Saucer Smear - Vol 27 No 08 - 1980

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER QUEER
Issue: Volume 27, No. 8
Date: September 5th, 1980
Publisher: THE SAUCER AND UNEXPLAINED CELESTIAL EVENTS RESEARCH SOCIETY
Type: Non-Scheduled Newsletter

Main Articles and Content

KENT STATE ANTI-NUFOC MEETING LAYS AN EGG:

The lead article details the disappointing turnout for a meeting of the "Coalition of Concerned Ufologists" held at Kent State University on August 23rd. The attendance was so low that the second day had to be cancelled, and the governing board was filled by organizers due to a lack of a quorum. The article criticizes the pre-convention propaganda that claimed "at least 50 top ufologists" would attend. It further alleges that "Dr." Williard McIntyre, who organized the event, grossly misinformed the university about the nature of the gathering, presenting it as a conference of "purely professionals" from prestigious universities. The author dismisses this as "BULLSHIT" and questions the affiliations of these gentlemen. The article also points out the hypocrisy of the "Coalition" and the S.B.I. (Saucer Beer) criticizing others for profiting from ufology through tax-exempt status, while the "Coalition" allegedly used the tax-exempt status of MARCEN for their meeting. The author notes an "overt anti-NUFOC bias" of the conference, with invitations seemingly excluding those sympathetic to the "Saucer Queer" editor.

A "spy" sent to record the meeting was ejected, but the author claims to have gained insight into the proceedings, suggesting infiltration by "double-agents, triple-agents." The article recounts an incident where McIntyre reported shots fired at his car in Maryland, which he attributed to having "no enemies." McIntyre attended the conference despite a knee problem, reportedly under heavy medication. The author contrasts this with Bill Spaulding of GSW, who allegedly chickened out of attending due to remarks made in "Saucer Beer."

Bill Spaulding is quoted as resenting his travel plans being discussed and being mentioned in the same paragraph as "Saucer Queer." The article notes that Charles Wilhelm allegedly used quotes from private correspondence without permission, unlike "Saucer Queer" which paraphrased.

The article concludes by stating that despite the "Coalition of Concerned Ufologists" plans to change their name and "cleanse the UFO field," they lack the necessary competence.

MUFON UFO Journal Highlights:

The "Saucer Queer" editor has become a "subscribing contributor" to the MUFON UFO Journal. Three items from the June 1980 issue are highlighted:

1. The appointment of Charles Wilhelm as "State Section Director" in Ohio, replacing Leonard Stringfield, seen as a move for power in the UFO field.
2. A formal apology to Timothy Greed Beckley for reckless charges of money-grubbing made by Walt Andrus.
3. A strong attack on the book "UFO Contact from the Pleiades," Vol. 1, by Eduard "Billy" Meier. Walt Andrus calls the book an "outright fraud" and claims to have proof that the photographs are of a small model dangling from a balloon.

Timothy Beckley is sponsoring an all-day UFO conference in Pittsburg, PA, on October 11th, with the "Saucer Queer" editor scheduled to be on the program.

Ye Olde Mail Bag

This section features letters from readers:

• Laura Mundo writes, questioning the "pornographic pen & ink sketch" in "Saucer Beer" and the lack of "sexual equality" in the depiction of a male masturbating without a female counterpart. The editor clarifies that the drawing was a reaction to a White House letter and that "Dr." McIntyre informed them an "Ufological Enemy" complained about the "misuse" of their letter.
• Bill Moore (author and co-author with Charles Berlitz) requests to be removed from the subscriber list, humorously stating that "Saucer Rubbish" smells rotten and that his garbage "actually enjoys being wrapped in" the publication.
• Ron Spanbauer of the International UFO-Photo Exchange confirms the lecture hall for the 1981 National UFO Congress Convention and offers to send information about lodging.
• Jim Harris, former co-editor of a defunct UFO zine, congratulates the recent conference and the "demise and withdrawal of Herr Wilhelm and his cronies." He expresses concern that the "Concerned Ufologists" will hinder constructive ufology. Harris also announces his intention to conduct Fortean research, exploring if C.S. Lewis's "Space Trilogy" novels were based on fact and related to the "3½ D Theory."
• Tom Lind thanks the editor for "Saucer Fear" and suggests new titles for ufologists, such as "James W. Moseley, U.F.O." or "Fs. James W. Moseley," and personally prefers the title "Weirdman."
• Williard McIntyre PhD is humorously suggested to be a "Phenomenon Dabbler."
• Tom Benson's alter ego (under the pseudonym Hon. Ludwig Von Benzbooger, Nazi U-boat Commander) sends a cryptic message about escaping the Gulf before hurricane Allen and mentions picking up communiques via pulsed laser systems, suggesting Pete Mazzola and SBI characters would be good deck hands on a submarine fleet.
• David Fideler of Michigan Anomaly Research praises "Saucer Queer" as a psychologically revealing publication that exposes the "autoeroticism" and "school-boy mentality" of its contributors. He suggests Ufology might be a "boil on the ass of intellectual, philosophical, and even popular culture." Fideler also recommends "Fortean Times" as a typeset magazine with "great covers" and "more data and food for thought."
• Bill Lutters congratulates the convention and notes that "Saucer Fear" has become a highlight of his mail.
• Bigfootologist Jon Beckjord contributes a piece criticizing CSICOP and its chairman, Paul Kurtz, for debunking Bigfoot claims and misidentifying him as a bearded man. Beckjord suggests Kurtz needs new glasses and an eye examination.
• Tommy Roy Blann reports that Rommel's final report on "Operation Animal Mutilation" in Santa Fe, New Mexico, concludes that the mutilations are due to predator and scavenger activity on naturally deceased animals. He notes that prestigious magazines will feature this investigation, and while some of his research was used, he does not consider the report definitive.
• Don Strachan suggests a procedural change to provide a "non-subscriber service" by placing the dreaded "X" on the magazine itself, rather than in the title, to avoid confusion for junk mail recipients.
• Tom Burch requests information on the current members of the NICAP Board of Governors.
• John M. Cook offers 100 issues of "Fate Magazine" for sale and asks to be removed from the "X" list.
• Townsend Kieffer is looking for UFO/Fortean types in South Florida/Bahamas and asks about "Ringing Rocks" in Pennsylvania.
• Phil Klass responds to Michael Cohen's accusations of "slander" regarding his reporting on the Vietnam War in "Aviation Week." Klass details a challenge he issued to Cohen, offering $25.00 for each article substantiating Cohen's claim that Klass stated the U.S. was winning the war. Klass asserts that Cohen's claims are fraudulent, as the articles in question did not mention the war or claims of U.S. victory. Klass also recounts Cohen's response, which suggested UFOs are U.S. Government-made, nuclear-powered, and polluting the earth with radiation, causing increased cancer cases.

News Briefs

• He lit a fire: A brief news item from Ogunquit, Maine, about a theatre owner who put up a provocative marquee sign to influence his wife's local political campaign.
• County Plans Hanging: A headline about the Marion, Ohio, Star.
• Criminally insane bill passes: A headline from the Community Journal, Cincinnati, Ohio.
• Caribbean stability worries diplomats: A headline from The Day, New London, Conn.
• Mercy Sisters open doors to lay associates: A headline from the Catholic Chronicle.
• Justice Potter Stewart Murder conviction restored: A headline from The Philadelphia Inquirer.
• Panda mating fails, veterinarian takes over: A headline from the St. Petersburg Times.

REBON: A HOP SECRET GROUPE

This section, attributed to "Herr brain" and addressed to "LEN," compiles references to rabbits in UFO literature and entertainment. It lists instances where UFOs are associated with stealing baby rabbits, similarities between UFO occupants and Brer Rabbit, Barney Hill's feeling like a rabbit, and descriptions of aliens with rabbit-like ears. It also mentions articles in "Full Moon" and "National Enquirer" linking rabbits to UFOs. The section notes the Firesign Theatre's "Everything You Know Is Wrong" and "Not Insane," the cartoon "Hasty Hare" depicting Bugs Bunny abducted by a saucer, the film "It Came From Outer Space" where a sheriff postulates a crippled rabbit, the Johnny Quest episode "The Robot Spy" featuring a "fierce" and "ferocious" rabbit near a UFO landing, "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" with its Trojan rabbit and Grail references, "The Jeffersons" episode "The Killer Rabbit," and an episode of "The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo" involving a rabbit's foot and a supposed UFO invasion. The closing note mentions a report of rabbits congregating around a calculator in Saratoga, Wyoming.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The editorial stance of "Saucer Queer" is critical and often satirical, particularly towards ufologists and organizations it perceives as hypocritical, self-serving, or lacking in rigor. There is a strong emphasis on debunking perceived hoaxes and exposing what the editor views as the "autoeroticism" and "school-boy mentality" within the UFO community. The publication actively engages in public disputes, as seen in the exchanges with Michael Cohen and the critique of CSICOP. The editor champions a more analytical and less sensationalist approach to UFO research, while simultaneously employing humor and sarcasm to make his points. The issue also highlights a recurring theme of questioning authority and established narratives, whether from government sources or within the UFO field itself. The compilation of rabbit references in the "REBON" section exemplifies the magazine's tendency to explore unusual connections and potential underlying patterns in seemingly disparate phenomena.