Saucer Smear - Vol 50 No 08 - 2003

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 50, No. 8 (Whole Number 364)
Date: September 25th, 2003
Publisher: SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of Saucer Smear, a non-scheduled newsletter, provides a "RE-HASH OF THE FORTIETH NATIONAL UFO CONFERENCE" held in North Hollywood, California, on September 6th and 7th, 2003. The conference, co-hosted by abduction researchers Dr. John Miller and Ann Druffel, suffered from a disappointing turnout of less than fifty people. Despite the low attendance, the presentations were generally considered very good and were professionally recorded.

Fortieth National UFO Conference (NUFOC) Recap

Ann Druffel presented on her new book "Firestorm," detailing the life and death of Dr. James McDonald. Terry Hansen lectured on "media complicity" in alleged UFO cover-ups, a presentation the editor found unconvincing. Robert Wood discussed updated information on the MJ-12 documents, which now number over 103 pages. The event featured an abduction panel with Travis Walton, Derrel Sims, Harrison Bailey, and Ann Druffel, moderated by Mark Hunziker. The editor notes that the conference was funded by an anonymous "angel" covering travel and hotel expenses, and expresses uncertainty about whether a 41st NUFOC will occur due to the financial loss.

Notable attendees included Phyllis Galde of FATE Magazine, Tim Beckley ("Mr. UFO"), Molly Hansen, Ralph Coon (producer of "Whispers from Space"), Greg Bishop, Don Ecker, and Vickie Cooper of "UFO Magazine." The editor notes that some individuals seemed reluctant to interact with him, suggesting past conflicts within the UFO field.

Key Presentations and Figures at NUFOC

• Travis Walton: Author of "Fire in the Sky," he was considered the star of the conference. The editor found Walton to be a believer, though somewhat bitter towards debunkers.
• Brian Boldman: Spoke on "angel hair," a lesser-known aspect of the UFO mystery, and has documented over 200 cases.
• Derrel Sims: Presented on implants and made a good impression.
• Reverend Harrison Bailey: Discussed "shapeshifting entities."
• Eric Kelson, Ph.D.: Gave what the editor considered the best presentation, detailing an investigation into four photos taken by Van Heflin in 1965, concluding they were authentic images of an unknown object. Kelson maintained a proper scientific attitude by refusing to speculate.

Miscellaneous Musings and News Briefs

Call for Submissions

The newsletter requests readers to send in any interesting UFO-related news from newspapers or the internet to help keep "Smear" rolling.

Berwyn Mountains UFO Case

An article by Andy Roberts, "Fire on the Mountain: The Berwyn UFO Case - A British Roswell?", is summarized. Roberts, a skeptical investigator, concluded that the 1974 event involved three simultaneous elements: meteor activity, an earth tremor, and poachers with bright lights. The research addressed questions about alien bodies and police presence.

MUFON's Hollywood Turn

The publication criticizes MUFON for its perceived shift towards Hollywood, citing an August issue of its zine featuring actors Dan Akroyd and Jim Belushi. The editor questions MUFON's decision to appoint an actor as a "Hollywood Consultant" and notes that the organization's initials were originally "NICAP" before being changed due to objections from Major Donald Keyhoe's group.

Rael and Clonaid

Rael, founder of the Raelian cult and Clonaid, was denied entry to South Korea, with concerns that he might attempt to clone humans.

Joe Firmage's New Venture

Former multimillionaire Joe Firmage is backing a start-up company aiming to transform internet experiences into a three-dimensional environment.

Passing of Paul Bennewitz

Paul Bennewitz, known for his claims of intercepting extraterrestrial signals and observing UFOs near Kirtland AFB, died at age 92. His claims about alien bases and abducted cows and earthlings were initially dismissed by APRO but briefly taken seriously by Kirtland AFB authorities, leading to his entanglement with Sgt. Richard Doty and Bill Moore.

Obituaries

• Duane Cook: Editor of the Gulf Breeze Sentinel, who died at 59. He was a friend of Ed Walters and associated with the Gulf Breeze sightings, which significantly boosted the Sentinel's circulation. The editor suggests Cook may have been involved in or aware of a hoax.
• Dr. Ernest Taves: A psychoanalyst and co-author with Dr. Donald Menzel of "The UFO Enigma." Taves's conversations with the editor suggested Menzel could not have been a member of MJ-12.

International UFO News

• Lou Farish's "UFO Newsclipping Service": The August issue included reports on chupacabras sightings in Chile and a Bigfoot story from China, where six people reported seeing an ape-like animal and found large footprints and a "foul smelling urine-like liquid."

Art Show and Mars Research

• East Village Art Show: Harold Egeln Jr. of S.P.A.C.E. announced a UFO-related art show featuring paintings by David Huggins.
• Life on Mars: The issue contrasts a negative assessment of life on Mars with an article from "Delve" suggesting aerial photos show mud flows, indicating potential liquid water. The article notes that current Mars missions will focus on less risky landing sites.
• Mars Proximity: On August 27th, Mars was at its closest point to Earth in about 60,000 years.

Upcoming Events

Pat Marcattilio's annual Fall flying saucer convention was scheduled for October 4th and 5th in Bordontown, New Jersey, featuring speakers like Budd Hopkins and Hans Holzer.

Loch Ness Monster Update

A British Broadcasting Corporation research team using sonar found no sign of the Loch Ness Monster.

PFlock PTalk / WERE THEY SPACE GIRLS, COLONEL?

Contributing Editor Karl Pflock criticizes MUFON and its "MUFON Journal" editor, Dwight Connelly, for featuring the controversial claims of retired Air Force lieutenant colonel Wendelle Stevens. Pflock highlights Stevens's discredited accounts, including the "Blue Beret UFO recovery teams" and his involvement with George Adamski and the Aztec, New Mexico, saucer non-crash. Pflock also alludes to Stevens's past legal troubles regarding underage girls. He questions whether MUFON's direction, possibly influenced by Tim Beckley's "Give 'Em What They Want" approach, is contributing to its shrinking membership.

Science & the Paranormal

Confessions of a Grave-Robbing Ufologist

A book review or blurb for "Confessions of a Grave-Robbing Ufologist" by James W. Moseley and Karl T. Pflock is presented. The book is described as documenting "fifty years of UFO sightings and alien obsession," with Moseley focusing on the "nutty antics of the people who believe in them."

Sidelines: Curb Your Enthusiasm & Wandering Gnomes

• Curb Your Enthusiasm: A brief, unusual news item about a brass band conductor who impaled himself on his baton but finished his performance.
• Wandering Gnomes: Reports of gnomes being discovered in circles in various locations in France and Australia, with suspicion falling on the "Front de Libération des Nains" (Gnome Liberation Front).

Missives from the Masses

This section features letters and comments from readers:

• Dale Rettig: Comments on the magazine publishing "sexual material" and references a picture of a "Roswell babe." He also notes Bill Clinton's alleged sexual encounters.
• Ace cartoonist Matt Graeber: Writes about the retirement of Phil Klass, comparing him to "Lt. Columbo" and lamenting the loss of his investigative style.
• Researcher Steve Dunn: Provides information about Phil Klass from "Aviation Week & Space Technology," highlighting his long career as an avionics editor and his "Senior Wingman award," while noting the absence of mention of his UFO connections.
• Harry Lime: Comments on the "Durant propaganda video" and the "modified mammaries" of the woman pictured, relating it to Roswellian hype. He also mentions Ann Druffel's letter.

Dilbert Comic Strip

A Dilbert comic strip by Scott Adams is included, humorously discussing the idea of replacing a software-testing staff with a medium and the concept of punishing dead people if they lie.

Letters and Research Contributions

• Christopher Burns: Writes about Dr. Ellen Crystall, a researcher of the Pine Bush, New York UFO activity, her book "Silent Invasion," and her passing. He notes her strong convictions and her eventual separation from the local UFO community.
• Erik Beckjord: Responds to a claim about litigation, states he has had no litigation for 27 years, and promotes his website selling alien photos and Bigfoot film footage. He also mentions a "binary message" to aliens.

Editor's Notes and Reader Feedback

• Gary Hemphill: Praises the book "Shockingly Close to the Truth" by Moseley and Pflock, calling it a "masterful account of literally the first 50 years of Ufology." He reflects on his own past involvement and the "addiction" of UFO research. He also corrects a quote attributed to Stanton Friedman regarding "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence," noting its earlier use in Charlie Chan movies.
• Seth Joseph Weine: Expresses delight with the book "Shockingly Close to the Truth," finding it a "banquet of revelations" and offering a "wider, wiser point of view."
• David Perkins: Expresses disappointment that his NIDS material was not used in "Smear," disagreeing with the assessment that it was too "technical" or "too far removed from UFOs." He emphasizes the importance of NIDS's scientific approach to UFO and mutilation issues, particularly their implication that the human food chain may be compromised.

The editor apologizes for the NIDS material being too long and complex for the magazine's format but approves of NIDS's investigative efforts.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Saucer Smear maintains its critical and often skeptical stance towards aspects of the UFO community, particularly organizations like MUFON, while also reporting on conferences and research. There's a recurring theme of questioning the credibility of certain figures and claims within ufology. The publication appears to value rigorous investigation and is not afraid to voice strong opinions, as seen in Karl Pflock's critique of MUFON and the editor's commentary on various speakers and topics. The magazine also engages with broader cultural phenomena, such as the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot, and touches upon scientific developments like Mars exploration. The editorial stance seems to be one of informed skepticism, seeking truth while acknowledging the often bizarre and controversial nature of the UFO field.