ANCIENT ASTRONAUTS, MODERN MYSTERIES

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT ASTRONAUTS, MODERN MYSTERIES
Issue: SAGA ★ 80 (likely a special issue or annual)
Date: Approximately 1970s (based on context and typical publication cycles for such content).
Publisher: SAGA Magazine
Country: USA
Language: English

Article: UFO'S - IT'S TIME TO FORCE THE ISSUE by John A. Keel

This article by John A. Keel strongly criticizes the lack of serious, official investigation into the UFO phenomenon in the United States. Keel uses a fictional, albeit disturbing, analogy of thousands of people losing their right ears to illustrate how a widespread, mysterious epidemic could be ignored by the medical profession, mirroring his view of how authorities treat UFO reports.

The Problem of Ignored Data

Keel argues that since 1947, thousands of ordinary citizens have witnessed alien objects, often violating laws by landing uninvited on private property, causing damage, and even terrorizing communities. He points out the irony that while minor aviation incidents, like a small plane crash, trigger immediate and thorough investigations by the FAA and local law enforcement, UFO sightings are largely ignored. He questions why the FBI, which is obligated to investigate federal law violations, does not seem to prioritize UFO cases, with their Washington office maintaining a lack of interest and denying the existence of relevant files.

The Role of Bureaucracy and Civilian Collectors

The author laments that government bureaucracies seem to operate in mysterious ways, often prioritizing their own mandates over public safety or genuine inquiry. He notes that neither the Air Force nor the FAA appear interested in flying saucers. While the Air Force did conduct a data-collecting effort in the early 1950s, Project Blue Book was eventually disbanded and became a public relations gimmick. Keel expresses disappointment that despite his extensive travels and research, he found no evidence of covert intelligence groups professionally investigating UFO cases, only instances of harassment by 'Men In Black' which he deemed senseless.

He highlights the efforts of independent groups and individual enthusiasts worldwide who are painstakingly compiling catalogs of sightings. However, he laments that despite the sheer volume of available reports, little more is known about the phenomenon than in 1947. Keel suggests that the problem lies with the 'wrong people' investigating – amateurs who might collect vast amounts of data but lack the analytical skills of a specialist who could solve the mystery by studying the broader context, much like a medical specialist diagnosing a disease.

Who Should Investigate?

Keel asserts that the investigation of unmarked aircraft violating airspace should fall under the purview of the Defense Department and military intelligence. He argues that scientists like astronomers and astrophysicists are ill-equipped to understand aircraft, military strategy, or intelligence gathering, and lack the skills to interrogate witnesses effectively. He believes that in cases of significant incidents, such as a UFO burning a hole in a field, people would naturally want military intelligence experts to investigate and would cooperate fully.

The Need for Action

Keel criticizes the government's apparent disinterest, suggesting that if UFOs were Soviet machines, the nation would be pathetically vulnerable. He calls for witnesses and civilian investigators to launch a campaign to force the FAA and FBI to act on new cases. He advocates for public pressure through local newspapers, Congressmen, and Senators to mobilize inefficient bureaucracies and initiate a real official investigation. He warns that without such action, the nation might become 'a nation without right ears,' implying a loss of awareness or protection.

Data Compilation Efforts

The article mentions significant data compilation efforts: the U.S. Air Force's computerized collection of 3,000 reports in the early 1950s, Dr. James McDonald's awareness of Dr. J. Allen Hynek sitting on files with 8,000 unsolved cases, and the thousands of reports held by civilian organizations. Dr. David Saunders of the University of Colorado has sifted through 30 years of UFO literature, extracting over 50,000 sighting reports for computer analysis. Dr. Jacques Vallee has cataloged over 900 landing reports from the past century.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme is the systemic failure of governmental and military institutions to adequately investigate and address the UFO phenomenon. The editorial stance is one of strong advocacy for public pressure and demanding accountability from authorities. Keel believes that the phenomenon is real, potentially significant, and that its dismissal by official channels constitutes a dereliction of duty and a potential security risk. The magazine, through this article, appears to champion the cause of UFO research and challenge the status quo of official indifference.