No. 8
Date: September 1st, 2001
Publisher: New American Library (for a book advertised)
Editor: James W. Moseley
Contributing Editor: Karl T. Pflock

This issue of "Saucer Smear" is a non-scheduled newsletter dedicated to ufological journalism. The editor, James W. Moseley, notes his busy travel schedule for September and October, indicating the next issue would likely not appear until November 1st.

Upcoming Events and Personal Notes

The editor highlights attendance at the 38th annual National UFO Conference in Austin, Texas (September 14th-16th), and speaking engagements at Pat Marcattilio's conventions in Bordentown, New Jersey (October 6th-7th). Speakers at the Bordentown event are listed as George Filer, Rick Hilberg, Diana Hoyt, Don Rose, Antonio Huneeus, Sue Swiatek, Tom Hackney, Ron Story, and the "Smear" editor himself. Their lecture is titled "Weird Personal Experiences of a Skeptical Believer," promising a discussion of a recent psychic event at their Key West headquarters.

The 2001 Emergence Conference in Palenque, Mexico (November 12th-17th) is also mentioned, with John Keel confirmed as a speaker. Other speakers include Antonio Huneeus, Jaime Maussan, David Perkins, Leo Sprinkle, Nancy Talbert, and Tracy Torme. The conference website is www.emergenceconference.com.

UFO Sightings and Incidents

A brief UFO flap in Carteret, New Jersey, in mid-July is reported, involving a slow-moving bright yellow V-formation of lights. The editor speculates it could have been flares or something from Area 51.

A personal account describes an out-of-body experience in November 1966, where the narrator felt they were flying over sights near Point Pleasant and Gallipolis, West Virginia, and had a premonition about a bridge collapse, which later occurred.

An advertisement for "The Encyclopedia of Extraterrestrial Encounters" edited by Ronald D. Story is featured, available as a Special CD ROM Edition for $9.99.

Media and Book Reviews

Karl T. Pflock appeared on NBC's "Today Show" on August 6th to promote his new book, "Roswell: Inconvenient Facts and the Will to Believe." Dr. Kevin Randle also participated, debating Pflock. The segment was filmed at the "Smear" editor's home in Key West.

The upcoming movie "Mothman Prophencies," scheduled for release on February 22nd, is mentioned, prompting a reprint of a Mothman-related advertisement.

A mysterious friend, a graphic artist, recounts being hired at Harrah's Casino in Las Vegas for a secret mission to create a setting for a Mystery Speaker. The artist claims to have encountered the Mothman, describing its glowing eyes, dark brown body, and skinny limbs, which convinced him it was not John Keel in costume.

Book Bashings:

• "Swamp Gas Times My Two Decades on the UFO Beat" by Patrick Huyghe: This book is described as a collection of Huyghe's ufological articles. It references "Saucer Smear" and its earlier title, "Saucer News." Huyghe's opinion on UFOs is quoted: "The extraterrestrial hypothesis is really too simple; it's an extrapolation based on human technology and human desires. If UFOs are indeed something alien - it's likely to be something we have neither the concepts nor the vocabulary to describe."
• "Teleportation: A How-To Guide from Star Trek to Tesla" by Commander X (with Tim Swartz): This book speculates about Commander X's identity, suggesting it might be Timothy Green Beckley. It discusses alleged sightings of classified aircraft and principles of teleportation gleaned from reverse-engineered alien spacecraft.

PFlock PTalk / DURANT'S RANT by Karl Pflock:

Pflock critiques Robert Durant's article in CUFOS' magazine "IUR," which he considers an "attack on my publisher." Pflock argues that the Roswell case, while circumstantial, leans towards a crashed/retrieved saucer incident rather than the Project Mogul explanation, though he acknowledges the latter is strong.

Book Reviews (Continued from Page 5):

• "Roswell: Inconvenient Facts and the Will to Believe" by Karl T. Pflock: Reviewed by George W. Earley, this book challenges both the weather balloon and alien spaceship explanations for the Roswell incident. Pflock, a former CIA intelligence officer, concludes the event was a government cover-up for a secret program to detect Soviet nuclear tests.

Reader Contributions and Opinions

Robert Anton ("Bob") Wilson writes about researchers finding a second face on Mars, suggesting it resembles Jerome Horwitz and supports claims of intelligent life on the planet.

Donald Rose recounts corresponding with Robert Anton Wilson in the early 1980s and how Wilson incorporated his "trapdoor effect" idea into his book "Schrodinger's Cat, Part III."

Kenn Thomas of Steamshovel Press comments on a graphic from "Saucer Smear" and notes an internet argument between physicist Jack Sarfatti and Remy Chevalier regarding Stephen Greer and Daniel Sheehan.

A letter from WILLIAM MOORE explains his position on Mormonism, clarifying his statement that "every one of the Mormons' arguments are false" as applying only to arguments against Spalding authorship of the Book of Mormon, not Mormon theology in general.

David Clewell praises Pflock's Roswell book and mentions his own past as a "Roswell Believer" who developed doubts.

Other Mentions

• James Randi: His "Blackmail Tape" is discussed, with a link to an anti-Randi website.
• Dr. Phillip S. Duke: Writes about the resignation of Richard Hall from MUFON, supporting John Schuessler.
• Mormonism: William Moore's letter addresses specific points about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue reflects a continued engagement with UFO phenomena, skepticism, and critical analysis. The editor, James W. Moseley, maintains a voice that is both informative and opinionated, often injecting humor and personal anecdotes. There's a focus on debunking or critically examining claims, as seen in the discussion of James Randi and the critique of Robert Durant's Roswell analysis. The magazine also serves as a platform for reader contributions, fostering a sense of community among its readership. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, but with a healthy dose of skepticism, particularly towards overly simplistic explanations or perceived sensationalism. The recurring mention of specific individuals like John Keel and Karl Pflock, and the ongoing discussions around events like Roswell, highlight the magazine's commitment to the history and ongoing discourse within ufology.