Saucer Smear - Vol 27 No 03 - 1980

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER DROOL
Issue: Volume 27, No. 3
Date: March 1st, 1980
Publisher: SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Editor: James W. Moseley

This issue of "Saucer Drool" is a non-scheduled newsletter that focuses heavily on critiquing the MARCEN organization and its director, "Dr." Williard McIntyre. The publication expresses skepticism regarding McIntyre's credentials and the legitimacy of MARCEN itself, suggesting it is built on deception and a test of ufological gullibility.

The Strange Case of "Dr." Williard McIntyre

The lead article delves into "Dr." Williard McIntyre, director of MARCEN. The author expresses sadness and anger regarding the organization and its leader. MARCEN's journal claimed a membership of 7,010, with 2,684 members holding doctorates and 4,014 holding Masters degrees. The typical participating member is described as a 42-year-old male with an average of three academic degrees above a bachelor's, likely a college professor in physical sciences with a military background and hobbies like photography and flying.

Phillip J. Klass investigated McIntyre's claim of a doctorate in communications from the University of Missouri in 1978. Klass contacted the university and was informed that McIntyre was not known there, and the main campus at Columbia does not have a communications division. This is contrasted with a framed diploma from Missouri that was displayed at MARCEN Headquarters. The article includes a photograph of this diploma, noting that "friendly Space People have sent" it. A letter from McIntyre to Klass is quoted, where he admits that his biography in 'Who's Who' was incorrect and that a more prestigious school was substituted for The University External College, which he acknowledges "sounds like a diploma mill." He also admits that a cohort purchased a "phony doctorate from Missouri" for $50. McIntyre claims the incorrect biography was an oversight during a chaotic period at MARCEN's headquarters.

McIntyre's letter outlines MARCEN's three phases: the first was to collect sightings when NICAP was inactive; the second was to "test the gullibility of Ufology" and build an organization using "stretching a few facts out of proportion" and "the best PR"; and the third phase is to "study and investigate anomalous phenomena with open-minded skepticism." The article questions if recent UFO hoax letters were part of this "second phase" and reiterates doubts about McIntyre's doctorate.

McIntyre has reportedly sold his home and moved, possibly to establish a UFO landing field on property influenced by Robert Spencer Carr. The article concludes by questioning if this is science, referencing the late "Professor" Adamski's saying, "Only time will tell."

UFOs Enable People Who Are Nobodies to Become Famous Celebrities

This boxed section, authored by Phillip J. Klass, questions the fame of UFO skeptics, sarcastically asking who knew of Phil Klass before he became a professional UFO skeptic.

News Briefies

This section contains several short news items:

• A "DREADED 'X'" on the envelope means the recipient will be removed from the mailing list unless they respond.
• Preparations for a convention in New York City are underway, with Tom Benson appointed Closed Session Co-ordinator and Bob Carson heading publicity, aided by Timothy Greed Beckley and Mike Luckman.
• The "Northern Ohio UFO Group Newsletter," edited by Bob Easley, is mentioned as the only monthly UFO publication.
• A request for a duplicate copy of "Saucer Fool" was received, but the caller could not be identified.
• Former Captain Jim Oberg is seeking help to collect $1,000 from Hayden Hewes for an article.
• Fred Warshofsky's book "Doomsday: The Science of Catastrophe" is cited, warning that Halley's Comet could potentially flip the Earth.
• A correction is made regarding the NICRAP organization, stating it has not folded, and its new editor-publisher is anti-UFO, with an issue devoted to how the CIA knows nothing about UFOs.

Cartoons

A cartoon depicts a person watching a bird feeder, with another character commenting on how easily amused "their little minds are."

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• Satirist Alan Abel is mentioned for faking his own obituary.
• A story from the National Enquirer via Tom Benson tells of Jackson Wright's wife disappearing from their car in the Lincoln Tunnel.
• A tale from San Diego about Mexican farmer Jose Garcia growing exceptionally large vegetables with a secret formula from "Space People" is presented, noting that the Mexican Ministry of Agriculture investigated and found it true but inexplicably lost interest.

Misc. Ravings

• Hal Starr reports that his UFO Con in San Diego broke even financially. He explains why certain speakers like Marcel Vogel, "Dr." George Hunt Williamson, Dr. Bruce Maccabee, Major Donald Keyhoe, and Dr. Hynek did not appear.
• Details emerge about a legal battle between George Van Tassel's widow and the Christology Church of California over the Integratron. Doris Van Tassel claims she was drugged when signing over the property.
• "Light Times" magazine is criticized for reprinting "Saucer Drool's" letters on the Easter Bunny theme without attribution. The editor, Don Strachan, is described as a proponent of far-out, Hippie-era ideas.

Miscellaneous Gems

• A marriage license doesn't make you any more married than a birth certificate makes you more born.

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• Various aphorisms are presented, including observations on food waste, relationships, reality, exercise, jokes, smiling while crying, UFO contactees, capitalism vs. socialism, and nuclear power.

Missives From The Masses

• Tommy Roy Blann writes, congratulating "Saucer Drool" for showing the "real" side of "UFO Authorities" and understanding why scientific research in Ufology has been limited due to egotistical and money-hungry individuals. He expresses hope for future generations of researchers who will not have these "hang-ups" and will be able to laugh at the current period of "UFO research."
• George Earley offers a list of saucer books, magazines, and Fortean exotica for sale and notes that upcoming "Fate Magazine" will feature his reviews, which may upset some, including Roland Spinbottle, who is promoting a Pleiades picture book. Earley quotes a wise old cop: "If it sounds too good to be true, it is."
• Bob Sheaffer comments on Stanton Friedman's loss in a contest and the "MetaScience Quarterly's" "First Annual MSQ Awards" for papers on subjects like Close Encounters, Palmistry, and Psychic Healing.
• Dan Cohen is undertaking a re-examination of the 1896-1897 Airship case and is seeking information on the Aurora case or West Coast sightings, specifically a January 1976 copy of "Official UFO."
• Art Gatti suggests that the correct spelling for an 'ologist' in UFO study is "U-FOOL-ogist." He discusses two types of fools in the field and criticizes David Schroth's analysis of science vs. Ufological statistics, contrasting it with astrological predictions. Gatti also claims that government files show NASA is afraid of discussions between Ufologists and the government regarding remote viewing, and offers to present proof of astrology's efficacy.

MEBONie Lad

This section details MEBON's research into alleged UFO connections with the Carter "killer rabbit" episode and the Kennedy assassination. It lists 12 supposed synchronicities, including shared letter counts, initial phonemes, and wife's names. It also notes that neither the killer rabbit nor Oswald were brought to trial. A numerological analysis of "KR" (Killer Rabbit) is presented, resulting in "666," linked to "the Beast" in Revelations 13:13. The section concludes with a note about the Socorro case and a playful accusation that Moseley might be the Easter Bunny.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critique of UFO organizations and personalities, particularly MARCEN and "Dr." Williard McIntyre, by questioning their credentials and motives. There is a strong undercurrent of skepticism towards many figures and claims within the ufology field, with the publication positioning itself as a purveyor of "truth" and exposing potential hoaxes and deception. The editorial stance is critical, investigative, and often satirical, aiming to debunk or at least cast doubt on sensational UFO claims and the individuals promoting them. The newsletter also highlights unusual or Fortean news items, often with a humorous or skeptical tone.