Saucer Smear - Vol 27 No 07 - 1980

Magazine Overview

This issue of SAUCER BEER, a non-scheduled newsletter from the Saucer and Unexplained Celestial Events Research Society, is dated August 10th, 1980. It is dedicated to former saucer researcher Gray Barker and edited by James W. Moseley. The publication addresses UFO-related topics, often with a critical or skeptical tone towards certain individuals and organizations within the field.

Terrible Attack by the S.B.I.

The lead article details a conflict with the Scientific Bureau of Investigation (SBI), a UFO group led by Pete Mazzola of Staten Island, N.Y. The SBI is described as having a police background and a large membership. The magazine accuses the SBI of invading their privacy by printing extracts from private correspondence. The editor expresses a lack of desire to sue Mazzola, suggesting he regain his sense of humor. The article also clarifies that SAUCER BEER is a "non-profit" organization, not tax-exempt, and that a previous statement was misinterpreted.

News Briefies

This section covers several short items:

• The Dreaded "X": Subscribers with an "X" on their envelope are warned they will be removed from the free non-subscriber mailing list if they do not contact the publication.
• Coalition of Concerned Ufologists: A meeting of this group is scheduled for August 23rd at Kent State University, with Charles Wilhelm as a ring-leader and Bill Spaulding of GSW also attending.
• Ufological Persecutions: The issue reports on two incidents: Candy Jones of WMCA Radio was injured in a gas explosion in her apartment, and Richard Winer, author of "The Devil's Triangle," lost his leg in a bomb explosion in his pickup truck.
• "Miss UFO of 1980": A photo from the New York convention was distributed via UPI wire service.
• Convention Tapes: Marcel Guesnon is offering tapes of convention speeches at a reasonable price.
• Presidential Candidates and UFOs: The National UFO Conference sent letters to presidential candidates Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, Ted Kennedy, and John Anderson regarding the UFO issue. Only one reply was received, printed in the issue.
• Photograph Apology: An apology is issued for the dark faces of Phil Klass and his bride in a previous issue.
• Phil Klass Lecture: Phil Klass is scheduled to lecture at the Smithsonian Institute on September 6th, with skeptics Bob Sheaffer and Jim Oberg opposing a pro-UFO group including J. Allen Hynek, Allen Hendry, and Bruce Maccabee.
• Art Ford Retiring: Art Ford is retiring from UFO research to concentrate on pre-history.
• Richard Ogden Resurfaces: Richard Ogden is working on a book titled "Flying Saucers and the Silence Group."
• John Keel on David Letterman: John Keel appeared on the David Letterman Show.
• MUFON Journal Controversy: Walt Andrus of "The MUFON UFO Journal" attacked Tim Beckley, who allegedly threatened to sue.

Missives From The Masses

This section features letters from readers:

• Dr. Thornton Page: Writes that there is no sound evidence for ancient alien visitations and that physical scientists struggle with real UFOs. He suggests that extraterrestrial UFOs are unlikely, citing the failure to detect radio transmissions and the conclusion that "we are alone."
• Bob Easley: Makes a humorous comment about his spelling qualifying him for a degree in ufology.
• Elizabeth Philip: Editor of "Second Look" Magazine, expresses pleasure with the publication and notes its lively talent for presenting things in perspective.
• Jon Beckjord: Reports on recent positive developments regarding Bigfoot, including Jane Goodall's viewing of the Roger Patterson film and Bob Sheaffer's award for "Best Eyesight."
• Anonymous Postcards (likely from "Dr." Bill McIntyre): These postcards warn of a "Wilhelm conspiracy becoming global" and mention two individuals named Charles J. Wilhelm. One postcard is described as chemically treated.
• Bob Schiller: Praises the convention and contrasts Timothy Greed Beckley (Mr. UFO) with J. Moseley (Mr. Ufology).
• Richard Heiden: Questions Bill Spaulding's claimed membership numbers for GSW and notes that the "GSW News Bulletin" is not sent by bulk rate. He also comments on the accuracy of a press release for the 1980 conference.
• Denis Corey: Inquires about Charles Wilhelm and mentions "space hardware found on a farm near Grovers Mill, New Jersey," which Tom Benson claims is "space junk."
• Ores Wilson: States that Charles Wilhelm is causing trouble but that Space People will land on Earth in 1982.
• Steve Barnett: Offers a sardonic remark about being driven from the field.
• William Retoff: Ponders what would happen if all silenced people in ufology could speak.
• Michael Cohen: Critiques Phil Klass and "Aviation Week & Space Technology," arguing that their reporting on the Vietnam War was inaccurate and that Klass's approach to UFOs is based on a "fantasy world." Cohen suggests Klass believes those who disagree with him suffer from mental illness.

Letters Regarding Earl Jones and the 1979 NUFOC

• Earl Jones: Writes to correct perceived mistakes in SAUCER BEER regarding the 1979 National UFO Conference (NUFOC). He asserts that he, as Director of OUFOIL of Cincinnati, was in charge of the operation, not Charles Wilhelm. Jones details his efforts in publicizing the event and defends the attendance despite issues. He also mentions paying off debts from the convention.
• Rick Hilberg: Responds to Earl Jones, stating that Jones failed to show up for organizing meetings and arrived late to a delegate meeting, causing disarray. Hilberg implies that Jones's actions made the NUFOC appear disorganized.

The White House Correspondence

A letter from Daniel M. Chew, Director of Presidential Correspondence at The White House, dated July 28, 1980, acknowledges a message from Mr. Moseley to President Carter. The White House states it addresses only official business and forwards the correspondence to the Carter/Mondale Presidential Committee for response.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include internal disputes within the ufology community, criticism of prominent figures like Phil Klass, skepticism towards certain UFO claims, and the publication's own perceived victimhood from groups like the SBI. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, often challenging established narratives and individuals within the UFO field, while also defending its own position and privacy. There is a clear demarcation between those considered "skeptics" and "pro-UFO" proponents, with the publication often aligning with the former or at least providing a platform for their views.