Saucer Smear - Vol 58 No 09 - 2011

Magazine Overview

This issue of SAUCER SMEAR, Volume 50, No. 9, dated September 15th, 2011, is the non-scheduled newsletter and official publication of the MUFON (Mutual UFO Network) and the SAUCER & UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY. The editor is James W. Moseley, with contributing editors Vince Ditchkus, Dr. Chris Roth, and Dr. Tim Brighan. The cover headline announces 'THE PASSING PARADE CONTINUES TO PASS BY:', signaling the passing of notable figures in the ufology community.

The Passing Parade: Budd Hopkins and Bob Girard

The lead article, 'THE PASSING PARADE CONTINUES TO PASS BY:', announces the death of artist/ufologist Budd Hopkins on August 21st, 2011, at the age of 80. The editor notes a past clash with Hopkins in 1975 over a UFO case involving 'little men' and a brief landing, which led to a lasting animosity. Despite this, the editor recounts an amusing incident where Hopkins gave him 'The Finger' at a convention. Hopkins is recognized as America's best-known abduction researcher, with close ties to Dr. David Jacobs and Dr. Leo Sprinkle. Hopkins authored popular books on abductions, including 'Missing Time' (1961), 'Intruders' (1989), and 'Witnessed' (1996), the latter detailing the 'UFO Brooklyn Bridge Alien Abduction'. The editor reiterates a past disagreement with Hopkins regarding the 'Witnessed' case, which involved a Manhattan housewife being floated out of her apartment window by aliens.

The newsletter also reports the passing of Bob Girard, who founded Arcturus Books in 1980. Arcturus Books specialized in UFOs, psychic phenomena, and ancient astronauts. Girard's organization sent out book lists, and he was known for his critical reviews, often strongly negative about the books he was selling. The editor notes that Amazon and other online retailers impacted his business, and increasing health problems affected his quality of life. Girard's final communication to his customers expressed urgency for orders due to medical appointments.

Other Departures and Ufological Notes

The issue also briefly mentions the death of British ufologist Stuart Miller, who published the magazine 'Alien Worlds'. Miller died in a motorcycle accident in May.

UFO Cases and Research

The Cash-Landrum UFO Case

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to the 1960s Cash-Landrum UFO case. The editor reminds readers that this incident involved three people seriously injured by an out-of-control low-flying UFO, reportedly escorted by military helicopters. The article references researcher Ton Adams and his publication 'STIGMATA', which explored animal mutilations. Adams presented three possible solutions for the Cash-Landrum case: 1) the UFOs were extraterrestrial and the helicopters were also UFOs; 2) the UFO was alien, but the helicopters were U.S. military craft; or 3) the UFO was terrestrial, part of a secret military operation. The editor strongly endorses the third possibility. The article also refers to an account from a U.S. helicopter pilot using the pseudonym 'Tony', published in John Schuessler's book, which the editor finds plausible but unsubstantiated.

Phantom Planes

This section defines 'phantom planes' as UFOs that resemble small aircraft, appearing and disappearing, sometimes with lifelike details that cause pedestrians to jump for cover. The phenomenon involves the ghostly structure of an airplane materializing, flying, and then vanishing. An example from Butler County, Ohio, in 1976 is detailed, involving a reported plane crash and a distress call heard by an amateur radio operator, with three boys witnessing a white flash at treetop level.

The Wright Field Story and UFO Research History

The editor recounts his own UFO research in 1953-1954, including notes for a book. He discusses a story about a woman who claimed to have seen detailed photographs of a captured flying saucer while working as a civilian employee of the Army at Columbus Army Supply Depot (later associated with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base). The editor believes this story was fabricated by the woman to impress her husband's boss, a saucer enthusiast, and that it meshed with claims in Frank Scully's 'Behind the Flying Saucers'. The article notes that a book titled 'The Wright Field Story', co-authored by the editor and Gray Barker, published these claims without revealing the fabricated nature, and is now advertised for $975 online.

Stanton Friedman vs. The Internet

This section details an 'Ask Me Anything' (AMA) session on reddit.com involving 'UFO Physicist' Stanton Friedman. The editor criticizes Friedman for plugging his book excessively and mentioning the cancelled Apollo 18 mission, which turned out to be part of a viral marketing campaign for the movie 'Apollo 18'. The article notes that Friedman's performance was negatively received, with questions arising about his lack of a Ph.D. and his limited work in nuclear physics since the 1970s.

Other Contributions and Reviews

'Missives from the Masses' features letters from readers. Carlos Mentira criticizes 'Smear' for degenerating into book reviews and obituaries, stating he will send his abduction story to 'Open Minds'. Denis Corey expresses skepticism about solving the Cash-Landrum case. Jerry Clark recounts a peculiar phone conversation with a woman claiming access to classified footage of non-human spacecraft. Researcher Curt Collins comments on the 'Alexander' episode, suggesting it might be a scam, and reiterates his interest in the Cash-Landrum case and the potential for witnesses to come forward.

Saucer Sighted and Photo Taken in Madre de Dios Section of Peru

This section presents original 1954 notes about a UFO sighting on a farm in the Madre de Dios section of Peru on July 19th, 1952. The object was seen by agricultural engineer Sr. Pedro Bardi and others. It was described as having a yellow nose, electric blue center, and pink back, flying at high speed and leaving a white vapor trail. The object was estimated to be about 1,000 meters altitude and smaller than a DC-3. It was photographed by Domingo Troncoso. The editor considers this one of the classic UFO pictures and likely genuine, noting the lack of saucer clubs in Peru at the time.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include obituaries of prominent figures in ufology (Budd Hopkins, Bob Girard, Stuart Miller), detailed discussions of specific UFO cases (Cash-Landrum, phantom planes, Peru sighting), and reflections on the history and methodology of UFO research. The editor expresses a critical stance towards sensationalism and unsubstantiated claims, while also acknowledging the enduring mysteries within the field. There is a clear emphasis on historical research and the documentation of cases, even those with past controversies or disagreements among researchers. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards online marketing tactics and a preference for rigorous, albeit sometimes critical, examination of UFO phenomena.