Saucer Smear - Vol 24 No 03 - 1977

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER CLUES
Issue: Vol. 24, No. 3
Date: March 5th, 1977
Publisher: OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Editor: James W. Moseley

This issue of SAUCER CLUES is a non-scheduled newsletter dedicated to the Leaders and Vast Membership of Ground Saucer Watch (GSW). The publication aims to be a platform for discussions and opinions within the UFO and paranormal community, often with a satirical and skeptical edge.

Misc. Ravings

The editor, James W. Moseley, begins with "Misc. Ravings," addressing his relationship with Al Greenfield and his "Ufology Notebook." Moseley defends his publication's content, suggesting that most zines receive favorable letters, and denies "censoring" a letter from Curt Sutherly. He invites other non-subscribers to send in positive comments about Al Greenfield to boost his ego. Moseley then reviews several other UFO-related publications: Dave Fideler's "Anomaly Research Bulletin" No. 4, which features a "spook light" story and a satirical piece; Laura Mundo's newsletter, which may be her last after twenty years; Gray Barker's newsletter, which he finds filled with outdated gossip and notes that George Adamski received more mentions than himself in a popularity poll; and Dr. J. Allen Hynek's "The International UFO Reporter" from CUFOS, noting its $12 per year price.

He also mentions an upcoming UFO conference in Acapulco, Mexico, in late April, listing several prominent "invited" guests, including Walter Andrus, Kenneth Arnold, Gordon Creighton, Dennis Hauck, Dr. J. Allen Hynek, John Keel, Donald Keyhoe, Brinsley le Poer Trench, Jim Lorenzen, James McDivitt, Aime Michel, Carl Sagan, David Saunders, Jacques Vallee, and Erik Von Daniken. The editor expresses regret at not being able to attend and requests reports from any non-subscribers who do attend.

I WAS SUCKED IN BY THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE

This section features a story by Prudence R. Prune, presented as a true account, though the editor notes that names, dates, and places have been changed to protect the innocent. The narrative describes a night in a Miami Beach hotel, followed by an event on September 18th where the narrator and her boyfriend Clyde sailed into the East. Upon waking, the narrator experiences a disturbing event involving Clyde and a malfunctioning clock. She then describes seeing a "hideous triangular cloud" covering the ocean. The story culminates with the narrator diving into the ocean and being "sucked up into the Triangle," where she is reunited with Clyde in a "3 D time-space continuum." The author expresses hope that the editor will rescue her from this existence and offers her story for "2 cents a word."

LETTERS TO U-NO-HU

This section compiles letters from various readers:

• Steve Elliott expresses disappointment with "Saucer Gnus" predictions for 1977, calling them ridiculous, and finds Captain Oberg's letter "nauseating."
• Curt Sutherly thanks the editor for not sending letters, citing rising postage costs. He addresses Jim Oberg, recalling a breakfast meeting where Phil Klass left. Sutherly also mentions an upcoming column in "Beyond Reality" that attacks the "so-called Committee for the Scientific Investigation of the Paranormal," listing its members as Phil Klass, Isaac Asimov, Carl Sagan, and others, questioning Oberg's involvement.
• Gene Duplantier from Canada, former publisher of "Saucers, Space & Science," writes that predictions are easy to make and some will come true. He predicts Jimmy Carter will serve 8 years. He also mentions Gray Barker's private printing "The Books of Charles Fart" (1958) and asks if a "right-wing owl" cartoon is sinister.
• Captain Jim Oberg discusses the "hollow moon" theory promoted by Don Wilson, calling Wilson's book "lunatic drivel." Oberg claims the theory is based on a satirical article by two Russians, Vasin and Shcherbakov, intended to mock Shklovskiy's theory about the Mars moon Phobos. Oberg criticizes Wilson for falling for this "hoax" and defends his own "abrasive" style as appropriate for a UFO humor zine, inviting readers to visit him in Houston.
• Bob Sheaffer is quoted as enjoying "Saucer Gnus" and the expressions of paranoia concerning "MIB, Capt. Oberg." He also discusses his investigations into "fairy" encounters, announcing the founding of his scientific fairy/gnome group, the Anomalous Phantasmagorical Research and Observation Network (APRON), with a $75 annual membership.
• "Uncle Lou" writes about rumors of Soviet advancements in paraphysical research and introduces a "Polish Saucer" device, claiming it proves saucers are from Poland and operates on perpetual motion. He encourages readers to cut out the saucer diagram and experiment with it.
• Ufologist Gilbert Ziemba thanks the editor for the publication, noting that it sometimes contains serious facts about ufology, but is shocked by the editor's perceived change in his ufological stance.
• George Earley remarks on how Hayden Hewes allegedly wants others to do his research for him without offering recompense.

Further Correspondence and Satire

• Bob Sheaffer is quoted again, expressing enjoyment of "Saucer Gnus" and the paranoia surrounding "Capt. Oberg." He also mentions his ongoing research into "fairy" encounters and the upcoming publication of his findings in "The Zetetic," along with the founding of his scientific fairy/gnome group, APRON.
• Dave Fideler mentions the "Church of Saucer Worship" and its parent organization, the American Society of Saucer Worshipers and other Interesting Phenomena of the Extraterrestrial Sort (ASSWIPES), specializing in "Fartean phenomena." He appoints the editor as New Jersey Coordinator and offers him a membership card and a "Saucer Decoder Ring."
• Janice Croy's questions are answered by an unnamed contributor, confirming that she mutilates the English language and that her editorials are brief.
• Steve Miller writes about David F., stating that CSW was not his idea and that David F. has been excommunicated.
• Ted Zilch offers his "slightly late" predictions for 1977:
• Philip Klass will receive a large stipend to prove Travis Walton's arm marks are from marijuana use.
• Jim Oberg will be promoted for debunking astronaut sightings but later dismissed when NASA realizes his inferences make astronauts look like idiots.
• John Keel will publish a parody of Ufology that is indistinguishable from "UFOs: Operation Trojan Horse."
• Coral Lorenzen will be revealed to have posed for an adult magazine.
• Playboy and Oui will publish "unmitigated drivel" from "Middle Ufologists."
• President Jimmy Carter will release UFO data, showing an 8x10 glossy of Al Hynek and Billy having a beer.
• Walt Andrus's family will have him placed in a rest home for being "a hopeless bore."
• William Spaulding will inadvertently disclose he once lived in Cleveland.
• The New Jersey Director of Ground Saucer Watch will be caught in a tryst with G. Harold Carswell.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of SAUCER CLUES exhibits a strong satirical and skeptical undercurrent, even while discussing UFO phenomena. The editor, James W. Moseley, engages in playful banter and criticism of other figures in the UFO community, such as Al Greenfield and Jim Oberg. The inclusion of fictionalized accounts, humorous predictions, and critiques of various UFO theories and personalities suggests an editorial stance that questions authority and embraces a critical, often humorous, approach to the subject matter. The publication appears to value open discussion, even if it involves challenging established beliefs or individuals within the field. The use of pseudonyms and the playful tone throughout the letters section reinforce this lighthearted yet critical perspective.