Saucer Smear - Vol 53 No 10 - 2006

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue Date: November 20th, 2006
Volume: 53, No. 10
Publisher: Official Publication of the Saucer & Unexplained Celestial Events Research Society

This issue of "Saucer Smear" presents itself as a non-scheduled newsletter dedicated to ufological journalism. The "Editor's Note" highlights the transition to a new contributing editor, Vince Ditchkus, who supplies numerous "Net items," improving the content quality. The newsletter acknowledges its financial losses but encourages renewals of "non-subscription." The editor also touches upon the succession plan for the publication, mentioning a potential intellectual/academic successor.

Key Articles and Features

UFO Sighting in North Dakota

The issue details a sighting by a 15-year-old boy, Evan Briese, who observed a wedge-shaped object with a light beam and three double-convex windows on his family's ranch. The object was described as emitting a bluish light reflected on a nearby pond. Later, depressions from "landing pods" were found in the grass, measuring 34, 34, and 25 feet apart in a triangle. A mutilated cow was found nearby but deemed unrelated to the UFO landing. The investigation is being handled by James Carrion, the new director of MUFON.

Robert Anton Wilson's Health

The newsletter reports on the critical health of author and philosopher Robert Anton Wilson, who is near death in his Capitola, California apartment. Wilson, co-author of "The Illuminatus Trilogy," has faced financial difficulties, which have recently been alleviated by fan support. He is under hospice care.

The Dr. Jonathan Reed Alien Encounter Debunked

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to debunking the story of Dr. Jonathan Reed, a self-proclaimed contactee. Royce J. Myers III of ufowatchdog.com is cited as having thoroughly exposed the story, claiming Reed is not a psychologist, uses an alias (Jonathan Rutter), and that his evidence (video and photos of an alien and a UFO) is fake. The article notes that Reed has appeared on Art Bell's radio show multiple times and has been supported by figures like Jaime Maussan.

The 'Face on Mars' Illusion

The issue revisits the famous "Face on Mars" image, photographed by NASA's Viking I orbiter in 1976. It explains that NASA correctly interpreted the image as an optical illusion caused by the Sun's angle and surface morphology, not an artificial structure. Later photos of the same area do not show any face. The editor admits to having previously believed in Martian canals, also an optical illusion.

Russian UFO Crash Report

A recent internet posting describes an undated flying saucer crash in Saudi Arabia during the "Desert Storm" war. The report, attributed to a "senior Russian official" named Colonel Gregor Petrokov, states the UFO was shot down by an American F16. Petrokov's team inspected the wreckage, described as a small craft about 15 feet in diameter with three chairs seemingly made for children. No bodies or engines were found. The report suggests aliens might be only three feet tall. American forces later collected the debris.

Barry Greenwood's 'U.F.O. Historical Revue' Ceases Publication

The newsletter reports the demise of Barry Greenwood's "U.F.O. Historical Revue." Greenwood, a long-time figure in ufology, started the zine "Just Cause" in 1984 and published "Revue" since 1998. His latest and final issue features cases from the 1910-1920 decade. Greenwood expresses concern about declining interest in the subject, and the article notes his retirement as a significant loss to the field.

UFO Magazine's 20th Anniversary

The issue mentions "UFO Magazine's" 20th anniversary celebration, noting lengthy "Looking Back" articles by its staff. It highlights an article on Timothy Green Beckley of Inner Light Publications and another critical piece about the International UFO Museum at Roswell, written by Dennis Balthaser, a former museum associate.

2006 National UFO Conference Cancelled

The 2006 National UFO Conference (NUFOC), scheduled for December 1st-3rd in San Diego, California, has been cancelled by executive director Lisa Davis. She plans to reschedule for December of the following year. This cancellation breaks a series of annual conclaves that began in 1964.

News Briefs

• Don Schmitt gave a lecture in Detroit about the Roswell Incident, accompanied by Julie Shuster of the International UFO Museum.
• A German TV station is broadcasting a program aimed at aliens, featuring two naked presenters, with the message "We have seen your crop circles. Stop by and say hello."
• Reverend Doctor Frank E. Stranges is promoting a movie based on his book "Stranger at the Pentagon," about a spaceman named Val Thor.
• A policeman in Monterrey, Mexico, reported an encounter with two winged beings with wrinkled faces near a graveyard.
• A German lawyer, Jens Lorek, is pursuing compensation claims for alleged alien abduction victims.

Letters to the Editor

• Miller Johnson discusses variations of the 1947 Roswell Incident I-Beam, detailing his replica creation and contrasting it with the Mogul Balloon theory.
• Chris Roth comments on the recycling of old news stories from the internet, referencing a story about aliens and robots in a park.
• Rick Hilberg corrects the date of the Voronezh, Russia case to the late 1980s.
• Robert Sheaffer mentions Karl Pflock's "Unfinished UFO Project" and a non-disclosure agreement.
• Michael Dennett questions the magazine's reporting on a "strange animal," stating it was purple and confirmed by a DNA report as a dog. He also probes the magazine's stance on 4-D thinking versus the Cryptoterrestrial Hypothesis.
• Kathy Kasten shares her experience finding a negative comment about the editor's book in a library and discusses the elusive nature of "The Fact" versus "The Myth."
• Dick Freeman argues that there are no traces of aliens on the Moon and that true "Space People" do not leave traces.

Cartoon Caption Contest

The results of the "Crazy Cartoon Caption Contest" are announced, with captions provided for two cartoons.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The editorial stance of "Saucer Smear" appears to be one of critical examination and skepticism towards many UFO claims, often focusing on debunking sensational or unsubstantiated stories. The newsletter values rigorous investigation and historical accuracy, as evidenced by its detailed analysis of the Roswell Incident and its critique of questionable evidence. There is a clear preference for grounded explanations and a distrust of claims that lack solid proof. The publication also seems to have a long-standing connection to the ufology community, referencing many well-known figures and past events. The recurring theme is the challenge of separating genuine phenomena from hoaxes, illusions, and misinterpretations within the UFO field.