Saucer Smear - Vol 52 No 01 - 2005

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 52, No. 1
Date: January 1st, 2005
Publisher: SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of "Saucer Smear" marks its fiftieth year in ufology and features a "roast" of its editor, James W. Moseley, organized by contributing editor Karl T. Pflock. The "roast" resulted in a 9 by 12 inch, 50-page book of comments from various individuals in the ufological community. The editor notes that while most comments were friendly, his ex-wife, Sandra Stevenson, shared a "crazy nightmare fantasy" about their wedding night.

Editor's Ego Trip and Contributions

The lead article, "IN WHICH YOUR SOMEWHAT HUMBLE EDITOR GOES ON A WELL-DESERVED EGO TRIP!", details the "roast" project. Pflock, aided by Steve Mansee, Matt Graeber, and Tom Benson, compiled the comments. The project's secrecy was compromised by T. Allen Greenfield. The issue highlights brief, positive comments from individuals like Linda Cortile and mentions the photo of Lydia Mancini with her collection of ufological nostalgia.

"Where Are They Now?"

This section provides updates on various figures in the ufological community:

• Kevin Randle: A prolific UFO writer, now a Major in the Iowa Army National Guard, recently returned from Iraq. He opines that the war is going better than reported on TV.
• Joe Firmage: Formerly a prominent ufologist, he is now making statements about a "forthcoming world oil crisis."
• Phil Klass: The arch-skeptic is retired in Florida and reportedly needs assistance with mobility. He is still active online.
• Howard Menger: The 1950s contactee is alive and well in Vero Beach, Florida, having survived hurricane damage. He has ordered the book "Shockingly Close to the Truth!", which mentions him.
• Karl T. Pflock: The contributing editor has been experiencing serious health problems following major back surgery in mid-2004, leading to his column's absence for the first time in years.

Editorial: Who Was Charles Fort?

The editorial focuses on Charles Fort (1874-1932), the "modern founder of the study of anomalies." Fort collected oddities from newspapers and libraries, publishing four books that pointed out phenomena science couldn't explain. He believed in observing without dogmatic views. The editorial discusses the Fortean Society, founded by Tiffany Thayer, which had a "very appropriate title" ("Doubt") and was not focused on flying saucers. It also mentions subsequent attempts to revive the society, including Ivan Sanderson's SITU and John A. Keel's group. The "Fortean Times," founded by Bob Rickard, is highlighted as a serious, professionally produced monthly magazine.

"Saucer Smear" Hall of Shame

This section lists ten individuals with whom "Saucer Smear" has had problems, in order of increasing obnoxiousness:

1. Budd Hopkins
2. Richard "Dick" Hall
3. Erik Beckjord
4. Don Ecker
5. Vicki Cooper
6. John Keel
7. Jerry Clark
8. Lucius Farish
9. Julie Schuster
10. Richard Ogden

The publication states that no grudge is held, and the list is for entertainment purposes only.

"Night Ship 282" Incident

Curt Sutherly reports on the crash of a Cessna 208B Caravan near Mobile, Alabama, on October 23, 2002. The pilot, Thomas J. Preziose, declared "I needed to deviate, I needed to deviate." The wreckage showed "red smudge marks" and a split engine. The NTSB preliminary report suggests the aircraft "collided in-flight with an unknown object at 3,000 feet."

News Briefies

• Tunguska Event: A sensational version of a story claims Russian scientists found remains of an extraterrestrial spacecraft at the Tunguska site in 1908. They believe aliens exploded a massive meteorite to save humanity.
• Teleportation Physics Report: The Air Force Research Laboratory posted a report suggesting psychic teleportation is real and controllable. Critics call it "crackpot physics."
• Remote Viewing: A declassified project explored using psychic powers for espionage.
• MUFON Journal: The December 2004 issue is mentioned, including a story about a Michigan man's UFO encounters accompanied by a priest claiming to be an extraterrestrial.
• Whitley Strieber: His wife's recent serious illness is mentioned.
• Quote: A quote from "Miracle on 34th Street" about faith is presented.

Letters to the Editor

• Dr. Gary Posner (Skeptics): Criticizes comments about Dr. John Mack, focusing on patient care rather than beliefs, and calls Harvard's investigation "long overdue."
• William Moore: Resigns from the NUFOC Permanent Organizing Committee, wishing successors well.
• George Hansen: Refers to Richard Hall's criticism of Moseley as a "steaming turd" and calls Moseley an "agent of the trickster archetype."
• Robert Davis: Reviews Frank Feschino's book on the Braxton County Monster, finding the research extensive but the speculations bizarre.
• Gary Hemphill: Expresses gratitude for "Saucer Smear" and its "Ministry," sending a donation.
• Ann Druffel: Thanks Moseley for a note and praises the NUFOC conference, emphasizing the importance of separating abductology from ufology.
• Scott Bond: Comments on NUFOC's survival and the departure of its "Commander."
• Kevin Henderson: Praises "Saucer Smear" for its common sense, humor, and fun, calling it an inspiration.
• Walter Sheets: Resigns as MUFON Georgia State Director due to dissatisfaction with MUFON's policies.
• Norman Howard: Corrects an identification of an actress in a Betty and Barney Hill movie and criticizes the MUFON UFO Journal.
• Patrick Huyghe: Notes the end of NIDS (National Institute for Discovery Science) and questions who will fill the void.
• Curtis Peebles: Criticizes Don Ecker's editorial in "UFO Magazine" and sends a check to support "Saucer Smear."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently features a critical yet often humorous perspective on ufology. There is a strong emphasis on the legacy of Charles Fort and the Fortean tradition of open-minded inquiry. The publication is skeptical of claims lacking solid proof and distinguishes between objective research and blind faith, which it suggests should be reserved for religion. The editor, James W. Moseley, maintains a somewhat combative and irreverent tone, as evidenced by the "Hall of Shame" and his direct responses to critics. The issue also highlights the importance of humor and common sense in approaching the subject of UFOs.