Saucer Smear - Vol 51 No 03 - 2004

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue Date: March 15th, 2004
Publisher: SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY

This issue of SAUCER SMEAR, a non-scheduled newsletter, is dedicated to ufological journalism and presents a collection of articles, anecdotes, and opinions on UFOs and related phenomena. The cover boldly proclaims the need to examine startling evidence that can no longer be ignored.

Miscellaneous Ravings

The "Miscellaneous Ravings" section begins by correcting a previously published website address for "Saucer Smear" to "www.martiansgohome.com/smear". The editor notes their dependence on readers for material and encourages submissions. A story from Vacaville, California, details four teenagers confessing to creating a crop circle, a claim disputed by UFO researcher Steve Moreno and his team of experts. The piece also touches on the skepticism of the boys' mother towards scientists. The section also announces an upcoming "Great UFO/ET Congress of 2004" in Bordentown, New Jersey, organized by Pat Marcattilio, featuring speakers like Jay Soloman and Rosemary Ellen Guiley.

The Passing Parade: Yonah Fortner

This section reports the death of Yonah Fortner (alias Yonah ibn A'haron) on February 26th, 2004. It recounts his history, including his early writings for "SAUCER NEWS" exploring the idea of Old Testament figures as space beings, and his later involvement in UFO conventions. The editor recalls sending him to Peru to resolve legal issues and mentions his time in Los Angeles. Fortner was known for his strong anti-Semitic views and his condemnation of George Hunt Williamson. The article also touches on a recent attempt to clarify a statement about Williamson in a book co-authored by the editor and Karl Pflock, suggesting Fortner might have fabricated the story.

Documentaries and Books

The issue mentions a documentary film titled "Touched" about the alien abduction syndrome, featuring psychiatrist John Mack. It notes that a significant portion of the audience at a screening in Santa Fe, New Mexico, reported having similar experiences. John Mack's books on the subject are also referenced.

UFO Sightings and Encounters

An anecdote describes a teenager in Aurora, Indiana, encountering a tall, abnormal creature on a country road, an event also witnessed by an elderly couple. Another account details a sighting of a Chupacabras-like creature in central Chile by a state prosecutor and his family, described as hairy, red-eyed, and kangaroo-like.

Raelians and Cloning

The Raelian cult's claim of cloning a human baby is revisited, with the issue noting their recent demonstrations in Rome and other locations, asking the Catholic Church to rehabilitate Giordano Bruno. The cult believes life on Earth was created by extraterrestrials. The article also mentions a report of a sixth cloned baby born in Sydney, Australia, attributed to the Raelians.

UFOs in Brazil's Valley of the Old Women

An article by Bob Pratt discusses the ongoing UFO phenomenon in Brazil's "Valley of the Old Women." Since the 1950s, over 1,500 sightings have been investigated, primarily involving bright balls of light. The phenomenon is described as distinct from the general worldwide saucer phenomenon.

Eisenhower and Aliens

The issue references the 50th anniversary of a supposed meeting between President Dwight Eisenhower and aliens. The legend states that Eisenhower went missing for several hours during a golf vacation in 1954, with some claiming he met extraterrestrials at Edwards Air Force Base. An Associated Press report of his death, later retracted, adds to the mystery.

Element 115 and Bob Lazar

A fascinating item discusses the recent discovery of Element 115, linking it to engineer Bob Lazar's claims about "saucer fuel" from his time at Area 51. The article notes the element's radioactivity and instability, and the editor expresses skepticism about Lazar's claims, calling him a "buffoon and dead wrong."

John Ford and James Randi

The "Where Are They Now?" section mentions John Ford, who headed a UFO investigative group in Long Island, New York, and was later jailed for attempting to poison a public official. It also references James "The Amusing" Randi and his "Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge," noting that no one has yet won the challenge.

Karl Pflock on Charles Berlitz

Karl Pflock, the contributing editor, writes about the recently deceased Charles Berlitz, author of books like "The Bermuda Triangle" and "The Philadelphia Experiment." Pflock speculates that Berlitz, who was an active duty U.S. Army intelligence officer, may have been a disinformation agent, using his popular books to confuse the public and protect the truth about UFOs.

Fortean Times and Sidelines

Brief mentions include Uri Geller receiving death threats and a controversy involving a bent IUD coil. A "Homespun Philosophy" quote from Donald Rumsfeld about known and unknown knowledge is included. Another item reports on Mark Stenton being struck by lightning for the fourth time.

Letters to the Editor

Tom Benson, a MUFON State Director, writes in defense of speakers at an upcoming UFO/ET Congress, criticizing attacks on their topics. He highlights the speakers' credentials and research, particularly on vampires and UFOs, and encourages attendance. Graphic designer Miller Johnson submits a letter with a photograph of a "CropCycle," a machine allegedly used to produce crop circles, suggesting it uses "Quantum values of black light gravity beams."

Other Briefs

Short items include "Mating Misery" about bulls injured by a metal cow, "Bronzed Off" about a Vietnamese scam involving fake bronze, and "Champion Turd" about the world's largest dinosaur dropping found in Alberta.

Greg Bishop on Paul Bennewitz

Researcher Greg Bishop writes about finishing his book "Project Beta: An Adventure In The Disinformation Age," concerning Paul Bennewitz. He also reports on a UFO conference in Laughlin, Nevada, noting the recovery of interest in UFOs post-9/11 and mentioning Budd Hopkins' theory that saucers and aliens are invisible.

Dr. Frank Stranges and Jerry Lucci

Contactee Dr. Frank Stranges expresses his appreciation for "Saucer Smear" and its honest reporting. Jerry Lucci writes about the new MJ-12 documents, expressing uncertainty about their authenticity but suggesting they might be more than a simple hoax due to their sheer volume.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing mystery of UFOs, the potential for disinformation within the ufology community, and the reporting of unusual phenomena and alleged encounters. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging readers to consider evidence critically while also being wary of hoaxes and deliberate misinformation. The publication champions the pursuit of truth in ufological matters, even when dealing with controversial or speculative topics.