Saucer Smear - Vol 57 No 05 - 2010

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 57, No. 5 (Whole Number 431)
Date: July 20th, 2010
Publisher: Official Publication of the Saucer & Unexplained Celestial Events Research Society
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of Saucer Smear, a non-scheduled newsletter, features a review of Stan Gordon's book "Really Mysterious Pennsylvania UFOs, Bigfoot & Other Weird Encounters Casebook One". The newsletter covers a range of ufological and unexplained phenomena topics, including historical incidents, scientific perspectives, and ongoing research.

Book Review: REALLY MYSTERIOUS PENNSYLVANIA UFOs, Bigfoot & Other Weird Encounters Casebook One

The review highlights Stan Gordon's book, written by a well-known offbeat investigator from Pennsylvania. The book is divided into two sections: "Encounters with UFOs" and "Creature Encounters". While the entries are concise, they are considered appropriate for the subject matter. The book focuses on the best Pennsylvania cases from the last 40 years. A key observation about UFO sightings is that they often lack sound and vary significantly in details, which the author suggests is a reason many people, including scientists, do not take UFOs seriously. In contrast, Bigfoot sightings are described as similar enough to suggest a common species, though other creature sightings like giant birds and black panthers are also mentioned.

The review specifically discusses the Kecksburg crash/landing of December 9th, 1965, a sensational case that occurred when Stan Gordon was a teenager. The book presents various theories for the event, including a Soviet satellite, a missile, a meteorite, or a spaceship from another world. The reviewer leans towards the Soviet satellite theory but acknowledges the mystery. Stan Gordon continues to gather information on Kecksburg and plans to write a book solely on this event.

Stephen Hawking on Alien Life

The newsletter includes a section on physicist Stephen Hawking's views on alien life. Hawking believes the universe is likely full of intelligent life, but he expresses a pessimistic outlook, suggesting that aliens capable of space travel would be dangerous. He draws a parallel to Christopher Columbus's arrival in America, implying a negative outcome for humanity. This viewpoint has drawn criticism, with some arguing that hiding from potential alien contact is not a viable option.

Voyager 2 and Potential Alien Interference

There is a brief mention of indecipherable data being sent back from the Voyager 2 spacecraft, launched 33 years prior. Engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory are unable to decode the signals. Speculation suggests the spacecraft may have been reprogrammed by an unknown intelligence, possibly sending messages in a secret code. The possibility of alien hackers tinkering with the spacecraft as it approaches interstellar space is raised.

SETI and the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

The article discusses the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) organization, which has been active for fifty years without success in receiving a response from space beings. Despite the lack of results, SETI scientists are optimistic due to technological advancements and the discovery of numerous exoplanets, increasing the likelihood of finding Earth-like planets with potential life. The article notes that SETI scientists, including the late Carl Sagan, do not typically consider the possibility of alien visitation, viewing flying saucers as a taboo subject.

Colonel Philip J. Corso and the Roswell Incident

Colonel Philip J. Corso, a retired military officer, is mentioned in relation to his book "The Day After Roswell." The book allegedly claims that technology from the Roswell crashed saucer was reverse-engineered by American corporations. Corso's unpublished diary reportedly details a face-to-face encounter and telepathic conversation with an Extraterrestrial Biological Entity (EBE) at the White Sands Missile Range in 1957, an event not mentioned in his published book.

British Crop Circle Formation

A fascinating story by researcher Colin Andrews about a crop circle forming in July 1996 near Stonehenge is presented. A pilot witnessed the formation of the complex "Julia Set" design within a short time frame, between 5:30 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. The event involved an isolated mist rising and expanding to form the circle. The article notes the lack of wind or dust and the unusual speed of formation, suggesting it might not be a human-made hoax.

Martin Gardner, Skeptic

The passing of Martin Gardner, a well-known ufological skeptic and co-founder of CSI (formerly CSICOP), is noted. Gardner was known for his brilliant mind and his column "Notes of a Fringe Watcher" in CSI's Skeptical Enquirer magazine. The editor recalls a brief, unenthusiastic meeting with Gardner.

Recent UFOLOGICAL WEIRDNESS

This section covers several recent events and personalities in the ufological community:

• Gene Steinberg and "The Paracast": Gene Steinberg, host of the internet radio show "The Paracast," is experiencing financial difficulties and has been soliciting loans and donations. His former co-host, Dave Biedny, has reportedly attacked him online.
• Kenn Thomas and "Shockingly Close to the Truth": Conspiracy expert Kenn Thomas discusses his book "Shockingly Close to the Truth," which explores the UFO subculture as a community of dissent from established scientific and governmental authority.

Possible New Information on Classic Cases

• Philadelphia Experiment: Lt. Col. Kevin Randle reveals that Carlos Allende (Carl Allen), a proponent of the Philadelphia Experiment tale, allegedly confessed in a written statement to Jim Lorenzen that he made up the entire story.
• Aurora, Texas Incident (1897): Randle also brings attention to the 1897 incident where an interplanetary pilot supposedly crashed in Aurora, Texas. However, the original reporter, H. E. Hayden, later claimed to have invented the story to boost his community.

Jerome Clark's New Book

Jerome Clark's new book, "Hidden Realms, Lost Civilizations, and Beings from Other Worlds," is reviewed. The book covers obscure topics, including imagined inhabitants of planets and historical accounts of "Mystery Airships." The reviewer notes that his own publication and "Saucer News" are mentioned briefly.

Mystery Airships of the 1890s

The newsletter revisits the 1896-97 "flap" of mystery airship sightings, suggesting that these events may have involved real ufonauts pretending to be earthlings. The sightings involved brief conversations with occupants and descriptions of their travels. The article quotes Jerome Clark's assessment that these airship sightings are inexplicable and represent a shadow on history.

"About That Hate Campaign" by Gene Steinberg

Gene Steinberg sent a message to his fans addressing an online hate campaign against him, allegedly initiated by former friend Dave Biedny. Steinberg claims he is being falsely accused of asking for donations while living extravagantly, when in reality he is experiencing financial hardship.

Kenn Thomas's Perspective

Kenn Thomas responds to a previous statement about not being a conspiracy person, asserting that one has little choice in the matter. He discusses a review of his book "Shockingly Close to the Truth" and his lecture at a UFO conference, emphasizing the respect due to those who persist in studying the UFO phenomenon.

Announcement on Page Eight

An announcement indicates that the newsletter is running behind schedule due to a physical problem (accident) that has been resolved. The editor anticipates publishing only 8 or 9 issues this year instead of the usual 10, and notes his own advancing age.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the review of specific UFO and creature encounter books, historical UFO incidents (Kecksburg, Roswell, Aurora, Battle of Los Angeles), scientific perspectives on alien life (Hawking, SETI), and the ongoing debate and personalities within the ufological community. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry into unexplained phenomena, while also critically examining claims and acknowledging skepticism. There is a clear interest in historical cases and the potential for extraterrestrial involvement, but also a recognition of the challenges in verifying such claims and the possibility of hoaxes or misinterpretations.