Swamp Gas Journal - 1988 Volume 4 Number 3 and 4

Magazine Overview

Title: The Swamp Gas Journal
Issue: Volume 4, Numbers 3/4
Date: March, 1988
Publisher: Ufology Research of Manitoba (UFOROM)
ISSN: 0707-7106

This issue of The Swamp Gas Journal, dated March 1988, focuses on UFO phenomena through personal accounts, book reviews, and analysis of documents. The cover features an illustration of flying saucers with the headline "UFO's and I".

Personal Accounts and Research

The author, Chris Rutkowski, details his involvement in the UFO community, including his name appearing in OMNI magazine in December 1987 and January 1988. His first mention was an aside concerning Michael Persinger's statistical findings, where he emphasized the "Garbage In equals Garbage Out" principle. The second OMNI installment was an interview with Jerome Clark, where Rutkowski described doctoral theses on UFOs and his decision not to pursue a UFO-related thesis himself due to financial constraints. He explains his status as an "independent researcher" due to the inability to afford university registration without savings, and his current work writing for a newspaper.

A minor error in the OMNI article, stating he was still with the Geophysics Department, caused some stir, though it was not corrected as promised.

Rutkowski also reviews newspapers and books. He reviewed a "triple-header" for the Winnipeg Free Press covering Whitley Strieber's "Communion", "Intruders", and "UFOs: 1947-1987" by Hilary Evans and John Spencer. He notes a mix-up in publishing information and typos in his review but hopes it encouraged readers. He mentions that "Communion" and "Intruders" are available in paperback, with Avon Books distributing buttons featuring Strieber's alien.

He discusses Jenny Randles' article in the International UFO Reporter about Ralph Noyes, a former RAF and British Ministry of Defence source who wrote a science fiction novel based on his UFO experiences. Randles suggested Noyes knew more than he revealed.

Rutkowski recounts his experience in a small suburban library where he discovered Ralph Noyes' book "A Secret Property," noting familiar characters and a character named Conrad Friedman involved in covering up sightings.

Stanton Friedman visited Winnipeg again in January 1988. Rutkowski assisted in promoting Friedman's interviews and lectures, which included talks on UFOs and Food Irradiation. During an evening lecture on UFOs, Friedman presented slides of the infamous MJ-12 documents to an audience of over 300, including members of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.

Rutkowski and Grant Cameron, a Canadian UFO document expert, observed that the MJ-12 documents had holes punched along their left sides, as if for a three-ring binder. They discussed the significance of this detail, suggesting it could support the documents' authenticity if they were indeed stored in a binder. Rutkowski also noted the lack of wear around the holes, which is unusual for binder holes.

Book Reviews and Publications

Several books are highlighted:

• "Night Siege" by Allen Hynek, Philip Imbrogno, and Bob Pratt, detailing sightings in upstate New York over five years. Rutkowski notes it pays "lip service" to negative articles about UFOs.
• "The UFO Phenomenon" from TimeLife Books' "Mysteries of the Unknown Series." Rutkowski had provided photos for this book but they were not used, though he received a complimentary copy without credit.
• "Above Top Secret" by Timothy Good, which was available in England but not yet in Winnipeg bookstores.
• "From Flying Saucers to UFOs" by Hilary Evans and John Spencer, due for publication in Spring 1988.
• "Canadian Mysteries" by John Robert Colombo, which Rutkowski contributed information to.

Rutkowski also mentions an upcoming article he wrote for IUR about the Michalak case, which he critically examines, suggesting the case was "bungled" and that investigators failed to interview key witnesses. He anticipates some backlash regarding his use of the word "bungled."

UFOZINES AND FANZINES RECEIVED

A comprehensive list of received UFO publications from various countries is provided, including newsletters, bulletins, and magazines from Sweden, Italy, USA, Belgium, Canada, Australia, Germany, and the UK. Rutkowski states he has tried to read each of them.

Recent Local Sightings of UFOs

This section details numerous UFO sightings primarily from Manitoba between December 1986 and December 1987, with a few from other locations:

• December 12, 1986, Miami, Manitoba: A "parade" of objects with orange tails and red lights.
• January 15, 1987, Lorette, Manitoba: A "cross-shaped" object with winglike protuberances, observed at close range.
• January 29, 1987, Lorette, Manitoba: A brightly-lighted object that appeared to respond to headlight signals.
• February 2, 1987, Lorette, Manitoba: An "upside-down, crescent-shaped object" with flames shooting out.
• January 30, 1987, Great Falls, Manitoba: A group of four green lights that veered away.
• May 17, 1987, near Thunder Bay, Ontario: A large object observed on radar by an aircraft pilot, moving at over 5200 km/h.
• June 16, 1987, Bereton Lake, Manitoba: A round, red light with two smaller lights on each side, moving slowly.
• July 10, 1987, Winnipeg, Manitoba: A "high-pitched whine" heard, but no object seen.
• July 13, 1987, Carberry Junction, Manitoba: An object the size of a van with unusual lighting, which disappeared.
• August 12, 1987, Bereton Lake, Manitoba: Red and blue lights observed in the bush.
• August 31, 1987, Riverton, Manitoba: A bright orange glow from a UFO bathing a car.
• Summer, 1987, Anola, Manitoba: Two objects observed "hovering" in the sky.
• September 4, 1987, Ashern, Manitoba: A "mysterious sphere" with six V-shaped lights, which shot flames out.
• December 4, 1987, Bismarck, North Dakota: A "burger-box-shaped" object with red and green blinking lights, observed hovering over power lines.

A summary breaks down these 14 cases into probable explanations (1), possible explanations (6), insufficient information (3), and unknowns (4).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue reflects a strong interest in UFO phenomena, personal experiences, and the investigation of alleged evidence, such as the MJ-12 documents. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, as seen in the author's analysis of Michael Persinger's data and his detailed examination of the Michalak case. There is a focus on Canadian UFO reports and researchers, with several mentions of individuals and organizations within Canada. The publication also serves as a platform for reviewing relevant books and other UFO publications, indicating a desire to keep readers informed about the latest developments in the field. The author's personal journey as an independent researcher and his engagement with mainstream media and academic circles highlight the challenges and dedication involved in UFO research.