Saucer Smear - Vol 48 No 09 - 2001

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 48, No. 9
Date: November 1st, 2001
Publisher: Official Publication of the Saucer & Unexplained Celestial Events Research Society
Editor: James W. Moseley
Contributing Editor: Karl T. Pflock

This issue of Saucer Smear, dated November 1st, 2001, provides updates on convention cancellations, personal UFO experiences, book reviews, and commentary on current events, all within the context of ufological journalism.

Convention Update!

The primary focus of the newsletter is the cancellation of the glorious Austin, Texas NUFOC convention, originally scheduled for September 14th-16th, 2001. The cancellation was necessitated by the inability of scheduled speakers to fly due to the events of September 11th. The editor, James W. Moseley, was en route to the convention when the World Trade Center was hit. He recounts the chaos at the Miami airport, the shutdown of CNN news broadcasts, and the difficulty in finding accommodations. Ultimately, the convention was combined with Pat Marcattilio's "Great UFO/ET Congress of 2001" held in Bordontown, New Jersey, on October 6th-7th. Moseley spoke at this combined event, alongside other notable UFO personalities such as Major George Filer (Ret.), Antonio Huneeus, Susan Swiatek, Ron Story, and George Hansen.

The newsletter also looks ahead to next year's NUFOC, with several potential sites under consideration, and a decision expected by the December 1st issue.

Commentary on Current Events

Moseley offers commentary on the terrorist bombings, noting the emergence of Nostradamus predictions. He also raises the possibility that wealthy friends of Bin Laden may have engaged in insider trading on airline stocks before the September 11th attacks.

Stoned Again: Clifford Stone's Claims

This section delves into the claims of former Army Sergeant Clifford Stone, who is described as a supporter of Steven Greer. Moseley recounts a past interview with Stone in Roswell, where Stone did not mention personal alien experiences. However, more recent material suggests Stone now recalls experiences from around 1969. He allegedly was on duty at Indian Town Gap, Pennsylvania, when he was called to take radiation readings from a crashed, heel-shaped spacecraft containing four dead aliens. In another alleged incident, Stone and another soldier helped a live alien escape military custody. Moseley notes the similarity of Stone's crashed spacecraft description to that of Roswell witness Frank Kaufmann, suggesting confirmation through "Saucer Logic."

The Passing Parade

Gabriel Green, a colorful early UFO contactee from the Giant Rock Convention era, passed away around September 9th at the age of 76. He was formerly head of the Amalgamated Flying Saucer Clubs of America and ran for president in 1960.

A Bitter Blast from the Past

This section addresses a personal matter involving Moseley's ex-wife, Sandra Moseley (formerly Swendsin, aka Amanda Stevenson). She allegedly sent anonymous messages to an anti-Randi website, accusing Moseley of having had sex with James Randi and Gray Barker. Moseley notes the timing of these messages and a subsequent call from Uri Geller, who he believes was aware of Sandra's accusations. Moseley expresses a negative view of both Geller and Randi. The anti-Randi website reportedly disappeared shortly after.

Sandra Moseley is also accused of sending an email to Scott Carr, editor of "The Flying Saucer Gazette," making various accusations, including murder. Moseley dismisses her as "seriously deranged."

Tidbits of Trash (formerly News Briefies)

• Phyllis Galde, long-time editor of FATE Magazine, has now become its publisher following a split with Llewellyn.
• A newspaper man from the Los Angeles Times, Phillip Krapf, is reportedly holding meetings with space beings called "Verdants," who are described as environmentalists concerned about "Star Wars" weapon systems.

MUFON Issues

Larry Bryant of MUFON and CAUS is petitioning for the resignation of the MUFON Executive Committee, citing grievances, including a new bylaw where a "yes vote or no vote at all will count as a yes vote." Moseley finds this particularly egregious. The newsletter notes that MUFON's finances have been adversely affected by the September 11th tragedy and the economic slowdown, raising the possibility of the organization shutting down.

The Tampa Bay (Florida) MUFON chapter has apparently fallen apart, with the resignation of its local director, Lorraine Gerber, and the loss of its meeting location.

Linda Cortile Update

Linda Cortile (also known as Linda Napolitano) discussed her UFO abduction case with Cardinal O'Connor. She claims she was almost killed visiting Tower #1 at the World Trade Center on September 11th, and that five of her relatives have been missing since the attack.

Book Reviews and Mentions

• Karl Pflock's Roswell book: Moseley has read Pflock's book and notes that "Saucer Smear" is mentioned within it, including in the index.
• Forthcoming UFO book: Moseley and Pflock's book, "Shockingly Close to the Truth!", is finished and due out in March, to be included in the Spring 2002 catalogue of Prometheus Books.
• International UFO Museum at Roswell: A librarian's lukewarm reaction to Pflock's book is noted, including a misplacement of the Project Mogul balloon incident to 1957 instead of 1947.
• Psychic Event at Headquarters: Moseley describes a battery-operated radio turning on by itself in an unoccupied room on August 14th, speculating if it was a warning about hurricanes.
• "The Encyclopedia of Extraterrestrial Encounters" by Ronald Story: Moseley provides a critical review, noting that while Story worked hard, the editing is subpar. He points out omissions of key figures like Gray Barker, Leonard Stringfield, and J. Allen Hynek, while including deceased figures. Moseley also disputes a biographical statement about himself in the book.
• "The Contact Has Begun" and "The Challenge of Contact" by Phillip Krapf: Moseley requests free copies for review.

PFlock PTalk / THEY WERE HERE (Part 2 of ?)

Karl Pflock discusses the decline in credible UFO sightings since the early/mid-1970s. He notes a shift in the nature of reported sightings from the 1940s and '50s, which described elliptical, spherical, and cigar-shaped objects often seen in daylight, to later reports of low-flying, hovering, and landed saucers. He also mentions the emergence of "little men" reports, where humanoids were seen gathering samples or performing repairs on their craft. Pflock quotes Kevin Randle expressing the view that UFOs "have gone home."

Book Review Continued

• Nazca Lines: Pflock reviews Ronald Story's coverage of the Nazca Lines, finding it excessive for a topic only marginally connected to the UFO mystery.
• Story's Book: Pflock notes that the book has a table of contents but no index, unlike the 1980 edition.

Letters to Ye Olde Editor

• John Keel: Writes a brief note referencing a fan letter and mentioning potential involvement with a Mothman movie, and his ongoing poverty due to eye surgery.
• Dr. Kevin D. Randle: Poses a question about how Jesse Marcel Sr.'s full military record entered the UFO community, given the restrictions of the Privacy Act of 1974.
• George Hansen: Expresses pleasure in talking with Moseley and lists page numbers where his name appears in his new book, "The Trickster and the Paranormal." He also describes Moseley as "the clown prince of ufoology, is an exemplary trickster figure - a believer, a grand hoaxer, and a debunker, all in one."
• Linda Cortile (via Karl Pflock): Expresses frustration with George Hansen reopening her case and wishes for his downfall.
• Steve Barnett: Shares his emotions regarding the September 11th events, expressing a lack of patriotic zeal for military reprisals and a desire for civil rights and economic equality before waving a flag.
• Chris Roth: Reviews Donna Kossy's book, "Strange Creations: Aberrant Ideas of Human Origins, from Ancient Astronauts to Aquatic Apes," highlighting its survey of crackpot theories and specific sections on figures like George Hunt Williamson and Zechariah Sitchin.

Quack Shots & No Fool

Brief, unrelated news items: a Chinese family shooting ducks on a holiday cottage pond, and a man acquitted of supermarket robbery who claimed he wouldn't have been so stupid as to leave witnesses alive.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Saucer Smear include the impact of major world events (like 9/11) on the UFO community, personal accounts of UFO encounters and alleged alien interactions, critical reviews of UFO-related literature, and ongoing debates within the ufology field. The editorial stance, as expressed by James W. Moseley, is one of skepticism towards certain claims and individuals (e.g., Uri Geller, James Randi, and potentially Sandra Moseley), while maintaining an interest in investigating UFO phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on personal experiences and the dissemination of information, even if critical or controversial. The newsletter also highlights the challenges faced by organizations like MUFON and the importance of historical UFO cases like Roswell.