Saucer Smear - Vol 58 No 07 - 2011

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Saucer Smear" (Volume 58, No. 7, July 15th, 2011, Whole Number 442) is a non-scheduled newsletter dedicated to the highest principles of ufological journalism, published by the SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY. The editor is James W. Moseley, J.S., with contributing editors Vince Ditchkus, Dr. Chris Roth, and Dr. Tim Brigham. The issue features a lead story on Nick Redfern's book about the Men in Black and the editor's own strange encounter with a mysterious individual named "Alexander". The magazine also includes discussions on the Roswell Incident, the demise of UFO organizations APRO and NICAP, and legal issues faced by UFO proponent Dr. Steven Greer.

Nick Redfern and the Men in Black

The issue prominently features a review of Nick Redfern's 250-page book, "The Real Men in Black: Evidence, Famous Cases, and True Stories of these Mysterious Men and their Connection to the UFO Phenomenon." The editor notes that the book includes mentions and a photo of himself. Redfern's work is described as the most complete rundown on Albert K. Bender, tracing his interest back to 1945 and the Bermuda Triangle mystery, eight years before his famous 1953 "hush-up." The MIB mystery is presented as complex, with possible explanations including hoaxes, misidentifications, authentic government agents, phony agents, and paranormal or diabolical aspects. The book highlights Albert K. Bender, Gray Barker, and John Keel as key figures in the paranormal category of "three men in black" incidents. The editor quotes Jerry Clark's assessment of John Keel as having a "medieval mind" and being a "crank" who laid his "crazy interpretations" on the material, possibly influenced by Barker's trickster nature and Keel's paranoia.

Redfern's book is said to present dozens of other MIB cases, though few are clear-cut. The editor acknowledges that while the MIB mystery might be complex, there is likely some objective truth. The U.S. Air Force's 1967 statement regarding individuals claiming to represent defense establishments contacting UFO witnesses is also mentioned.

Your Editor's Strange Encounter with "Alexander"

James W. Moseley recounts a personal experience from 1964 or 1965 when he was married and living in Fort Lee, New Jersey. A man calling himself "Alexander" (no last name) arranged a dinner meeting in Manhattan. Alexander, described as stout with a swarthy complexion and a slight European accent, claimed familiarity with the UFO field but not with prominent figures like George Adamski. He paid for the meal and offered to cover all of Moseley's expenses for a European UFO lecture tour. Moseley and his wife later met "Alexander" again at their apartment, where he attempted to demonstrate psychic powers, which Moseley found to be a common trick. "Alexander" then stated he was going to Washington, D.C., on business and would be in touch, but was never heard from again. Moseley later learned that "Alexander" had approached other ufologists with a similar routine. The strangest part of the encounter occurred when Moseley and his wife attended a party in Manhattan and encountered Marla, "Alexander's" companion, who had answered a newspaper ad for a secretary. She revealed that "Alexander" had taken her advance rent and salary and then disappeared.

Moseley concludes that the identity and motives of "Alexander" remain unknown, and it's unclear if the story relates to the UFO mystery, noting it was not a personal UFO or paranormal experience.

Roswell Again

The magazine addresses the ongoing interest in UFO-related books, specifically focusing on Annie Jacobsen's "Area 51: An uncensored History of America's Top Secret Military Base." The editor notes that his own name is not in the index. The book includes a section on Roswell, which is suggested to be an afterthought for attention. A review from The Miami Herald is cited, which posits that the Roswell Incident was not a UFO but a Russian spacecraft with "grotesque, child-sized aviators" developed by Nazi doctor Josef Mengele, with Joseph Stalin allegedly recruiting Mengele to spark public hysteria. Moseley finds this theory "utterly absurd," comparing it to Nick Redfern's 2005 book "Body Snatchers in the Desert," both offering non-ET solutions to the Roswell mystery. These theories have drawn criticism from UFO believers. Moseley believes the essence of the Roswell story is likely contained in a famous photo caption. He notes that researchers are desperate to explain the "weird little bodies" allegedly found, but the authors who wrote about them have been discredited. Even Roswell ET proponents now focus on "mystery metal" rather than bodies. The confusion surrounding Roswell is attributed to two U.S. Air Force mistakes: the initial "flying saucer" press release followed by a "balloon" release, and the 1990s explanation that tales of dead bodies were due to the Air Force dropping GI-Joe-like manikins in experiments.

The issue includes an image of Brig. General Roger M. Ramey and Col. Thomas J. Dubose identifying metallic fragments as pieces of a weather balloon, which is presented as the basis of the Roswell Incident.

UFOLOGICAL CRIME

This section reports on UFO guru Dr. Steven M. Greer facing legal trouble in North Carolina. Greer and two assistants are due to appear in U.S. District Court on charges including operating a commercial enterprise in a national wildlife refuge and violating a "daylight use only" regulation. The charges stem from an incident in 2010 when federal officials found about 40 people on Pea Island at night, holding light sticks in a circle, reportedly for an event related to UFOs, part of an "Ambassador Training Course" sponsored by CSETI.

The magazine also mentions Rick Hilberg's UFO-related anthologies published by R. Hilberg Publications, noting they are 40-page soft-cover books selling for $9.00 each. Hilberg is the editor of "Flying Saucer Digest." The article lists several ufologists whose early works are featured, including Ronald Pelger, Laurence Blazey, John Phillip Bessor, Tim Beckley, Paul Collins, and others.

FLASH: Martin Kottmeyer

Martin Kottmeyer, described as a "walking UFO encyclopedia," provides information regarding a sighting in October 1973. A man named Gary Chopic reportedly saw a nearly-landed UFO near a highway in Simi Valley, California. Chopic believed the object had an insignia similar to the one Lonnie Zamora saw in his 1964 New Mexico sighting. More interestingly, Chopic's sighting included a human-looking creature briefly crawling on the outside of the object. The magazine thanks Kottmeyer for this information.

ANOTHER BOOK REVIEW - Dr. John B. Alexander

This section reviews Dr. John B. Alexander's book, "UFOs: Myths, Conspiracies and Realities." The review notes that while a photo of Alexander might make him look like a Man in Black, he is not. Alexander's credentials are listed as extensive, including a Green Beret combat veteran, a colonel retired from the U.S. Army, a project manager at Los Alamos National Laboratory, and a consultant to various government agencies. The review tactfully questions the specialty of his doctorate, noting that Roswell guru Kevin Randle stated it was obtained via mail order. Alexander's current book has a foreword by Jacques Vallee and praise from figures like George Noory, Col. William Coleman, Nick Pope, Whitley Strieber, Peter Sturrock, and Dr. Harold Puthoff.

The review highlights Alexander's involvement in organizing a high-level group investigating "Advanced Theoretical Physics" (ATP) in the early 1980s, which aimed to determine which governmental agency handled UFO investigations. The ATP members, who had high security clearances and personal relationships with high-level individuals, concluded that there is no official UFO investigation. The magazine agrees with this conclusion, noting that if the ATP couldn't find one, no one else could.

Alexander's book reportedly discusses the 1969 Condon Report as a reason why scientists and military leaders view UFO investigation as detrimental to their careers. It also mentions Phillip Corso's book "The Day After Roswell," which Alexander reportedly critiqued with a ten-page list of questions that Corso never answered before his death. Alexander lists perplexing UFO cases, including the Cash-Landrum Case, and believes the mystery object was not American, despite accompanying U.S.-style helicopters. The magazine disagrees with this assessment.

Regarding the Roswell Incident, Alexander believes it was likely a Mogul Balloon, but that the debris was switched. The review applauds Alexander as an open-minded UFO believer, despite his criticism of "True Believers," and notes his interest in cattle mutilation, crop circles, and Fortean phenomena. He feels the ET Theory is simplistic and that civilian "disclosure projects" are useless and counter-productive. Alexander also states that "MJ-12" had nothing to do with UFOs and views Bill Moore's "Aviary" as a joke.

The review concludes by quoting Alexander's statement that UFO observations are manifestations of issues "anfractous and beyond current comprehension," that the extraterrestrial hypothesis is not necessarily the best fit, and that the universe is far more complex than imagined, with humanity only beginning to define the fundamental issues.

MISSIVES FROM THE MASSES

This section includes correspondence from ufologists. Jerry Clark comments on the demise of APRO and NICAP, noting that NICAP's investigations were thorough, despite the "UFO Investigator" newsletter focusing on Project Blue Book's failings. Dr. Gary Posner shares a letter from Phil Klass regarding NICAP's files being found in the trash. Posner also quotes a letter from Major Donald Keyhoe criticizing the editor for his "vicious attacks" on NICAP, leading to the editor's resignation. The section notes that Gary Posner, once a NICAP youth council representative, became a skeptic under Phil Mass's guidance.

Hard-core UFO fan Carlos Mentira recalls Michael G. Mann sending NICAP a bouquet of sympathy flowers signed by mythical entities. Mentira also quotes Gray Barker, who identified the real Men in Black as "Boredom, Frustration, and Disgust."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the Men in Black phenomenon, personal UFO encounters, the Roswell Incident, and the critical examination of UFO research and organizations. The editorial stance, as expressed by James W. Moseley, is one of skepticism towards simplistic explanations, a willingness to question official narratives, and a belief that the UFO phenomenon is genuine but complex and not fully understood. The magazine appears to value critical analysis and independent investigation, even when it leads to conclusions that challenge mainstream UFO theories or the beliefs of some within the UFO community. There is a clear emphasis on presenting diverse viewpoints and historical accounts within the field of ufology.