Saucer Smear - Vol 55 No 01 - 2008

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 55, No. 1
Date: January 10th, 2008
Publisher: SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of SAUCER SMEAR, the official publication of the SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY, features a cover story titled "The Big Moment" with an illustration of an alien-like figure. The newsletter addresses various UFO-related topics, including political commentary, case studies, and critiques of prominent figures in the ufology community.

Politicians Struggle Very Mildly to Please Pro-UFO Voters

The lead article discusses the involvement of politicians with UFO topics. Former Arizona governor Fife Symington moderated a pro-UFO gathering at the National Press Club, which included retired USAF Colonel Charles Halt and Nick Pope. The article expresses puzzlement over Symington's participation, recalling his previous ridicule of the 1997 Phoenix Lights incident, where he humorously recounted an incident involving dressing up a chief of staff as an alien. The article questions Symington's sanity and notes he has left politics to work as a chef. The piece also mentions Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson's ambiguous stance on government truthfulness regarding issues like the Roswell Incident.

UFOs and Political Candidates

Democratic congressman Dennis Kucinick was questioned about a UFO sighting mentioned by Shirley MacLaine in her book. Kucinick confirmed seeing an unidentified flying object. The article also references former president Jimmy Carter's evolving views on UFOs, noting his shift from believing in extraterrestrial beings to speculating about military tests or the planet Venus. Republican candidates like Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani are also mentioned for their cautious or prepared responses to UFO-related questions, highlighting the political difficulty of seriously engaging with the topic without facing ridicule.

Drawing of Flatwoods Monster Case

A drawing by a Princeton artist depicting witnesses' descriptions of the 1952 "Flatwoods Monster Case" in Flatwoods, W.V., is presented. The drawing was provided by "Dr. UFO" Pat Marcattilio, who is reportedly re-energized in his quest to reveal the truth about UFOs following recent admissions by a former governor and FAA official.

News Briefies: Peruvian UFO Incident

One of the highlighted stories is from a National Press Club Conference on UFOs, featuring retired Peruvian Air Force pilot Oscar Huerta. In 1980, while stationed near Arequipa, Peru, Huerta was ordered to intercept and shoot down a stationary object resembling a balloon. He fired 64 shells from his Sukhoi 22 jet at the object, which was about three miles away at an altitude of 1,800 feet. The projectiles had no effect, appearing to be absorbed by the craft. The object, described as about 30 feet in diameter with a cream-colored dome and a circular metallic base, had no visible means of propulsion. Huerta pursued the object for 22 minutes before running low on fuel. The object remained stationary for two more hours after he landed. This incident is considered one of the most startling UFO cases, potentially documented in a U.S. Department of Defense report titled "UFO Sighted in Peru."

Erik Beckjord's Bigfoot Expedition

Erik Beckjord recounts his recent Bigfoot expedition in the Sierras, describing a difficult experience with a participant named Tara Baker Hauki. Hauki allegedly experienced mental distress, screamed for six hours, and assaulted Beckjord, who claims he did not touch her. Hauki later accused Beckjord of hitting her, though no bruises were found. Beckjord notes that Hauki had a history of mental health issues and had previously killed her father. Beckjord concludes that mentally ill individuals will no longer be taken on expeditions.

Documentaries on Gray Barker and UFOs

The issue mentions a documentary film called "Whispers from Space" about the life of West Virginia ufologist Gray Barker. A new documentary by Bob Wilkinson, titled "Shades of Gray," is also in production. Additionally, a professional Hollywood production is working on another UFO documentary, for which the editor has been offered a five-figure honorarium, though the production is expected to have a skeptical or sociological bias.

Reason #669: Roswell Not Interplanetary?

This section discusses Kevin Randle's blogs and Kent Jeffrey's involvement with the Roswell Incident. Jeffrey organized "The Roswell Initiative" petition drive but later changed his mind after interviewing military officers who served in Roswell in 1947 and heard nothing about a crash. Jeffrey was also disillusioned by other accounts and testimony.

Paul Kimball's "Best Evidence" Sequel and Polls

Paul Kimball, producer of the UFO documentary "Best Evidence," plans a sequel and may move his operation to Hollywood. Kimball is known for his public opinion polls, and "Saucer Smear" recalls winning a "Best UFO Publication" poll in mid-2006. In a more recent poll, "Smear" did not fare as well, and the editor came in third in the "Best UFO/paranormal trouble-maker" category, behind Alfred Lehmberg and Jeremy Vaeni.

Hall of Fame and Hall of Shame Inductees

The issue lists 2008 "Hall of Fame" inductees, with Art Bell winning by a large margin. Other inductees include John Keel, Brad Steiger, Dr. Bruce Maccabee, Nick Pope, and Jerry Clark. "Saucer Smear" editor did not fare well but managed to beat out Richard Hall and Gray Barker. Bob Lazar is listed as the winner of the "Hall of Shame" inductees, followed by Linda Moulton Cowe.

Tom Cruise's Alien Bunker

An item from "Woman's Day" magazine reports that actor Tom Cruise has built a luxury underground bunker in Colorado for protection against an alien invasion, possibly linked to his Scientology beliefs.

Jerry Clark's Criticisms

This section details Jerry Clark's verbal attacks on the late Karl Pflock, Yonah Fortner, and the "Smear" editor. Clark is criticized for being "bored" by ufological feuds yet initiating them. The article references a negative review Clark wrote of a book co-authored by Pflock and the "Smear" editor, "Shockingly Close to the Truth!" Clark's prejudices are attributed to a rumor about George Hunt Williamson being suspected of murder, which originated from a Jewish scholar named Yonah Fortner, who had issues with Williamson's alleged anti-Semitism.

Hudson County UFO Sightings

According to the National UFO Reporting Center, Hudson County, New Jersey, has the highest number of UFO sightings in the United States, with 775 incidents since 1975. The editor, who lived in the area, was unaware of this statistic.

The George O'Barski Sighting

The most famous incident investigated in Hudson County occurred on January 12th, 1975. Liquor store owner George O'Barski reported seeing a round, flat object with glowing windows hovering at low altitude. Entities emerged from the craft, collected soil samples, and departed. Budd Hopkins, a proponent of abduction phenomena, was a regular customer at O'Barski's store and helped publicize the sighting.

Bill Moore on Richard Doty and 'Falcon'

Ufologist Bill Moore addresses points made by Barry Greenwood regarding Richard Doty. Moore clarifies that Doty confessed to faking a document as part of a counterintelligence training exercise, not manufacturing it. Moore also states that the "shadowed figure" known as "Falcon" in a 1988 TV production was not Rick Doty, and that "Falcon" and a man named "Blake" were the same individual, who took an interest in Doty for counterintelligence reasons.

Christopher Allan on Stanton Friedman's Book

British semi-skeptic Christopher Allan critiques Stanton Friedman's book "Crash at Corona." Allan notes the change in title from the first edition to the second, questioning the use of "definitive." He points out that the book quoted passages from an official USAF document that was later proven to be a fake.

Dave Swink on Roswell Festival

Dave Swink, formerly associated with the International UFO Museum at Roswell, comments on the city's spending of $430,000 for a July 2007 festival, while simultaneously considering a sales tax increase. He notes a lack of budget and accountability, and the museum's failure to release visitor sign-in numbers.

David Clewell on Roswell Soil Sample

Researcher David Clewell advises caution regarding Roswell soil samples advertised online, recalling ordering a sample that arrived with a Roswell postmark, suggesting it was genuine, unlike samples from Staten Island.

Tristram Jones on the 'Star Dust' Disappearance

Researcher Tristram Jones discusses the disappearance of the British South American Airways plane "Star Dust" in 1947. The plane transmitted the enigmatic phrase STENDEC before vanishing. While the wreckage was found in 1998, invalidating theories of alien abduction, the meaning of STENDEC remains a mystery, with various theories suggesting it is an acronym or a keyed word.

Dennis Crenshaw on Dellschau Book

Dennis Crenshaw announces that his book on the artist C.A.A. Dellschau, titled "The Secrets of Dellschau: The Sonora Aero Club and the Flying Machines of the 1800s," will be published by Anomalist Books. The book will feature Dellschau's drawings and Crenshaw's research.

Robert Davis on Dellschau Book and 'Lead Mask' Case

Researcher Robert Davis confirms the agreement between Dennis Crenshaw and Anomalist Books for the Dellschau book. He also recalls the unexplained 1966 Brazilian "lead mask" double murder case, which was deemed UFO-related.

Curtis Peebles on 'Extraterrestrial Exposure Law'

Skeptic Curtis Peebles comments on the "Extraterrestrial Exposure Law," established in case Apollo missions brought back living organisms from the Moon. He notes the law was dropped as no Moon life was found.

Christopher Roth on UFO Disclosure

Christopher Roth, future editor of "Smear," expresses skepticism about UFO disclosure efforts, believing they are ineffective. He suggests that cracking a cover-up would require "Pentagon Papers"-style sleuthing and that even then, the public might not pay attention.

Matt Graeber's Comments

Matt Graeber praises the issue and humorously notes Erik Beckjord abandoning a woman during a Bigfoot mating season. He suggests the editor write a "Sex and Saucers" book.

Linda Napolitano Case

The "Manhattan Transfer" UFO abduction case involving Linda Napolitano is discussed. The article notes that "Saucer Smear" revealed her real name, which Jerry Clark claimed caused "harm and embarrassment." Linda Cortile (Napolitano) writes a Christmas card expressing appreciation for the editor's apology and acknowledging his good qualities.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of "Saucer Smear" include the intersection of UFO phenomena with politics and government, detailed case studies of alleged sightings and encounters, and critical analysis of individuals and organizations within the ufology community. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards official narratives and a willingness to investigate and report on a wide range of UFO-related claims, while also maintaining a critical perspective on the reliability of sources and the motivations of key figures. The publication seems to favor investigative journalism within the UFO field, often highlighting controversies and debates among researchers and enthusiasts. The editor, James W. Moseley, maintains a distinct voice, often injecting personal opinions and critiques throughout the articles.