Saucer Smear - Vol 56 No 06 - 2009

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 56, No. 6
Date: July 5th, 2009
Publisher: OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE 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, is dedicated to ufological journalism. The cover prominently features a prop from the movie "Roswell: The Motion Picture" with the headline "FAKE ALIEN FROM 'ROSWELL: THE MOTION PICTURE'", hinting at the issue's focus on the Roswell Incident.

Roswell Incident and the UFO Museum

The editorial team discusses their recent ejection from the mailing list of the International UFO Museum of Roswell, New Mexico. They note that they had not received newsletters or membership cards for several years. Julie Shuster, Executive Director of the museum and daughter of founder Walter Haut, is mentioned. Walter Haut, who issued the original news release about the 1947 Roswell crash, later claimed to have seen dead alien bodies himself, culminating in a "Deathbed Confession" published in the book "Witness to Roswell." The article clarifies that Haut did not write this confession but signed it, and his mental state was noted as unclear when the editors met him in 2002.

The cover photo is identified as a prop from the movie "Roswell: The Motion Picture," which was donated to the museum as a permanent exhibit. The editors express a wish that the prop showed the alien more clearly. They recount how Bob Guccione, publisher of Penthouse Magazine, reportedly paid a significant sum for the same picture, believing it to be a real alien.

"Roswell Debris Confirmed as Extraterrestrial"

A second reason for revisiting the Roswell Incident is a blog post by Anthony Bragalia, included in a new edition of the Schmitt-Carey book. Bragalia's thesis, titled "Roswell Debris Confirmed as Extraterrestrial," is described as a "gross exaggeration at best." However, the information suggests that secret government studies were conducted on a material recovered from the 1947 Roswell crash, which matched witness descriptions of "memory metal" that could snap back into shape when bent. These studies were reportedly undertaken by a contracted laboratory, Battelle Memorial Institute, with advanced capabilities. A former scientist from this laboratory allegedly confessed to studying the material, and information from two U.S. Air Force generals is cited as support. The documents suggest the U.S. government attempted to develop this shape-recovery alloy, seeding the discoveries for further technological developments. While interesting, the article emphasizes that this is not proof of extraterrestrial origin but does cast doubt on the Mogul Balloon explanation.

James Randi's "Million-Dollar Challenge"

The issue touches upon James Randi's "Million-Dollar Challenge," which was set to conclude on March 6th, 2010. The editors acknowledge that while it was a publicity stunt, individuals with sustained psychic abilities could have applied. They note that these abilities do not always work consistently, but the editors believe they do exist. The editor shares personal experiences with psychic phenomena that were brief and difficult to prove under test conditions, suggesting that the scientific method is not nuanced enough to evaluate such phenomena.

Dr. Gary Posner, described as a "skeptic" associated with Randi and the late Phil Klass, is thanked for providing material about the James Randi Educational Foundation. The article mentions that the prize money would remain with the Foundation for "other purposes" after the challenge ended, and it is unlikely anyone would win.

"UFO Hunters" and the Long Island Incident

A segment on the TV show "UFO Hunters" is discussed, featuring an incident on November 11th, 1992, where a supposed UFO crashed in Southaven Park, Long Island, New York, near Brookhaven National Laboratory. The theory presented is that aliens might have been investigating the laboratory's particle accelerators. The crash allegedly caused fires and damage, and the object was reportedly hauled away by military flatbed truck. Mysterious power outages, road closures, and restricted access to the park were also reported. A witness from the Long Island UFO Network (LIUFON) was interviewed, and a blurry night-time video was sent anonymously.

The article notes that the video is likely a hoax. It also brings up John Ford, founder of LIUFON, who was charged in 1996 with plotting to kill local officials believed to be covering up UFO incidents. Ford was deemed "delusional" and incompetent to stand trial, while two other conspirators were found guilty.

News Briefs and Other Articles

News Briefs:

• Paul Kimball's Series: Documentary maker Paul Kimball is announced to be filming a 13-episode series called "The Other Side of Truth," featuring Mac Tonnies, Greg Bishop, and Nick Redfern.
• Church of the SubGenius: The satirical Church of the SubGenius is holding its annual "End of the World" celebration on July 5th in upstate New York.
• Tunguska Meteorite: A new theory by Russian scientist Yuri Lawbin suggests that aliens shot down the Tunguska meteorite in 1908 to protect the planet, and he found unusual quartz crystals with holes and drawings at the site.

Roswell Soil Sample: An advertisement offers a "Roswell Soil Sample" collected from the 1947 UFO crash site for $9.95, including a Certificate of Authenticity.

"UNLOCKING THE CAGE" by Robert Lanza: This article, adapted from a book, discusses "biocentrism" and how treating space and time as illusions, rather than fundamental realities, could lead to a new understanding of science, consciousness, and the universe. It suggests that quantum effects might apply to human-scale objects and that biology is key to unifying physics.

"The Alien Invasion Survival Handbook": A publisher's statement describes this handbook as a guide to combating extraterrestrial threats, with line drawings of defensive techniques and alien anatomy. W.H. Mumfrey of Australia claims he has not been abducted by aliens since applying its principles.

Stephen Bassett and PRG: Stephen Bassett of the Paradigm Research Group continues to advocate for an end to U.S. government UFO secrecy, holding annual conventions. The recent event incurred a financial loss of $27,000.

Erich Aggen: Erich Aggen, former editor of the UFO zine "Classified Communications" (C-COM), has ceased publication after losing his job with a local museum.

Michael Dennett: The passing of Michael Dennett, a member of the Seattle "skeptical" group "Society Sensible Explanations," is noted. He died recently at age 59.

More Updated Confusion About Roswell

This section presents a photograph of "memory metal," described as a novel intermetallic alloy of nickel and titanium called Nitinol. The article notes that U.S. research into this material intensified after the Roswell crash, suggesting a possible connection. It references Nick Redfern's book "Body Snatchers in the Desert," which proposes that the Roswell event might have involved bizarre balloon experiments with Japanese prisoners of war, rather than an extraterrestrial encounter. Redfern also discusses a story about a Soviet spy and classified data, which led to rumors of the Army's FTD obtaining crashed UFO materials. The question is raised whether Nitinol's development was connected to the Roswell recovery or if these stories are part of an espionage operation.

Another rumor suggests that in 1973, the U.S. Government secretly tested Nitinol for its ability to be altered by the mind, with a technical report authored by Eldon Byrd, a U.S. Naval Ordinance scientist who was also a psychic. The editors express lingering doubts about the Mogul explanation for Roswell.

Letters to the Editor

Vince Ditchkus criticizes the Roswell UFO Museum's (RUM) decision to sever ties with "Saucer Smear," calling the museum's exhibits "low-budget" and "borderline." He specifically condemns a display depicting a nude, dead alien being leered at by a medical technician.

Dave Swink, a former volunteer at the Roswell Museum, suggests that the City of Roswell is marginalizing Julie Shuster and that the museum might become a "stop" during the festival. He believes the museum will only become a viable tourist destination after Shuster's departure.

Jerry Lucci praises the issue and mentions Don Schmitt and Bill Birnes, questioning Birnes's embrace of various UFO theories and noting a rumor that he might be an alien hybrid.

Gary Hemphill comments on a celebrity photo from a previous issue, comparing the person to a mob figure, and questions how newborn aliens would master space travel.

The Grizzwells comic strip features characters discussing "conspiracy theory nuts."

Bad Timing highlights the case of Melchiorre Contena, a Sardinian pastor released from jail after 30 years, only 12 hours before his sentence was to end.

Editor's Comments and Book Reviews

Greg Bishop thanks the editor for considering him an "intellectual in the UFO field."

Rick Hilberg points out errors in a previous issue, correcting the death year of J. Allen Hynek and the date of a case from Brazil.

James Lynch praises "Shockingly Close to the Truth!" and his forthcoming UFO book, "Happy Birthday, You Pesky Flying Saucers," which aims to place saucers in historical context.

Chris Allan discusses the financial aspect of UFO writing, noting that while some early authors made money, the market has changed, and the internet dominates. He mentions authors like Scully, Adamski, Keyhoe, Ruppelt, Menzel, Whitley Strieber, and Erich von Daniken.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the Roswell Incident, the nature of evidence in ufology, and the ongoing debate between believers and skeptics. The editorial stance is critical of unsubstantiated claims and sensationalism, while still engaging with the mysteries of UFO phenomena. There is a clear skepticism towards the International UFO Museum's management and exhibits, and a critical eye is cast on various UFO researchers and media portrayals. The publication also highlights the challenges of scientific investigation into paranormal phenomena and the changing landscape of UFO research in the digital age. The editors express a desire for more concrete evidence and a more rigorous approach to the subject matter.