Saucer Smear - Vol 50 No 02 - 2003

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 50, No. 2
Date: February 5th, 2003
Publisher: SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY

This issue of Saucer Smear, the official publication of the SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY, offers a collection of news briefs, articles, and letters from its readership, covering a range of topics within the ufology and paranormal community. The publication maintains a critical and often skeptical tone, even while reporting on phenomena that challenge conventional understanding.

News Briefs

The "News Briefs" section, formerly "Tidbits of Trash," leads with an update on the Raelian cult's cloning claims. The magazine expresses skepticism, noting the lack of proof for the birth of a cloned baby girl named "Eve" and quoting the National Enquirer's assertion that the cult faked the story to gain publicity and promote their leader. The article also humorously notes that the Raelian leader, Claude Vorilhon, had his hair cut, stating he felt it was getting in the way of his message and that he looked like a "total idiot" on television.

Another brief mentions a book panning by parapsychologist George Hansen and contactee Whitley Strieber, titled "Quantum Leaps in the Wrong Direction," which is noted for being published by the prestigious National Academy of Sciences and taking a uniformly negative tone towards subjects like out-of-body experiences, astrology, ghosts, and UFOs.

The issue raises questions about the academic credentials of William Levengood of the BLT Research Team, stating that he has not completed his oral exam for a Ph.D. for "personal reasons." It also identifies John Burke as the "B" and Nancy Talbott as the "T" in the BLT Research Team.

Larry Bryant is mentioned for writing to James Roche, Secretary of the Air Force, requesting a polygraph examination regarding UFO-related questions, with the magazine sarcastically questioning if Roche would agree.

A story from the "Weekly World News" about the discovery of an alien skull at Roswell, New Mexico, is reported, quoting a mythical archaeologist and noting that tests concluded it was not a human cranium.

An incident involving a FOX 23 news videographer, Brandon Mowry, in Albany, New York, is detailed. Mowry captured ten frames of a missile-shaped UFO moving at extremely high speed. The footage was confiscated by the Feds, and the station kept copies.

Articles and Features

The Flatwoods Monster and Gray Barker:
The magazine revisits the Flatwoods, West Virginia Monster case, referencing an article from the January 1953 issue of Fate Magazine written by Gray Barker. The article describes a "huge shape with weirdly glowing eyes" seen by seven witnesses. The magazine notes that this piece was Barker's first venture into reporting on the unknown and that he later published "The Saucerian" UFO magazine. The Flatwoods incident is contrasted with Roswell, New Mexico, stating that "Something sensationally strange really did happen there, which really scared the shit out of these country folks."

Documentary Film "Monsters of the UFO":
Two other strange stories are mentioned as subjects for an upcoming documentary film titled "Monsters of the UFO." These include the Point Pleasant, West Virginia Mothman syndrome of 1966 and the "little men" incident in Kelly, Kentucky, on August 21st, 1955, where humanoid creatures allegedly invaded a home.

British Humor and UFO Files:
A Net posting from an anonymous British source is shared, referencing R.E. Straith and the Adamski Foundation. Separately, a report from Reuters states that Britain is to publish files on reported UFO sightings as part of a shakeup of its freedom of information laws, including the Rendlesham File, which details a 1980 sighting in Rendlesham Forest, Suffolk.

Predictions and Skepticism:
Researcher Donald A. Johnson, Ph.D., is cited for a prediction of a worldwide UFO wave in March 2003, particularly in Northern Europe and the Pacific Ocean. The magazine expresses wariness of ufological predictions.

Moon Landing Skepticism and NASA's Response:
The issue touches upon the ongoing debate about whether humans landed on the Moon. It mentions that NASA commissioned UFO skeptic Jim Oberg to write a book refuting such claims but changed their mind. A new super telescope is being developed to photograph the lunar modules left on the Moon.

Robert Bigelow's Utah Ranch:
Reference is made to a previous "Smear" article about strange occurrences at Robert Bigelow's ranch in Utah, with copies of a 27-page tract available.

George Fawcett's New Book:
Veteran researcher George Fawcett has released a new book combining two of his previous UFO reports, available online and directly from him.

Karl Pflock PTalk / Loose Cannons:
Contributing Editor Karl Pflock discusses the Roswell incident, questioning the credibility of Walter Haut and his role in the press release. Pflock presents accounts from Jesse Marcel and George Walsh that suggest Haut may have been the "loose cannon" rather than base commander Col. William Blanchard. Pflock also notes that a United Press news wire exchange confirmed there was no written press release.

Letters to the Editor:

• John Alexander writes to Karl Pflock about the Utah ranch phenomena, suggesting a "precognitive sentient phenomenon" that is bizarre and difficult to discern patterns from.
• Bob Young corrects an error regarding the Kecksburg, Pa. saucer crash date, stating it occurred on December 9th, 1965, not December 5th. He also mentions that pictures of the object were published in a scientific journal 35 years prior, suggesting it was a meteor.
• Phil Duke, Ph.D., writes about Nancy Talbot and Dr. Levengood. He claims Talbot became angry when he mentioned her published research contradicted her claims about crop circles and cattle mutilations. Duke also questions Levengood's technical knowledge of biology, citing his statements about mitochondria in plant cells.
• Mike Gensler replies to Stanton Friedman's outburst, finding Karl Pflock's synopsis of Friedman's work to be a sufficient response. Gensler questions Friedman's self-promotion and how one "wins" a UFO debate.
• Matt Graeber expresses enthusiasm for the magazine not censoring Stanton Friedman's "infomercial" and calls Friedman a "cover-up huckster."
• Kevin Henderson credits "Smear" for being ahead of the curve on the Raelian story and suggests Stanton Friedman protests too much, likening him to a "stand-up comedian."
• Hal Russell is looking for information on "BBT's" (big black triangles), noting they are more arrowhead-shaped.
• Robert Sheaffer, a "Dreaded Skeptic," praises the magazine's wit and contribution to the history of modern saucering, particularly liking the term "Saucer Logic" and the description of Ufology as "Life without sideshows caveat emptor."
• Herb Taylor expresses interest in acquiring "satellite-object" cases for a catalogue and analysis, emphasizing their importance to the UFO phenomenon.

Dale Rettig writes about a video of a "missile" over Albany, NY, and discusses Dr. Rick Strassman's research on the psychedelic drug DMT, noting the resemblance between "experiencers"' alien encounters and the "life forms" described by DMT volunteers.

Chris Allan questions Stanton Friedman's eagerness to sell copies of Blue Book Special Report #214, suggesting it's the only official report that lends credence to UFOs being unknown phenomena. Allan accuses Friedman of employing a "debunker" principle by withholding information.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Saucer Smear include skepticism towards sensational claims, particularly those involving cults and alleged paranormal events. The magazine consistently questions the evidence presented and often highlights contradictory accounts or lack of proof. There is a strong undercurrent of critical analysis, with the editors and contributors frequently challenging the credibility of prominent figures in the ufology community, including Stanton Friedman and members of the BLT Research Team. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious investigation, prioritizing factual evidence and logical reasoning, while also acknowledging the enduring mysteries and strange occurrences that fall outside conventional scientific explanation. The publication seems to position itself as a source that provides a more critical and discerning perspective on UFO phenomena and related topics.