Saucer Smear - Vol 51 No 05 - 2004

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 51, No. 5 (Whole Number 371)
Date: May 10th, 2004
Publisher: Official Publication of the Saucer & Unexplained Celestial Events Research Society
Editor: James W. Moseley
Contributing Editor: Karl T. Pflock

This issue of "Saucer Smear" offers a collection of articles, reports, and commentary on UFO phenomena, often with a skeptical or critical bent. The magazine aims to present information that is "Shockingly Close to the Truth!"

Miscellaneous Ravings

The editors acknowledge typographical errors in the previous issue and thank readers for their attention. They mention specific corrections regarding UFO researcher Jerry Black (mistakenly called Jerry Brown), Antonio Huneeus's description, and Richard Hoagland's award (mistakenly referred to as a metal fragment instead of a medal). They encourage readers to submit items for the magazine and thank graphic designer Miller Johnson for a cartoon.

Small Plane Brought Down By An "Unknown Object", Killing Pilot!

This article details a preliminary report from Federal investigators concerning the crash of a single-engine Cessna near Mobile, Alabama, on October 23, 2002. The plane impacted something solid at 3,000 feet, splitting the engine. The National Transportation Safety Board noted unidentified red marks on the plane, suggesting it hit another object in mid-air. The report is unusual in stating "collision with an unknown object." The pilot, 54-year-old Thomas Preziose, a former NYPD officer and flight instructor, was killed. Autopsy revealed no drugs or alcohol. Theories explored included potential drug smuggling planes, but no direct evidence of this was found. The article notes that no one mentioned "space ship" in relation to the incident.

Tidbits of Trash

This section compiles various brief news items and observations:

• Whitley Strieber's Website: An item from Strieber's website claims confirmation of Ed Walters' UFO activities in Gulf Breeze, Florida, through a similar saucer photograph taken in Venezuela in 1990. The magazine expresses doubt about this proving anything.
• Ed Walters and MUFON: The article discusses Ed Walters being "unjustly dismissed" by the press and Air Force Office of Special Investigations operatives, with a CIA officer allegedly taking over the Gulf Breeze MUFON. This CIA officer is identified as retired Colonel Rex Salisberry, who wrote a negative report on Walters' claims. This was seen by some as a betrayal.
• Steven Bassett: Steven Bassett, head of Paradigm Research Group (PRG), is noted for sponsoring the X-Conference. Having unsuccessfully run for Congress in 2002, he is now attempting to get on the TV show "American Candidate." The article speculates he might call himself "PRG-12" or "MJ-12" if he wins.
• Peter Gersten: Peter Gersten, associated with "ufolawyer," is quoted with a metaphysical prediction about "end-times," the "Singularity," and an "extraterrestrial" intelligence arriving to save humanity after a catastrophic event between 2004-2006.
• William Moore: Former UFO researcher William Moore and "Smear" editor James W. Moseley have agreed to "bury the hatchet." Moore prefers not to be discussed in the zine unless he has a vivid abduction experience or does something else noteworthy.

Lady Luck Strikes Twice

This is a brief news item about Darlene Allen winning £303,000 in Atlantic City, and her son Richard winning £290,000 from the same Jeopardy machine eight months earlier.

Memorandum for General Sanford (WMD)

This section discusses an interesting item from the Net, dated March 24th of the current year, titled "WMD" (weapons of mass destruction), marked "SECRET" and dated January 2nd, 1952. The memo, from Brigadier General W.M. Garland to General Sanford (Chief of Air Force Intelligence), addresses "persistent reports of unusual flying objects over parts of the United States." It suggests that these objects might be Soviet carriers for weapons of mass destruction, and that if the Soviets acquired both the carrier and the weapon, they could technologically surpass the US. The memo mandates that the Air Force "take positive action at once to definitely determine the nature and, if possible, the origin of the reported unusual flying objects." The article highlights that the memo does not suggest the objects are extraterrestrial and predates any known UFO crashes, including Roswell.

Joel Carpenter is credited with placing this document on the Net via FOIA. Karl Pflock is mentioned as having over forty other relevant documents.

Roy F. Craig

This section notes the passing of Roy F. Craig, chief field investigator for the Condon Committee. The Condon Committee was a government search for scientific evidence of UFOs in the late 1960s. Craig co-authored the three-volume Condon Report, which concluded that the subject was not important enough to pursue. The article mentions that this conclusion was partly due to Dr. Edward U. Condon's negative attitude toward UFOs.

Karl Pflock's Review of "Firestorm"

This part of the summary focuses on the article by Karl Pflock, titled "PFlock PTalk // BIGFOOT IS DEAD! (PART 1)".

"An Insider's View of the Official Quest for Evidence"

Karl Pflock discusses his experiences with the Condon Committee, noting that Roy F. Craig wrote his own book, "An Insider's View of the Official Quest for Evidence." Pflock contrasts Craig's liking for flying saucers with Condon's negative stance. Craig donated his papers to Texas A&M University.

"War of the Worlds"

A major motion picture based on H.G. Wells' "War of the Worlds" is mentioned, with Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise involved. The article recalls Orson Welles' 1938 radio drama and the panic it caused, as well as a 1953 movie and an unsuccessful 1980s TV series. The new movie is expected in 2006.

Moon Real Estate

Dennis Hope and his company, Lunar Embassy, are selling Moon land for $19.95 per acre. Hope claims to have millions of property owners and corporations as clients, despite the Moon's lack of air and water and extreme temperature variations. The article notes Hope's claim that his business is not a scam.

Australian UFO Organization Folds

The April 2004 MUFON UFO Journal reported that the Australian International UFO Flying Saucer Research organization (AIUFOFSR), founded in 1952, has folded. The article compares this to the British Flying Saucer Bureau, founded in 1952 and still active.

"Sight Unseen: Science, UFO Invisibility, and Transgenic Beings"

This is a review of a book by Budd Hopkins and Carol Rainey, titled "Sight Unseen." The review notes the word "Unseen" in the title.

Publishers Weekly Review of "Saucer Smear"

A "Publishers Weekly" review from February 4, 2002, describes "Shockingly Close to the Truth!: Confessions of a Grave-Robbing Ufologist" by James W. Moseley as a "memoir-cum-encyclopedia of ufology." The review notes Moseley's interest in the "nutty antics of the people who believe in them" and mentions Karl T. Pflock's involvement in the book, including his tracking of UFO reports and investigation of the Roswell incident.

La Cucaracha Comic

A comic strip titled "La Cucaracha" by Lalo Alcaraz is included, featuring a humorous take on alien abduction.

UFOs on Mars

An item discusses a photo from a NASA rover showing a UFO flying above Mars. The magazine speculates it could be the Viking 2 probe or that Martians are monitoring the rovers, possibly due to concerns about Richard Hoagland giving a lecture there.

Georgia Creature Sighting

This report details an incident on April 2nd in southern Georgia where Claude Balsworth and his son Bruce reported seeing a tall, hairy, humanoid creature with glowing hair crossing the road. The creature bolted into a nearby lake, and a subsequent hazy white glow was observed. A sheriff's deputy found no unusual evidence the next morning.

Letters to the Olde Editor

• Gordon Lore: Writes a review of Ann Druffel's book "Firestorm: Dr. James E. McDonald's Fight for UFO Science," which Karl Pflock reviewed. Lore agrees that "Firestorm" is an important book and a biography of Dr. McDonald. He describes McDonald as kind and tender, and willing to hear other points of view, with dedication and scientific scrutiny. Lore also recounts his own work with McDonald at NICAP and how McDonald became "hooked" on UFOs. He states that "Firestorm" is the first in-depth story of what happened at NICAP and the forces that overthrew it, calling it a "disturbing, even frightening story" that shines light into dark corners.
• Harry Lime: Writes about Ann Druffel's defense of her book "Firestorm" against Karl Pflock's review. Lime finds her defense amusing and sad, criticizing her use of quotes from Berthold Schwarz and her defense of the editing process. He accuses her of resorting to "irrelevant appeals to authority."
• Jerome ("Jerry") Clark: Responds to comments about him in "Smear," appreciating the interest but suggesting the editor doesn't always "get them right." He addresses a claim about George Hunt Williamson, stating it's a falsehood and that the source is unreliable without independent verification. Clark offers to send readers copies of his letters and a review of a book concerning the Williamson tall tale.

Matt Graeber

Matt Graeber writes that the latest "Smear" issue was a "saucer gossip's gourmet delight." He mentions sending a copy of an expose he penned on hoaxes in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, in 1974, involving a reported UFO crash. He notes that the Ohio MUFON and a deputy sheriff were involved in perpetrating a hoax that MUFONites believed. He hopes the article will be mentioned in "Smear" and plans to post it online.

Frank Conway

Frank Conway writes about voice-mail messages from George Filer concerning photos from NASA's Mars rovers. Filer believes he sees evidence of Martian civilization (engraved letters, statues). Conway states he has examined the raw images and seen only sand and dust, suggesting that if NASA found anything exotic, they would broadcast it widely.

Ray Cecot (IRAAP)

Ray Cecot writes about IRAAP's hard copy newsletter, "The Messenger," which has been in existence since 1997. He notes that people are still interested in UFO topics and want hard copy publications, as not everyone has Internet access. IRAAP has established contacts in several countries.

PFlock PTalk // BIGFOOT IS DEAD! (PART 1)

This is the first part of an article by Karl Pflock, the contributing editor.

"The Making of Bigfoot" Review

Pflock reviews Greg Long's new book, "The Making of Bigfoot," describing the foreword and introduction as "verbal mutual masterbation." He notes the similarity between Long's quest for the truth about the Roger Patterson film and his own investigation into Roswell.

Patterson Film Analysis

Pflock suggests that the Roger Patterson film of "Mrs. Bigfoot" is a "phony." He describes Patterson as an artistically talented dreamer and third-rate con man who pursued fame and fortune. He mentions that Patterson's schemes and shady character were known in his hometown, as were his prior efforts to film a Bigfoot "documentary." Pflock also raises questions about the film's origin and development timeline.

"A Lay in a Manger"

A brief news item about Joey Armstrong being arrested for having sex with a sheep in a nativity tableau in Charleston, West Virginia.

"Divine Warning"

A news item about actor Jim Caviezel, playing Jesus in "The Passion of Christ," being struck by lightning during filming. Smoke was seen coming from his ears.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently exhibits a skeptical and critical approach to UFO claims, often debunking or questioning evidence presented by other researchers and organizations. There is a focus on exposing perceived hoaxes and misinterpretations within the UFO community. The editorial stance appears to be one of seeking "truth" but with a strong emphasis on critical analysis and a distrust of unsubstantiated claims. The magazine also engages in "back-biting" and "muck-slinging" as described by one reader, indicating a willingness to criticize individuals within the field. Themes include UFO crashes, government investigations, alleged cover-ups, and the analysis of specific UFO cases and researchers. The magazine also touches on related topics like Bigfoot and historical UFO events.