Saucercommentary vol 1 no 1

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCERCOMMENTARY
Volume: One
Issue: Number One
Date: January, 1967
Publisher: Saucerian Books
Country: US
Language: English
Price: Free of charge to a select list.

This inaugural issue of Saucercommentary, edited and published by Allen H. Greenfield, with Donald R. Cook, Jr. as Technical and Contributing Editor, addresses key issues within the UFO community of the mid-1960s. The primary focus is on the upcoming 1967 Congress of Scientific UFOlogists (CSU) and internal organizational politics, particularly concerning NICAP.

CON & CON CRITICISM: 1967 CONGRESS IS ON THE WAY

The lead article expresses eagerness for the 1967 Congress of Scientific UFOlogists, wishing it were sooner. Jim Moseley, the convention's chairman, is noted as doing an "exceptionally fine job" and moving the event "from the bush league to the majors." The author, presumably Greenfield, contemplates future locations for the Congress, suggesting St. Petersburg, Florida, for the 1968 event, as Jim Moseley has stated "no" to another New York convention.

The rationale for St. Petersburg includes Moseley's rejection of New York and the author's personal and professional veto of Atlanta or Cleveland. St. Petersburg is highlighted for its "considerable body of organized UFO activity," both in terms of active workers and UFO phenomena themselves.

However, the article notes that problems have arisen. In Atlanta, a rival, pro-contactee convention emerged, though its organizers are reportedly cooperating to avoid conflict with the New York Con. This rival convention is linked to an associate of Dr. Dani Fry.

Criticism from UFO MAGAZINE

Another significant section addresses criticisms from the January 1967 issue of UFO MAGAZINE concerning the CSU Congress. UFO MAGAZINE suggests the CSU will "degenerate into another gathering like the Giant Rock contactee conventions in California." The author of Saucercommentary states he has not heard these rumors but acknowledges that at the previous year's Congress in Cleveland, a minority of delegates, notably Rick R. Hilborg (also an Editor of UFO MAGAZINE), expressed similar sentiments.

UFO MAGAZINE also criticizes the alleged "crashing" of the 1966 Open Session by Laura Mundo for arriving early and not paying an admission fee. The Saucercommentary editor questions this, stating that no delegate was required to pay and that Mundo and her company were expected to be accepted as delegates.

A third point of contention raised by UFO MAGAZINE is the appointment of advisors to the CSU by the New York Congress organizers without consulting other committee members. The Saucercommentary editor likens this to the situation in 1966, where the Cleveland committee did not consult those outside Cleveland.

Despite acknowledging that "two wrongs don't make a right," the editor defends Jim Moseley's decision to form his own staff for the current convention, given that the organizing committee is now more dispersed. He dismisses the criticisms from UFO MAGAZINE as "rank petty action" and "small-time thinking" stemming from the Cleveland people's dissatisfaction with the Congress being moved and their past handling of it.

WHAT? ANOTHER COMMITTEE?

The issue introduces the formation of a new committee: the "National Committee for the Restoration of the Membership of James W. Moseley in NICAP," or "Moseley for NICAP Committee" (M4N). This committee is organized under the leadership of Donald R. Cook, Jr., former chairman of the Atlanta-based Civilian Saucer Intelligence Agency and a member of the American UFO Committee's executive board.

The immediate goal of M4N is to garner support from UFO field leaders and NICAP members for Jim Moseley's reinstatement. The ultimate aims include a full apology to Moseley, his reinstatement to NICAP membership, and broader administrative improvements within NICAP, with Moseley's restoration serving as a symbolic act.

Allen H. Greenfield acts as an informal advisor to the M4N group and has formally endorsed it. Other endorsers include Gray Barker of Saucerian Publications, Victor Pence of ComSep, and Jeffrey Murray of Universal Report. The committee was initiated by Cook after consulting with Greenfield, and Moseley has approved its formation. Readers are urged to write to Mr. Cook expressing approval.

New Releases and Group Contact Information

This section provides a list of available books and magazines, including "WE MET THE SPACE PEOPLE" by the Mitchell sisters from Saucerian Books, George Adamski's "INSIDE THE FLYING SAUCERS" from Paperback Library, and the magazine "Flying Saucers" subtitled "UFO Reports" from Dell Publishing Company.

Saucercommentary also seeks to publish a list of new UFO groups. It requests that established groups report on others, and new groups (formed since summer 1965) provide details about their name, why they were organized, when established, and their address. A survey form is included for this purpose.

The issue concludes with contact information for Saucercommentary: Allen H. Greenfield (Editor & Publisher) and Donald R. Cook, Jr. (Technical Editor, Contributing Editor), with a mailing address in Atlanta, Georgia.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the organization and politics of UFO conferences (specifically the CSU Congress) and the internal dynamics of UFO organizations like NICAP. The editorial stance is critical of perceived "petty action" and "small-time thinking" within the UFO community, particularly when it affects the progress and reputation of major events like the CSU Congress. There is a clear support for Jim Moseley and a desire to see him reinstated and recognized within NICAP, viewing this as a symbolic step towards improving the organization's administration. The publication also aims to foster a sense of community and information sharing by listing new UFO groups and encouraging contact.