Saucer Smear - Vol 58 No 03 - 2011

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 58, No. 3
Date: March 10th, 2011
Publisher: SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY

This issue of Saucer Smear, dedicated to ufological journalism, delves into the internal affairs of MUFON (Mutual UFO Network) and explores various UFO-related topics and reports.

MUFON Madness

The lead article, "MUFON MADNESS," addresses the state of the UFO abduction controversy, which the editor deems to have "finally died down." The focus then shifts to MUFON, the world's largest civilian UFO research organization, founded in 1969 by Walt Andrus. The article notes that MUFON currently has about 2800 members, a decrease from its peak. The current International Director is named Cliffod Clift, with 50 State Directors and a Board of Directors. The exact structure and by-laws are stated to have never been revealed to the general membership. The February 2011 MUFON Journal is mentioned as lacking details about current disputes.

The "Proceedings," an annual tome of papers from national conventions, is mentioned as a potential source for more details, though the editor finds them "long-winded, tedious, and expensive."

Robert Bigelow and MUFON's Financial Dealings

The issue highlights the involvement of semi-billionaire Robert Bigelow, who made his fortune in motels and now owns BAASS, an aerospace company. Bigelow has also been financially involved with NIDS and previously owned the "Skinwalker Ranch" in Utah. A "brief but stormy financial relationship" with MUFON occurred several years prior. In early 2009, a complex formal contract was established where MUFON would exclusively provide BAASS with its UFO research results and back-up information in exchange for a large sum of money. This contract, valued at $672,000 to be paid in monthly installments of $56,000, ultimately failed to be completed or renewed within a year.

James Carrion resigned as MUFON's International Director due to "disgust with this mess with Bigelow," among other issues. Carrion is reportedly suing MUFON for unclear reasons and is pursuing his own path as an independent researcher, questioning the validity of the UFO Mystery itself.

MUFON Leadership Changes and Internal Disputes

Clifford Clift replaced James Carrion as MUFON's International Director. The article notes that Clift has already "earned the wrath of many MUFON members." Within a few months, six of the 50 State Directors have either been fired or resigned. One notable firing was Elaine Douglass, a ufologist who previously organized the "Operation Right to Know" activist group. Douglass later became a State Director in Utah and is now one of four key ufologists pushing a document called "The Committee to Reform MUFON." This petition aims to make MUFON more democratic, citing instances where "Benefactors" who contributed $1,000 were stripped of lifetime memberships.

UFO Research and Theories

The publication includes various perspectives on UFO research. Rob Swiatek, a MUFON Board member, is mentioned as agreeing with the general opinion that the UFO Mystery involves an "Unknown Intelligence, not necessarily from another planet," and acknowledges the strange links to psychic and paranormal realms.

Dr. John Alexander, author of "UFOS, MYTHS, CONSPIRACIES AND REALITIES," is discussed. Alexander, a retired Army Colonel with experience in governmental secrecy, believes there is no government conspiracy regarding UFOs and that UFOs are real. This is contrasted with the "exopolitics movement's" persistent efforts for "Disclosure."

Unidentified Floating Buildings (UFB)

A web site called "The Strangest of the Strange UFO Reports" is cited for reports of unidentified objects described as having the size and shape of large floating buildings. One report describes a "large rectangular building covered in bright white light" hovering silently over treetops in the Canadian wilderness. Another sighting in southwest Texas described lights resembling windows of a tall building hovering in the middle of nowhere, estimated to be the size of a 7 or 8 story building.

News Briefies and Other Contributions

The "News Briefies" section mentions a cosmic census estimating fifty billion planets in the Milky Way galaxy, with at least five hundred million potentially supporting life.

Several letters to the editor are included:

• Walt Andrus defends MUFON's operations, stating there is "no current mess" and that the organization is "better than ever," attributing Carrion's resignation to a lack of notice and praising Clifford Clift and Janice Currie.
• John Schuessler expresses his enjoyment of "Saucer Smear" and encloses a cash offering of assistance.
• Dr. Leo Sprinkle, an abduction researcher, proposes that UFO activity is part of a "huge educational program" or "cosmic consciousness conditioning" conducted by extraterrestrial or ultraterrestrial civilizations to initiate individuals and stimulate societal development.
• Greg Bishop discusses interviews on Tim Binnall's show, focusing on the Emma Woods case and other abduction research controversies, suggesting that breakthroughs may come from outside the UFO research community.
• Kathy Kasten elaborates on her previous statements, suggesting that individuals may experience UFO sightings while in an "altered state."
• Tim Crawford of UFO-TV corrects an announcement about "Saucer Smear's" availability, stating it is also available on the UFOTV web site and promoting a film by David Cherniack.
• Dr. Gary Posner of Tampa Bay Skeptics responds to a previous article, referencing a Roper Organization survey and humorously describing his reaction to the word "smear."
• Denis Corey believes "Smear" has become more polished and informative.
• Seth Joseph Weine finds the issue interesting and clarifies the meaning of "J.S." after the editor's name, interpreting it as "James Moseley = Just Superlative."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The editorial stance of "Saucer Smear" appears to be critical of internal organizational politics within the UFO community, particularly MUFON, while maintaining an open mind to the UFO Mystery itself. The publication seems to favor a more independent and less conspiracy-focused approach to UFO research, as evidenced by the discussion of Dr. John Alexander's views. There is a recurring theme of questioning the official narratives and exploring alternative explanations for phenomena. The editor, James W. Moseley, often injects personal opinions and humor into the content, as seen in his commentary on the MUFON situation and his interactions with contributors.