Saucer Smear - Vol 50 No 10 - 2003

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Saucer Smear", dated December 1st, 2002, is the official publication of the SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY. It is edited by James W. Moseley and features Karl T. Pflock as Contributing Editor. The magazine's tone is informal and often self-deprecating, with a direct appeal for financial support from its "non-subscribers" to continue its publication, which has been ongoing for nearly fifty years.

Editor's Note: A Call for Support

The "Editor's Note" directly addresses the readers, stating that it is the time for their annual "Pitch" and that without "generous support from our little band of non-subscribers," the magazine may not continue. The editor, James W. Moseley, identifies himself as a victim of the "Era of Bush Prosperity," getting older and poorer, and dispelling rumors of great wealth. He requests that checks or money orders be made out to him personally, not "Saucer Smear," and warns that "THERE WILL NOT BE A SECOND NOTICE." Readers are urged to send contributions before the Christmas Rush, with an "Eye on the Sky" during the Yuletide Season.

Miscellaneous Ravings: Fortean Times and UFO Journalism

This section congratulates "Fortean Times," a British newsstand magazine, on its thirtieth anniversary. Founded in 1973 by Bob Rickard, it evolved from a fanzine to a publication with tens of thousands of circulation, covering "news of the weird." The anniversary issue details the magazine's history and its impact on various fields of inquiry. "Fortean Times" is noted for paying for articles and attracting professional writers. Karl T. Pflock has contributed to it, including a cover story debunking the idea that the Roswell Incident was an interplanetary event, based on U.S. government documents (not MJ-12). The magazine's name is derived from the eccentric writer Charles Fort, known for his research into anomalous events and his whimsical theories about spaceships from other planets. The article notes that many UFO buffs, particularly in the U.S., are not true "Forteans" as they adhere to specific theories and adjust evidence accordingly.

The newsstand price of "Fortean Times" is £3.20 (approximately $5), and subscription information is difficult to find, with a non-functional U.S. phone number provided. The magazine's website is given as www.forteantimes.co.uk. The editor recalls lecturing at "Fortean Times" "UnConvention" in London in 1997 and 2002, meeting "highly evolved intellectual people." He also expresses appreciation that "Fortean Times" does not complain about "Saucer Smear" snipping items from their publication.

The Kecksburg Incident and FOIA Requests

The magazine discusses a lawsuit filed by a science fiction TV channel against the U.S. Government for documents related to a 1965 incident in Kecksburg, Pennsylvania, where an object reportedly crashed and was removed by the military. This case is dubbed "The Second Roswell." UFO/paranormal researcher Stan Gordon, who studied the case shortly after it occurred, believes the object was genuinely unknown and not a Russian space vehicle. The article contrasts the TV channel's pursuit of information via Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests with typical news organizations, noting the channel's stated goal to "find the line between science fiction and science fact."

Alternate Realities and Fundamental Truths

A section titled "Alternate Realities" draws parallels between the mathematical ideas of Kurt Gödel and Alan Turing, and the discovery of the number Omega by theoretician Gregory Chaitin. Chaitin's work suggests an infinite number of mathematical facts, largely unrelated and impossible to unify, implying that there is "no single, preferred set of fundamental truths." This leads to the speculation that our perceived physical reality might be just one subset of an infinitely greater reality, with other "alternate realities created by other consciousnesses" being equally real.

MUFON Journal and Biblical Interpretations

The MUFON UFO Journal's October issue is critiqued for its cover drawing of Ezekiel's mysterious object, which resembles a modern flying saucer. This interpretation comes from Frank Carlisle, an "independent Biblical scholar." However, another Biblical scholar, Mike Heiser, dismisses Carlyle's material as "utterly bogus," stating that no ancient representations of Ezekiel's merkabah throne resemble modern UFOs. The article also mentions an attempt to revive the credibility of Frank Scully's 1950 book "Behind the Flying Saucers," which is deemed a failure.

Roswell Festivities and UFO Organizations

Details are provided about the July 2004 festivities in Roswell, New Mexico, noting potential confusion due to multiple entertainment programs. Julie Shuster of the International UFO Museum plans to "do her own Thing" and not cooperate with an effort by the Chamber of Commerce to coordinate the festival. The Chamber has faced criticism for past ufological promotions. A group called "Alien Resistance Headquarters," led by Guy Malone, believes "greys" are evil entities. Malone is involved in a speakers program titled "Ancient of Days," which attempts to link alien phenomena with the Bible. Ann Druffel is mentioned as a speaker.

UFO Convention in Henderson, Nevada

The editor attended the "First Annual UFO Crash Retrieval Conference" in Henderson, Nevada, from November 14th-16th. The event was sponsored by Bob and Ryan Wood and had an attendance of about 200. The press was largely absent, with the exception of Fox News. A key question from the editor concerned why the press, public, and government do not show more interest in the "leaked" MJ-12 documents claimed by the Woods. The answer given was that government action would legitimize their efforts. Speakers included Kenn Thomas, Art Campbell, Stan Gordon, Nick Redfern, Matthew Williams, Peter Robbins, Greg Bishop, Grant Cameron, Michael Lindermann, and Stanton Friedman, with most talks focusing on MJ-12 and crash retrieval themes.

Notable Incidents and Findings from the Convention

Art Campbell presented information about a small shoe found at a supposed UFO crash site on the Plains of St. Augustin, New Mexico, suggesting it might belong to a humanoid from a flying saucer. The convention included a banquet and a party, where the editor noted the presence of marijuana and observed some "less necking" among attendees. The editor's film was later found to be "literally ripped out" of the camera. John Lear, son of aviation pioneer Bill Lear, spoke on the Art Bell radio show, alleging that "Abductions occur on a daily basis throughout the U.S. to at least 10% of the population." Bob Girard of Arcturus Books expressed that the conference "perked up his flagging hopes about ufology, book buyers, and even the human species."

Karl Pflock's UFOological Predictions

Contributing Editor Karl Pflock offers his "Fearless Ufological Predictions" for the coming year. These include:

1. Seven new Roswell witnesses and crash sites.
2. Jerome Clark and Philip Klass confessing to being the same person.
3. A science fiction channel or ufologist claiming a government plan to reveal UFO truths.
4. The government continuing to withhold UFO information, leading to claims of a cover-up.
5. A forensic scientist proving MJ-12 documents were created by the same typewriter.
6. Stanton Friedman releasing analyses that supposedly disprove findings, but with most of the report blacked out.
7. A saucer landing on the White House lawn, photographed by a tourist.
8. Bob and Ryan Wood reporting an MIB delivering MJ-12 documents.
9. "Commander X" revealing herself as "Jasmin, the Roswell Girl," and hosting a reality show "Sex and Saucers."
10. George "Trickster" Hansen becoming a contestant on "Sex and Saucers."
11. Orthon being discovered working at a McDonald's and hosting a reality TV series.
12. A 2004 National UFO Conference being held, details of which are secret.
13. Non-subscribers facing "terminal boredom."

Did a Nineteenth Century Secret Society Build Mysterious Flying Machines?

This section refers to a review of a booklet called "Rick Hilberg's UFO-mation," which discusses the 1897 "airship" craze. It suggests a possible connection to a mysterious society called the Sonora (California) Aero Club, founded around 1858. An eccentric named Dellschau, who died in Houston, left behind notebooks with coded texts and drawings of egg-shaped flying machines. The book "The Secrets of Dellschau: The Sonora Aero Club and the Flying Machines of the 1850s" by Peter Navarro and Dennis Crenshaw is mentioned as being available next summer. Hilberg's booklet can be obtained from UAPA for eight dollars.

Missives from the Masses: Skepticism and Personal Attacks

Dr. Gary Posner of Tampa Bay Skeptics writes to express outrage over Karl Pflock's "homage to Phil Klass," interpreting it as a personal attack and questioning Pflock's charge that Phil Klass conducted a "truly outrageous personal attack" on James McDonald regarding government atmospheric research funds for UFO travels.

Jerome Clark, editor of "International UFO Reporter," also writes to Karl Pflock, comparing the tribute to Phil Klass to that of Joe McCarthy and stating, "Sorry, but he's your skunk, not mine."

Alexander Mebane questions whether abductions are still occurring, suggesting that the phenomena might be fading as beings responsible for them "can't come up with any phenomenon even more startling and unbelievable."

Christopher Roth writes about the Oregon Vortex, attesting to its real anomalies despite "hokey" attractions and "nonsense" literature. He describes personal experiences of apparent spatial distortions and fears that "more obituaries than actual interesting reports" will emerge in ufology, with the internet leading to "anonymous conspiracy theories and abduction memoirs."

Other Contributions and News

Patrick Huyghe writes about Roger Hart's book "The Phaselock Code: Through Time, Death, and Reality," which he encourages readers to buy, clarifying that Jon Krakauer did not write it. He notes the book's theme of "reality creation."

George Earley writes about the death of Ellen Crystall, a researcher of the Pine Bush, N.Y. anomalous phenomena, recalling her as a "contentious gal" who was critical of others.

Curtis Peebles reports that the Palomar Gardens site, associated with George Adamski, survived recent fires. The site is now Oak Knoll Campground. He provides statistics on the Paradise Fire's damage.

Gaines Crook defines UFOs as closer to "paranormal" than helicopters, existing as a physical phenomenon that is not yet understood.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of "Saucer Smear" include the financial precariousness of independent ufological publications, the ongoing debate between skeptics and believers, the interpretation of ancient texts in relation to UFO phenomena, and the reporting of UFO conferences and alleged incidents. The editorial stance, as expressed by James W. Moseley, is one of perseverance in the face of aging and financial hardship, a critical yet engaged approach to ufology, and a willingness to publish diverse viewpoints, including those of researchers, scholars, and even predictions from within the field. There is a clear emphasis on the longevity and challenges of maintaining a publication dedicated to ufological journalism, often with a touch of dark humor and a direct appeal to the readership for continued support.