SAUCER NEWS

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER NEWS
Issue: Non-Scheduled Newsletter #15
Date: February 15th, 1962

This issue of SAUCER NEWS focuses on two main topics: the failure of widespread doomsday predictions tied to a planetary conjunction and solar eclipse, and new information regarding a researcher named Bender and his forthcoming book.

World Fails to End: Doomsday Predictions Unfulfilled

The newsletter begins by reporting on the planetary conjunction and solar eclipse that occurred on February 4th and 5th, 1962. Contrary to numerous dire predictions, the event passed without the catastrophic outcomes foretold. The article details the serious impact these predictions had on various populations:

• India: Thousands of Hindus observed prayer meetings on the night of February 3rd, fearing the predicted doomsday. In Katmandu, Nepal, the capital, shops were closed, and business came to a standstill in other cities, with many remembering a similar astronomical phenomenon in 1934 that coincided with a major earthquake.
• Western United States: Some members of Dan Fry's group, 'Understanding,' relocated to the hills to escape predicted disasters on the Pacific coast. A correspondent from New Mexico reported stocking up on supplies like ammunition, arctic clothing, and fuel oil in preparation for the February 5th conjunction.
• New York: The Hayden Planetarium received hundreds of worried letters and phone calls. Astrologer Joseph F. Goodavage had previously predicted an unknown virus striking South Africa, India, and East China, causing chaos and death, along with a severe deep freeze in Western Europe, the British Isles, and southern Italy, and violent earthquakes that would alter coastlines and thrust new islands from the sea.
• Peace Demonstrations: Coincidentally, an anti-Atom-Bomb group in New York organized peace demonstrations during the week of January 29th through February 4th, a period some astrological predictions had linked to the outbreak of atomic warfare.
• Andy Sinatra (The Mystic Barber): On February 4th, Andy Sinatra staged a one-man demonstration at the United Nations building in New York. The SAUCER NEWS Editor covered this event, promising more details in the June issue.

The article concludes that the world remains unchanged, unaffected by the prophets of doom.

Sensational New Information About Bender's Book

The second major section of the newsletter presents information from a correspondent named Lee R. Elliott of Louisiana, concerning the researcher known as Bender and his book.

Elliott claims to have provided Bender with crucial details about the 'New Age' and the 'Space People's' programs, and was authorized to give Bender the 'GO AHEAD' order for his book. He references a previous article in 'Flying Saucers' Magazine by Ray Palmer, which suggested Bender would eventually 'talk,' but notes that Bender remained silent.

According to Elliott, Bender's silence was due to fear of death and brutal force, specifically from 'Three Men in black suits.' Elliott states he wrote to Bender, emphasizing the potential consequences if these individuals interfered further with Bender's work. This intervention, Elliott claims, removed Bender's fear and provided him with the moral support needed to proceed.

As a result, Bender has reportedly overcome his fear and not only spoken out but has also composed his book, which is now slated for publication. Elliott attributes Bender's ability to write the book to his spiritual development and evolution from fear to an advanced stage of thinking, which changed his entire perspective.

The SAUCER NEWS Editor states that they will withhold comment on this information until after "Flying Saucers and the Three Men" is published.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this issue is the debunking of apocalyptic predictions, highlighting the contrast between fear-mongering and reality. The newsletter adopts a skeptical yet open stance towards UFO phenomena, as evidenced by its coverage of Bender's research and the 'Mystic Barber's' demonstration. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious observation, particularly regarding sensitive information like Bender's book, preferring to wait for further evidence before commenting.