Saucer Smear - Vol 58 No 02 - 2011

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 58, No. 2
Date: February 5th, 2011
Publisher: THE SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Editor: James W. Moseley

This issue of Saucer Smear, a non-scheduled newsletter dedicated to ufological journalism, features a mix of news, case reviews, personal accounts, and critiques within the UFO community.

Stanley Fulham's Predictions and Passing

The newsletter reports on the death of Stanley Fulham, a retired RCAF officer and author of "Challenges of Change." Fulham's UFO information reportedly came from a group called "Transcendors," which the editors deem "99% unreliable." Fulham gained publicity for predicting UFOs would be seen simultaneously over major cities on October 13th, 2010. While toy balloons were seen in New York City on that date, the editors note a lack of significant reports from other cities. Further predictions included UFOs over Moscow in early January 2011 and London a week later, which the editors state did not happen as of January 15th. Fulham also believed UFOs would appear more frequently in 2011, culminating in a face-to-face encounter with world leaders at the United Nations. The editors express concern about the US screening 'ETs' for explosives.

Peter Gersten's Suicide Announcement

Timothy Green Beckley reports on Peter Gersten, a "New Age type flying saucer devotee" and former New York lawyer, who announced he would commit suicide by jumping off a rock in Arizona at 11:11 p.m. on December 21st, 2012. Gersten, who joined the UFO movement in the 1970s and lived in Sedona, Arizona, was involved in lawsuits to release government UFO secrecy documents. He explains his suicide plan as a transition to the "next level of this cosmic program" or a "magical Martian-like bubble" at the "cosmic coordinate" of his 70th birthday in March 2012. The editors note that Gersten's public announcement will likely lead to him being stopped by police.

The 1980 Cash-Landrum UFO Case Revisited

The newsletter revisits the 1980 Cash-Landrum UFO case, featuring a photo of witnesses Vickie Landrum and Betty Cash. John Schuessler, a former project manager at Johnson Space Center, is quoted stating that the witnesses' illnesses were connected to the event. On December 29th, 1980, Betty Cash, Vickie Landrum, and Landrum's grandson Colby encountered a large, diamond-shaped object near Houston, Texas. After the object ascended, they observed numerous helicopters, some with U.S. military markings. All three witnesses reported symptoms consistent with radiation exposure, including blisters and hair loss. Betty Cash required hospitalization. A subsequent $20 million lawsuit against the military was dismissed in 1986, with the government allegedly using classified information. Schuessler now believes the object was not human-made, though the presence of helicopters makes this unlikely. The editors suspect the verdict was rigged to prevent future lawsuits. Both Betty and Vickie have since passed away due to their injuries.

Abduction Lore and Disputes

The issue delves into the ongoing dispute between abduction guru Dr. David Jacobs of Temple University and an alleged abductee, Emma Woods, from New Zealand. Jacobs, author of "The Threat," is criticized for his views on "alien hybrids" infiltrating humanity for reproduction. The editors question the concept of hybrids, noting that mules are sterile. Emma Woods has accused Jacobs of unprofessional conduct, including allegedly planting false memories of alien abduction, rape, and attempts on her life during hypnosis sessions. Jacobs, a historian, has responded by stating Woods suffers from "Borderline Personality Disorder" and an "emotional breakdown."

Carol Rainey, ex-wife of Budd Hopkins, also comes forward with criticisms of abduction investigators, particularly Hopkins. Rainey, an experienced documentary filmmaker, became skeptical of Hopkins' abductee James Mortellaro, noting inconsistencies in his claims and questioning his background. She suggests that Hopkins and Jacobs work without supervision and lack necessary training in medicine or psychiatry, and that their methods are not subject to Institutional Review Board oversight.

Area 51 and Extraterrestrial Highway

The editor recounts a trip to the so-called "Extraterrestrial Highway" (Route 93) near Las Vegas, Nevada, leading to the government's "Area 51" testing site. The trip was cut short when the driver became alarmed by perceived military surveillance. A stop was made at the "Little Alien Inn." Photos are included of the "Extraterrestrial Highway" sign and a mailbox marked "alien." The text notes that Steve Mansee provided the photos and accompanying text, and that he scans the newsletter for Tim Crawford, who posts it online.

Jacques Vallee's "Wonders in the Sky"

The review of Jacques Vallee's new book, "Wonders in the Sky," co-authored with Chris Aubeck, highlights Vallee's forty years in the UFO field. The book focuses on unexplained aerial objects from antiquity up to 1879, aiming to avoid modern cases potentially contaminated by balloons or aircraft. Vallee, described as a "4-D thinker" not strictly tied to the ET theory, was a friend of J. Allen Hynek. The book includes Vallee's list of Top Ten pre-20th-century unexplained aerial objects, such as Michelangelo observing a triangular light in 1513. Vallee believes governments possess data on the UFO mystery that they withhold.

Other Contributions

Dr. Tim Brigham comments on an article from the Fortean Times about the abduction phenomenon, suggesting Europeans are more open to '4d' explanations. He also discusses Rick Strassman's book 'DMT: The Spirit Molecule,' noting similarities between experiences under the influence of DMT and reported UFO encounters. He uses the term 'experiencers' and rejects discussions of physical abductions by 'little gray eunuchs.'

Researcher Kathy Kasten offers a perspective on the abduction phenomenon, suggesting the human psyche ascribes events to outside sources when confronted with the extraordinary. She states that once she realized her experiences were a game she played on herself, they stopped.

Several other individuals, including Emma Woods, Ann Druffel, Tim Printy, and John Merrell, contribute letters or brief notes, discussing their situations, research, and opinions on various aspects of ufology and the newsletter itself.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include skepticism towards channeled information and certain UFO investigators, particularly in the realm of alien abductions. The editors express a critical stance towards what they perceive as unsubstantiated claims and questionable methodologies within the UFO community. There is a focus on debunking or questioning prominent figures and theories, while also presenting case studies and historical perspectives. The editorial stance appears to favor a more grounded, evidence-based approach, while acknowledging the persistent mystery of UFO phenomena. The newsletter also highlights the ongoing efforts of its contributors and readers to engage with these topics.