Saucer Smear - Vol 55 No 07 - 2008

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Vol. 55, No. 7
Date: July 25th, 2008
Publisher: SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Type: Non-Scheduled Newsletter

This issue of "Saucer Smear" is a special 61st Anniversary issue dedicated to the Roswell Incident. The publication, edited by James W. Moseley, offers a critical look at the event, questioning witness testimonies and official explanations. Contributing editors include Vince Ditchkus and Dr. Chris Roth. The cover features artwork by Miller Johnson depicting a crashed alien craft and poses the question: "Weather Balloon or Alien Apparition?"

The Roswell Incident: A Critical Examination

The editorial team expresses skepticism regarding the Roswell Incident, particularly concerning the accounts of mortician Glenn Dennis. Dennis's claims about the military requesting caskets for alien bodies and a nurse who drew pictures of the bodies are scrutinized. The magazine references Karl Pflock's book "Roswell: Inconvenient Facts and the Will to Believe" as influential in shaping their negative views. The article also debunks the notorious "Alien Autopsy Video" as a hoax.

Major Jesse Marcel Sr., who handled debris from the Foster (Brazel) Ranch, is also discussed. Researcher Robert Todd's article in "The Cowchip Quarterly" is cited, suggesting Marcel's military records indicate he lied and exaggerated, thus questioning his reliability as a witness. Marcel's son, Jesse Marcel Jr., a medical doctor, is also mentioned for writing a book on the subject, which the editor finds a strange diversion from his medical career.

General Ramsey's press conference, where debris was photographed, is noted. The editor questions the security of a memo shown in the photos, suggesting it might have been a top-secret document about the crash. The government's reversal from "flying saucer" to "weather balloon" is criticized, as are the Air Force's 1990s books that suggested witnesses might have misremembered or been lying, possibly due to fear of lawsuits. The Mogul Balloon theory, proposed by Professor Charles Moore, is presented as a plausible explanation for the incident.

Other UFO Cases and Topics

UFO Prediction and Sighting in Houston

Researcher Allen Greenfield's prediction of a major UFO event on July 3rd in Houston, Texas, is discussed. A night video taken over Houston on July 4th is described as "very strange" with "four poorly-focused blobs of light." Greenfield considered it a "qualified success," but the magazine's editor disagrees.

Police Helicopter Encounter in Wales

A brief report details a sighting in Wales on June 7th, where a police helicopter crew claimed to have been "almost hit" by a "flying saucer shaped vehicle." The South Wales police confirmed the sighting of an unusual aircraft. The report notes that British UFO expert Nick Pope is investigating, and mentions the possibility of bright lanterns from a wedding party as an alternative explanation.

Erik Beckjord's Demise

The death of Bigfooter Erik Beckjord at age 69 is reported. The editor shares a lengthy, critical obituary, noting Beckjord's claims about subliminal Bigfoot photographs and photos of celebrities on Mars. While acknowledging him as an entertaining speaker, the editor states he lacked substance and was not respected in the Fortean research field.

Crop Circle in England

A crop circle in England is described as "mind-boggling," containing a coded image of the first ten digits of the Greek symbol "pi." The article questions the need for aliens to create such formations, as the encoded knowledge is already known. It also references Nick Redfern's idea that crop circle makers are "artists" who experience phenomena.

"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"

The magazine reviews the movie "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," noting its "garbled" version of the Roswell Incident and its mixing of historical information about Peruvian Incas and Mexican Aztecs/Mayans. The film's depiction of aliens moving to another dimension is seen as significant.

British Flying Saucer Bureau (B.F.S.B.)

The editor expresses a long-held dream of editing the oldest UFO zine, the B.F.S.B., founded in 1953 by Denis Plunkett. The article mentions Albert K. Bender's "hush up" incident and Gray Barker's book.

Zimbabwe Mass Sighting

A 1994 mass sighting by 62 children in Zimbabwe is detailed. The children reported seeing a silvery craft and a creature that communicated telepathically about the planet's ecological state. The event is being re-investigated by filmmaker Randall Nickerson.

Missives from the Masses

This section includes letters from readers:

• Mike Gensler clarifies details about Ralph Coon's documentary work and discusses Dr. Gene Scott and John Nestor.
• Tristam Jones offers predictions, fearlessly stating there will not be a major UFO event in Houston on July 3rd, 2008.
• Matt Graeber comments on the "sobering missive" about the passing of UFO celebrities and Jerry Clark's "convoluted attempts" to explain his position.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The editorial stance of "Saucer Smear" is one of critical skepticism, particularly regarding the Roswell Incident and the credibility of witnesses. While acknowledging the fun and interest in UFO phenomena, the magazine prioritizes factual analysis and questions sensational claims. There is a recurring theme of debunking hoaxes and questioning government cover-ups, but also a recognition that the underlying story can be interesting even if not entirely true. The magazine seems to favor a more grounded approach, questioning claims that lack strong evidence and highlighting inconsistencies in witness testimonies.