The NSA has recently denied access to information from Intellipedia, a departure from over a decade of previous protocol. This decision is not based on changes to the FOIA or its exemptions but seems to be an internal agency choice. The NSA’s new stance could set a concerning precedent, allowing agencies to reinterpret transparency standards without clear legislative or judicial backing. The move underscores the importance of vigilance and advocacy in preserving the principles of open government and the public’s right to know. In a recent development that has raised eyebrows among transparency advocates, the National Security Agency (NSA) has…
Author: John Greenewald
Background The Lonnie Zamora incident was an alleged UFO close encounter. It occurred on Friday, April 24, 1964, at about 5:50 p.m., on the outskirts of Socorro, New Mexico. Several primary witnesses emerged to report their version of the event, which included the craft’s approach, conspicuous flame, and alleged physical evidence left behind immediately afterward. Lonnie Zamora, a Socorro police officer who was on duty at the time, claimed to have come closest to the object and provided the most prolonged and comprehensive account. Some physical trace evidence left behind—burned vegetation and soil, ground landing impressions, and metal scrapings on…
Background The United States Forest Service (USFS) manages and protects 154 national forests and 20 grasslands in 43 states and Puerto Rico. The agency’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. In November of 2016, I requested under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) all records pertaining to the UFO phenomena, including those reports submitted or witnessed by USFS personnel. I received a packet of documents on February 7, 2017, which can be seen below. You will notice photographs at the top of the…
Background Background: In the early 1950s, a surge of UFO reports flooded into the U.S. Air Force’s Project Blue Book, which was responsible for investigating these sightings. These reports garnered significant public and media attention, leading to concerns within the U.S. government. Some officials were worried that potential enemies could exploit the UFO phenomenon, either by using the public’s fascination with UFOs as a psychological weapon or by saturating communication channels with false reports during a real attack. This led the CIA to convene a panel of experts to examine the UFO issue. The Robertson Panel: Convened in January 1953,…
Background On November 15, 2015, Jamar Clark was shot by Minneapolis police officers Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze during a confrontation. The officers were responding to an alleged assault and claimed that Clark interfered with paramedics at the scene. Eyewitness accounts varied, with some asserting that Clark was handcuffed when shot, while the police insisted he wasn’t and had attempted to seize an officer’s firearm. Clark succumbed to his injuries a day later, sparking widespread protests, particularly from the Black Lives Matter movement, demanding justice and the release of video footage of the incident. The controversy around the shooting escalated…