From Robert Hastings --

[Decker]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The James T. Carlson Problem​

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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Robert Hastings Requests Your Assistance[/FONT]​

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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]By Robert Hastings[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]www.ufohastings.com[/FONT]​

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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Over the past 37 years I have interviewed more than 120 former or retired U.S. military personnel regarding their knowledge of UFO incursions at nuclear weapons sites during the Cold War era. On September 27, 2010, seven of those individuals participated in a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. to discuss their personal experiences in such cases. The event was streamed live by CNN and thousands of articles and broadcast news stories—the great majority of them accurate and objective—have been generated worldwide over the past month. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Four of the press conference participants discussed UFO activity at Malmstrom AFB’s ICBM sites in 1966-67: [/FONT]
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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Dr. Patrick McDonough revealed that one night, while working as an Air Force geodetic surveyor at a not-yet activated missile site, a disc-shaped UFO had raced in and briefly hovered, silently, some 300-feet above his head. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Retired Lt. Col. Dwynne Arneson, the Officer-in-Charge of the 28th Air Division’s Communications Center at Malmstrom in 1967, told of reading a secret message about a UFO hovering over a missile site just before it and nine other ICBMs mysteriously malfunctioned.
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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Former Captain Robert Salas, a missile launch officer at Malmstrom, spoke of being on alert at a 10-missile group designated Oscar Flight, probably on March 24, 1967, when his missiles failed—moments after his head security guard had called the launch capsule to report a glowing oval-shaped object hovering over the Launch Control Facility. Salas has publicly spoken about this incident since 1995 and was the co-sponsor of the press conference.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Finally, a former missile targeting officer, then-Lt. Robert Jamison, spoke of being involved in the re-start (retargeting) of the Oscar Flight missiles. Jamison said that all of the targeting teams involved in the action were briefed before going to the missile sites and were explicitly told that UFOs had been involved in the ICBM shutdowns.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]All of these individuals spoke out because they believe, as do I, that the U.S. government needs to be candid with the American people, and humans everywhere, about the reality of the UFO phenomenon and, in particular, the UFO-Nukes Connection.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Now, although these courageous individuals have come forward and divulged their involvement in still-classified incidents, in the hope of raising public awareness, a UFO debunker named James T. Carlson has been posting countless items online over the past two years, calling these veterans (and others who were involved in the missile shutdown incidents) liars, or worse. In particular, Bob Salas and I have been singled-out for his wrath. Carlson’s father, Eric Carlson, was one of two missile launch officers who were present at Malmstrom’s Echo Flight on March 16, 1967, when all 10 of their ICBMs shut down. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]While the senior Carlson claims not to remember any mention of a UFO being present at the time, the other officer, now-retired Col. Walter Figel, has told me, and Salas, that he received a report of a “large, round” UFO hovering over one of the missile sites just moments after it failed, and shortly before the other nine malfunctioned as well. Figel also verified that other security personnel subsequently corroborated the presence of the UFO. All of these admissions are on audio tape and one may listen to them via links in my article “The Echo/Oscar Witch Hunt”, posted at The UFO Chronicles website.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Unfortunately, James T. Carlson believes his father’s version of events—that no UFOs were present at Echo Flight when the missiles went down—and has spent the last two years slandering and libeling anyone who contradicts this claim. James has further alleged that Bob Salas has completely fabricated the story of his own involvement in a second shutdown incident, at Oscar Flight, even though the other officer present at the time, retired Col. Fred Meiwald, has verified its reality.
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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]In any case, the time has come for me to take inventory, in preparation for a possible legal action: While I am aware of numerous posts by James Carlson about all of this—on blogs at several websites—I’m certain that I’ve missed many more, given that they run into the hundreds at this point. So, I am seeking the reader’s assistance:[/FONT]
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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]I am asking that persons who want to the truth about the incidents at Malmstrom AFB in 1967 to be established—once and for all—to scour the Internet and locate posts in which Carlson has referred to me (or Bob Salas) as a “fraud”, a “liar” a “hoaxer” or similar defamatory terms. I am also interested in posts where James claims that he has “proved” that Mr. Salas and I have misrepresented the facts. Those willing to assist me in this regard should send me links to the offending posts via ufohastings@aol.com.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Thank you.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Robert Hastings[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]www.ufohastings.com[/FONT]
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[Kandinsky]

Hiya Don, what's your take on this?

Is Hastings doing the right thing considering legal action? Over on ATS, they both got going with name-calling and accusing each other of numerous flaws.

I'm thinking that on Bruce-Knapp's list, ad hominim attacks on fellow ufologists seems kinda cultural to the field. Just in recent months, Wendelle Stevens' death generated a lot of argy bargy and the spat about the Trindade images was likewise pretty hot-tempered.

Is it just par for the course or does Hastings have a point?

 

[Decker]

Hiya Don, what's your take on this?

Is Hastings doing the right thing considering legal action? Over on ATS, they both got going with name-calling and accusing each other of numerous flaws.

I'm thinking that on Bruce-Knapp's list, ad hominim attacks on fellow ufologists seems kinda cultural to the field. Just in recent months, Wendelle Stevens' death generated a lot of argy bargy and the spat about the Trindade images was likewise pretty hot-tempered.

Is it just par for the course or does Hastings have a point?

Hi Kandinsky. Well my friend ... name calling in the UFO field is simply par for the course. I can understand Robert Hastings anger at this guy .. and the other thing these days that seem to be par for the course is resorting to legal recourse. Now, if someone is claiming that Robert or his Air Force Officer witnesses are lying ... that can be perceived as doing them harm. A destruction of their reputations. Now, if someone defames your reputation in the marketplace Amigo, and it can be proved .. you are ripe for a defamation case. In this case Robert just might have this guy in his cross-hairs.

Everyone would really be wise if they simply took a step or two backwards, took a deep breath and perhaps mulled this over. Of course I am fairly certain that will not happen so we will just have to see where this goes.

The bottom line? The more things change the more they stay the same.

Decker

 

[Frank Stalter]

Hastings is wrong here. Firstly, he's a public figure. He's chosen to jump into the mix in the UFO field. That raises the bar on any libel/slander like claim to a near impossible level here in the States and rightfully so. He'd be wasting his time and money on any legal action over this. Carlson is doing him a favor anyway. Debate spurs interest.

If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.

 

[Anaximander]

Found this and more on ATS :

Before you rush into complete agreement with sloppy researchers like Hastings...

....

There is actually a whole slew of insults and implications of dishonesty against Mr Hastings and Mr Salas in that thread - here are all of Carlson Jr's posts there:

Robert Hastings has a message for UFO non-believers., page 1

And his posts from another thread (these two threads are all of Carlson's posts on ATS):

Did UFOs Cause the Shutdown of ICBMs at Malmstrom AFB, in March 1967? , page 1

 

[ALPHA ROMEO UNIFORM]

Found this and more on ATS :




There is actually a whole slew of insults and implications of dishonesty against Mr Hastings and Mr Salas in that thread - here are all of Carlson Jr's posts there:

Robert Hastings has a message for UFO non-believers., page 1

And his posts from another thread (these two threads are all of Carlson's posts on ATS):

Did UFOs Cause the Shutdown of ICBMs at Malmstrom AFB, in March 1967? , page 1

Mr Hastings and especially all these brave Cold War Veterans who spoke out should be treated with honor and respect
God Bless America & all the American & Coalition Servicemen & Women.
Peace,
BF

 

[Paul Kimball]

Here are three very confident predictions:

1. Hastings will never, ever sue Carlson. He'll talk a lot about doing it, but he won't pull the trigger. Make of that what you will, but it bears an uncanny resemblance to the way Kal Korff operates.

2. If Hastings ever does sue Carlson, he will (a) wind up getting counter-sued, and (b) they'll both lose.

3. By continuing to engage in this unseemly war of words, Hastings makes UFO research look even more ridiculous than it already does, particularly in the eyes of the general public who might notice. The result is that he undermines the credibility of the very cases that he claims he is trying to bring forward.

 

[Skymon876]

Hastings lenghty audio of Figel shows that Figel has been telling two different stories.

Everything Calson writes does not match what Figel himsef said in lengthy audio recorded inteviews with Robert Hastings.

 

[Double Nought Spy]

This is easy to say, and hard to do if you are in Hastings' postion, but Carlson should probably be left to make an ass of himself on his own. His diatribes are full of nonsense, as anyone who has a few brain cells left can tell. Those who can't tell probably don't matter anyway. It's a shame Carlson couldn't find a more constructive "mission" to pursue, or at least something connected somehow with reality.

 

[Skymon876]

Here are three very confident predictions:

1. Hastings will never, ever sue Carlson. He'll talk a lot about doing it, but he won't pull the trigger. Make of that what you will, but it bears an uncanny resemblance to the way Kal Korff operates.

2. If Hastings ever does sue Carlson, he will (a) wind up getting counter-sued, and (b) they'll both lose.

3. By continuing to engage in this unseemly war of words, Hastings makes UFO research look even more ridiculous than it already does, particularly in the eyes of the general public who might notice. The result is that he undermines the credibility of the very cases that he claims he is trying to bring forward.

I politely disagree with you. If someone is going around spreading a ton of lies about you and trying to ruin your reputation you have the right to defend yourself and if it takes legal action.

What we need is more researchers like Robert Hastings who take B.S. artists down and not let them get away with distorting the facts.

I say good work Mr. Hastings I hope you win.

 

[Frank Stalter]

I politely disagree with you. If someone is going around spreading a ton of lies about you and trying to ruin your reputation you have the right to defend yourself and if it takes legal action.

What we need is more researchers like Robert Hastings who take B.S. artists down and not let them get away with distorting the facts.

I say good work Mr. Hastings I hope you win.

With this case, I think Carlson Sr. didn't believe there was a UFO incident at Malmstrom and I think Carlson Jr. believes his old man. I don't think there's anything unusual or wrong in that regardless of what actually happened. It's up to Hastings to address the criticism and move on. It seems the preponderance of the evidence is on his side, but I'd like to know more. Hastings' hands certainly aren't clean in the trash talking part of all this.

 

[Paul Kimball]

I politely disagree with you. If someone is going around spreading a ton of lies about you and trying to ruin your reputation you have the right to defend yourself and if it takes legal action.

What we need is more researchers like Robert Hastings who take B.S. artists down and not let them get away with distorting the facts.

I say good work Mr. Hastings I hope you win.

I think you're missing my point. Hastings is a blowhard, and he's just blowing smoke about suing Carlson, quite possibly to intimidate Carlson (who, from what I have seen, is unlikely to be intimidated). This isn't the first time that Hastings has raised the spectre of a law suit in his dealings with others.

And here's the other thing: take the following statement, and flip it around:

"If someone is going around spreading a ton of lies about you and trying to ruin your reputation you have the right to defend yourself and if it takes legal action."

That's exactly what Carlson might be inclined to say about Hastings, given some of the things Hastings has written about Carlson. The whole thing has become a mess.

At the end of the day, Hastings just looks foolish for engaging Carlson, who has absolutely no traction outside ufology. The fact that Hastings can't let it go says a lot about his ego, and nothing at all about the case that he claims he's trying to put forward. He has lost sight of the forest for one tree.

 

[Keiko]

I think Hastings would have a case although it would probably be very costly to pursue. Public slander of someone's career and reputation is unacceptable (even if you think your Daddy is infallible). There is an adult and legal way to deal with contentious issues. Mr Carlson wrote a book to put his side accross - that should have been enough but his need to publicly denigrate other witnesses and the researcher seems insatiable. He has called them all liars and frauds and more. I hope it sparks more ex-military and airforce officials to come out and speak of any UFO incidents they may have experienced on duty but unfortunately it might put others off and that is a shame. We all know mud sticks...BS too.

If you have interviewed 120 ex-military/airforce personal and have collected their statements then that is serious research in any field...possibly worthy of a doctorate if the subject matter was not UFOs.

However, regarding legal action it would be better if Hastings had not responded personally and had just stuck to his research. I understand that it can be hard not to 'fight your corner' but sometimes it's better to say less! As I recall, David Jacobs had some very public accusations thrown at him but he basically refused to comment. He took alot of criticism for that but in hindsight it was probably the right thing to do. Whether or not you agree with someone's research, methods or conclusions...there is a right way to go about refuting someone's work.

 

[dyingsun]

Another feud in 'Ufology', who would have guessed...

 

[Keiko]

Another feud in 'Ufology', who would have guessed...

Maybe so, maybe not...

Most academic and research fields are full of 'feuds'. Alot of them can be pretty heated. But people generally stop short of public personal attacks and accusations and write a critique or an alternative theory or publish reseach that disproves the other's work. That's usually pretty effective. I don't understand why there is such a gloves off attitude in this field (when people have done quality research I mean - I kind of understand it for some of the BS artists .

Hastings has done some serious research. If this subject was acceptable in mainsteam universities his work would be in demand.

 

[boomerang]

I'm not sure why Hastings has gone out of his way to address Carlson and his voluminous rants. Just as I don't know why Carlson feels so passionately "anointed" to go forth and slay the Malmstrom Dragon. No doubt, he has his reasons.

Hastings has assembled one of the most impressive groups of witnesses to date, and proceeded to put them on record at the National Press Club. Watch it on YouTube. IMO, this qualifies as solid research.