Saucer Smear - Vol 50 No 04 - 2003

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 50, No. 4
Date: April 15th, 2003
Publisher: SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY

This issue of Saucer Smear, a non-scheduled newsletter, is dedicated to the "highest principles of ufological journalism." It provides updates on UFO conferences, reports on significant UFO cases, and commentary on various aspects of ufology.

Upcoming Events and Conferences

The 40th National UFO Conference (NUFOC) is confirmed for the weekend of September 6th & 7th at the Beverly-Garland Hotel in Burbank, California. Scheduled speakers include Brian Boldman (angel hair expert), MJ-12 researcher Bob Wood, Derryl Simms, Roger Leir, Tonna Higbee, Terry Hansen, Rev. Harrison Eailey, and William Moore, who is emerging from retirement. The "Smear" editor and local host Ann Druffel will also be present. Ann Druffel was recently featured in "UFO Magazine" for her work.

Digging Roswell: A Special Report

A report by Contributing Editor Karl T. Pflock details a March meeting of New Mexicans for Science and Reason, featuring Dr. William H. Doleman, an archaeologist from the University of New Mexico. Doleman, who appeared in a SciFi Channel Roswell special, led a dig on the Roswell debris field with volunteers, including the daughter of Maj. Edwin Easley. Over 60 bags of dirt and "artifacts" were collected under armed guard. Doleman found 25 "historic materials of uncertain origin" (HUMOS), including a "weird orange blob," something like "duck tape," and "fibers." He is negotiating a new contract with the SciFi Channel to examine and report on these findings.

News Briefies (formerly Tidbits of Trash)

• Zine Numbering: Rod Dyke of Seattle has calculated the whole number for "Saucer News" and "Saucer Smear" zines, with the current issue being #360. This whole number will now be carried on the masthead.
• Erich von Daniken: The author is opening an interplanetary theme park near Interlaken, Switzerland, backed by companies like Coca-Cola. The park will feature domes, temples, and pyramids, and is expected to attract half a million tourists annually.
• South American UFOs: Lou Farish's "UFO Newsclipping Service" reports a strange incident in Argentina where a rancher named Raul Dorado encountered a "flat three-legged apparatus" that descended over him, temporarily disabling him and leaving a mysterious puncture on his finger.
• New Mexico Legislature: A proposal to designate every second Tuesday in February as "Extraterrestrial Culture Day" was reworded as a "non-binding memorial" and passed by the state house.
• Norman Muscarello: The ufological history notes the death of Norman Muscarello at age 55. He was the key witness in the "Incident at Exeter" case, which led to John Fuller's book. His sighting involved mysterious pulsating lights and a UFO that reappeared, casting an eerie red glow.
• Presidential Bid by Moseley-Braun: An article from the San Francisco Chronicle discusses Carol Moseley-Braun's potential presidential bid.
• Bob Girard's Opinions: UFO bookseller Bob Girard expressed strong negative opinions about President George W. Bush in his March catalog.
• Marilyn Monroe and UFOs: A new book by Tonald R. Burlson suggests Marilyn Monroe was killed by U.S. government officials because she knew too much about the Roswell UFO cover-up.
• Tunguska Event Conference: An International Conference will be held in Russia to celebrate the 95th anniversary of the Tunguska Event of 1908. The cause remains debated, with possibilities including a meteorite, gas outburst, or alien spaceship.

Boondocks Comic Strip

A "Boondocks" comic strip discusses the Democrats calling random Black people to run for president, with a satirical take on political motivations.

Crop Circle Phenomenon

An article in "UFO Magazine" by Nick Redfern discusses the crop circle phenomenon, quoting confessed circle maker Matthew Williams. Williams believes that while most simple crop circles are man-made, they create an atmosphere for genuine paranormal events, including sightings of light balls, UFO encounters, and alien-type humanoids.

Unusual UFO Story: Lardal, Norway

Investigators believe a fireball seen exploding in the night sky and falling to earth in Lardal, Norway, was actually a cat that touched a live electrical wire, causing it to explode and fall from the mast.

David Huggins' Art

Long-time "Smear" readers are reminded of artist David Huggins, who claims to regularly meet creatures from another dimension in his dreams. His paintings, some of which are sexually explicit, include "Just Talking," depicting him conversing with a gray and other creatures.

Book Reviews and Commentary

• "A Decade of Flying Saucers: 1950-1960" by Rick Hilberg: This 36-page booklet reviews 42 cases from the specified era. The reviewer notes Hilberg's habit of not using blank space and the awkward referencing system.
• Case #2 (Amarillo, Texas): Two boys fishing encountered a saucer-shaped object, about 18 inches in diameter, which landed. Touching the object caused its top to spin and spray the boy with exhaust, leaving him with warts and redness.
• "Planet X and the Coming of the Guardians" by "Commander X" (Tim Beckley): This booklet raises questions about a wandering planet and UFO Guardians.

PFlock PTalk / Statistically Speaking

Contributing Editor Karl Pflock analyzes the statistics from Project Blue Book Special Report #14. He refutes Chris Allan's claim that the report was "virtually worthless," presenting data that shows a correlation between the quality of witnesses/data and the percentage of Unknowns. He highlights that in five of six chi-squared tests, the probability that Known and Unknown distributions were the same was less than 1%, suggesting astronomical odds against UFOs being misidentified "mundanites." Pflock suggests a broader analysis of the Battelle data using modern computers.

Letters to the Editor

• Stanton Friedman: Responds to previous "Saucer Smear" comments, defending his use of Blue Book Special Report #14 and asserting the validity of his work and investigations. He mentions speaking to professional groups and his involvement in the Hill-Fish star map work.
• Chris Roth: Discusses Mothman sightings potentially being misperceived barn-owl sightings and screen memories for alien abductions. He is working on a book chapter titled "Ufology as Anthropology: Extraterrestrials, and the Occult."

Other Contributions

• Bruce M. Forrester Jr.: Writes about being dismissed from Ohio State MUFON posts due to a desire to invite "ground troops" to an "Executive Council Meeting and Lunch."
• Art Wand: Claims to have discovered "Crap Circles" after smoking marijuana, with sightings of "Bigass" in Washington, D.C.
• Harry Lime: Reports on the Sixth Annual Aztec, New Mexico UFO Symposium, noting a mix of small-town fun and ufological celebrities. He mentions Wendy Conners, Edward Ruppelt, Frank Scully, Bruce "Gulf Breeze" Maccabee, Ted Loman, Wendelle Stevens, Karl Pflock, and Richard Dolan.
• John Barlow: Expresses concern about the editor's lifestyle and the perceived decline of civilization.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently covers UFO sightings, conferences, and related research, often with a critical eye towards official explanations and a focus on the statistical analysis of evidence. There is a strong emphasis on the Roswell incident and the ongoing debate surrounding it. The publication also includes a variety of anecdotal reports, personal opinions, and news briefs from the ufological community. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into unexplained phenomena, while also maintaining a degree of skepticism and a commitment to factual reporting, as exemplified by the detailed statistical analysis presented by Karl Pflock.