Swamp Gas Journal - 1994 Volume 7 Number 1

Magazine Overview

Title: The Swamp Gas Journal
Issue: Volume 7, Number 1
Date: March 1994
ISSN: 0707-7106

This issue of The Swamp Gas Journal, published in March 1994, delves into the emerging phenomenon of the "electronic information superhighway" and its impact on UFO research. The editorial, "Electronic Superhighways, and all that stuff," expresses skepticism about the quality of information likely to be found on these new digital platforms, comparing it to "electronic online dross." The author notes that while the "information superhighway" is being heavily promoted, the same people who struggle with basic technology might be its primary users.

The Digital Frontier in Ufology

The article critiques the state of online UFO discussions, particularly on FIDONET UFO echoes and newsgroups like alt.paranet.ufo and alt.alien.visitors. Stanton Friedman's assertion that these forums contain "nothing but garbage" is supported, with the author citing the prevalence of channelled information, flame wars, and debates about public figures like Bill Cooper, Bob Oechsler, and Bob Lazar. The "information content" is deemed "abysmally low," lacking case reports and rational articles. The ideal scenario presented is an international UFO database for researchers.

The author introduces the concept of the "Information Superhighway NETwork" (ISNET), suggesting that The Swamp Gas Journal (SGJ), despite being primarily a print publication with about 100 print subscribers and an equal number of known e-subscribers, is disseminated globally through its presence on major computers worldwide. This makes the SGJ accessible to anyone, anywhere, through services like gopherspace, which is described as an electronic encyclopedia guiding users through vast directories.

Information on UFOs is available online through sources like the Internet Wiretap in California, which hosts Project Blue Book unknowns and other materials. The author also mentions uploading Canadian UFO Surveys and CROP WATCHER issues to the ISN'T. An FTP site at Rutgers University is noted for containing hundreds of UFO-related files.

However, the usefulness of this information is questioned, drawing a parallel to the vast amount of low-quality material found on newsstands. The author argues that the electronic medium merely disseminates this information faster and more efficiently. Despite this, the "GOOD news" is that useful information does exist, but requires diligent searching, much like in print media.

The Pile of Books

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to a review of books related to ufology and related topics, presented as a list from the author's study. The reviews offer brief summaries and personal commentary:

• SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS (ed. Daniel S. Gillmor): A foundational work, prompting questions about the Condon Report versus Saunders.
• UFOs 1947-1987 (eds. Hilary Evans & John Spencer): BUFORA's compilation, noted for its rational discussion and contributors.
• UFOs PAST PRESENT AND FUTURE (Robert Emenegger): Said to form the basis for the crash/retrieval scenario.
• THE TOMMYKNOCKERS (Stephen King): A novel with a ufological slant.
• PHENOMENON: FORTY YEARS OF FLYING SAUCERS (eds. John Spencer & Hilary Evans): A companion to the earlier compilation.
• FATE MAGAZINE, Issue #500, November 1991: A collector's item with UFO commentary by Jerome Clark.
• OBSERVER'S HANDBOOK 1994 (ed. Roy L. Bishop): Recommended for understanding celestial phenomena.
• UFO SIGHTINGS, LANDINGS AND ABDUCTIONS (Yurko Bondarchuk): A standard for Canadian case studies.
• FRIENDLY ALIENS (John Robert Colombo): A collection of SF, fantasy, and horror stories set in Canada with an alien theme.
• THE GELLER PAPERS (Charles Panati): A collection of "pro" views on Uri Geller's powers.
• FIRE IN THE BRAIN (Ronald Siegel): A book about clinical research into hallucinations.
• DREAM POWER (Winnifred Barton): A guide to understanding dreams.
• COMPLETELY MAD (Maria Reidelbach): A history of MAD MAGAZINE, touching on censorship.
• THE WONDER THAT IS PARIS and MY HOUSE (Diane Carlson & David Geary): Described as satirical works, with Geary selling UFO attractors.
• MOONSCAPES (Rosemary Ellen Guiley): A survey of folklore and tradition about the Moon.
• HAMLYN ATLAS OF THE MOON (Antonin Rukl): A comprehensive atlas of the Moon.

Zines

The issue also reviews several recently received zines:

• GEO-MONITOR: Featured a review of earthquake prediction.
• JUST CAUSE: Dedicated an issue to "Expanding Balls of Light" (EBOLs) seen at sea, with references to classified military reports.
• IUR (INTERNATIONAL UFO REPORTER): Praised for its excellent source of information on UFO cases, including discussions on Gulf Breeze and the Roswell crash.
• HUFON REPORT: Considered a good attempt, though lacking critical view on topics like crop circles.
• THE CROP WATCHER: Described as the best circlezine, with commentary on cereological and ufological matters.
• SAUCER SMEAR: Known for digging into the backgrounds of prominent figures in ufology and debunking.
• CAMBRIDGE UFO RESEARCH GROUP NEWSLETTER: A lengthy zine with articles, reprints, and cartoons.
• MUFON UFO JOURNAL: Recommended as a group to join, featuring a mix of hard science and speculative writing.
• NORTHERN UFO NEWS: A British zine covering case reports, book reviews, and commentary on the UK UFO scene.
• INTERNATIONAL UFO LIBRARY MAGAZINE: Described as a revival of 70s-style glossy UFO magazines.
• THE ARIZONA SKEPTIC: A debunking publication, also available online.
• SKEPTICS UFO NEWSLETTER: Features Phil Klass critiquing UFO cases and abduction scenarios.
• UFO NEWSFILE: BUFORA's clipping service.
• DELVE REPORT: A zine with a broader spectrum of topics.
• SAF BULLETIN: Mostly in Swedish, but includes newsclippings, case reports, and astronomy articles.
• UFO RIVISTA DI INFORMAZIONE UFOLOGICA: An academic European version of IUR or MUFON JOURNAL, in Italian.
• THE CEREALOGIST: Focuses on shamanic studies and decoding crop circles.
• BULLETIN OF ANOMALOUS EXPERIENCE: Described as a professional medical review focused on UFO research, particularly abduction studies.

But THEY Know Everything

This section details the author's visit to Ottawa and his interactions with the Ottawa FreeNet's UFO Special Interest Group (SIG). He discusses correspondence with Patrick Milloy and a visit to the National Research Council (NRC) to review 1993 and 1994 UFO case files. The author notes that the 1993 cases were still awaiting transfer to the National Archives.

The narrative then shifts to a discussion about CSETI (Center for Study of Extraterrestrial Intelligence), founded by Dr. Steven Greer. The author recounts meeting Howard Schachter, who is on CSETI's executive council. Schachter explains CSETI's "proactive" approach to ufology, which involves going to reported UFO areas to observe. He claims that a "select" group of "scientists" possess physical evidence of alien intervention, including tissue samples and crashed saucer parts, but refuses to name them.

The discussion touches on the controversy surrounding CSETI, including criticism of Greer's fundraising methods and the group's insistence that "Aliens are strictly benevolent." CSETI claims to have videos showing UFOs responding to telepathic messages, but these have not been publicly released. The author also mentions the "Guardian video" and the "Gulf Breeze video," noting that the latter was discussed on the Net with skepticism, with some suggesting the lights were from balloons.

Robert Allison, writing from the Net, dismisses the "Guardian video" as a "silly fabrication" and part of a long history of claims about the Ottawa area. He notes that local reports were of "funny lights in the sky."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the intersection of emerging technologies (like the internet and information superhighways) with the field of ufology. There's a clear skepticism towards the quality of online UFO discourse, contrasting it with the perceived need for rigorous, data-driven research. The extensive book and zine reviews suggest a desire to guide readers towards more substantive material within the field. The detailed examination of CSETI and its controversial methods highlights the internal debates and differing approaches within ufology, from "reactive" to "proactive" investigation. The editorial stance appears to favour critical analysis and a search for verifiable evidence, while acknowledging the vast and often confusing landscape of UFO information available both in print and increasingly, online.

Title: Swamp Gas Journal
Issue: 71
Date: 1994
Publisher: Chris A. Rutkowski
Country: Canada

This issue of the Swamp Gas Journal, dated 1994, delves into various UFO-related topics, with a particular focus on sightings and phenomena in the Carp and West Carleton regions of Canada. The journal features discussions on potential explanations for sightings, the work of researchers, and international UFO research initiatives.

Carp and West Carleton Sightings

The issue begins by addressing recent reports of "funny lights" but contrasts them with more involved incidents. A significant portion discusses the area around Carp, Ontario, where an underground military base, the Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Carp, also known as the 'Diefenbunker,' is located. While the base is described as not secret and having no fighting capability, some believe nefarious deeds occur there. Evidence cited for unusual activity includes detailed descriptions of the area by a forger and numerous sightings of helicopter and jet overflights, suggesting flight training.

Alternative explanations for sightings in West Carleton are explored. One possibility discussed is a hot-air balloon, with a balloonist claiming to conduct night flights with strobes. However, another balloonist questioned the rate of the strobe. The article in the Citizen is mentioned as detailing this possibility.

Another potential explanation linked to a video involves a fire in a field, with the object resembling a fire truck responding to a brush fire. The illumination on the underside is noted as possibly highlighting hose connections. However, the author dismisses this as unlikely, arguing that a field fire of that magnitude in West Carleton, a large rural township, would be major news and widely reported, unlike the current situation.

It is noted that there is no definitive evidence that a specific video was filmed in West Carleton; the connection is solely based on a witness seeing a "similar" object in the area in 1991.

Research and Researchers

The journal highlights the differing opinions on the Carp affair. Dr. Schachter is mentioned as having no trouble "knowing" about the reality of ETs and treating experiencers, focusing on healing rather than deconstruction. CSETI members in Ottawa are noted to have gone to the West Carleton region to "make contact" in 1994, with a prediction that they might produce a video similar to the Gulf Breeze tape. George Greer's followers are mentioned, with a denial that they have to pay thousands to join contact experiences.

There have been a string of UFO reports from the Carp area, including a crop circle in 1993. The NRC files contain several reports from the area for 1993, and there is a history of observed UFOs in the region, making it a prime location for UFO spotters. The journal briefly dismisses the idea that Carp is "Baby Groom," identifying that location as Suffield.

Letters and Correspondence

The "Letters" section includes correspondence from various individuals. A young person from California expresses interest in UFO documents released by the Canadian Government. The journal notes that this type of inquiry is typical, with Grant Cameron humorously responding to requests for all available information by asking how many filing cabinets are needed.

Other correspondents mentioned include Marcus Matthews, researching "Big Cats Loose in Britain"; John Robert Colombo, for whom the author contributed to a book; Alexander Matlac from Romania; high-school student Matthew Astier; Timothy Good, whose book mentioned the author; ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS PRODUCTIONS LTD, researching a film on "Alien Phenomena"; Dave Geary, sending copies of "SASKATCHETOONS"; Maureen Ferraro of CBC Regina; Andrew Hochheimer, compiling a book on the Philadelphia Experiment; Pamela Thompson from Los Angeles, who sent reports on her city's earthquake aftereffects; and archskeptic Robert Young, who analyzed the Kecksburg UFO crash and insists the Carman UFO film was spliced.

Pascal Vescio wanted to know everything, as did a convict from Fort Leavenworth. Paul Fuller, editor of THE CROP WATCHER, is mentioned as a skeptic of cerealogy but acknowledges some validity in earthlights mechanisms. Fuller's comments on John MacNish's book "CROP CIRCLE APOCALYPSE" are discussed, including claims that farmers knowingly employed hoaxers to "guard" fields and that MacNish is skeptical of "genuine" crop circles.

The journal also notes Paul Cuttle's excellent clippings, an article from an old FLYING SAUCERS magazine discussing a saucer convention in New York, and correspondence from Christian Page and Janet Bord of the Fortean Picture Library.

International UFO Research

Hot News! Swedish Government Funding UFO Research!

The latest AFU Newsletter reports that the AFU (Archives for UFO Research) in Sweden is a non-profit foundation with three goals: building a Swedish and international UFO library, supporting UFO research, and stimulating critical discussion. The AFU has an impressive library funded by ufologists and corporate sponsors. It received a grant from the Swedish National Archives.

The article explains the Swedish government's "ALU" scheme, a make-work project for welfare recipients. "ALU people" are involved in various projects, including searching for lost wrecks, cataloguing mine holes, and conducting UFO research. As of January 1994, four people had completed ALU UFO projects, with others working on cataloguing press clippings, coding cases into a database, transcribing tapes, and computerizing an index.

The author expresses jealousy of the Swedish initiative, noting that they are maintaining the MANUFOCAT database, indexing the UFOROM library, compiling surveys, and investigating cases, and could use competent help.

UFO Abductions and John Mack

The issue includes a section on UFO abductions, mentioning a major article in PSYCHOLOGY TODAY about John Mack, a researcher who won a Pulitzer Prize. The article by Jill Neimark implies Mack has been taken in by people like Budd Hopkins and is gullible enough to accept claims such as underwear being switched on saucers. Mack is quoted as dismissing critics and suggesting that witnesses' experiences are "experimentally true but they didn't factually happen in this reality."

Editorial Information

The Swamp Gas Journal is copyrighted in 1994 by Chris A. Rutkowski. Mail correspondence can be sent to Box 1918, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3C 3R2, and email correspondence to [email protected]. The journal, UFOROM, and NAICCR are not affiliated with the University of Manitoba and do not represent its ideas or opinions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the investigation of UFO sightings with a focus on specific geographic locations (Carp, West Carleton), the exploration of various explanations for these sightings (military, natural phenomena, hoaxes), and the documentation of UFO-related research and activities globally. The journal also touches upon the controversial topic of alien abductions and the research surrounding them. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting different perspectives and research efforts while maintaining a critical eye, as evidenced by the questioning of John Mack's research and the skepticism expressed regarding crop circle authenticity. The author's personal involvement in UFO research and database management is also highlighted, suggesting a dedication to the field.