Saucer Smear - Vol 50 No 09 - 2003

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue Date: October 25th, 2003
Volume: 50, No. 9
Publisher: SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Editor: James W. Moseley J.S.
Contributing Editor: Karl T. Pflock

This issue of "Saucer Smear" is a non-scheduled newsletter dedicated to ufological journalism. The cover features a dramatic headline and illustrations hinting at close encounters and alien contact.

Tidbits of Trash!

The "Tidbits of Trash!" section begins with a footnote about William ("Bill") Moore's non-participation in the recent National UFO Conference in North Hollywood, California. Despite an earlier agreement to meet the editor, Moore did not attend the convention. The editor notes that Moore unveiled the first MJ-12 documents at the 1987 NUFOC in Burbank, California, and expresses disappointment that he did not speak at the North Hollywood event.

The section then shifts to a positive item about "Champ," a creature believed to reside in Lake Champlain, Vermont. Scientists using underwater microphones detected high-pitched ticking and chirping noises, similar to dolphin sounds, but in a freshwater lake where dolphins are not present. A spokesman stated that a creature producing bio-sonar has been detected, and this evidence is considered compelling.

Finally, the "Tidbits" mention Patrick Huyghe of Paraview Publishing, who is seeking help to sell a new title called "The Phaselock Code."

Page 2: Books and Personalities

This page discusses several books and personalities in the ufology and related fields. Jon Krakauer is mentioned as the author of a book that includes adventure, travel, science, and "weird stuff" like near-death experiences and precognition, available through Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. The editor is looking for a publisher for a book tentatively titled "Thieves of Time," which is a sequel to "Shockingly Close to the Truth!"

A photograph features parapsychologist George Hansen of New Jersey with Jasmin, a young woman previously featured in "Smear." The photo was taken at a New Age party. George Hansen is also the author of "The Trickster and the Paranormal."

Reverend Frank Stranges of California reports that his 1960 book "Stranger in the Pentagon," about a spaceman named Val Thor, is being made into a major motion picture. This is compared to John Keel's "Mothman Prophecies," which also took over twenty years to be adapted into a film.

The "Passing Parade" section notes the deaths of Gordon Creighton, longtime editor of "Flying Saucer Review" in England, who died at age 95, and Graham Birdsall, editor of England's "UFO Magazine."

A Dilbert comic strip is included.

Page 3: UFO Incidents and Organizations

This page continues the "Passing Parade" with the death of Graham Birdsall, editor of "UFO Magazine," and notes that his annual Leeds conferences attracted international speakers. The English version of "UFO Magazine" is mentioned as being superior to the American version.

Joe Travis, co-owner of The Little A'Le'Inn in Rachel, Nevada, has also passed away. The editor recalls a visit to the area and the "Keep Out or Else" signs at Area 51.

Betty Hill, a famed abductee, is mentioned as being 84 years old and suffering from lung cancer. Her home address is provided for supportive mail.

The International UFO Museum's newsletter is highlighted for its information on UFO-related incidents. Their magazine "Incident" has folded, but a list of over 80 UFO-related incidents between 1585 B.C. and 1973, identified as hoaxes or mistakes (excluding Roswell), is mentioned. Larry Hatch is credited with compiling this list.

Plans for the 2004 annual festival in Roswell are underway, though "Roswell the Musical" will not be included. Membership in the International UFO Museum & Research Center is $25 per year.

It is reported that the Raelian cult has admitted that their claim of cloning a human baby was a publicity stunt. Additionally, aging comic Rodney Dangerfield met with Brigitte Boisselier, CEO of Clonaid (a Raelian branch), to discuss cloning him, with the Raelians offering to do it free of charge.

Page 4: Karl Pflock's Column

Karl Pflock's column, "PFlock PTalk," reflects on the passing of Phil Klass, describing him as "the skunk at our garden party." Pflock acknowledges Klass's role in compelling ufologists to be more rigorous with their data and arguments, even if he was sometimes seen as a "bogeyman." Pflock recalls that in his first book, "UFOs Identified" (1968), Klass initially considered theories like ball lightning and plasma discharges before becoming a staunch skeptic.

Pflock notes that Klass often pursued leads that others shied away from, exposed hoaxes, and pushed his antagonists to study evidence more closely. He concludes that there is no one else who comes close to filling Klass's shoes as a skeptical voice in ufology.

Page 4: Sidelines

The "Sidelines" section includes several brief reports:

• HAUNTED ROAD: A stretch of the A465 in Stoke Lacy, Herefordshire, has seen 26 car crashes in one year, attributed by some to a fatal smash 60 years prior. A ghost-busting minister has been called in.
• The MotherShip Chronicles: This publication is a forum for sharing UFO/Alien/Paranormal experiences. A sample issue costs $3.
• ACT OF GOD: In Forest, Hardin County, Ohio, a guest evangelist was struck by lightning moments after asking for a sign, causing significant damage to the church.

Page 5: Letters to the Editor

This section features letters from readers:

• Dr. Leo Sprinkle: Responding to a previous issue, Sprinkle clarifies his involvement with Paul Bennewitz. He recounts two visits in 1980 where he interviewed Bennewitz and his wife about a UFO encounter and hypnosis sessions involving a woman and her son. During hypnosis, the woman described memories of being on a craft and interacting with ET entities. Sprinkle states that Bennewitz initially refused to go public and asked Sprinkle to keep quiet. On a second visit, Bennewitz became hostile. Sprinkle later shared his notes with Tom Adams and Linda Moulton Howe. He believes Bennewitz's "delusions" were more about his belief that officials should take his observations seriously than about the observations themselves.
• Martin Kottmeyer: A noted ufological skeptic, Kottmeyer explains his disbelief in the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH). He finds insurmountable inconsistencies in hypotheses about alien motivations and believes that only extraordinary proof, like a landing on the White House lawn, would make belief obligatory. He emphasizes that people are not always truthful or error-proof, especially regarding secrets and mystery. He notes that many contactees have populated Venus with intelligent beings and that numerous predictions about future cataclysms have been wrong. Kottmeyer prefers studying the "noise" of UFO reports, believing that any signal is either garbled or too faint to be detected.

Page 6: More Letters and Editor's Notes

• Martin Kottmeyer (continued): Kottmeyer believes the subject of UFOs is fun and enjoys researching it, viewing it as a luxury of civilization. The editor, however, disagrees, believing there is a "signal in the noise."
• Christopher Roth: A researcher from Milwaukee, Roth comments on Larry Bryant's push for Bush's impeachment, suggesting it might taint the UFO topic. He questions the classification of anthrax as a "weapon of mass destruction" and speculates about Reptilians and their nervous systems.
• Editor's Note on Larry Bryant: The editor notes that Larry Bryant has moved from UFO advocacy to political matters, even objecting to churches being used as voting locations.
• Allen Greenfield: A letter from Allen Greenfield mentions his book being featured on a website and praises the internet for providing wider readership at lower cost, while also noting that "Smear" issues are shared online.

Page 7: Ann Druffel's Letter

Ann Druffel, local chairperson of the NUFOC in North Hollywood, writes to clarify her role. She states she is not merely an "abduction researcher" but has been an investigator, researcher, and writer for 46 years. She explains that while she did investigate abduction cases out of necessity, she does not subscribe to theories that aliens are hybridizing humans or spiritually developing them. Druffel prefers to be described as a researcher/writer delving into earth mysteries, including psychic phenomena and paranormal photographs. She believes the "abduction phenomenon" is caused by interdimensional or otherworldly phenomena, not physical beings from UFOs, and can be fought off by stouthearted humans. She recommends her book, "How to Defend Yourself Against Alien Abduction."

Druffel also points out details from the NUFOC write-up: Reverend Bailey encountered shapeshifting entities, and his talk focused on photographing them. She corrects the name of Rex Heflin to his first name being Rex, not Van, and notes that the photos were taken from his work van.

Page 8: NUFOC Feedback and More Deaths

• Ann Druffel (continued): Druffel expresses her positive opinion of the NUFOC 40th convention, praising the camaraderie and objective talks, despite a small attendance. She mentions sending $1,000 to an "angel" to help cover losses and promotes the availability of ten videos from the conference at a specific website.
• Chris Allan: An investigator from England, Allan reports the death of Graham Birdsall from a brain hemorrhage, which led to the cancellation of his annual conference in Leeds. Allan describes Birdsall as a prominent figure in British ufology and editor of "UFO Magazine," noting his conferences had an international flavor. He mentions that the emphasis on "The Truth is Coming" theme was sometimes off-putting.
• Steve Barnett: Barnett writes from Santa Fe, New Mexico, about Dr. Rick Strassman's book "IMT: The Spirit Molecule," which discusses DMT and its potential role in alien encounters and near-death experiences. He notes that Dr. John Mack is quoted in the book.
• Brian Parks: A critic of the magazine's stand on Roswell and MJ-12, Parks suggests reprinting a photo of "Jasmin" to save "Smear."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently touches upon the UFO phenomenon, with a mix of reporting on conferences, alleged encounters, and skeptical analysis. The editor, James W. Moseley, appears to lean towards a belief in a "signal in the noise," disagreeing with pure skepticism. There's a recurring theme of remembering deceased figures in ufology and a focus on the historical aspects of UFO research, including classic cases and early conventions. The magazine also engages with related fringe topics like paranormal phenomena and alleged alien interactions. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry, acknowledging skepticism but ultimately suggesting that there is something genuinely anomalous occurring within the UFO phenomenon.