Saucer Smear - Vol 23 No 23 - 1976

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER BOOZE
Issue: Vol. 23, No. 22-23
Date: July 4th, 1976
Type: Non-Scheduled Newsletter (Giant Bicentennial Issue)
Publisher: SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Editor: James W. Moseley

This issue of Saucer Booze is dedicated to Al Manak and Gray Barker. The editor, James W. Moseley, begins by reviewing recent issues of "Gray Barker's Newsletter" and Allen Greenfield's "Ufology Notebook." He notes that both publications frequently mention him, often favorably, but that many of the other individuals discussed are not subscribers to Saucer Booze. Moseley expresses a sentiment that the UFO community is a small group shouting at each other, with little broader impact.

Addresses are provided for Gray Barker (P.O. Box 2228, Clarksburg, W. Va.) and Allen Greenfield (P.O. Box 98214, Briarcliff Branch, Atlanta, Ga. 30359, U.S.A., Earth). Moseley comments on Greenfield's statement that the editor is not as funny as Greenfield is in his own zine, agreeing heartily.

The UFO Bag: Reader Correspondence

The bulk of the issue consists of letters from readers, offering diverse perspectives on UFOlogy and the community.

• Lucius Farish thanks the editor for his latest newsletter and comments on Greenfield and the National UFO Conference. He agrees that Greenfield has no logical reason for not rejoining certain groups but notes Greenfield doesn't always operate logically. Farish believes it's a shame Greenfield doesn't use his talents better than griping but admits he gripes himself.

• Curt Sutherly encourages the newsletter's continued publication and expresses hope that the National UFO Conference will be a "biggie." He comments on Greenfield's "new Action Alliance," viewing it favorably as harmless. Sutherly urges an end to the feud between Moseley and Greenfield, stating it's pointless and distracts from serious UFO research, leading to "debilitating feuds."

• Dale Rettig expresses interest in the "Mysticon developments" and Greenfield's plans for "middle ufologists." He plans to contact Hilberg for more information and agrees that the National UFO Conference is a forum for Greenfield. Rettig recalls a time in the mid-sixties when Greenfield called for "unity." He also shares a critical view of nuclear physicists, citing concerns about nuclear power safety and the dumping of atomic waste.

• Ted Zilch makes a strong statement: "If Stanton Friedman is really a nuclear physicist, that's reason enough to close down every nuclear power plant in the country."

• Stanton Friedman, a nuclear physicist, responds to previous comments. He believes he and the editor are not far apart in their opinions on UFOs. Friedman strongly supports the Hill case, based on his investigation, and criticizes J. Allen Hynek's "weasel wording" and "mealy-mouthed unwillingness" to state his position. Friedman asserts that the evidence overwhelmingly suggests the planet is being visited by ET vehicles and that some UFOs are ET vehicles. He defends expressing conclusions as scientific, not unscientific. He also mentions receiving a "terrible" response from Ted Zilch and asks if Zilch is a "big put-on."

• Steven Elliott anticipates discussing Gray Barker's "facetious letter" and a "facetious headline" in "Unknown Worlds," which he believes alleges Moseley is a military agent possibly silenced by MIB and forced to deny authorship of "The Wright Field Story."

• Robert Dickhoff, a UFO personality, humorously questions a story, stating that "even Keel would buy this story!" and jokes that George Washington was too tall to have been a Martian.

• Harry Belil is mentioned by an unnamed source (possibly Dickhoff) regarding his 1974 and 1975 UFO sightings, which Belil allegedly dismissed as "too far out."

• George Earley expresses skepticism about "imitation military men" in the UFO scene and questions the credibility of Riley Crabb's "Tale Told by a Colonel about a crashed disc," citing Crabb's past gullibility. Earley agrees with Ted Owens' warning about "divide and conquer" tactics within the UFO field, suggesting fans are capable of generating their own feuds.

• William Spaulding, head of "Ground Saucer Watch," appreciates the newsletters and will distribute them to his staff. He mentions enclosing a critique of GSW and a Summer News Bulletin.

• James Rigberg, proprietor of the Flying Saucer News Bookstore, thanks the editor for "Saucer Booze," finding it informative and necessary, even if sometimes negative. He appreciates that the publication allows other parties to respond and prints rebuttals.

• John Keel, a UFO non-personality, writes a satirical piece as part of a "Bicentennial Program for Purifying America." He "condemns" Moseley's "vast real estate holdings," revokes his U.S. citizenship, and instructs him to leave the country. Keel also mentions that Richard Jackman of Rosendale, N.Y., resents inclusion in the newsletter, stating his political views are "vivid scarlet."

• An anonymous letter signed "Reefer," possibly from Richard Jackman, states that Moseley visited Jackman and Mr. Montgomery, and spoke of Keel. The letter notes that "Keel watches all" and that "The other two people have been in contact with us. Black and white clothing is a clue."

The space below is reserved for letters from Allen Greenfield.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the internal dynamics and conflicts within the UFO community. There is a strong undercurrent of frustration with perceived "feuding," lack of unity, and the tendency for individuals and groups to engage in disputes rather than focusing on serious research. The editor, James W. Moseley, appears to adopt a somewhat detached and critical stance, analyzing the actions and publications of others while also being a subject of commentary himself. The issue highlights the subjective nature of UFO research, with differing opinions on credibility, evidence, and the motivations of key figures. The editorial stance, as reflected in the selection of letters and the editor's own commentary, seems to favor open discussion and a critical examination of claims, even if it leads to controversy within the community.

The issue also touches upon broader societal concerns, such as nuclear power safety (raised by Dale Rettig and Ted Zilch), and uses the Bicentennial theme for satirical commentary (John Keel). The overall impression is of a small, often contentious, but passionate community grappling with a complex and elusive phenomenon.