Saucer Smear - Vol 48 No 10 - 2001

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 48, No. 10
Date: December 1st, 2001
Publisher: SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY

This issue of "Saucer Smear" offers a holiday greeting and a call for renewals, while also announcing upcoming events and publications. The newsletter maintains its characteristic blend of UFO news, personal anecdotes, book reviews, and commentary on the paranormal and conspiracy theories.

Editor's Note & Greetings

The "Editor's Note" urges readers to renew their "non-subscriptions" and mentions the upcoming book co-authored by James W. Moseley and Karl T. Pflock, "Shockingly Close to the Truth!", which is slated for release around March 1st. Readers can order the book by adding $25.00 to their donation, with checks made out personally to the editor.

The National UFO Conference (NUFOC) Goes to Nashville Next Year

The 2002 National UFO Conference is announced to be held in Nashville, Tennessee, in October. Jan Pheneger from Lima, Ohio, is the promoter/coordinator. She is seeking speakers, sponsors, and MUFON members. Contact information for Ms. Pheneger is provided via email ([email protected]) and postal mail (P.O. Box 641, Lima, Ohio 45802). Potential speakers mentioned include Dr. Bruce Maccabee, Stanton Friedman, Karl Pflock, and the "Smear" editor. Leads for sponsorship of the 2003 conference are also being pursued.

William Milton Cooper: Rebel Without a Pause

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to the life and death of former ufologist William Milton Cooper, who died on October 6th in a shootout with sheriff's deputies in Eagar, Arizona. Cooper, described as a figure in the extreme right-wing Militia movement, was a tax evader who believed the federal government had no right to collect income taxes. He was a popular speaker at Tim Beckley's UFO conventions, initially claiming to have seen government documents proving alien interaction. His work on the MJ-12 controversy and his book "Behold a Pale Horse" are mentioned. The article recounts personal interactions with Cooper, noting his belligerent behavior and his claims of having lost a leg from an assassination attempt. The author praises Cooper's technical skill as a public speaker but disagrees with his content. A specific memory involves a physical altercation with Erik Beckjord at a conference.

Hot Flashes

This section presents a series of brief, often sensationalized, news items:

• Erik Beckjord's Web Posting: Former Bigfoot & Crop Circle researcher Erik Beckjord has posted advice on avoiding airplane hijackings, including decompressing the plane as a last resort and using "pig meat" (Spam) against Muslim hijackers. He also suggests bribing hijackers with money and "whores" if they agree to defect.
• The Straith Letter Hoax: Glen Steckling of the George Adamski Foundation still believes a 1957 State Department letter to George Adamski was genuine, despite "Smear's" confession to its hoax, published after Gray Barker's death. Steckling accuses Moseley and Barker of lying to confuse the subject.
• Carol Honey Feud: Steckling is also reportedly feuding with Carol Honey, a former associate of Adamski.
• MUFON's Financial Woes: A letter from MUFON International Director John Schuessler to MUFON Board members reveals concerns about the volume of "nut case" letters, warnings about anthrax spores in mail, and a general lack of money. Schuessler describes handling incoming mail with rubber gloves due to safety concerns.
• Where Are They Now?: Dr. Yonah Fortner (Yonah ibn Aharon), who wrote articles for "Saucer News" suggesting Old Testament gods were space beings, is still alive in California.
• Fund for UFO Research (FUFCR) Report: The latest quarterly report indicates a slow period for sightings, press interest, and general office activity. "The UFO Report" newsletter continues to be mailed, with a low questionnaire return rate.
• English Crop Circles: A large and beautiful crop formation at Milk Hill in England is highlighted, described as bringing the phenomenon "back to the people."

Brief Book Bashings

This section reviews several books:

• "The Lure of the Edge: Scientific Passions, Religious Beliefs, and the Pursuit of UFOs" by Brenda Denzier: Described as a scholarly work, it is criticized for its use of the word "myth" and the extensive length of its afterword, appendix, notes, bibliography, and index. It does, however, contain favorable references to "Saucer Smear."
• "The Trickster and the Paranormal" by George Hansen: This book by a parapsychologist is described as a dispassionate look at the relationship between stage magic, psychics, and UFOs. The author views James Moseley as an "exemplary trickster figure." The book includes a detailed account of the Budd Hopkins-Linda Cortile abduction case, which Hansen attributes to Hopkins' sincerity and gullibility. Hansen acknowledges that some UFO phenomena may have a physical reality and are not easily explained by conventional science.

PFlock PTalk / They Were Here (Part 3 of ?)

Karl Pflock continues his historical overview of UFO encounters, focusing on the early 1950s and the emergence of reports about "little men" near landed or hovering saucers. These beings were observed scooping soil, making observations, and sometimes performing repairs. When spotted, they would flee or, in some cases, use paralyzing rays or "balls of fire." Pflock notes that these entities generally avoided close contact. He then discusses the mid-to-late 1950s, which saw reports of attempted "earthling-nappings," particularly in South America, involving "hairy dwarves with long, sharp claws." Pflock speculates these might have been clumsy, spur-of-the-moment actions, possibly even against the rules, or the result of "drunken graduate students blowing off steam." The section ends with a teaser about the "X-rated case of Antonio Villas-Boas and the Space Babe."

Missives From The Masses

This section features letters and contributions from readers:

• Chris Roth: Writes about the death of Lt. Col. Milton William Cooper, referencing his book "Behold a Pale Horse" and the circumstances of his death. Roth notes that Cooper shot a deputy twice before being fired upon, contradicting some accounts that focus solely on Cooper's resistance.
• Paris Flammonde: Critiques Ron Story's "Encyclopedia of Extraterrestrial Encounters," calling it inaccurately titled and poorly executed. Flammonde, despite contributing material, was not included in the book's text or index, which he attributes to the author's "appalling ignorance."
• Bill Moore: Responds to a question about Jesse Marcel's military records, explaining that policies for releasing records were different in the past. Moore recalls obtaining military records in 1981 but no longer has Marcel's specific records, having loaned them out.
• George Hansen: Comments on Linda Napolitano's abduction story, noting her continued promotion of it and mentioning that her case is featured in his book "The Trickster and the Paranormal."
• Carol Honey: Writes about a "ridiculous attack" on her from the George Adamski Foundation, which she claims they posted on their website.

Book Advertisement

Page 8 features an advertisement for the book "Shockingly Close to the Truth!" by James W. Moseley and Karl T. Pflock, published by Prometheus Books. It is described as an amusing, revealing, and entertaining history of ufology, covering the authors' nearly half-century of involvement. The ad highlights Moseley's pursuit of UFO evidence and his role as creator of "Saucer Smear," and Pflock's background and investigation into the Roswell incident. The book is available in hardcover for $25.00.

Fight Terrorism

A small box encourages donations to "Saucer Smear" to "fight terrorism," with the proceeds going to the editor's personal use for necessities like Scotch, Gin, Rum, and Coca-Cola.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing history and personal experiences within ufology, skepticism towards certain claims (e.g., the Straith letter hoax, some book reviews), and a critical stance towards perceived incompetence or ignorance in the field. The editorial stance, as represented by James W. Moseley, is one of experienced, often jaded, but still engaged participation in the UFO community. There's a consistent thread of debunking certain aspects while acknowledging the enduring mystery of the phenomenon. The newsletter also exhibits a somewhat irreverent and provocative tone, particularly in the "Hot Flashes" and "Book Bashings" sections.