Saucer Smear - Vol 55 No 10 - 2008

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Vol. 55, No. 10
Date: November 20th, 2008 (Whole Number 416)
Publisher: OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Editor: James W. Moseley

This issue of SAUCER SMEAR, a light-hearted but positive look at the flying saucer scene, delves into several intriguing topics within the UFO community.

"Shades of Gray" Documentary

The lead article discusses a new documentary titled "Shades of Gray" about the life and times of Gray Barker, a prominent figure in the UFO community who passed away almost a quarter century ago. The documentary is produced by Bob Wilkinson, associated with Public Broadcasting in West Virginia. It revisits an earlier, less successful documentary by Ralph Coon. "Shades of Gray" includes interviews with people who knew Barker, such as UFO historian Jerry Clark, researcher Rick Hilberg, Richard Taylor, Clarksburg librarian David Houchin, John Sherwood (alias "Dr. Richard Pratt"), and Stanton Friedman. The documentary focuses on Barker's hoaxes, including the fictitious State Department letter to George Adamski implying government endorsement of his claims. The editor notes that while Wilkinson's version is better and shorter, it also lacks distribution. The issue expresses sadness that Barker, despite his fame, hasn't attracted a major producer.

The Roswell Incident and Related Topics

The issue revisits the Roswell Incident, referencing a recent blog by Major Kevin Randle about the "Roswell Declaration" of 1997. This petition garnered approximately 20,000 signatures, urging the government to reveal the truth. The leader of this effort was airline pilot Kent Jeffrey, who later came to believe in the government's "Mogul Balloon" explanation, a stance considered sacrilege by many ufologists. Randle's view is that Jeffrey genuinely changed his mind. The article also mentions a potential personality change in Jeffrey, who was later reduced to domestic flights and then retired, now reportedly dealing with injured and homeless cats.

Stephen Bassett is introduced as proposing a "Million Fax on Washington" campaign for UFO disclosure. The editor expresses skepticism about the effectiveness of petitions if the government deems information a national security issue. The timeframe for this campaign is November 5th, 2008, to January 20th, 2009, between the presidential election and inauguration. Contact information for the President-Elect, Barack Obama, is provided.

Further discussion on Roswell involves Professor Charles Moore, who headed a scientific team in 1947 that launched classified balloon trails, now known as Mogul balloons, which may account for the Roswell debris. Moore, now 88 and suffering from Alzheimer's, was once a key figure in the Roswell investigation. The death of New Mexico newsman Frank Joyce, the first reporter on the Roswell scene in 1947, is also noted.

UFO Book and Cases

MUFON of Ohio has re-issued a 1998 book by the late Allan Manak called "UFOMANIA": The Lore and Legend of Ufology." The book aims to show the diverse sizes, shapes, and configurations of saucers and saucerians. The editor agrees with the approach of considering all data, even if unusual, referencing Dr. J. Allen Hynek. The booklet covers about 35 cases, including the discredited 1897 "Airship" flap in Aurora, Texas, and the 1970s incident involving Hayden Hewes. A typical case described involves four small humanoid creatures and a bright sphere observed by French farm children in 1967, with a smell of sulphur noted.

Psychic Experiences and Skepticism

The editor recounts a personal experience with a psychic named Florence in Edgewater, New Jersey. Despite being asked to answer three questions, Florence provided a lengthy, detailed response to the question about the editor's sister, even though the editor revealed he did not have one. This leads to a discussion on the unpredictable nature of psychic powers, suggesting Florence may have had genuine abilities but also faked them at times.

Fortean Times and the Hill Abduction Case

England's Fortean Times magazine is highlighted for its coverage of off-beat subjects. The November 2008 issue features an article on the Betty and Barney Hill abduction case. New astronomical data suggests that the stars shown to Betty by the aliens do not match reality due to revised star distances. The editor states that the Hill case, while not a deliberate hoax, is not proof of anything.

Predictions and Sightings

An update on recent UFO sighting predictions is provided. A prediction for October 14th proved false. An offshoot of this involved Stefan Alexander Martin-Urban, who killed two people and himself in Colorado, despite a New Age message of "Love and Peace." Prophet Yahweh predicted superhuman black men from other planets would appear in Las Vegas on October 31st, 2008, as a sign for Americans to vote for Obama. This prediction was given a deadline of November 11th. A similar prediction by Yahweh in 2005 did not materialize.

A follow-up on a July 25th issue story details the 1994 sighting of an unknown craft and two small humanoids by 62 school children in Ruwa, Zimbabwe. American documentary-maker Randall Nickerson is re-investigating the case and has found strong belief in the story among those involved.

"Abduction at Roswell" Book and Other Cases

A new book, "Abduction at Roswell," by the son of a deceased B-29 pilot, is mentioned. The book allegedly details abductions at U.S. Air Bases in Japan and North Africa in the 1947 time-frame. Vince Ditchkus comments on the continuation of the "Roswell legend" as a "cash cow." A story about a California man whose father was an Air Force chaplain during the Roswell Incident is recounted, involving a spiritual healing for crashed aliens.

British ufologist Philip Mantle's investigation of a supposed UFO crash site in Nogal Canyon, New Mexico, is discussed. Rock samples submitted to Brookhaven National Laboratory were initially reported as being from a UFO, but later revealed to be a fake, with the lab reports containing errors and the physicist denying knowledge of the analyses. Ronnie Millone, who submitted the samples, is noted to have a history of frauds.

Martin Kottmeyer's list of UFO researchers is mentioned, with the editor being listed as "UFO investigator." Vince Ditchkus provides a list of "Paranormala's Top Ten Unexplained Phenomena," including the Klerksdorp Spheres from South Africa and "Angel Hair."

Letters to the Editor

Vince Ditchkus praises the "Shades of Gray" documentary, noting Gray Barker's contributions to concepts like "Men in Black" and the "Philadelphia Experiment." He laments that Barker's potential was limited by his West Virginia roots.

Jerry Clark enjoyed the editor's remarks in the Wilkinson film and felt the documentary did justice to its subject.

William Moore expresses his enjoyment of "Smear," finding humor in the UFO community's current activities.

Dr. Gary Posner of Tampa Bay Skeptics writes about accusations of "rigging the rules" in challenges and mentions a "disgruntled psychic" who libeled him. He also notes a typo in a previous headline and refers to Randi's book about an Albanian shrink.

Dr. Chris Roth comments on Loren Coleman's tax troubles and the Bigfoot carcass hoax story. He agrees with the editor's assessment of Allan Greenfield's "projection."

Kevin R. Randle questions the editor's labeling of Major Jesse Marcel as a liar, citing discrepancies in Marcel's service record and the Pratt interview tapes. He also discusses the Mogul project's name appearing in the Albert Crary diary and Professor Charles Moore's connection to it, questioning whether Moore made a mistake or lied.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently adopts a critical yet engaged stance towards UFO phenomena. While acknowledging the possibility of genuine paranormal events, it maintains a healthy skepticism towards claims, particularly those involving hoaxes, unsubstantiated evidence, and sensationalism. The editor often injects personal anecdotes and humor, aiming to provide a balanced perspective on a topic frequently mired in speculation. There is a recurring theme of questioning official narratives and seeking verifiable evidence, even while appreciating the cultural impact of UFO lore. The publication also serves as a platform for various voices within the UFO community, from researchers to skeptics, fostering a diverse range of opinions.