The Swamp Gas Journal

Magazine Overview

Title: The Swamp Gas Journal
Issue: Volume 3, Issue 3
Date: December, 1984
Publisher: The Swamp Gas Journal
Country: Canada
Price: $12.95
ISSN: 0707 - 7106

This issue of The Swamp Gas Journal delves into various aspects of the unexplained, with a strong focus on UFO phenomena, government secrecy, and historical mysteries.

Articles and Reviews

Mysterious Light Puzzles Delta Cottage Owners

This article by Das Preedley reports on a baffling incident in Delta Beach, Manitoba, where several cottage owners witnessed a mysterious bright light over Lake Manitoba. The event occurred on a Thursday evening, with about ten people observing the phenomenon. Eyewitnesses Dorothy Mulvey and her son-in-law Richard Egan described the light as strange and white, initially thinking it might be a boat. However, it began moving upwards and away from the horizon at high speed. Morris Mulvey, Dorothy's husband, also saw the light and noted it lacked signal lights, unlike an aircraft. Tom Hutchinson, another witness, estimated the light to be about 1,000 feet high and moving at approximately 80 mph, veering east and appearing to follow the shoreline. Hutchinson, a lifelong resident of Delta, stated he had never seen anything like it, noting it didn't have flashing beacons or emit noise like a helicopter. The witnesses were left perplexed, unable to offer a definitive explanation.

More Rael Mail

• This section features a personal account from an individual who had an encounter with a Raelian and their friend on their way to a seminar in Quebec. The author received pamphlets detailing new information about the Raelian group. Key points include:
• Initiation Process: Baptism into the religion can occur on one of four days annually. Through 'manual contact,' a Raelian Guide transmits an initiate's genetic code to the ELOHIM, described as a 'registration process' on a galactic scale.
• Purpose of Initiation: Initiates are prepared to witness for the religion, 'spread the naked truth,' and prepare for the coming of the ELOHIM, who are to be welcomed with pride as a result of intelligent action, not divine creation.
• Seminars: Major seminars are held each summer in Quebec and France to train new Guides for public speaking and recruitment.
• Guide Levels: There are six levels of Guides, with the top three authorized to transmit genetic codes to the ELOHIM computer on their planet.
• Personal Involvement: The author expresses enthusiasm about potentially becoming a high-level Guide and playing an important part in the Raelian mission.

Book Review: 'Twilight of the Gods' by Michael Baran

Reviewed by Wally Nilsson, this book is described as a historical exploration of legends and folk tales related to earth-shaking catastrophes. Baran argues that a world-wide cataclysm around 11,000 BC, involving firestorms, floods, and earthquakes, impacted ancient civilizations on continents like Lemuria and Atlantis. He suggests that the leaders of these advanced civilizations unleashed destructive energy, leading to their own downfall. The review notes that Baran attempts to elevate Atlanteology and prehistory from pseudoscience to a more empirical science. His theory of 'inner-earth gravitation-electromagnetic forces' is considered 'far-out' but thought-provoking. The final chapter details a 'Gotterdammerung' event that brought firestorms and darkness to the planet. Nilsson concludes that while the cause of the catastrophe (natural or manmade) is debatable, Baran's book is an unusual but interesting read that shows he has done his homework.

Book Review: 'Clear Intent' by Lawrence Pawcett and Barry J. Greenwood

Reviewed by W. Ritchie Benedict, this book is presented as a significant work for UFO researchers, challenging the idea that the U.S. Government knows nothing about UFOs. The book details numerous UFO sightings over military installations in Maine, Montana, New York, Ontario, Florida, Maryland, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Michigan, often coinciding with cattle mutilations. It also mentions military sightings of mystery helicopters. The review highlights a teletype from Loring Air Force Base stating a UFO 'demonstrated a clear intent in the weapons storage area.' The book includes a chapter on foreign reports, mentioning Henry Kissinger's response to a UFO sighting in Morocco in 1976 and his dismissive remarks, similar to the Condon Report. It also covers the 1975 incident in Algeria where UFOs were sighted visually and on radar, with landings. The review notes chapters on the history of UFOs, PBI, and CIA involvement, as well as the NSA's possession of 270 UFO documents. The appendix includes a letter from General George C. Marshall regarding the 1942 'Battle of Los Angeles' and a 1967 Air Force letter concerning 'Men-in-Black' impersonations. Benedict, an experienced UFO lecturer, finds the book contains much new information and considers it a valuable contribution that helps prevent the suppression of information under the guise of 'national security.'

Book Review: 'Clear Intent' (continued)

Reviewed by Vladimir Simosko, this review focuses on the book's emphasis on intentional government cover-ups of UFO activity. Simosko notes that while the book provides evidence of extensive government interest, it also suggests bureaucratic bungling might be as likely as a conspiracy. He mentions that some cases in the book have been alleged to be fabrications. The review points out the authors' admission that claiming 'those helicopters are really UFOs disguised as helicopters' is 'going a bit far.' Simosko concludes that the book is a good collection of cases, some perhaps overemphasized, highlighting that government activity in UFO matters is greater than generally realized, but it offers no outstanding revelations.

Peter, Peter...

This section discusses the challenges of gaining media exposure for the Manitoba Mysteries Research Association (MMRA). Reporter Peter Warren wrote an article for the Selkirk Enterprise titled "Bumps in the Night..." which, despite an otherwise good interview, contained embarrassing statements and misquotes. The author was incorrectly identified as a 'librarian' and 'professional astronomer.' Misquotes included asking a caller if they had been to Pango Pango (sic) in Australia, when the context was about Tahiti. The article also conflated UFO reports from Beausejour and Gypsumville with sasquatch sightings, and attributed ghost reports at Winnipeg restaurants to old stories from 1975. Despite these inaccuracies, the article spelled the author's name correctly and included the MMRA phone number, conveying that the organization was being taken seriously.

Saucer (Flying) by E. L. Mayo

This is a poem reflecting on a mysterious aerial sighting. The poem describes a streak of light that defied conventional classification, appearing neither as a bug, star, or plane. The observer, lying on his back with a pipe, watched the object move erratically. The poem concludes with the feeling that the observer would not sleep alone again, suggesting a profound encounter with the unknown.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the persistent mystery surrounding UFO sightings, the alleged efforts by governments to conceal information about these phenomena, and the exploration of ancient civilizations and their potential connection to extraterrestrial or advanced technologies. The Manitoba Mysteries Research Association is presented as an active group investigating these matters, though their efforts are sometimes hampered by media misrepresentation. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into unexplained phenomena, while acknowledging the difficulties in discerning truth from hoaxes and the complexities of government secrecy. There is a clear interest in historical accounts and their potential relevance to modern UFO events.