Saucer Smear - Vol 23 No 25 - 1976

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER SNOOZE
Issue: Vol. 23, No. 25
Date: September 5th, 1976
Publisher: SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Editor: James W. Moseley

This issue of Saucer Snooze provides a report on the 13th National UFO Conference, discussions on ufological theories, and personal accounts from contributors, including a significant announcement regarding the editorship of another publication.

RE-HASH OF THE NATIONAL UFO CONFERENCE

The 13th National UFO Conference took place at a motel near Cleveland, Ohio, on the weekend of August 28th. For the first time, there was no public session, only a "closed session" on Saturday afternoon for parliamentary business and informal discussions. The usual informal meetings in motel rooms for "boozing, snoozing, and such" also occurred.

Under the chairmanship of James W. Moseley, several motions were passed. The "Permanent Organizing Committee" was expanded from 7 to 9 members, including Eugene R Steinberg and Dale Rettig. Steinberg had previously been removed from the committee, a move that was controversial. Rettig, who had been active in earlier years of the Conference (then called Congress of Scientific Ufologists), had recently returned to the field.

Dale Rettig agreed to host next year's Conference near his home in San Francisco, a move welcomed by the chairman as it would bring the meetings to the West Coast, potentially attracting "new blood" from ufologists there. The title "National UFO Conference" is noted as becoming less pretentious with this move.

Each year, the Conference presents an award, usually the Loftin Memorial Award, to an outstanding ufologist. This year, the award went to Rick Hilberg of Cleveland, co-founder of the group, whose support has been crucial to the Conference's survival. It was also decided to add all award winners to a special life membership list. The list of past winners includes: John A. Keel (1967), John J. Robinson (1969), Al Manak (1970), Gray Barker (1971), Allen Greenfield (1972), James W. Moseley (1973), Yonah ibn Aharon (1974), and Rick Hilberg (1976).

Despite a higher delegate attendance than the previous year, organizers were disappointed by last-minute cancellations. The cost of travel to San Francisco is anticipated to deter eastern delegates, but it is hoped that new West Coast attendees will compensate for this.

Dale Rettig presented a 10-page treatise titled "Middle Ufology as Metaufology," which is recommended to readers with sufficient vocabulary. A free copy can be obtained by writing to Dale Rettig at 3233 Buchanan St., San Francisco, California 94123.

Vox Populi: Contributions and Theories

Eugene R Steinberg writes, primarily discussing the "3½ D Theory." He suggests that the theory is outdated and that subjective ufology offers the greatest hope for understanding UFOs, without precluding interplanetary, interstellar, or inter-dimensional travel by advanced beings. He credits Dr. Carl Jung, Peter Kor (alias Tom Comella), and Ray Palmer with establishing the subjective theory, which posits that UFOs and religious phenomena are reflections of a subconscious need for balance between spiritual and physical selves, a process Jung called 'individuation.' Steinberg notes that this theory explains warnings about self-destruction and messages of peace found in religious teachings. He also mentions the ideas of Erich von Daeniken and Timothy Leary regarding programmed genetic structures and archetypal phenomena. While acknowledging that psychological explanations do not negate the existence of physical UFOs, he suggests that the "force" or "beings" responsible for UFOs might have created mankind and are concerned with its progress, potentially influencing human thought. He cautions that this presence is not necessarily beneficial, citing examples of "non-interest and even evil intent." He references the New Physics and Dr. Hynek's view that UFO research might advance scientific knowledge. Subjective ufology, he concludes, requires a closer examination of the percipient.

Steinberg also comments on Ms. Croy's UFO convention, suggesting that good local publicity and an accessible location are crucial for success, and that holding it in an obscure part of Colorado was a disadvantage. He wishes her luck and hopes she won't be deterred.

Lucius Farish comments on the "3½ D Theory," finding it interesting but questioning the practicality of going beyond three dimensions. He offers to provide the publisher's address for Constable's "The Cosmic Pulse of Life" and mentions George H. Leonard's upcoming book "Somebody Else Is on the Moon," with an excerpt in "Argosy UFO." He also recommends "The Unexplained" by William R. Corliss and Hans Holzer's "The Ufonauts."

Dave Fideler, an UFO researcher, thanks Moseley for the postcard and newsletter, enjoying the "3 D Theory" of UFO origin but leaning towards John Keel's perspective, stating that theories are often useless.

Steven Elliott, a UFO publisher, thanks Moseley for his latest issue of "Saucer Jews" (likely a typo for Saucer Snooze), noting that ufologists over 40 retain mental mobility. He expresses hope to attend the fourteenth National UFO Conference. He found the "3½ D Theory" speculations lucid and appreciated Moseley's frank comments on the Freibergs. He is awaiting Moseley's reply to Barker's accusations regarding connections with the AF and CIA.

Jeff Anderson, a California researcher, thanks Moseley for copies of "Saucer Booze" etc., finding the newsletter a good outlet for opinions. He notes that the "3½ D Theory" isn't entirely new but praises Moseley's naming of it. He suggests that a mixture of ET, 4D, ESP, giant amoebas, etc., could be responsible for UFO sightings. He agrees with Janice Croy about apathy, citing the low number of "Flying Saucer Review" subscribers in the USA (680). He also agrees with Curt Sutherly's call to spend less time "blowing off steam" and more time on UFOs. He comments on the "Giant Bicentennial Issue," finding it amazing how it fit onto three pages.

Benedict L. Murple (alias John Keel) writes a letter rescinding a previous communique, stating that the recipient will not be deported but jailed for defaming a great American author. He mentions Stanton Freedburg as a propagandist for the "Dark Forces" whose Nuclear Physicist license has been revoked and who will be "reprogrammed." He warns of an impending action by Mr. Richard Jackman and suggests peaceful surrender. He also mentions that Mr. Allen Greenfield will send a detailed letter.

An editor's note clarifies that the Murple letter is written on stationery from the U.S. Dept. of Health, Education, and Welfare, where Keel once worked, and calls it a "sad commentary on the present state of ufology" if true.

Editor's Resignation from Official UFO

Dr. Russ A. Rueger announces his termination as editor of "Official UFO." He expresses regret for the circumstances, particularly for writers affected by two recent shifts in editorship. Informed sources suggest D. William Hauck, editor of "Ufology," will take over. Rueger details the reasons for his dismissal:

1. Out-of-context Quotation: A local newspaper quoted him admitting that some letter writers were "pretty eccentric." Publisher Myron Fass considered this "bad judgement" and detrimental to the magazine, stating that readers are "true believers" who need to believe in extraterrestrial UFOs. Fass demanded that all statements about UFOs be cleared with him.
2. Suppressed Article: Rueger attempted to have Fass approve a controversial article attributing UFOs to secret earth technology. Fass suppressed it, asserting that "Official UFO endorses the extraterrestrial hypothesis" to satisfy readers' need to believe the ETH.
3. "Unsubstantiated Sightings": Fass had been pushing for more "trumped-up, sensationalized 'unsubstantiated sightings'" (vague accounts from single or few witnesses) before Rueger's editorship. When Rueger resisted, citing compromised integrity and ethics, Fass stated, "we're an entertainment magazine, so ethics are irrelevant."

Rueger offers to provide a fuller account to interested parties. He notes that some contributors will find returned manuscripts and that any commitments he made are no longer in effect. He expresses regret and hopes that commercial publications will become less prone to exploit Ufology.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue reflects a strong focus on the ongoing debates and theories within the ufology community, particularly the "3½ D Theory" and the concept of subjective ufology. There is a clear emphasis on the personal experiences and opinions of researchers and contributors, as evidenced by the "Vox Populi" section. The editorial stance, particularly from James W. Moseley as editor of Saucer Snooze, appears to be somewhat informal and critical, using parenthetical remarks like "(yawnl)" and engaging in lighthearted banter. The resignation of Dr. Russ A. Rueger from "Official UFO" highlights a conflict between journalistic integrity and the perceived commercial needs of a ufology publication catering to "true believers," with the publisher prioritizing sensationalism over factual reporting. The issue also touches upon the historical development of UFO theories and the community's organizational structures.