Saucer Smear - Vol 26 No 08 - 1979

Magazine Overview

This issue of "MORE SAUCER SHIT," a non-scheduled newsletter published by the SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY, is dated July 4th, 1979. The editor is James W. Moseley. The cover prominently features the headline: "WAVE OF NASTY HOAX LETTERS CONTINUES THROUGHOUT THE UFO FIELD: 'MORE SAUCER SHIT' EDITOR (AND OTHERS) EXPOSED AS CIA AGENTS and other trivia!"

Exclusive Report: Hoax Letters and CIA Accusations

The newsletter details a "strange, vicious, and complex letter-writing phenomenon" that has hit the UFO field. The primary focus is on letters from individuals identifying themselves as "A Concerned Ufologist" and "Also Concerned." These letters accuse numerous well-known figures in the UFO community, including the editor James W. Moseley, of being CIA agents or collaborators.

"A Concerned Ufologist," in his fourth letter, reveals names of these alleged agents in a chart, though some are illegible. The letter claims that Arthur Lundahl, with his deputy Stewart Nixon and assistants Willard McIntyre and James Moseley, are spreading misinformation. It further states that McIntyre operates through a "phony front organization" and has gained enough notice to attack other ufologists with impunity, aided by a staff specializing in digging up dirt and promoting contactees. Moseley's mission, according to the letter, is to create confusion and spread falsehoods, with the help of Gray Barker, John Keel, and Candy Jones.

James Moseley dismisses these charges as ridiculous, noting that he has never met or corresponded with Arthur Lundahl. He describes "A Concerned" as a "far-out individual" whose letters are sent directly to his home address and contain "vicious personal remarks."

"Also Concerned" is described as anti-Zechel and is accused of trying to frame Zechel with fake Air Force letters. These letters, allegedly sent to Bill McIntyre of MARCEN, suggest that Zechel's evidence is fabricated and that "Also Concerned" will expose Zechel as a fraud. The letter writer vows to pursue those he considers "dregs of society," including Barker, Moseley, Adamski, Stranges, Van Tassel, Andy Sinatra, and Buck Nelson.

Moseley notes that both "A Concerned" and "Also Concerned" seem to agree that he, the editor, is an "Unworthy Researcher."

Alleged Air Force Letters

The newsletter presents three alleged Air Force letters as part of this controversy. The first, dated February 2nd, 1979, from the Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory at Edwards AFB, California, signed by Kenneth E. Sterling, states that no crashed UFOs have been studied or stored at the base, and that the "9741st Alien Aircraft Retrieval Squadron" operates out of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.

The second letter, dated May 4th, 1979, from Headquarters, Foreign Technology Division at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, signed by Col. Frank Jamieson, states that a request to visit the "underground alien aircraft artifact storage warehouse" cannot be granted due to insufficient security clearance.

The third letter, dated June 5th, 1979, from Headquarters of the United States Air Force in Washington, D.C., signed by Major General John W. Carruthers, admits to "some indiscretions" by SAFOI personnel regarding Zechel's claims and states that Philip Klass is not an appropriate source of information about internal Air Force affairs.

Moseley views these letters as "crude jokes or hoaxes," suspecting that the writers may have misused Air Force stationery. He notes that an investigation into this misuse may be underway.

"Not Concerned" and Ufological Discourse

A letter from a writer signing himself "Not Concerned" offers a different perspective. He argues that the energy spent on writing anonymous letters and speculating about their authors would be better used for serious ufological research. He questions the relevance of whether intelligence agencies have infiltrated UFO organizations, suggesting that such infiltration might even be beneficial due to the lack of intelligence within some groups. He believes that any group leader should welcome documented intelligence.

"Not Concerned" also questions why any intelligence agency would be interested in UFO organizations, given their internal disagreements. He suggests that any agent who endures years infiltrating such groups deserves a medal. He criticizes the focus on the sexual preferences of ufologists, deeming it irrelevant unless the UFO pilots themselves are homosexual. He concludes that the feuds and countercharges are dragging down the standards of the field and urges those involved to "get with it or get out."

Moseley agrees with "Not Concerned's" sentiment, calling the letter the "only sensible letter in the series." He notes that the anonymous letters are mailed from various locations around Washington D.C. and other parts of the U.S., and wonders if "Also Concerned" has access to his private files.

Missives from the Masses

Several other correspondents share their views:

• Dr. Thornton Page writes to the editor, lamenting the lack of love and organization within ufology and inviting "lovely ladies" to send their UFO doubts and prophecies to him.
• Rick Hilberg responds to a letter from Earl Jones, dismissing Jones' comments as "childish ravings" and defending himself against accusations of being upset about not being invited to speak at a convention. Hilberg states his intention was to encourage the invitation of skeptics to future conventions.
• Bill Spaulding of GSW refutes the claim that Todd Zechel has resigned as Research Director of GSW, calling it a "blatant falsehood." He states that he and Todd Zechel are pursuing a lawsuit against the CIA and that Todd Zechel holds dual directorships in CAUS and GSW, with both organizations aiming to end government suppression of UFO data.
• Tom Benson, New Jersey State Director of GSW, thanks the editor for a postcard and a copy of "Saucer Shit," noting the zine's "state of decay." He clarifies that his presidential campaign is for "Unified Saucerdom."
• A letter from a "supposedly serious fan" of Candy Jones' radio show describes hearing Jim Moseley's voice coming from her medicine cabinet, giving instructions and asking her to make a "12-foot-long chain of paper clips."
• William Bonner, publisher of "Second Look" magazine, expresses enjoyment of "More Saucer Shit" and offers an exchange of publications.
• Jim Harris of UFOCUS Research comments on Mr. Zechel's "paranoid-conspiracy shit" and suggests that Zechel is like a "trained monkey." He prefers to see articles from skeptics like Klass rather than Zechel's writings.
• Ex-Captain Jim Oberg responds to "Farish's comments," clarifying his background in computer software and disputing Farish's implications about his expertise. Oberg also notes that many UFO buffs are "super-duper-dupes."
• Gray Barker writes, expressing shock at the magazine's title and contents. He laments that UFO investigators are focused on infighting rather than solving the mystery and suggests a "summit meeting" to unite them.
• Philip J. Klass analyzes a transcript of a phone call between Todd Zechel and Allan Hendry, intended to entrap Major Doug Kennett of the USAF. Klass claims the call's purpose was to obtain his phone number and that Hendry is learning "doubletalk" from Zechel. Klass also states he has never intervened to prevent the release of UFO material and that he has helped declassify UFO reports. He accuses Todd Zechel of withholding information that he accepted money to make public.

Banned Word Knew Better Days

A short article discusses David Frantz, an English professor researching the origin of a common Anglo-Saxon expletive for intercourse. The article notes that the word, now banned from most media, was more accepted during the Renaissance.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the internal conflicts and accusations within the UFO community, particularly the allegations of CIA infiltration and disinformation campaigns. The editor, James W. Moseley, consistently adopts a skeptical stance towards these accusations, labeling them as hoaxes and part of a deliberate effort to confuse researchers. He champions the idea of serious research and expresses frustration with the infighting and personal attacks that plague the field. The editorial stance is one of critical inquiry, challenging the validity of claims and the motives of those involved, while also acknowledging the potential for genuine UFO information to be obscured by these controversies.