Saucer Smear - Vol 52 No 04 - 2005

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue Date: May 1st, 2005 (Volume 52, No. 4, Whole Number 380)
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" presents a collection of news briefs, articles, and letters from the ufological community, often with a critical and sometimes humorous perspective. The publication is dedicated to the "highest principles of ufological journalism."

News Briefs

"UFO Magazine" and the "Alien Autopsy" Film

The issue opens with a commentary on William Birnes, publisher of "UFO Magazine," who called "Saucer Smear" an "eminently scholarly publication." The editor expresses skepticism about "UFO Magazine's" pursuit of truth, especially after Don Ecker, their Director of Research, apparently admitted that the "Alien Autopsy" film was a fake.

The Raelians and "Femininity Day"

A report from Chris Roth details the activities of the Raelians, a group that believes humans were created by aliens. Their "Femininity Day" celebration on Miami Beach involved about 15 female members parading nude or nearly nude. The report notes the lack of coverage in local newspapers, suggesting their publicity efforts may be waning. Rael, the movement's leader, is described as a French-born prophet who claims to have met an alien.

Captive Gnomes

A brief item recounts the recovery of 84 kidnapped garden gnomes in 2001, left on the steps of a cathedral in Saint-Die-des-Vosges, France, by the "Garden Gnome Liberation Front." Many unclaimed gnomes remained in police custody.

National Fool

An advertisement in The Times sought a "Jester" for English Heritage. Nigel Roder was selected as England's first official state jester in over 350 years.

Articles and Commentary

British Area 51 Opens

This section discusses the declassification of a subterranean military facility near Corsham, Wiltshire, UK, which conspiracy theorists have linked to UFO investigations. The Ministry of Defence is seeking partners to explore innovative uses for the site.

Strange Item from Brazil

A report from Aracruz, Brazil, describes a burnt rubber doll mistaken for a badly injured alien after a fireball was seen falling from the sky. Local residents were reportedly terrified, believing an alien invasion was taking place.

Fate Magazine's "Top Ufologists" List

The editor notes an advertisement in "Fate Magazine" for a special UFO issue that includes a list of over one hundred "Top Ufologists." "Saucer Smear" is intrigued to learn if it made the list and how it might overlap with "Saucer Smear's" own "Hall of Shame" list.

Fund for UFO Research Financial Woes

The prestigious Fund for UFO Research has announced it is facing financial hardship due to a "dearth of serious interest in UFOs" and is appealing for donations to avoid bankruptcy.

Editorial: Unraveling the Secrets Makes the Big Time

An editorial by Dennis Crenshaw praises "Saucer Smear" and its editor, James Moseley, for focusing on "Ufoology" – the study of those involved in the UFO field – rather than just UFO reports. Crenshaw expresses his honor at being mentioned in the publication.

The Betty and Barney Hill Case

Rick Hilberg's "Flying Saucer Digest" reportedly clarifies that aliens did take semen samples from Barney Hill during the famous 1961 abduction case.

Roswell Incident Commentary

John Mount offers a detailed critique of the famous Roswell-related photo of General Ramey, questioning the likelihood of sensitive military information being displayed on a telegram via radiogram, and the odds of it being legible and correctly positioned for a photograph.

MUFON UFO Journal Critique

The editor nitpicks the April 2005 issue of the MUFON UFO Journal, specifically its cover featuring an egg-shaped light near a rural house, and notes that the illustration was not by abductee/artist David Huggins.

The 1953 Brush Creek Sighting

An item discusses the classic 1953 sighting by two miners at Brush Creek, California, noting that Gray Barker was incorrectly stated to have been jailed during its investigation.

Walt Andrus Update

A mention of Walt Andrus, retired International Director of MUFON, who subscribes to "Saucer Smear" for its "UFO humor and fringe information."

Roger Leir's Research

Podiatrist Roger Leir's efforts to prove that substances found under the skin of UFO abductees are anomalous objects are summarized. Leir is seeking funding for his research.

Criticism of TV Specials on UFOs

Budd Hopkins and Stanton Friedman are criticized for complaining about the ABC-TV Special "UFOs: Seeing Is Believing." The editor argues that such specials are written to entertain the masses, not necessarily to cater to a narrow viewpoint.

Press-Time Flash: Unidentified Aircraft Near White House

On April 26th, an "unidentified aircraft" was detected on radar near Washington, D.C., prompting the evacuation of Bush and Cheney to underground bunkers. The incident was attributed to a possible radar malfunction.

National UFO Conference (NUFOC)

Details are provided for the 43rd annual National UFO Conference, to be held in Hollywood, California, with a list of speakers including Jim Moseley.

Karl Pflock's Column: "Twinkle, Twinkle Little U.F.O."

Karl Pflock recounts a personal childhood experience from 1951 or 1952 near San Jose, California, where he and his father, along with two other fathers and their sons, witnessed a strange object in the sky. The object changed colors (white, blue, red) and performed a series of rapid jumps. Pflock describes the event as a "flying saucer" experience, noting that his father, a former reporter, did not file a report with the Air Force, keeping the experience a "matter of family lore."

Brewster Rockit: Space Guy!

A comic strip titled "Brewster Rockit: Space Guy!" features a dialogue about why the government keeps UFOs a secret, with the answer being that "Joe Average in Anytown, U.S.A., can't handle the truth."

Letters to the Editor

Steve Barnett

Steve Barnett expresses sadness upon hearing of Karl Pflock's Lou Gehrig's disease.

George Hansen

Parapsychologist George Hansen requests details about the "Hall of Shame" list, suggesting that future historians will be interested in the "buffoonishness of ufology" and that UFOs and paranormal phenomena induce irrationality.

Erik Beckjord

Erik Beckjord comments on remarks made about him in a previous issue, correcting false statements and stating he attends conventions to "piss off the boring losers" who believe Bigfoot is a solid animal. He is pleased to be on the "Hall of Shame" list.

Carol Honey

Researcher Carol Honey responds to an article about her, clarifying her viewpoints and stating that she never published a newsletter for George Adamski, though she ran short articles by him. She still backs the photograph of Adamski's "Scout Ship" but not other craft photos. Honey criticizes a "Saucer Smear" special issue as being full of holes.

Stanton Friedman

Stanton Friedman writes to Klaus Webner, defending himself against accusations of being a "stupid charlatan" and questioning Webner's research in comparison to his own extensive work on UFO cases and archives.

Bruno Moion

Bruno Moion writes about Wilbert Smith, refuting a rumor that he died of a "brain tumor" and stating he died of colon cancer, suggesting this was an attempt to discredit Smith.

Rob MacGregor

Rob MacGregor provides an update on James Randi, noting that Randi stated in a National Geographic documentary that aliens might make crop circles on the White House lawn as a statement.

Norman Howard

Norman Howard expresses amusement at "UFO Magazine" publishing Moseley's letter criticizing Don Ecker.

Wendy Connors

Wendy Connors responds to remarks about her, clarifying that she did not meet in Roswell in 2000 and that cancer has affected her physical appearance. She expresses thrill at being listed among "hated people in Ufology" and comments on her book review.

Rob Swiatek

Rob Swiatek of FUFOR writes, expressing gladness that "Saucer Smear" has continued its publication and pondering its survival in the age of the internet, attributing its success to historical significance, reader loyalty, and entertaining nature.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of "Saucer Smear" maintains its characteristic critical and often skeptical stance towards mainstream ufology and related phenomena. The editor, James Moseley, frequently questions the motives and credibility of other UFO publications and researchers, as seen in his commentary on "UFO Magazine" and his defense of his own publication's integrity. There is a recurring theme of debunking or questioning sensational claims, while also acknowledging genuine mysteries. The publication also highlights the financial struggles and the often-unpaid efforts of dedicated researchers in the field. The "Hall of Shame" concept, where individuals are listed for perceived flaws or questionable contributions to ufology, is a recurring element that underscores the publication's critical editorial stance. The use of humor and satire, as seen in the "Brewster Rockit" comic and the editor's own wry observations, is also a consistent feature.