Saucer Smear - Vol 57 No 01 - 2010

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 57, No. 1
Date: January 10th, 2010
Publisher: OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of "Saucer Smear" presents a collection of articles, letters, and reviews centered around UFO phenomena, paranormal experiences, and related topics. The publication, edited by James W. Moseley, features contributions from various researchers and enthusiasts.

Cover Story: Lonnie Zamora and the Socorro Landing

The cover highlights the case of Lonnie Zamora, a New Mexico police officer who reported a close encounter of the first, second, and third kinds on April 24, 1964, near Socorro, New Mexico. The article notes his passing in 2009 and directs readers to a story on page 2.

"The Men Who Stare at Goats" and Remote Viewing

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to the movie "The Men Who Stare at Goats," which is described as a new, interesting film based on real-life activities of military and civilian personnel involved in secret psychic experiments in the 1970s and 1980s. The article discusses "Remote Viewing," a purported ability to see targets remotely, mentioning Ingo Swann as a highly successful practitioner and Colonel John Alexander as being involved. The editor suggests that the movie, while a farce, contains a kernel of truth and is worth watching.

Lonnie Zamora Case Revisited: Anthony Bragalia's Claims

Page 2 delves into a recent debate surrounding the 1964 Socorro UFO landing, initiated by ufologist Anthony Bragalia. Bragalia insists the event was a hoax perpetrated by engineering students. The article notes that Dr. J. Allen Hynek, the Air Force, and other investigators at the time did not believe it was a hoax. Bragalia claims to have evidence that would discredit Zamora, suggesting Zamora was drunk on duty. Tragically, Lonnie Zamora died of a sudden heart attack shortly after these claims emerged. The article also critiques Bragalia's objectivity by referencing his comments on the Roswell incident, questioning his interpretation of historical events and racial undertones.

"The Bean" Hypothesis for the Socorro Landing

Another theory regarding the Socorro landing is presented, attributed to researcher Matt Graeber. This hypothesis suggests a possible solution involving a craft called "The Bean," described as egg-shaped and built by bikers. The article contrasts this with Zamora's account, noting discrepancies such as the presence of helmets on the pilots in the "Tea-Mex" story, which Zamora did not report. The editor expresses skepticism about this theory, suggesting it might be a fabricated story.

MUFON and "Men in Black" Encounters

The issue discusses a sighting reported in the Oct.-Nov. 2009 MUFON Journal involving a large UFO and smaller ones near Leasburg, North Carolina. Following the sighting, two men, one identifying himself as "Mr. Michael," visited the primary witness, questioning him about the event and making him feel "demeaned and threatened." This encounter is compared to the classic "Men in Black" (MIB) phenomena of the 1960s, some of which were linked to NICAP. The editor expresses disbelief that the witness would assume these men were from MUFON without proper identification.

MUFON's "Abduction Monitoring Project"

An article from a Nov. 16th, 2009, web posting discusses MUFON's "Abduction Monitoring Project," which aimed to gather evidence of alien abductions by placing sensing units in abductees' homes. The project faced funding issues and was renamed "Ambient Monitoring Project." The editor speculates that the project failed to find conclusive evidence and that MUFON is reluctant to admit this, while still believing in the reality of UFO abductions.

Book Review: "Contactees: A History of Alien Human Interaction"

A book review highlights "Contactees: A History of Alien Human Interaction" by Nick Redfern. The book covers well-known contactees from the 1950s and 60s, including George Adamski, Dan Fry, and others. The review notes that the editor himself is cited as an authority in the book. It also mentions figures from later periods like Claude Vorilhon and Billy Meier. The review praises the book for exploring various theories without dogmatic adherence, finding the ET hypothesis unlikely and suggesting a more complex solution to the mystery.

Personal UFO Sighting Anecdote

The editor shares a personal UFO sighting that occurred in Miami, Florida, around 1954. While sky-watching, he noticed a group of stars, and one of them moved in a straight, downward path before disappearing. He considers a meteorite as a possible explanation but notes the strangeness of its precise origin and timing.

Other Contributions and Letters

Several other sections include:

• James Randi's Letter: Randi writes about recovering from chemotherapy and clarifies his relationship with Dennis Pryor, mentioning an incident involving marijuana cultivation.
• Dr. Gary Posner's Letter: A skeptic, Posner addresses a previous letter from Robert Sheaffer regarding their relationship with Phil Klass and CSICOP.
• Tim Printy's "SUNlite" Newsletter: Printy shares his unimpressive experience at a UFO festival in Exeter, New Hampshire, criticizing the commercial aspect and stereotypical portrayals.
• Miller Johnson's Letter: Johnson provides brief commentary on an alleged hoax sighting in Indonesia, the Socorro case, and the "Balloon Boy Hoaxer."
• Researcher Norman Howard's Letter: Howard expresses weariness with the Roswell incident and advocates for the principle of consistency in investigations.
• Anthony Bragalia's Letter: Bragalia thanks the editor for a recent phone conversation, acknowledging their differing views but finding the editor agreeable.
• Richard Suttner's Criticism: Suttner criticizes the editor's use of the "editorial we."
• Bruce Forrester's View: Forrester prefers emotional UFO experiences over the "stodgy old scientific method" and criticizes MUFON of Ohio's approach.

Miscellaneous Items

The issue also includes brief news items on "Unholy Fillings" in Somalia and an incident involving a French motorist and a pedestrian in Montpelier. A proposed NEW UFO Museum is mentioned with a photo. A comic strip "Pearls Before Swine" is included, along with a short poem about the Roswell crash.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, the nature of evidence and investigation in ufology, the role of skepticism versus belief, and the historical context of UFO phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, acknowledging the reality of UFOs while maintaining a skeptical approach to sensational claims and hoaxes. The editor frequently uses humor and personal anecdotes to engage readers. There is a clear preference for "Serious Saucer Research" (SSR) over what is deemed "utter nonsense."