Saucer Smear - Vol 51 No 06 - 2004

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 51, No. 6
Date: June 15th, 2004
Publisher: SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Editorial

The editorial discusses the long-held belief among UFO researchers that governments possess significant information about UFOs. The author, however, expresses skepticism about this, suggesting that government interest waned after initial security concerns in the 1950s were dismissed. The media's attitude towards UFOs is attributed not to censorship but to the subject's superficial association with ridicule, lack of definitive proof, and the presence of more urgent global issues. The post-9/11 focus on survival is also cited as a reason for diminished public interest. Despite this, the editorial posits that a genuine scientific mystery exists, possibly not involving extraterrestrial visitors, and that future scientific advancements may offer solutions. The piece concludes with a commitment to continue exploring the subject, even if "Smear" itself is becoming increasingly irrelevant.

Mexico Air Force Video Creates UFO Stir

This article reports on the Mexican Air Force releasing footage of eleven unidentified objects that harassed a drug surveillance plane on March 5th, 2004. The objects were invisible to the naked eye but detected by radar and photographed with an infrared camera. They exhibited intelligent behavior, changing direction and surrounding the plane. The video, approximately fifteen minutes long, shows blobs of light hovering or darting. While some scientists suggest the phenomenon could be atmospheric gases, the article notes the involvement of Jaime Maussan, a Mexican UFO enthusiast known for promoting UFO videos of varying validity. However, since Maussan was only involved in publicity and not the analysis, the case is assumed to be authentic. The report highlights that this sighting is significant because it is backed by armed forces, a rarity in UFO cases.

Miscellaneous Ravings

This section covers several brief items:

• Book Review Apology: Ann Druffel requested an apology regarding a negative review of her book "Firestorm" on James McDonald. The magazine agrees to apologize but reiterates its policy of presenting all sides of controversial issues.
• Bigfoot Sighting Prank: The magazine admits to publishing a fabricated Bigfoot sighting in a previous issue as a test to see if readers were paying attention.
• William Birnes Book Criticism: Martin Kottmeyer points out an error in William Birnes' "UFO Magazine UFO Encyclopedia," where it incorrectly links the 1897 calf-napping yarn to Alexander Hamilton, who died in 1804, instead of the Federalist papers author.
• UFO Flap Predictions: Kottmeyer notes the failure of Don Johnson's prediction for a UFO flap in the previous year, which did not align with the actual activity, and mentions a predicted pole shift that allegedly occurred in January.

News Items

• Cheney Wows Sept. 11 Commission: A brief, unrelated news item about Dick Cheney drinking water during a speech.
• Flatwoods Monster Book: A forthcoming book, "The Coverup of the Flatwoods Monster Revealed" by Frank Feschino Jr., with a foreword by Stanton Friedman, is announced. The article notes the incident involved a 'monster' seen in West Virginia in 1952, distinct from conventional UFOs.
• "Monsters of the UFO" Documentary: A documentary film by Barcon Video Productions is mentioned, covering the Flatwoods case, a humanoid encounter near Kelly, Kentucky in 1955, and the Point Pleasant Mothman syndrome.
• Kelly, Kentucky Incident (1955): Residents reported a landed spaceship and battled 'little green men.' The article clarifies that the creatures were not initially described as green and appeared one by one.
• Mothman Syndrome: The Point Pleasant, West Virginia Mothman syndrome from 1966-67 is mentioned as a topic in the documentary.

Crop Circles

This section discusses crop circles, acknowledging the cynical explanation that they are made by pranksters but suggesting a deeper examination is warranted. It references an article from the MUFON UFO Journal by the BLT Research Team, which concludes that atmospheric plasma systems might be involved, citing evidence of plants and soils exhibiting abnormalities consistent with exposure to intense heat and microwaves.

A detailed account is given of a Polish farmer, Jerry Szpulecki, who witnessed two crop circles being formed on the night of July 21st-22nd, 2000. He observed a spherical, red-light UFO with a misty white fog descend, hover, and then land twice, extending multiple arms. Sparks and intense light were emitted. The next morning, crop circles matching the object's shape were found in the field. The article notes that while other people saw the UFO, Szpulecki was the only witness to the formation process. It also mentions that larger crop circles, especially in England, are likely manmade.

Chupacabras and Flying Humanoids

This section touches upon the "chupacabras" phenomenon and a similar creature in Argentina called "El Unudo." It then details a report from "The Messenger" zine about a Mexican policeman, Leonardo Samaniego, who encountered a "flying humanoid" that fell from a tree and appeared as a woman in black. The creature reportedly floated to the ground, attempted to grab the officer through his car's windshield, and then fled.

Bob Girard and Arcturus Books

Bob Girard of Arcturus Books expresses dissatisfaction with the sales of his UFO literature and threatens to cease printing catalogues. He blames the public's "deepening neglect of the non-material aspects of life" and apathy towards spiritual growth for the decline in the market for UFO literature.

Demise of Lord Hill-Norton

Lord Hill-Norton, former Chief of the British Defense Staff and Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, who became interested in UFOs after retirement, has died at age 89. He wrote forewords to UFO books and was particularly interested in the Rendlesham Forest incident.

Saucer and Unexplained Celestial Events Research Society (S.A.U.C.E.R.S.)

It is noted that S.A.U.C.E.R.S. is not the oldest UFO organization, with the British Flying Saucer Bureau, founded in 1953 by Denis and Captain E.L. Plunkett, predating it by one year.

Bizarre Book Review: UFO Warning

This review discusses the book "UFO Warning" by John Stuart, which is described as capturing the ufological paranoia of the 1950s. The book's original publisher was Gray Barker. The review highlights a narrative involving Barbara Turner, who was allegedly forced into sex by thirteen invisible creatures. The reviewer criticizes the book's lack of detail on the suit's origin and disposal and questions the author's explanations for the events.

PFlock PTalk / Long Live Bigfoot: (Part 2)

This article by Karl Pflock critically examines Greg Long's book "The Making of Bigfoot," which challenges the credibility of the 1967 Roger Patterson Bigfoot film. Pflock argues that Long establishes Patterson as an unreliable character who sought fame and fortune, making a hoax highly probable. The article questions who wore the suit, where it is now, and if the footage can be recreated. It notes that Long's book provides a credible account of Bob Heironimus claiming to be Mrs. Bigfoot but falters in explaining the suit's origin. The author anticipates Robert Kiviat's upcoming TV expose based on Long's work and concludes that even if the Patterson film is debunked, other Bigfoot sightings and evidence persist.

41st National UFO Conference

An announcement for the 41st National UFO Conference (NUFOC) to be held at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel in Hollywood, California, on Halloween weekend (October 29th-31st, 2004) is included. Details on the room rate, hotel, and mailing address for the convention are provided.

Missives From The Masses

This section contains letters and contributions from readers:

• Dr. Bruce Maccabee: Writes about General Garland's memorandum and notes that Captain Ruppelt was also a UFO witness.
• Martin Kottmeyer: Comments on his mention in William Birnes' "UFO Magazine UFO Encyclopedia," criticizing the book's inaccuracies, particularly the confusion of two Alexander Hamiltons. He also discusses the failure of Don Johnson's UFO flap prediction and a reported pole shift.
• Jerry Lucci: Discusses the Patterson Bigfoot film, noting that multiple individuals now claim to be the man in the suit, but no definitive evidence has emerged to debunk the film. He also mentions costume makers taking credit for the suit.
• Ray Cecot: Expresses difficulty understanding why science is reluctant to explore UFO reality, suggesting government restrictions as the reason.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing debate about the credibility of UFO evidence, the role of government and military in UFO phenomena, the investigation of specific sightings and encounters (like the Mexican Air Force video and the Flatwoods Monster), and the persistent interest in cryptids like Bigfoot. The editorial stance, as expressed in the editorial section, is one of cautious skepticism towards government cover-ups but a belief in a genuine scientific mystery surrounding UFOs, with an expectation that future scientific progress will provide answers. There is also a critical view of sensationalism and unsubstantiated claims within the UFO community, as evidenced by the critique of William Birnes' book and the discussion of the Patterson Bigfoot film's potential hoax.