Swamp Gas Journal - 1997 Volume 8 Number 1

Magazine Overview

Title: The Swamp Gas Journal
Issue: Volume 8, Number 1
Date: Summer 1997
ISSN: 0707-7106

This issue of The Swamp Gas Journal, published in Summer 1997, addresses the challenges of reporting timely news in the electronic age and aims to disseminate UFO cases and Fortean events that may have been overlooked. The preparation for this issue began in February 1997, but it is only now making its way to readers.

Hale Mary, out in space

The article begins by discussing the 'companion' to Comet Hale-Bopp, affectionately dubbed 'Hale-Mary'. The author expresses a need to address what they perceive as silly or absurd claims within ufology. Astronomers had known about Comet Hale-Bopp for years, and it was predicted to be a significant celestial event. The author contrasts the current ease of astronomical observation with amateur equipment, including computer-controlled telescopes and CCD cameras, to the more challenging methods of the past.

The 'Hale-Mary' claim originated when Chuck Shramek used his computerized scope system and reported seeing a 'saturn-shaped object' near the comet, which his software identified as not being a star or astronomical body. Shramek discussed this on the Art Bell radio show, and some 'experts,' including 'scientific remote viewers' like Ed Dames, claimed the object was massive and transmitting signals. Dames even predicted a pathogen from this object would destroy terrestrial vegetation in 1997.

The author, active on the internet, received many queries about the Hale-Mary photos. Upon downloading Shramek's photo, the author immediately recognized it as a diffraction spike or CCD artifact. Despite this, Shramek supporters insisted the object was real and that astronomers were trying to suppress the 'truth.' The author attempted to demonstrate that the object was a background star by comparing Shramek's photo with another taken around the same time, showing how the differential movement of stars and the comet made the HM object's nature obvious. However, supporters dismissed this, claiming the stars didn't line up perfectly, which they interpreted as proof of a cover-up.

The author notes the irony that while these arguments ensued, Comet Hale-Bopp was clearly visible to anyone with a telescope, and no astronomer observed what Shramek claimed. An aside mentions that some Shramek supporters claimed to have seen the object with binoculars and that a Japanese observatory had identified a similar artifact as a CCD artifact, which was then used as further 'proof' by believers. Another aside addresses claims of radio signals from HM, stating no prominent astronomer verified this, and that faxes about these signals from an observatory were reportedly hoaxed. The author concludes that if such a companion object existed, it would have been visible to everyone and impossible to cover up.

Flooding and Other Events

The article briefly mentions that Comet Hale-Bopp's appearance coincided with severe flooding in the author's area, wiping out several towns, including Grand Forks. The author was personally evacuated and lost their book collection and UFO files.

Israeli Martians

This section recounts a story about a small, slimy, gooey Martian captured in Israel. Details varied, but one version involved a police officer killing it with a shovel. The creature reportedly degraded into goo, and university tests later suggested the contents were cow manure. Another related story mentioned a UFO 'expert' predicting a craft landing in early 1997, which did not occur. Uri Geller was in Israel at the time, celebrating his birthday.

Alien Boogers

The author touches upon the alien autopsy film, noting a lack of further proof but mentioning a disputed interview with the cameraman. The focus then shifts to implants surgically removed from abductees, which some 'experts' believe are alien tracking devices. However, the author points out inconsistencies: implants vary in size, shape, and composition, and are found in different body parts. The author and Roy Bauer examined an 'implant' from a Canadian abductee, which was a magnetic metal shaving fragment, and were unimpressed, noting the abductee admitted using equipment that could generate such fragments.

Emory Bored

This section discusses an article by psychology professor Scott Lilienfield in Emory Report, critiquing political science professor Courtney Brown. Brown claimed to have used remote viewing to travel to Mars and learn that Adam and Eve were genetic engineers. Lilienfield argued that censuring Brown could infringe on academic freedom, but that the 'establishment' might be seen as oppressing those who know 'the Truth.' The administration, tired of Brown's claims, opted to counter him with rhetoric rather than direct censure. Brown refused an offer to be tested in Lilienfield's lab.

Apollo Moon Photo Hoax

The author recounts being asked to rebut an article by David Percy in the Fortean Times concerning the faking of the Apollo Moon landings. The author finds it remarkable how many people embraced Percy's thesis that NASA fabricated the event. Bob Shell, a photographic expert, questioned whether the Apollo photos were a '27-year-old hoax,' suggesting NASA might have produced them in a studio. The author expresses amazement that people, presumably not technologically naive, believed this, despite Percy's interpretations of shadows and reflections being at odds with photographic principles. Despite being criticized online, Percy's approach received some support.

Varginha, Chupas, whatever...

This section shifts focus to stories from South America, specifically the Varginha incident in Brazil. Reports described a saucer crash and the retrieval of aliens, described as hairy and in need of medical attention. Rumors included military helicopters and official visitors. The author notes that investigations have been met with denials and wild claims. An internet UFO buff claimed the beings were in a university and that US personnel were present. The beings were described as animals, possibly servants to 'Alphas' or 'Greys'. A damaged saucer was reportedly seen, with the area of the crash being clean because the beings ejected before it. It was also speculated that UFO beings were protecting mineral deposits. Despite efforts by South American ufologists, the case appears to have reached a dead end.

Disinformation or Datinformation?

The author reflects on the strange and disputable claims made over the past year, noting that the most important aspect is that people are believing them. The internet's rumor-expansion capabilities allow these stories to spread rapidly, often first heard on Internet Relay Chat (IRC). The author laments that it takes a hundredfold effort to undo the damage caused by such rumors, and that true adherents often reject any naysayers. A serious IRC discussion led to the conclusion that the proliferation of nonsensical beliefs and claims within ufology, often promoted by 'big name' ufologists or 'experts,' suggests a possible 'disinformation campaign' undermining ufology. Evidence cited includes Whitley Streiber publishing channeled information about the Hale-Bopp companion and accepting faxes from a supposed astronomer without question.

The CIA and a Canadian Centennial Project in Alberta

The author expresses skepticism about conspiracy theories but admits recent events have caused them to wonder. In 1967, the town of St. Paul, Alberta, built a 'UFO Landing Platform' as a centennial project. Over time, it fell into disrepair, but later, the town council capitalized on UFO interest by obtaining the traveling CUFOS exhibit and building a UFO 'museum' at the base of the platform. They also installed a toll-free UFO sighting hotline. The town council realized they needed financial support for the 800-number and found it in Robert Bigelow of Las Vegas, Nevada. Bigelow, a real estate developer with an interest in unusual phenomena, reportedly wanted to gain fame through ET research. In 1996, he bought a ranch in Nevada to establish a laboratory to study UFO phenomena.

Bigelow formed the National Institute for Discovery Science (NIDS), which includes scientists like John B. Alexander, former director of non-lethal weapons testing at Los Alamos. Alexander stated NIDS aims to conduct high-quality research and make information available. Jim Moseley described Alexander as a former head of Los Alamos Nonlethal Weapons research, involved in 'psiwar' techniques. Alexander recently 'retired' but continues his nonlethal weapons work. NIDS is reportedly involved in psychic research, remote viewing, and the afterlife, aiming to understand flying saucers and even build one. NIDS also funds implant retrieval research and contributed to the investigation of the Linda Napolitano/Cortile abduction case. Bigelow is also associated with Linda Moulton Howe, known for her work on cattle mutilations and crop circles. Bigelow agreed to fund the St. Paul UFO hotline in exchange for 'first crack' at good tips. Howe and Chad Deetken have reportedly been studying cattle mutilations in North America.

The Common Thread or Threadbare?

The author suggests that following the connections in ufology leads to many of the same individuals. Major Ed Dames, president of PSI TECH, Incorporated, and former Operations and Training Officer of a military remote viewing unit, is mentioned as being involved in the Hale-Bopp fiasco. Dames announced on Art Bell that he was in direct contact with aliens guiding the Hale-Bopp companion spaceship. Other individuals mentioned include Ingo Swann and Dr. Courtney Brown. The author poses the question of why these individuals, who are educated and should know better, became involved in proliferating questionable claims. One suggested explanation is that these individuals, being involved in 'big' UFO cases and public lectures, are prime candidates for a 'disinformation program' designed to influence UFO buffs. Alternatively, the author suggests that adherents might be loners or eccentrics, whose social status and skewed view of reality lead to misdirected energies and a unified, albeit aberrant, version of the UFO phenomenon. The author concludes that these might simply be judgment errors, as ufologists are human.

Off on a Comet

This section addresses the Heaven's Gate incident, stating that ufology cannot ignore it. The author expresses sadness for the deaths but notes there were warning signs, referencing the careers of Bo and Peep from the 70s. They mention that Balch and Taylor's research into the group in psychology journals should have raised concerns. The disappearance of followers was also noted. The author draws a parallel between the Heaven's Gate group and other contactee groups, whose danger signs are often ignored. A contactee's story about a 'landing site' and subsequent interference leading to an accident is recounted. The author states that Heaven's Gate was a tragedy caused by false information, with no spaceship, companion, or plague. They highlight the rise of 'Millennial Fever,' where believers are agitated by chronological milestones, citing the Heaven's Gate and Solar Temple mass suicides. The author questions the choice of spaceships as a destination for Heaven's Gate, preferring traditional notions of heaven. The concern is that Millennial Fever will increase as the year 2000 approaches.

Notes from the 1996 Canadian UFO Report

The author received significant cooperation from Canadian UFO researchers for this report, noting that active investigations often come from groups not associated with major UFO organizations. The entire report is available online. The author emphasizes the importance of 'basic' ufology – the investigation, collection, and analysis of UFO reports – as the core of the phenomenon. A meeting of the UFOROM group examined 1996 'unknown' cases, concluding that only 5% were of higher reliability and strangeness, highlighting the difficulties in analyzing UFO data and the lack of answers due to insufficient rigorous investigation.

Title: The Swamp Gas Journal
Issue Date: 1997
Publisher: Chris A. Rutkowski
Country of Publication: Canada
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of The Swamp Gas Journal, edited by Chris A. Rutkowski, focuses on UFO reports and the broader field of ufology. It presents statistical data on UFO sightings in Canada, discusses the challenges in analyzing witness accounts, and explores various theories and reader feedback.

Analysis of UFO Reports and Witness Accounts

The journal begins by quoting an exercise that analyzed UFO reports, concluding that the process is "tricky" and relies heavily on subjective estimates and interpretations of witness observations. It notes that many reports, while good as "stories," have plausible explanations, and a significant fraction require further investigation. The group recommended that UFO sighting accounts not be taken at face value and that caution be used in their interpretation.

UFO Statistics and Understanding

The author expresses interest in the apparent lack of understanding regarding UFO sightings, even among "expert" ufologists. The article points out that many sightings are explained as common objects like stars or planes. It challenges the notion that sightings near airports with colored flashing lights, or objects that are stationary but sink slowly, cannot be airplanes. The author suggests that if 90% of UFO reports have descriptions similar to these common explanations, then most UFOs are not that mysterious.

Statistics from Canada are presented: UFOs were reported at a rate of about 21 per month in 1996, with an average of 19 per month over the preceding eight years. Approximately 190 cases of unidentified flying objects are reported annually in Canada. Crucially, about 13% of all UFO reports remain unexplained, a figure that drops to about 5% when only higher-quality cases are considered. The phenomenon, it is noted, has not significantly progressed in its 50-year history, with some suggesting ufology has gone nowhere.

Reader Feedback and Theories

The journal includes a section titled "AINT Misbehavin'," which discusses the "Alien Incompetency Theory" (AINT) proposed by the author and Vladimir Simosko. This theory suggests that aliens themselves are incompetent, leading to the bizarre nature of UFO sightings and associated phenomena. While AINT was generally well-received, some readers strongly disagreed, implying that their own inadequacy as scientists prevented them from understanding the true alien agenda.

Several reader responses are included:

• One reader praises AINT as a "beautiful scientific theory" and poses further research questions, including the connection between alien fascination with abductee genitalia, cattle mutilations, and the statistically significant relationship between network advertising revenues and the increase in UFO sightings and television programs. This reader questions if it's a scheme by aliens to raise capital for ship repairs, which seems contradictory to the incompetence thesis.
• Another reader suggests the opposite: that aliens are deliberately trying to confuse and mystify humans, introducing themselves slowly and making phenomena just strange enough to be dismissed by debunkers, yet real enough to be noted.
• A third reader proposes that alien "intelligence" might be subject to entropy, similar to the universe's tendency towards disorder. They question why higher intelligence would be uniquely organized when stars explode and species go extinct.
• A student's comment about the government holding an alien in captivity in Colorado Springs is discussed, questioning why aliens, who can materialize and move through walls, couldn't free their captive from a "tin-pot jail."
• Another perspective suggests aliens might be government workers or retired individuals seeking a "good weather" destination, drawing a parallel to the Florida government allowing infirm individuals to drive. The question of why aliens conduct the same experiments today as they did forty years ago is raised, with a speculative answer that they might be religious rituals.

Editorial Stance and Contact Information

The journal concludes with contact information for Chris A. Rutkowski, including a mailing address in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and an email address. It clarifies that The Swamp Gas Journal, UFOROM, and NAICCR are not affiliated with the University of Manitoba and do not represent its views.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical analysis of UFO reports, the statistical assessment of sightings, and the exploration of unconventional theories about alien motivations and capabilities. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards sensationalism in ufology, encouraging a more rational and evidence-based approach, while also acknowledging the persistent mystery of unexplained phenomena. The inclusion of diverse reader feedback highlights the ongoing debate and varied interpretations within the UFO community.