Saucer Smear - Vol 56 No 09 - 2009

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 56, No. 9
Date: October 15th, 2009
Publisher: James W. Moseley

This issue of "Saucer Smear" presents a collection of articles and commentary on UFOs, the paranormal, and related topics, reflecting the editor's personal views and the ongoing discussions within the ufology community.

Rambling Editorial

The editor, James W. Moseley, reflects on aging and the loss of friends within the ufology field, mentioning John Keel, Richard "DICK" Hall, Gray Barker, and Karl Pflock. He discusses the missed opportunity to publish a "grave robbing" book with Pflock. Moseley contemplates the future of "Saucer Smear," noting the lack of a successor and the possibility of ceasing publication. He expresses that the UFO/paranormal mystery is so complex that a solution is unlikely to be seen within his lifetime.

Miscellaneous Ravings

More About the Late John Keel: The editor recounts a "Mad Hatters Garden Party and John Keel Memorial" event organized by John Barlow, which included a performance by a mentalist, a pagan tribute, and a Viking burial for Keel's ashes. Antonio Huneeus attended and reported on the event.

"The Great Worm of Avebury (England)": This section details a report by Nick Redfern about a former British Intelligence officer, Malcolm Lees, who investigated an incident in September 1962. A woman reported seeing a 2-foot-diameter ball of light near Avebury's standing stones, which then stopped, dripped liquid metal, and exploded. Afterward, a monstrous, writhing, milk-white worm-like creature was seen. Investigators found a slimy trail, but the substance was not analyzed. The incident was taken seriously by British authorities.

Pennsylvania Researcher Stan Gordon's Account: A similar story from June 27th, 2009, is told by Stan Gordon. Four people in rural Pennsylvania saw iridescent white creatures, described as giant caterpillars, on the road. About six or seven more were seen, some on the road and some on the side.

Bob Lazar and Matt Damon: The issue discusses a Net item about Matt Damon potentially playing Bob Lazar in a movie. The editor notes that Lazar never proved a physics degree and that his claims about "back engineered" craft at Area 51 were sensational. The article mentions "threats on his life" forcing Lazar to go public, a motive previously unheard of. The editor expresses interest in seeing the movie, despite considering Lazar a disinformation artist.

Cover Feature: David Huggins

"Love in an Alien Purgatory - The Life and Fantastic Art of David Huggins": The cover and several pages are dedicated to the art of David Huggins, an alleged UFO "experiencer." Huggins states he paints his memories and reality, not trying to convince anyone. His book, "Love in an Alien Purgatory," features over seventy drawings and paintings. The article notes that while some of his paintings in "Smear" have had sexual content, not all do. His experiences began around age eleven, involving non-sexual contact and abduction, but later adult experiences include sexual encounters with interdimensional beings. The cover painting depicts Huggins with hybrid babies and other alien figures. The editor finds it interesting that Huggins, unlike many "experiencers," has no specific spiritual or political agenda and lives a normal life. The article questions the reality of his experiences, concluding he is sincere but lacks proof, and that the events are not real in a purely 3-D sense.

James Randi Update

An article from "The Daily Grail" provides a sad update on James Randi. At 81, he has been diagnosed with intestinal cancer and recently had surgery. His Foundation in Florida is in deep financial trouble due to the recession. At a skeptical conclave in Las Vegas, a psychic named Connie Sonne attempted to win Randi's million-dollar prize but failed. The article criticizes the "pseudo-religious overtones" of the conclave and the sale of Randi dolls, comparing it to selling statues of saints. The comparison of Randi to "innovators like Bob Dylan and Pablo Picasso" is called nauseating. Randi is described as feeble and in a wheelchair. The article mentions his past "genius" award from the MacArthur Foundation, which he allegedly blew by libeling Uri Geller, leading to legal issues and his resignation from CSICOP.

Other Articles and Notes

Steve Pearse on Margorie Fish's Zeta Reticuli Theory: An article from the MUFON Journal by Steve Pearse updates the classic Betty and Barney Hill abduction case. Pearse's research suggests that the stars identified by Margorie Fish do not indicate the origin of the humanoids. The article also mentions a "relatively unknown CE-5 case" involving Erik Wilson and an entity claiming to be from a planet near Ursa Major.

UMMO and the Extraterrestrial Papers: This section discusses a book published by Timothy Green Beckley about the UMMO phenomenon. The UMMO story, which was significant in Spain and France during the 1960s and 1970s, involved extensive information from alleged space visitors. UMMO spaceships were identifiable by a symbol similar to the one for Uranus.

1967 UMMO Ship Incident: A photographer reportedly took seven clear photos of a classic saucer-shaped UMMO ship, but these were later labeled a hoax by the Dr. J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies. A researcher named Gordan Peña confessed to perpetrating this as a hoax.

Future Issue Preview: The next issue will feature details on two astounding stories: Lt. Col. Kevin Randle's offer to leave the UFO field for a million dollars, and Anthony Bragalia's discovery of a non-ET solution to the 1964 Socorro, New Mexico landing case.

Missives From The Masses

John Barlow on John Keel: Barlow writes about Keel's ability to draw readers into his "wild trips" by presenting complex issues without being patronizing. He describes Keel as an explorer who pushed boundaries and took risks, costing him a lucrative career. Barlow considers Keel's work invaluable and sees him as a rebel who was his own man.

Jerry Clark on Hoaxes: UFO historian Jerry Clark comments on the persistence of hoaxes, referencing an 1884 UFO crash story that he investigated and found to be a newspaper prank. He notes that the story was reported to have involved a Martian ship melting in a rainstorm.

Bob Golka and Phil Klass: An editor's note mentions Bob Golka, described as eccentric, who was investigating a yarn that the editor believes is a prank. Golka's address is no longer known.

Dr. Gary Posner on Phil Klass: Dr. Gary Posner clarifies the number of times he met with the late ufological arch-skeptic Phil Klass, correcting a previous statement. He details several meetings and interactions.

Patrick Huyghe on David Huggins: Patrick Huyghe of Anomalist Books thanks the editor for introducing him to David Huggins' work and confirms that Huggins' paintings are impressive, which convinced him to publish the book. He provides details on how to purchase the book.

FLASH! "The Secrets of Dellschau": The editor announces the arrival of the book "The Secrets of Dellschau" by Pete Navarro, about the Sonora Aero Club and 1800s airships.

News Briefs

Switzerland Condom Incident: A seven-year-old girl found a condom among chips from a McDonald's Happy Meal in Switzerland.

The Astrological Magazine Ceases Publication: The Astrological Magazine announced its cessation of publication due to unforeseen circumstances.

Man Killed by Lions in Kiev Zoo: A man shouted "God will save me" and lowered himself into a lion enclosure at the Kiev zoo, where he was killed by a lioness.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of "Saucer Smear" include the personal experiences and art of alleged UFO contactees (David Huggins), tributes to influential figures in ufology (John Keel), critical examination of skeptics (James Randi, Phil Klass), and the reporting of unusual or unexplained events (Avebury worm, Pennsylvania caterpillars). The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, acknowledging the complexity and mystery of the paranormal while maintaining a critical perspective, particularly towards those who might be considered disinformation artists or overly dogmatic.