Saucer Smear - Vol 58 No 10 - 2011

Magazine Overview

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

This issue of Saucer Smear, a publication dedicated to ufological journalism, features a range of articles and commentary on UFO sightings, abductions, and related phenomena.

Another Nated UFO Abductee Bites the Dust

The lead article reports on the recent death of Charles Hickson, one of the two men allegedly abducted in Pascagoula, Mississippi, in 1973. The editor visited Pascagoula years prior and notes the abduction occurred near the Ingalls Shipyard, within view of security cameras that apparently saw nothing unusual. The magazine proposes a theory that non-human intelligence might beam experiences directly into human minds, suggesting that understanding such phenomena is complex due to factors like hypnosis and researcher bias. Charles Hickson, who wrote a book titled "UFO Contact at Pascagoula," claimed to have had three follow-up contacts with "aliens" in 1974, receiving messages about not being harmed and that humanity is the "chosen one" needing help. In contrast, his companion, Calvin Parker, was reportedly terrified and may have been institutionalized, with no public statements known. The editor contrasts this with an unfavorable impression of abductee Travis Walton. The Pascagoula incident involved Hickson and Parker being taken into a hovering craft.

The article emphasizes the seriousness of the Pascagoula case due to a secretly wired sheriff's conversation transcript where the men discussed the event, not a hoax. Other witnesses, including a parole officer and a Navy chief petty officer, also came forward in 2001 with descriptions matching the strange craft seen on the day of the abduction. The magazine thanks Antonio Huneeus and Open Minds magazine for material related to this case.

Shockingly Close to the Truth: Confessions of a Grave-Robbing Ufologist

This section reviews the book "Psychic Vibrations" by Robert Sheaffer, a long-time UFO skeptic. The book is described as interesting and amusing, though the cartoons by Rob Pudim are largely criticized as not funny. The editor notes that Sheaffer, as a skeptic, deliberately ignores any "real" value in the phenomena he discusses. The review mentions that the book contains numerous references to James Moseley (JWM) and "Saucer Smear." A point of contention is Sheaffer's references to "Mr. Ed" in the Gulf Breeze Florida syndrome, where the magazine felt "sincere" was misinterpreted, explaining that "sincere" can mean "truthful" or "sincerely deluded." The editor admits to using the ambiguous term to maintain cooperation with "Mr. Ed."

The review also touches upon the intricate details of the Gulf Breeze case and "Mr. Ed" as discussed in the book "Shockingly Close to the Truth." The editor posits that both true skeptics and true believers are unlikely to learn anything about UFOs or the paranormal.

Still Another Roswell-Related Mystery?

This segment discusses Frank Kimbler, who claims to have found small pieces of metal at the Roswell crash site that were "not created on earth." Kimbler sent a sample to Arizona State University, but the fragment was missing upon arrival. Kevin Randle admits he has no explanation, while Kimbler expresses frustration, stating that all future specimens will be delivered under private armed guard. A photo of Kimbler and some debris fragments is presented, with the magazine noting that the scale markings on the ruler in the photo appear incorrect.

Letter from Peter W. Merlin

Peter W. Merlin, author of "X-Plane Crashes," shares his experience visiting the Foster Ranch in New Mexico in 1994, where he found a T.V. dinner tray in what was reported to be Mac Brazel's debris field. Merlin believes the "Roswell Incident" likely involved a balloon/radar-target from Project Mogul and has become an overblown urban legend, distracting from serious UFO research.

Where Were You on 9/11/01?

The editor recounts his experience traveling to Austin, Texas, for the National UFO Conference (NUFOC) around the time of the September 11th attacks. Flights were cancelled due to confusion at the Miami airport, and the editor expresses being upset by the events and the cancellation of the conference.

Possible Answer to the Cash-Landrum Mystery

This section quotes an article by Michael Schratt from "Open Minds" magazine regarding the December 29th, 1980 Cash-Landrum incident. Schratt speculates that the craft could have been a top-secret U.S. military-industrial complex prototype, possibly an early NEPA/ANP (Nuclear Energy for the Propulsion of Aircraft) project. The craft reportedly made a beeping noise, had a bright light and portholes, emitted a blue flame, scorched pavement, and released radioactive material. U.S. military helicopters were also involved. The theory suggests an atomic-liquid-fueled rocket with a sub-critical reactor or nuclear ramjet, and a hybrid anti-gravity propulsion system, explaining its size and buoyancy. A hull breach could have led to radioactive leakage. The beeping noise might have been a proximity warning. The initial design is attributed to Glenn L. Martin Company with research by Convair.

Michael Schratt is identified as a military aerospace historian.

The Amazing Randi Finds Himself Caught Up in ID Theft Charges

A brief note mentions that "The Amazing" Randi is involved in ID theft charges against his partner, Jose Luis Alvarez. Randi is quoted defending Alvarez.

Richard Nixon, Jackie Gleason, and Dead Aliens

The magazine revisits the "legend" about former president Richard Nixon showing dead alien remains to comedian Jackie Gleason at Homestead Air Force Base. The story, found in "Open Minds" magazine, is noted as being okay despite the magazine's usual content. Gleason was known to have a serious interest in UFOs, having discussed the subject on a radio show. The legend is vouched for by Gleason's estranged second wife, Beverly McKittrick, in a 1974 Esquire interview.

The Story of a Successful Psychic Seance (SSPS)

This section recounts an experience from the late 1970s involving the editor, his daughter Elizabeth, and the Robb family in Anaheim, California. Stewart Robb, an expert on Nostradamus and a believer in psychic phenomena, conducted informal seances where participants made statements on a tape recorder. During one seance, Elizabeth unexpectedly stated, "There are no spirits. You are adults and I am just a young girl. You should all be ashamed of yourselves." On playback, a whispered voice said, "She's a fake. It couldn't be true." Later, the playback produced the name "DENISE" with a sound of panic. Marilyn Robb ran to check on her daughter Denise, who was peacefully asleep. The editor questions why such meaningful sounds were not heard by those present during the recording. Both Stewart and Marilyn Robb are deceased, but Denise remembers the incident.

The magazine concludes this section by urging readers to "keep an Open Mind."

Letters to the Old Editor

Tim Printy, editor of the skeptical magazine "SUNlite," writes regarding the Cash-Landrum case. Printy finds the story of "Tony" unrealistic and suggests it may have been manufactured from Tom Clancy books. He questions specific details, such as "special alert" status, sparks falling off the craft, lack of decontamination procedures for helicopters, and the bases from which the helicopters allegedly came. Printy concludes that without verification, the story is likely fabricated by someone wanting to believe it.

Gene Steinberg of "The Paracast" writes about "silly season" comments made on his radio show regarding "obsessive" behavior in UFO abduction controversies, noting the thousands of words of hateful verbiage generated. He expresses that arguing with fools is futile but that "The Paracast" continues to broadcast to a growing audience.

NASA States They Have No Idea What These Orbs of Light UFOs Are

This article reports on an internet story based on a Fox News Video Report from September 10th, 2011. The report stated that NASA detected an object under a space craft shortly after a routine check of the shuttle's steering jet. NASA admits they may never know what these objects are. Space Shuttle Program Director Wayne Hale is quoted saying they have chased many such things but rarely pinpoint their origin, and they don't pose a hazard. The report includes a NASA video of three round lights in a triangular formation. The magazine finds the wording strange and incomplete and notes the story had not appeared in mainstream media.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently adopts a stance of critical inquiry, presenting various UFO-related accounts while also offering skeptical analysis and questioning the veracity of certain claims. There is a clear emphasis on the complexity of UFO phenomena, acknowledging the possibility of non-human intelligence while cautioning against hasty conclusions or reliance on unverified information. The editor, James W. Moseley, often injects personal anecdotes and opinions, particularly when discussing skeptical viewpoints or the credibility of witnesses. The publication appears to value open-mindedness but also demands rigorous evidence and logical reasoning. Recurring themes include UFO abductions (Pascagoula), alleged government cover-ups or secret projects (Roswell, Cash-Landrum), and the intersection of UFOs with psychic phenomena and historical figures.