Saucer Smear - Vol 55 No 03 - 2008

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue Date: March 15th, 2008
Publisher: OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SAUCER & UNDPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Editor: James W. Moseley
Contributing Editor: Vince Ditchkus

This issue of Saucer Smear, Volume 55, No. 3 (Whole Number 409), presents a collection of articles and letters focusing on UFO phenomena, skepticism, and related controversies. The cover features a "Bullshit Bingo for UFO Skeptics" card, encouraging readers to identify common jargon used in the field.

Stephenville, Texas UFO "Flap" and Alleged Persecution

The lead article discusses a UFO "flap" that occurred in Stephenville, Texas, on January 8th. While initially unimpressed, the editor notes a "Persecution angle" emerging, reminiscent of "Men in Black" phenomena. The main witness, Ricky Sorrells, who described a "huge solid object," reportedly received an unusual phone call from someone identifying as an Air Force lieutenant colonel. Sorrells complained about military helicopters flying low over his property, and the caller allegedly offered to stop the flights if Sorrells ceased discussing his sighting.

Sorrells also reported seeing a mysterious intruder on his property. Following these events, Angelia Joiner, a reporter for the Stephenville Empire-Tribune who covered the story, was fired. She had written two articles that generated local interest and increased newspaper circulation. Joiner was asked to "cease and desist" writing about the "flap," her computer was confiscated, and her rolodex went missing, leaving her feeling like a "criminal." A city councilman reportedly called the "flap" an "embarrassment to the town."

The Paracast and UFOlogy

The magazine mentions the editor's appearances on "The Paracast" radio show, hosted by Gene Steinberg and David Bieddy, noting that new episodes are available weekly. The editor expresses a fondness for the "stranger aspects of Ufology" but clarifies that he is not a UFO skeptic.

Riolandia, Brazil UFO Sighting

A report from Frank Warren's website details a sighting in Riolandia, Brazil, on January 20th. The owner of a small inn and a guest in a trailer both reported a "cylindrical-shaped UFO with oval endings" and a loud noise. The next morning, they discovered an area on a sugar plantation where plants were crumpled and bent over without broken stems. Investigations by various experts concluded there was no natural explanation. The article suggests this might be proof that UFOs deliberately damage crops, but cautions against assuming all "crop circles" are alien-made.

The Top 100 UFO Cases Revealed

Thanks to Vince Ditchkus, the magazine presents a list of the "Top 100" UFO cases, compiled by Issac Koi after reviewing 963 UFO and SETI books. Koi's methodology is based on the frequency of discussion, aiming to identify cases most authors regard as significant. The editor notes potential flaws in this methodology, such as cases being discussed extensively without belief in their validity, and the importance of reference quality. The list spans from 1897 to 1989, with the most recent case being nearly twenty years old. The editor questions why more recent cases are not as strong, pondering if "Space People" have deserted Earth.

The "Top Twenty" cases include:

1. Kenneth Arnold - 1947
2. Betty & Barney Hill abduction - 1961
3. George Adamski encounters - 1950s
4. Roswell crash - 1947
5. Socorro sighting by Lonnie Zamora - April, 1964
6. Thomas Mantel attempted intercept - Jan., 1948
7. Antonio Villas-Boas abduction - 1957 (Brazil)
8. Washington, D.C. sightings - July, 1952
9. Pascagoula (Mississippi) abduction - 1973
10. Chiles and Whitted (airline) sighting - 1948
11. Travis Walton abduction - 1975
12. Maury Island (Washington state) incident - 1947
13. Tunguska event - 1908 (Russia)
14. Kelly-Hopkinsville (Kentucky) incident - 1955
15. Rev. W. B. Gill sightings - June, 1959 (New Guinea)
16. Levelland, Texas incidents - 1957
17. McMinnville photographs - May 11th, 1950
18. Rendlesham Forest incident - 1980 (England)
19. Betty Andreasson abduction - 1967
20. Herbert Schirmer abduction - 1967

The "Most Interesting of the Remainder" includes Gulf Breeze encounters, Alexander Hamilton airship, Ubatuba incident, and the Incident at Exeter.

Other Notable Cases and Notes

Additional cases mentioned include Cash / Landrum incident, Lubbock Lights sightings, Valentich disappearance, Fatima apparition, Flatwoods Incident, Desverges sighting, Clyde Tombaugh sighting, Nash and Fontenberry sighting, Eagle River encounter, "Lady" animal mutilation, Aurora, Texas airship crash, "Linda Cortile" abduction, The Northeast Blackout, Rex Heflin photographs, Trans-en-Provence encounter, Cedric Allingham encounter, Claude Vorilhon contact, UMMO photographs, and the "Battle of Los Angeles."

Notes clarify that the Alexander Hamilton airship case is considered a hoax, the Valentich disappearance is a favorite of Jerry Clark's despite flaws, Cedric Allingham's book is likely a hoax, and Claude Vorilhon founded the Raelian UFO cult.

The editor also adds two cases not on Koi's list: the disappearance of Karl Hunrath and Wilbur Wilkinson, and the UFO-related murders of two flying saucer enthusiasts in Brazil.

Statue of Woman Found on Mars?

This section discusses a picture taken by the Mars explorer Spirit that appears to show a humanoid-shaped object. "Bigfoot expert" Erik Beckjord offers an explanation involving an out-of-body experience.

David Huggins' Paintings and Scientology

The magazine features a black and white version of one of David Huggins' paintings depicting sexual encounters with alien beings. It also mentions that the third floor of Scientology's headquarters in Clearwater, Florida, is dedicated to UFO investigation, with a small "inner circle" having access to information. The article notes that UFOs were a factor in the life of L. Ron Hubbard, who was associated with rocket scientist John Parsons and allegedly met with George Adamski.

Roswell: The Musical and Roswell Soil Sample

Patrick Sherman reviews "Roswell: The Musical" at the Roswell Community Little Theater. An advertisement offers a "Roswell Soil Sample" from the 1947 crash site.

MUFON Journal and Fortean Falls

The MUFON Journal is noted for improving under James Carrion. The February 2008 issue featured a "sensational UFO case" involving five witnesses, entities, but no abductions, which occurred on the Cape Fear River in North Carolina. The case involved Chris Bledsoe and his son, who saw orange orbs, entities with glowing, glassy appearances, and large, sphere-shaped objects.

The back page of "UFO Newsclipping Service" discusses "Fortean falls," the unexplained falling of animals from the sky, citing a recent film of live spiders falling on a cloudless day in Argentina.

Missives from the Masses

Several letters from readers are included:

• William Shumaker writes about Sacsahuaman, describing its incredible stonework and mystery.
• "Ray X" (Dick Farley) presents a theory that the Betty & Barney Hill abduction was a deception by racist military intelligence, involving rectal probing to check for plutonium.
• Greg Bishop expresses his continued interest in UFOs, partly due to "Saucer Smear" and the promise of free trips. He advises keeping an open mind to theories that offer personal and intellectual enrichment.
• Matt Graeber comments on the magazine's coverage of Julie Shuster and Carlos Mentira, and humorously suggests obtaining a Roswell soil packet for alien spaceships.
• Rick Hilberg praises the issue and corrects a detail about J. Allen Hynek's death date.
• Mel Stiriss recounts his experience as a reporter covering UFO sightings over Manhattan and Bayonne in 1966, noting the "venerable Dispatch" is now gone.
• George Hansen notes that Hudson County, N.J., designated as a UFO hotspot, is also known for its corrupt politics.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the reporting of UFO sightings and encounters, the alleged cover-up and persecution of witnesses, the analysis of significant historical UFO cases, and the role of skepticism versus belief in ufology. The magazine also touches upon the broader context of unexplained phenomena, such as Fortean falls. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, acknowledging the stranger aspects of the field while also presenting critical perspectives and skeptical viewpoints through the "Bullshit Bingo" and reader contributions. The editor, James W. Moseley, maintains a consistent, albeit sometimes quirky, engagement with the subject matter.