Saucer Smear - Vol 58 No 04 - 2011

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Volume 58, No. 4
Date: April 20th, 2011
Publisher: SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Type: Newsletter dedicated to ufological journalism.

Lead Story: Gene Steinberg's Skin Disease

The issue's lead story focuses on Gene Steinberg, host of the internet radio show "The Paracast," who developed a severe skin ailment. The ailment began as rashes and expanded to full-blown sores, affecting various parts of his body. Steinberg consulted five doctors, including an allergy specialist, but received numerous incorrect diagnoses. Initial treatments, including an injection and skin cream, failed. A dermatologist's biopsy and culture raised concerns of skin cancer, with test results taking several weeks. He was also told he was allergic to latex and suffered from rheumatoid arthritis. Eventually, an allergy specialist concluded it was severe eczema, treatable with antibiotic ointment, specific bathing routines, and skin moisturizers. While the sores have since disappeared and discolorations are slowly vanishing, the experience was costly, straining Steinberg's already fragile financial condition. He is seeking further financial assistance from his audience.

Abduction Controversy and Researcher Disputes

The newsletter discusses the ongoing abduction controversy, highlighting disputes between researchers like Emma Woods and David Jacobs, and Budd Hopkins and Carol Rainey. Documentary maker Paul Kimball is noted for his anger towards Gene Steinberg, believing "The Paracast" does not give fair weight to pro and anti-abduction arguments. Kimball has declared he will no longer listen to the show and encourages others to do the same, accusing Steinberg of practicing a double standard.

"Sliders": The Enigma of Streetlight Interference

This section introduces the phenomenon known as "Sliders," related to "Streetlight Interference." Hilary Evans's new book, "Sliders: The Enigma of Streetlight Interference," published by Anomalous Books, is mentioned. The phenomenon involves people who, while walking, can cause nearby street lights to go out, sometimes turning back on after they pass. Some individuals can reportedly do this at will. The article shares a story of someone who could do this frequently but lost the ability when trying to demonstrate it to friends. The individual's state of mind, being agitated, and weather conditions may play a role. The book by Hilary Evans is noted as the first full-length work on the subject. The magazine expresses enthusiasm for "Fortean Times," where an extract from Evans's book is featured.

The 1980 Cash-Landrum UFO Case Re-Revisited

This section revisits the 1980 Cash-Landrum UFO case, referencing a previous article from the February 5th, 2011 issue. John Schuessler, former International Director of MUFON and a NASA project manager at the time, was the principal investigator. The case involved a legal suit filed in Federal District Court in Houston, Texas. Schuessler states that while the plaintiffs provided all requested information, the government lawyers did not reciprocate, refusing to answer many questions and providing false answers. During a court docket date hearing, the judge reportedly dismissed the case without reviewing the data, despite the plaintiffs bringing extensive records. Schuessler expresses his belief that the craft involved in the case was not of human technology, making it a unique and dangerous incident in ufological history.

Review of Dr. John Mack and Abduction Research

Researcher Anthony Bragalia's essay on Dr. John Mack, the late Harvard University UFO abduction guru, is discussed. Bragalia suggests that the complex abduction phenomenon depends heavily on the researcher's personality and prejudices. He notes Mack's open spirit and trusting nature, which Bragalia believes made him susceptible to being fooled, even by himself or by fabricated stories. Bragalia points to Donna Bassett, a former patient of Mack's, who admitted to fabricating her abduction story for a NOVA documentary. Bragalia characterizes Mack as too academic and cerebral, lacking real-world experience and an understanding of the UFO industry's motivations. He concludes that Mack displayed a naivete about human reliability and did not act as an investigator, instead assigning a "higher meaning" to claims. Bragalia believes Mack was genuine but did not honestly examine the abduction phenomenon.

UFOlogy at Its Worst: Bill Knell and John Ford

This section criticizes two individuals, Bill Knell and John Ford, from Long Island, N.Y., for their behavior within the ufology field. Bill Knell, who ran the "Island Skywatch" group in the 1980s, was involved in selling illegal guns and later faced a multi-million dollar lawsuit from John Ford. Knell also allegedly sent death threats to "Saucer Smear." He has moved several times and was charged with running an illegal puppy farm in Arizona. John Ford, Knell's rival and former employee of the county court system, allegedly used his position to file a frivolous lawsuit against Knell. Ford became obsessed with UFO landing stories and conspired with another individual to poison the local District Attorney's toothpaste with radioactive material, resulting in a charge of attempted murder and an indefinite sentence in a state mental ward.

Nick Redfern on Roswell and Trickster Entities

Nick Redfern, a researcher known for his books on off-beat topics, is discussed. His book "Body Snatchers on the Desert" is mentioned, along with his article "Roswell: Deflating Mogul." Redfern discusses an incident in Illinois shortly after Roswell that had similarities to the Roswell event but was handled with less military paranoia. He concludes that the "Mogul" explanation was not the answer for either case. Redfern also proposes that the intelligence behind the UFO phenomenon displays characteristics of "Trickster-like entities," suggesting that UFOs are not necessarily extraterrestrial but rather enigmatic forces that challenge human understanding. He uses the Betty and Barney Hill star map as an example, questioning its primitive diagrammatic nature and calling it "purely theatrical."

Other UFO Cases and Research

The issue also touches upon the Kelly-Hopkinsville UFO occupant(s) sighting, with Dr. Kevin Randle's recent analysis emphasizing the military's low level of interest due to the case not being officially reported. The magazine notes that since 1980, there have been few sightings of equal merit, leading to the reprinting of "cold cases." The Joe Simonton UFO landing case from 1961 is mentioned, where aliens allegedly cooked pancakes, which were found to be normal except for a lack of salt. Anthony Bragalia's work, including an article on the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and its alleged involvement in UFOs, is reviewed. Bragalia claims the NRO's surveillance is so advanced it can photograph anything entering or leaving Earth's atmosphere, including UFOs.

Missives from the Masses

This section includes correspondence from readers and researchers:

• Larry Bryant requests a retraction for an erroneous attribution of an anti-MUFON statement to him in a previous issue. The statement was actually posted by UFO witness James Gilliland.
• Elaine Douglass also clarifies that neither she nor Larry Bryant wrote the offending item referenced in "Saucer Smear" and renews her subscription.
• Jerry Lucci proposes resolutions for ufologists, including burying the Roswell case, destroying MJ-12 documents, and rejecting whistleblowers without hard evidence. He suggests further investigation into cases like Cash-Landrum and the Hudson Valley sightings.
• Tim Printy of "SUNlite" expresses concern for UFO lawyer Peter Gersten, hoping he receives help.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of "Saucer Smear" revolve around the persistent mysteries of UFO phenomena, the controversies and disputes within the ufological community, and the critical examination of research and alleged cases. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards official explanations, a willingness to explore unconventional theories, and a critical eye towards the credibility of both researchers and alleged witnesses. The publication emphasizes the importance of rigorous investigation and questions the motivations and methodologies of those involved in UFO research. There is a clear focus on historical cases and the challenges of obtaining verifiable information from government sources. The magazine also highlights the role of "The Trickster" archetype in understanding the enigmatic nature of UFO phenomena, suggesting a playful or deceptive intelligence at play rather than a purely extraterrestrial one. The editor, James W. Moseley, J.S., maintains a strong, albeit sometimes controversial, voice throughout the publication.