Saucer Smear - Vol 52 No 06 - 2005

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue Date: July 10th, 2005
Publisher: SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Type: Non-Scheduled Newsletter

This issue of Saucer Smear, a publication dedicated to ufological journalism, delves into various UFO-related topics, including historical cases, contemporary events, and debates within the ufology community. The magazine combines reporting, humor, opinion, and commentary, often with a skeptical undertone.

Tidbits of Trash

The "Tidbits of Trash" section highlights how American towns are capitalizing on UFO and monster sightings for tourism, using the example of Roswell, New Mexico. Hopkinsville, Kentucky, is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the August 21st, 1955, incident involving apparent aliens, now referred to as 'Kelly Green Men'. A documentary about this event, which also covers the Mothman craze in Point Pleasant, West Virginia (circa 1977), and the Flatwoods Monster case (1952), is set to air on the Sci-Fi channel. The section also notes Brazil's recent policy change regarding UFO secrecy, influenced by a committee of pro-UFO researchers headed by A. J. Gevaero, editor of Brazilian UFO Magazine.

UFO Hall of Shame

This section, referencing UFOWATCHDOG.COM, lists individuals deemed to be in a 'Hall of Shame' within the ufology community. Featured are Bob Lazar, known for his tales from Area 51; Don Schmitt, associated with the International UFO Museum in Roswell; Steven Greer, who claims to beam spaceships down; and Billy Meier, known for his UFO photos. The site's criticisms include accusations of fraud, lies, and plagiarism. The section also mentions the lawsuit filed by ufologist Sean David Morton against UFOWATCHDOG.COM, which Morton lost, resulting in a significant legal fee payment. A vitriolic email from a supporter of Morton is included, expressing extreme anger and insults.

News Briefs and Incidents

Several brief news items are presented:

• United Kingdom: Police investigated the discovery of 42 human skeletons in a Welsh townhouse, found to be 3,000 years old, which were removed from caves during WWII.
• Austria: A grave digger in Waengle was buried alive when earth from a container poured into a grave.
• Australia: Scientists are mapping a 'reef' of an estimated 300 million condoms discovered in the mid-Pacific, identified as a marine hazard and an environmental catastrophe.
• Brazil: The U.S. Air Force is reportedly sitting down with representatives of MUFON, CUFOS, etc., to voluntarily open up government files on UFOs, a development not expected in the U.S.
• Linda Moulton Howe: Is accused of distorting the breakthrough in Brazil and giving credit to abductee Urandir Fernandez de Oliveira, whose story of alien abduction is regarded as a hoax in Brazil.
• 'Voyage to Our Hollow Earth' Expedition: A brochure for a trip scheduled for June 26, 2006, to July 19, 2006 (postponed from 2005), is discussed. The expedition aims to explore a supposed entrance to the Hollow Earth at 84.4°N, 141°E, sponsored by Steve Currey and co-sponsored by Rodney Cluff, who believes in the Hollow Earth theory.
• Whitley Strieber's 'Unknown Country': A report titled 'VAST CONDOM HORROR IN PACIFIC' from Strieber's site is mentioned, detailing the massive condom reef.
• Prophet Yahweh: A black preacher who claims to summon UFOs is discussed. His religious views, described as anti-Christian and involving a conspiracy by a homosexual, child-molesting 'Luciferian' cult, have led to his removal from the NUFOC convention program. He is also accused of cheating in UFO summoning sessions.
• NUFOC Conference: An update is provided on the 42nd National UFO Conference in Hollywood, California, listing speakers such as Richard Dolan, Nick Redfern, and Linda Moulton Howe. The editor, James Moseley, plans a teleportation experiment.
• News Briefies:
• A 'Naked Zorro' has been appearing in Pennsylvania, performing unspecified 'lewd acts'.
• Bob Lazar is promoting a conversion kit for cars to run on hydrogen.
• Gary McKinnon, a British hacker, is accused of breaking into U.S. government computers to find information on aliens.
• Robert Anton Wilson is reported to be in increasingly bad health.
• Bob Girard of Arcturus Books expresses disillusionment with customers and the state of his business.

Letters to the Editor

• Martin Kottmeyer: A skeptical researcher, Kottmeyer offers an alternative explanation for Karl Pflock's 1951/2 UFO experience, suggesting it might have been a kite maneuver, citing rapid jumps, color changes, and light flares as potential kite characteristics. He concludes that UFOdom needs mystery over explanations and notes that fifty years later, aliens have not landed or invaded.
• 'RAY X' of Plattsburgh, N.Y.: Ray X writes about a UFO sighting in Australia with a videotape of a triangular object. He reveals that the sighting was later explained as a kite being flown by a father and son, who also used a flashlight to illuminate it in the dark.
• Jerry Black: Black criticizes Stanton Friedman, accusing him of having a large ego and of not proving the MJ-12 documents. He also disputes Friedman's involvement in the Gulf Breeze sightings, suggesting Friedman accepted the word of Dr. Bruce Maccabee, who received significant funding from Ed Walters for his support of the case. Black believes the Gulf Breeze sightings were a hoax.
• Wendy Connors: An admirer writes to James Moseley, questioning why one would send a 'Love Offering' when real research materials are available, promoting the 'Audio History of Ufology Project' MP3 compilation titled 'Humanoids'.
• Rob MacGregor: MacGregor defends James Randi's challenge, stating it's a farce because Randi controls everything. He proposes a double-blind experiment for testing paranormal abilities. MacGregor is also the author of 'Psychic Power: Discover and Develop Your Sixth Sense at Any Age'.
• Michael Dennett: A skeptic, Dennett objects to Moseley's 'editorial' comments about the Randi challenge, arguing that the million-dollar prize is for demonstrating paranormal powers through a developed test. He notes that claimants have withdrawn before official tests.
• Curt Sutherly: Congratulates Moseley on being included in 'Million Most Influential People in Ufology' in Fate magazine, humorously suggesting Fate is a front for the CIA.
• Denis Corey of Ohio: Attended a MUFON-Ohio meeting where Donnie Blessing presented her research group, SOAAR, focusing on alien abductees, many of whom are of American Indian heritage. Stories included sightings of 'translucent blue entities' and 'Asian-looking MIB driving black SUVs'.

Book Review

• The Cash-Landrum UFO Incident: A book by John Schuessler, with a foreword by Bob Pratt, is advertised for sale.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO phenomena, historical cases, and the individuals involved in ufology. There is a strong undercurrent of skepticism, particularly evident in the 'Hall of Shame' section and the letters from researchers like Martin Kottmeyer and Michael Dennett. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, questioning sensational claims while acknowledging the enduring mystery of UFOs. The publication relies heavily on contributions from its readership and aims to provide unique information not found elsewhere. The recurring theme of commercialization of UFO lore (e.g., Hopkinsville tourism) is also noted.