http://offroadersblog.com/blog/ I received this comment from someone calling him or herself “Rollo Tomasi’s Right Foot.” I thought I may as well answer it on the front page.
“If you really aren’t going to put things together in a coherent order and tag them like a normal blogger, you’re not only suppressing John Keel’s enduring fame for the sake of your own ego, you are doing an enormous and almost monstrous disservice to serious researchers and writers who are beginning to look critically at the twentieth century UFO mythos, its manipulation by intel services and its anthropological and sociological aspects.
If you hold a collection of physical Keeliana it would be immensely preferably were you to either properly collate it and present it or otherwise donate it to a university where the material will be professionally prepared as an accessible collection in the same way Penn Jones, Jr. material has been.
As it stands this drip-drip-drip of more or less random snippets is silly. John Keel may have left his papers and files in a horrendous mess all over the floor of his rooms but that is no excuse for you doing the same online.”
First of all, I should point out that this was never intended as a definitive archive of John Keel’s work. It’s just a personal tribute site, from someone who was a friend of his for many years. I poured a lot of time into trying to keep John going in his later years. Larry Sloman and I met with social workers, helped get a grant to pay his back rent, went to court for him, shopped for him, called ambulances for him, supervised a cleaning of his apartment, acted as medical proxies, and more. We also preserved his papers. We do hope to get it into a university, where it can be properly archived. Meanwhile, I’m posting items for his fans, as a stopgap.
I’m 60 years old, and have little interest in computers. I’ve never aspired to be a “normal blogger.” I don’t understand the utility of tags, and if not using them breaks some unwritten code in a subculture that I have no interest in, I don’t really care. You can use the search engine to find things. I consider the most useful part of the site the bibliography, by the way, since nobody had really compiled one before.
I’m mystified as to how any of this feeds my own ego. The site is about John; I keep myself pretty much out of it. In fact, it takes time away from my own work. My own life certainly suffered from all the time I spent trying to help him when he was alive.
Why you should be so hostile to a tribute site by a friend is also somewhat mystifying. If you don’t want to look at any of this before it’s “professionally prepared as an accessible collection,” then don’t. And I suggest you spend your energy hating someone who actually does you harm.
Doug – Trolls are everywhere. I think a lot more readers appreciate you sharing these pieces than the few whiners you hear from on occasion. I consider your blog a real treasure and feel lucky to have found it. It is good to hear you’re looking for a suitable home for John’s files, and I hope you land a good one. Still, it’s wonderful to have someone like you, who knew him so well, taking the time to go through his papers and share what you find of interest. I’m about your age, so I certainly appreciate the time and energy involved. Keep up the good work, and if there’s anything I can do to help, don’t hesitate to contact me.
Comment by Marshall — February 12, 2015 @ 2:08 pm
Doug, we come here beacause we love John and your huge work here.
So, don’t care about this hate mail: we appreciate what you are doing. You’re great.
Comment by Gianfranco — February 12, 2015 @ 4:07 pm
I enjoy what you do, have done, and will do with John’s material on your site. Keep it going and don’t waste your time with publishing more hate mail.
It is an old (meaning, since 2001) Internet saying, but it is a true one: “Haters gonna hate.”
As you know, both you and I have some of John’s files. There is little doubt in my mind what you have done to select some favored items to publish here has been a delight to students of Keel and his Keelian thoughts. I congratulate you for your dedication and labor in tribute to John. While we have chosen to share some of his material via Anomalist Books, you are to be thanked for doing much more and doing it well.
Ignore those who seek to hurt others through hate mail, and keep on task.
All my best,
Loren
Comment by Loren Coleman — February 12, 2015 @ 4:28 pm
I first found this website while surfing the internet looking for information on John and his work. I almost fell off my chair! I had finally found a website where I can see his original typed notes, clippings from the West Virginia newspapers printed during the Mothman period, Mary’s personal notes to John and a good measure of John’s other work. My only cogent comment now, as then, is “WOW!”. Thank you Doug for taking the time to make this information available. Oh, please don’t change a thing. Real students of John’s work will immediately recognize the value of the material that you present here and appreciate it. I know that I do.
Comment by Clarence Carlson — February 12, 2015 @ 5:00 pm
Oh, I wasn’t upset by the comment. I just thought that I’d answer it here in the open, rather than tuck it among the comments. Loren, as you know, I’ve also contributed to those Anomalist Books, by passing along material cut from “Jadoo,” for example. One of the reasons I post short bits and excerpts here is that I don’t want to get in the way of proper book publication.
I should add that there aren’t many great revelations in John’s papers. A lot of them are devoted to his commercial writing: his TV scripts, aborted plays and novels, and rejected proposals. He said what he had to say about forteana and ufology in his published books and articles. But we do hope to house them somewhere where everyone can access them. Meanwhile, I’ll keep doing this for the fans.
Comment by Doug — February 12, 2015 @ 5:18 pm
Doug, I’ve always loved John’s books and I love what you’re doing here. It strikes me as more selfless toil for you than anything else but please realize that we appreciate what you do!
Thank you so much.
Comment by Randy S — February 12, 2015 @ 6:14 pm
Dear Doug:
Thanks so much for providing this website. I find it so exciting as a fan of “The Mothman Prophecies” to get to see actual scanned letters from Mary Hire to Mr. Keel as those events were unfolding. It was on your website I first found out about Andy Colvin’s editions of Mr. Keel’s collected articles. I really appreciate the information you provide. Thank you
Comment by Becky — February 12, 2015 @ 10:50 pm
Wow, this f*****g moron spent time here to spew inane nothingness, yet doesn’t have the stones to give any ID. You’ve got my support till the end, Doug.
Comment by William J. Grabowski — February 13, 2015 @ 2:57 am
All of the above is true, particularly comments 3 and 8. You provide a great source of material here and you’re not a government employee required to answer to any or all weirdoos who want to “be a hater”. You’ve given Mister RTRF his 15 minute of fame….we’re more interested in the Keel material!
Comment by mamie — February 14, 2015 @ 2:33 am
Doug, love this site and I respect the work it takes to keep it going. Do yourself and all the rest of us a favor and immediately delete any further communication from this idiot. Let her go elsewhere for information of Mr. Keel.
Comment by John Gerard — February 15, 2015 @ 3:11 pm
Hi Doug,
Let me add my praise to this list, praise for what you did for John while he was alive, and praise for what you do for us, who were and are enchanted by his books and articles. Your site is a great place for the Keel source materials, and I am very, very happy that you do so!
This Rollo Tomasi whatever person forgets one crucial thing: as soon as a collection enters the vaults of a university or any other institution of learning, hardly anything is ever done making it digitally accessible for people who do not live in the vicinity of that university, let alone in the States at all. There are no funds, and no dedicated person with a strong affinity for the subject. At best, after a few years, a terse page with descriptions of what the boxes hold might be put up, and that’s it. The examples are many. Why, take, for instance, the Gray Barker archive. It’s there; it’s neatly preserved; but not unless you actually go there will you be able to study the materials.
Your splendid site makes the sources available to people like me, I live in Europe, so that with the easy access through a computer I can actually read the Keel materials!
So, Doug, please do go on, please do not be discouraged, and next time the austere members of the JAK Appreciation Society meet, I’ll recommend you for the golden Yadoo. How’s that for a starter?:)
Comment by Theo — February 26, 2015 @ 11:34 am
Thanks, Theo… Whatever my shortcomings, at least I’m familiar with the material. I’m not sure what a golden Yadoo is, but it sounds decorative. And Peter, I think John was concerned that teenagers might develop an unhealthy obsession with UFOs. He’d seen it happen too many times.
Comment by Doug — February 27, 2015 @ 2:06 pm
Hi Doug,
Yeah, it was a typo, I actually meant a Golden Jadoo – like a Golden Globe or a Hugo or Nebula award.
Best regards,
Theo
Comment by Theo — February 27, 2015 @ 6:34 pm
Ha! I should have guessed.
Comment by Doug — February 27, 2015 @ 7:33 pm
I personally appreciate all the efforts you put into this website. There is so kind of weird motivation behind this uncalled for message to you…jealousy, arrogance, or an effort to actually discourage you continuing ing to publish? Don’t be discouraged, you have an interested and appreciative audience. Keep going. Your web site, your decisions how to make this material accessible to the unruly mob. Thanks patty.
Comment by Patty Gallagher — March 22, 2015 @ 8:12 pm
Sorry about typos, actually watching mothman prophecies right now. Is there a more beautiful scene ever than when Richard Gere walks thru the diner in slow motion, in front of the mural ? Terrific movie surreal blend of creepy and the banal. Thing I forgot to say above was this website makes me feel I am sitting with you as you sift through these papers and pull some interesting file or letter out, and add your own commentary as background. Thanks
Comment by Patty Gallagher — March 22, 2015 @ 8:21 pm
Oh, I’m not discouraged. If I don’t post often, it just means I’m busy with other things, and chasing deadlines. I haven’t seen the movie since it came out. John invited me to the first private screening with him, which was the best way to see it. As I recall, he was a bit overwhelmed at seeing bits of his life up on screen.
Comment by Doug — March 24, 2015 @ 11:15 pm
Hubris.
What a waste of a decent bitchng letter. The author could have been more creative….and more tuned in to many other things perhaps,…regardless….
Please keep the fine work here up Sir. Been reading for a while,..and continually find myself rereading many,many articles,.and the randomness and spread every where nature is perhaps the best way to present it. For maybe Anyone that likes to think they’ve read and followed the madness..mysteries and dark roads that Keel trod all his days well enough to ponder with a touch of certainty(but not absolutely about anything,without saying,,) would surely think the man behind all this staggering knowledge and hard work,…would smile and think much of your endeavors here.
Always looking out for future posts….Blessings.
Robb
Comment by Robb Shaw — May 7, 2015 @ 2:51 am
I don’t know if You’ll see this, as it’s an older thread, blog or whatever it is. But You can count me among Your supporters. I’m so glad I found this site. I’ve always loved to read Mr. keel. I think Mr. Keel, Jacques Valle and Charles Fort are the closest to the truth. If You can’t figure it out after reading them, I don’t think you ever will. Thanks again for all the hard work.. Steve P.
Comment by Steve Philbrook — July 7, 2015 @ 11:04 pm
Hi Doug,
Just to let you know how far your efforts have reached, decided to share my support for the site from Iran, Tehran.
Thank you,
Cyrus,
Tehran
Comment by Cyrus — September 25, 2015 @ 5:32 pm
Thanks, Cyrus!
Comment by Doug — September 28, 2015 @ 3:49 pm