THE SWAMP GAS JOURNAL

Magazine Overview

Title: THE SWAMP GAS JOURNAL
Issue: Volume 3, Numbers 9/10
Date: July 1986
Publisher: Ufology Research of Manitoba
Country: Canada
ISSN: 0707-7106

This issue of The Swamp Gas Journal is dedicated to the memory of Dr. J. Allen Hynek, a significant figure in the study of UFOs and astronomy. The cover features a portrait of Dr. Hynek with the headline "In Memoriam J. Allen Hynek."

In Memoriam: J. Allen Hynek

The lead article, written by Chris Rutkowski, is a heartfelt tribute to Dr. J. Allen Hynek, who passed away. Rutkowski recounts his personal encounters with Hynek, beginning when he was 16 years old and awed by the man he had read so much about. He highlights Hynek's dual career as a respected astronomer, involved in lunar evolution research and the Smithsonian Institution's satellite observation program, and as a prominent UFO researcher.

Hynek faced significant ridicule throughout his career, earning nicknames like "Pied Piper of Ufology" and "Spaceman." The journal itself is named in tribute to him, referencing his comment about "marsh gas" during the Ann Arbor sightings investigation, which the press widely publicized. Despite the skepticism, Hynek maintained his position and argued his case logically. Rutkowski notes that Hynek's views evolved over the years, moving from a skeptical Air Force consultant to what he termed a "believer," and later refining his hypothesis to an "ultraterrestrial theory" involving a more spiritually-oriented system.

Rutkowski emphasizes that Hynek died believing in the reality of the UFO phenomenon. He shares an amusing anecdote about an unreleased scene from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" where aliens interact with Hynek. The article concludes with a fond farewell to Allen.

Ufology Research of Manitoba: Report for January 1983 to June 1984

This section presents a report from Ufology Research of Manitoba (UFOROM) detailing UFO sightings in the province. For the year 1983, only 8 reports were received, with two lacking a clear explanation. The report lists these cases chronologically:

• January 9, 7:20 PM: Brandon, Manitoba - Probable meteor, 5 witnesses.
• January 11, 7:05 PM: Cornwallis, Manitoba - Probable meteor, 1 witness.
• January 14, 11:54 AM: Winnipeg, Manitoba - Possible satellite, 1 witness.
• February 2, 8:10 PM: Winnipeg, Manitoba - Possible meteor, 1 witness.
• May 17, 10:30 PM: Winnipeg, Manitoba - Unknown, 2 witnesses.
• August 6, 11:45 PM: Woodridge, Manitoba - Unknown, 19 witnesses (related to "spook light").
• August 13, 11:15 PM: Woodridge, Manitoba - Probable automobile, 13 witnesses.
• November 8, 11:40 PM: Winnipeg, Manitoba - Possible aircraft, 1 witness.

The report notes that the Woodridge incidents were significant, and UFOROM representatives investigated a "spook light" phenomenon, attributing it to distant headlights but leaving the site open for further investigation due to uncertainties. The January 14 sighting of a black object crossing the Sun was also considered significant, possibly a satellite.

1983 was a quiet year for UFO reports compared to previous "flap" years. This allowed researchers to re-examine older reports and search for "hidden reports," leading to the discovery of the earliest Manitoba UFO sighting by explorer David Thompson near Landing Lake in 1792.

UFOROM collaborates with UFO research organizations globally and is involved in special research efforts, including case studies and government document analysis. UFOROM operates on a volunteer basis, is not a membership organization, and protects witness anonymity. Sightings can be reported to Box 1918, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3C 3R2.

Cosmic Cabal: A Physicist Perceives a UFO Cover-Up

This article profiles Stanton Friedman, a physicist and self-proclaimed UFO expert. Friedman, who has been involved in UFO research since 1958, lectures widely on his theories. He describes a typical alien being as about four feet tall with grey skin, a large round head, and large, round, glowing eyes. He asserts that these beings regularly visit Earth in silent, smokeless, saucer-like spaceships, sometimes abducting people and conducting experiments.

Friedman claims that governments worldwide are aware of these visits but are covering up the evidence, referring to it as a "cosmic Watergate." His evidence is based on U.S. government and military documents, though he has been denied access to some supposedly top-secret files. He cites astronaut James A. McDivitt's experience of photographing a craft in space and then being unable to find the film as an example of a cover-up.

Friedman believes that politicians are afraid to reveal the existence of alien life due to potential public panic, economic instability (stock market crashes, oil price hikes), and increased mental hospital admissions. He has been actively promoting UFO information since 1970, when he took his "UFO show on the road" full-time after being laid off from a job in nuclear power radiation shielding. He claims to have information on approximately 80,000 UFO sightings worldwide.

University professors Douglas Hube and Sun Kwok express skepticism, with Hube acknowledging the possibility of extraterrestrial life but noting the lack of substantive proof, and Kwok suggesting that conspiracy theories are entertaining but governments would find it impossible to suppress such a significant finding. Friedman, however, argues that scientists have not studied the subject closely enough.

Articles of Note

This section briefly mentions two articles:

• "There is No Fermi Paradox" by Robert A. Freitas, Jr. (Icarus, 1985): Freitas argues that the lack of observed extraterrestrial beings does not mean they don't exist, given the vastness of space and our limited observational capabilities. He points out that over 99.96% of the Solar System surface area remains unexamined for artifacts.
• "Moving and Erecting the Menhirs" by A. Thom (Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society, 1984): Thom discusses the physical impossibility of constructing certain megalithic stone features using conventional methods, highlighting the precision required for their placement and construction.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue strongly focuses on the legacy of J. Allen Hynek, portraying him as a courageous scientist who pursued the truth about UFOs despite significant opposition. The journal also maintains an active interest in UFO research, as evidenced by the UFOROM report and the coverage of Stanton Friedman's work. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into unexplained phenomena, with a particular emphasis on the UFO subject, and a critical view of governmental secrecy regarding such matters. The inclusion of articles on Freitas and Thom suggests an interest in broader scientific and historical mysteries that challenge conventional explanations.