Saucer Smear - Vol 24 No 11 - 1977

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER HEWES
Issue: Vol. 24, No. 11
Date: October 20th, 1977
Publisher: SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY

This issue of "Saucer Hewes" is dedicated to Hayden Hewes of Oklahoma, noted for his contributions to the UFO mystery. The publication serves as the official voice of the Saucer and Unexplained Celestial Events Research Society.

Miscellaneous Ravings

The "Miscellaneous Ravings" section opens with thanks to Allen Greenfield for dedicating the latest issue of his "Ufology Notebook" to Betty Moseley, daughter of editor James W. Moseley. The editor mentions his frequent appearances on the Long John Nebel - Candy Jones radio program, noting that advance notice is difficult due to short booking times. A challenge is issued to Captain Jim Oberg regarding "Holes in the Poles," urging him to respond or risk disbelief. The issue also touches upon a recent Ufological party held on October 15th. A significant point is raised regarding threatening letters received from a group in Texas; the U.S. Postal Service has deemed these mailings not to be an "actionable violation" of postal statutes, thus declining prosecution. The section then focuses on Todd Zechel (also known as Ted Zilch), detailing his reported intention to resign as Research Director of GSW. It's revealed that Zechel was quietly fired by Scotia-American Productions, a movie outfit with whom he had a contract. A letter from Peter Kares, president of Scotia, dated August 10th, is quoted, citing Zechel's "personal conduct involving your association with this company," including the misuse of casting files and stationery for "obscene purposes," which adversely reflected on the company's reputation. Zechel denies wrongdoing and threatens legal action against Scotia.

Jadoo Wallah Contest

This section revisits the "Jadoo Wallah Contest," initiated by "Uncle Lou." Readers are challenged to complete the sentence "JOHN KEEL IS A MAN WITHOUT ______" with a word that rhymes with "peers" and provide a brief explanation. The editor notes the "truly amazing" response and promises to announce the winner in the next issue. Several entries are presented:

• Jim Moseley of Fort Lee, N.J., suggests "GEARS," stating Keel has been "mentally out of gear so long that his gears are now completely stripped."
• Freddie Wafflebone of Joplin, Missouri, suggests "BEERS." It's noted Keel has never been known to drink beer publicly, and a humorous anecdote involving Richard Burton is included, though it exceeds the word count.
• Tom Crunchley of Peoria, Illinois, suggests "REARS," with a grim explanation about posterior extremities.
• Carlos Mentira of Buenos Aires, Argentina, suggests "STEERS" (or "Deers"), humorously attributing the death of numerous cows and sheep to Keel's role in the National Cattle Mutilators Association (NCMA).
• Fred Broman of Guttenberg, New Jersey, suggests "SNEERS," noting Keel's public demeanor is generally tranquil, interrupted only by occasional flatulence or a disguised leer.
• Robert Flinch of Grafton, Vt., suggests "QUEERS," asserting Keel's dedication to heterosexuality and his dislike for UFOs due to their supposed "Homosexual Drives."
• Hubert Horrendus of Savannah, Georgia, suggests "CHEERS," attributing audiences' sleep induction during his lectures to a lack of enthusiasm.

The editor playfully concludes this section with "Come on, John! We're only kidding. We all love you. Please don't sue us. what could you do with all that money, anyhow?"

Ye Olde Mail Bag

This section features correspondence from readers, including a lengthy piece attributed to "Former android John Keel" writing under aliases:

• John Keel (alias) claims the newsletter is deliberately distorting facts and that the editor was asked to step down as chairperson of the National UFO Conference. He alleges a riot occurred at the conference and that the editor's daughter was profiting from a popcorn concession. He also claims Walt Andrus resigned from MUFON and is being replaced by Bert Lance. Keel asserts the real Carlos M. Allende died in 1973 and that the editor may have been deceived by a CIA agent. He sarcastically suggests a UFO convention at Madison Square Garden, involving Randi and Uri Geller, and awards for Tim Beckley's magazine. He requests a plug in "UFO Reports" in exchange for keeping Keel's name out of "Saucer Hewes." He announces a brief personal appearance on October 15th for autographs and other "illicit acts" with female UFO groupies. He mentions Ted Zilch ripping someone off for $2,000 and claims to have had Zilch's number since receiving a "phoney MIB letter" from him years ago. Keel also wishes "Saucer Xuze" were printed on thinner paper and invokes "demons of Chatulu."

• Dr. Thornton Page, former (?) CIA consultant, criticizes the magazine's titles and Howard Hughes, suggesting Tucson, Arizona, as a location for a UFO Encyclopedia. He mentions his collaboration with Carl Sagan on "UFOs: A Scientific Debate" and discusses the influence of saucers on politics, referencing Calvin Coolidge and the G.O.P. He poses the question of what an Encyclopedia of UFOs should contain, referencing Don Menzel and suggesting modern elements like astronauts and Jim Oberg, while also mentioning older concepts like sky-hook balloons and Klasselectronics. He appeals to non-subscribers for suggestions.

• Walt Greenawald, an aerospace engineer, expresses enjoyment of "Saucer Moos" and "Saucer Gurus." He inquires about the "320 Theory" and sends a check for $10,000.13. He discusses starting a local UFO club that flopped due to "underwhelming interest" and mentions past membership in APRO, NICAP, MUFON, and CUFOS, from which they withdrew due to "strange politics." He criticizes NICAP's publication and APRO for feeding information to the Lorenzens. He notes that MUFON should be avoided due to Walt Andrus. He believes Hynek is okay but lacks funds. Greenawald opines that the attitudes of these organizations keep Ufology stagnant and that the U.S. Government is aware of this. He also presents findings from a poll of 33 UFO researchers, describing the "nominal UFO researcher" as male, successful, professional, 42 years old, Protestant, politically conservative, of Celtic/German background, with sporadic psychic abilities, who believes UFOs are extraterrestrial and that the government studies them. He notes that the "Saucer Hewes" editor deviates from this profile.

• Lou Farish responds to a public challenge from Oberg, stating he will not "endorse" the Skylab 3 "UFO" as unsolvable. He challenges Oberg to solve it himself and criticizes Oberg's articles on astronauts and UFOs in various publications.

• Gilbert Ziemba advises against letting Todd Zechel frustrate the reader or their billfold, suggesting it's an investment in "chasing magical rainbows."

• George Fox corrects the notion that Howard Hughes had little to do with saucers, mentioning his research with photonic propulsion and a potential connection to a fellow named Sanger, who was allegedly kidnapped and taken to Russia.

• Lama Robert Dickhoff questions why his friend Dickhoff is not given a by-line in "Howard Hughes Saucer News" while Zilkovitch receives publicity.

• George Earley reports that "Official UFO" is now using fictional material presented as factual, citing an admission from Associate Editor Charles Cowley. His "UFO Bookshelf" column has ended, and future reviews will be staff-written, resembling promotional fluff.

Finally, the section concludes with a note about "confusing headlines" to fill the remaining space, including a clipping about a "Panel to study status of alien Moon helpers" and "Patrol Bolstered To Halt Attacks on Alien's."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of "Saucer Hewes" revolve around the ongoing mystery of UFOs, skepticism towards official explanations, and critiques of the UFO research community and its leading organizations. There's a strong undercurrent of investigative journalism, albeit with a sensationalist and often humorous tone, as seen in the "Miscellaneous Ravings" and the "Jadoo Wallah Contest." The editorial stance appears to be one of questioning authority, exposing perceived inconsistencies or deceptions within the UFO field, and encouraging reader participation. The editor, James W. Moseley, actively engages with controversial figures and topics, often employing satire and direct confrontation, as evidenced by the exchanges with John Keel and Jim Oberg, and the critical commentary on UFO organizations.