Surveillance At Barack Obama's Presidential Bid Announcement

Springfield Illinois' Finest Puts On A Big Smile For The Camera
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The Official Watchers Greet You
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Perhaps it was the extreme cold, getting up very early on a Saturday, or just trying to remain diligent while looking at thousands of faces, but this Springfield Police Department Officer didn't look like a happy camper.
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Everyone Has Cameras & Cellphones - They Bring Them To This Type Of Event
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The Crowd Watches and Records Itself
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Nearly everyone who attended Barack Obama's Presidential candidacy announcement ceremony brought cellphones, and digital cameras. It would be fascinating to have everyone upload their photographs, and then create some sort of virtual reality deck. That would be neat. If Barak Obama wins will people in the future look at all the photos taken in this era just like people study photos from the days of Abraham Lincoln? Probably, but so many more photos are being taken today than in the time of Abraham Lincoln that I don't see how it would be possible. Yet if there was some kind of software where a person could upload a photo, and it would be interlaced within a virtual reality matrix that would be neat. Each photo would add additional information which the computer would sort out, and the user would simply glide around within the three-four dimensional world created. History could be a more interesting subject if it were treated like a video game.
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Picked This Guy Up Early - Mister Spooky on Zone Patrol
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Now I Introduce To You - Mr. Spooky Guy!
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I was minding my own business like thousands of others who braved the intense cold to see Barack Obama announce his presidential bid, and along trots in a bulldog of a guy who looked to me to be an undercover security person.

Am I paranoid? You betcha, but paranoid thinking is just good thinking when people are out to get ya.

Before making any rash judgments about my state of mental health read the following explanation of why I came to believe that this character was acting spooky. In fact for this post I'll refer to him as Mr. Spooky Guy.

Dave of the11thhour, and I entered the grounds of the Illinois Old State Capitol through the north entrance off of Washington Street. After entering we walked across the frozen lawn to the back of the crowd.

Mr. Spooky Guy was there before we arrived. Once we picked out a spot to stand Mr. Spooky Guy does a beeline right behind us. Now that may not be peculiar in and of itself, he has to stand somewhere right? Sure Mr. Spooky Guy was much shorter that either Dave or I, but why should he look for a better spot?
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Things Get Stranger With Mr. Spooky Guy

Dave, and I decide that we don't like the view so we decided to leave, and try and find another POV on the whole event.

We had to walk against the incoming foot traffic back to the north exit, and eventually found that we couldn't leave. The cops weren't any help, and the incoming tide of people was just too great to fight against - we were trapped. So we decided to walk back to where we were before.

However while we were trying to get out, all the people who we passed trying to leave had already filled in the area where we had been. We were even farther back than we had been before.

So one would have thought that the spooky guy that had earlier positioned himself right behind us would be deeper into crowd - right?

No, he had pulled out of the crowd!

By the time we returned the spooky guy comes back and repositions himself right behind us again!

But that's not the only thing I found odd.

I thought that Mr. Spooky Guy was acting suspiciously so I quickly turned and snapped a photo of him, but what does he do? The second he sees the camera pointed at himself he immediately looks off. When I pull the camera back he resumes his previous orientation.

Suddenly Mr. Spooky Guy finds something important to look at, but only for the second or so that I pointed the camera at him. He struck this pose for one second - quick reaction Mr. Spooky Guy! In the photo below he almost looks like he's looking off at something interesting, but it's all for the camera.
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Mister Spooky Goes Man to Man - Not Once, But Twice!
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The Price Of Freedom And Security - Being Watched
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There was plenty of justification for crowd infiltration. If you're trying to protect a candidate you'll want to set up some security within the crowd before such a candidate. You'll want to get close to anyone you may suspect falls within a certain profile. For example you might not waste much time on Grandma, and her grandchildren, but you would want some wandering security within a crowd checking people out who might be suspicious looking.

When Barak Obama announced his bid for the Presidency the crowd, buildings, and skies around the event were under close inspection. In fact I'm sure there was more watching going on than I would even suspect. This is the price of living in a modern society in which one terrorist with a bomb, or machine gun can turn a peaceful democratic experience into a nightmare of blown up body parts. It's too bad we live in a world where this is necessary, but that's the reality of the times we live in.
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Photos Reviewed
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This is one of my favorite photographs of the event. I like the contrast of the spotters with their binoculars against a beautiful sky. The flag looks nice too.
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Spotters Atop Chase - Marine Bank - Springfield, Illinois
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It was dreadfully cold out that morning. For those closer to the risers, and the podium where Barak Obama spoke the sun was out, and it must have been ten degrees warmer there, than for thousands in the shade created by the Ameren CIPS building. The sun only peaked around the corner of the Ameren building moments after Barack Obama left.

The next photo is my favorite which I took of the event. I just love the American flag. To me it is beautiful. Even if I had been raised in some other nation I'd still be totally appreciative of the beauty of the American flag. In the photo we see a giant flag draped over a building on the corner of Sixth and Washington. Spotters with binoculars are stationed atop the building.
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Sixth & Washington's Giant Flag - Spotters Atop Building
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I liked the giant American flag so much I used it in a portrait of two attendees. These three (below) were kind enough to pose. They're friends of Dave of the11thhour. Guess which one wanted to appear in the photo, and which one didn't? And yes, I meant three, and not two earlier.
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Dave Of The11thhour's Friends - Spotters Gone After Speech
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O.K., so the photo above doesn't have anything to do with surveillance, except it does show that the spotters atop the giant flag building left immediately after the speech.
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Christmas 2006 Was Two Months Ago?

Luminaries on Christmas Eve 2006 - Springfield, Illinois
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It's hard to believe how fast time passes. It has already been two months since Christmas Day of 2006. I'm never sure how to feel about time passing so quickly. I'm not the biggest fan of Winter, yet Summer passes by all to quickly too. Each year seems to pass more quickly than the one before. I don't mind racing to Spring. Anything that brings on warm gentle days is welcome. Yet Christmas week is magical. I love the deep reds, and trees, and the smells, and taste of Christmas. I love the family, and the music, and the mythology, and the religiosity of the Christmas season. But then it's over!
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Christmas Eve Dinner 2006 - Springfield, Illinois

One thing is for certain, none of us live forever, and we'd all better make the best of what time we do have. We also need to value those who are a little farther along in life than we are. Those stories which older folk want to share during family get togethers are priceless.

I find myself ever more eager to hear the stories as I myself get older. While the children seem more interested in playing with toys, or video games I find it's the stories that interest me most. The stories, the stories, the stories. Tell me about the forties, the fifties, and the sixties. Tell me your views on events of today. Have you seen it all before? Each story is like a gem shared among those wise enough to wait, and listen.

How time passes.

Stealing A Blizzard's Beauty One Ice Sickle At A Time

Digital Art - Ice Sickles on Electric Kool Aid - Central Illinois Blizzard of February, 2007
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This post presents a series of photos, and digital art which focuses upon frozen water. The recent blizzard which hit Central Illinois created many problems for tens of thousands of residents of Central Illinois. Before the snow and ice melted I decided to steal some of its beauty. I did not pour Kool Aid on the ice and snow - that's all digital.
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Ice Sickle Tornado - Jerome, Illinois - February 2007

The photo above I titled Ice Sickle Tornado as it reminds me of a tornado. Last March (2006) a half mile wide F2 tornado came right through our neighborhood. We lost several large elm trees in our front yard. In fact if the ice sickle featured in the above photograph was actually a tornado it would be exactly where one of the elms that was felled once stood. Notice some of the broken branches in the tree to the right of the ice sickle?

One last thing about the above photo. If you apply some imagination, and if you look at the lower half of the ice sickle you might see within the sickle on the left half a glowing golden man wearing a golden head dress. To the right facing and embracing the golden man is a ghostly white long haired female with her head thrown back. Suffice it to say shield your children's eyes, because I don't think they're wearing any clothes! Spirits of Winter and Spring caught in a frozen embrace no doubt.
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Ice Sickles at Sunrise - Springfield, Illinois February 2007
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The ice sickles were so long they were actually reaching the ground. This photograph of a Central Illinois sunrise taken just behind some ground reaching ice sickles.
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Fire and Ice - Sangamon County Illinois February 2007
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To conclude this post I saved best for last. I love the winter sun blazing down through a clear crisp blue sky upon a snow covered field or a patch or sickle of translucent ice. There's just something about the contrast of fire and ice which speaks deep.

For two days I was "trapped" in our home which was completely snowed in from a recent blizzard. While a footpath allowed access to the street no automobile could pass through the knee high snow drifts. I took the opportunity to take the photographs posted in this series.

Don't Worry ~ Be Happy :)

Don't Worry ~ Be Happy!

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Don't Worry ~ Be Happy
- Bobby McFerrin -

Here is a little song I wrote
You might want to sing it note for note
Don't worry ~ Be happy

In every life we have some trouble
When you worry you make it double
Don't worry ~ Be happy

Ain't got no place to lay your head
Somebody came and took your bed
Don't worry ~ Be happy

The land lord say your rent is late
He may have to litigate
Don't worry ~ Be happy

Look at me I am happy
Don't worry ~ Be happy

Here I give you my phone number
When you worry call me
I'll make you happy
Don't worry ~ Be happy

Ain't got no cash, ain't got no style
Ain't got not girl to make you smile
Don't worry ~ Be happy

Cause when you worry
Your face will frown
And that will bring everybody down
Don't worry ~ Be happy

There is this little song I wrote
I hope you learn it note for note
Like good little children
Don't worry ~ Be happy

Listen to what I say
In your life expect some trouble
But when you worry
You make it double
Don't worry ~ Be happy

Don't worry ~ Be happy

Put a smile on your face
Don't bring everybody down like this
Don't worry
It will soon pass
Whatever it is
Don't worry ~ Be happy

Speculation On Pierce's & Michael's WNNS Departure

Brian Pierce's and Kellie Michael's Departure From WNNS

The State Journal Register ran a story today on the departure of Brian Pierce and Kellie Michaels from WNNS.

"Kevan Kavanaugh, Mid-West's general manager, confirmed the pair left the station Wednesday and will no longer be on the air. Kavanaugh didn't discuss details, calling it a personnel matter".

The SJ-R story written by A&E editor Nick Rogers went on to recap a recent, and heated blog exchange between Pierce, Dave of The11thhour, and myself over a quote which Pierce had attributed to Hillary Clinton. Pierce's blog post alleged Hillary Clinton had once stated that she "loathed the military". Both Dave of the11thhour and I had challenged the authenticity of the quote, and requested that Mr. Pierce provide a source for his citation. The SJ-R story continues by stating:

"By early afternoon Wednesday, the WNNS Web site, www.wnns.com, listed Steve Parker as assuming their slot and Jim Leach, primarily a WMAY-AM broadcaster, filling in for Parker's afternoon shift.

The site also disabled or removed links pointing to Pierce and Michaels' personal Web pages.

One such site is "Briblog," Pierce's personal blog (http ://pierceshow.blogspot.com) on which he writes about "all the stuff he doesn't have time to drone on about live on the air."

There is no obvious indication "Briblog" has had anything to do with Pierce and Michaels leaving WNNS. But a recent post drew Pierce into a fierce war of words among Springfield-area bloggers.

In a Saturday post titled "Hillary gets 'owned,'" Pierce questioned U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's support for the military as part of her presidential campaign.

The Briblog post included this passage: "Many have never forgotten that when she was co-president for eight years she was quoted as saying: 'I loathe the military.' "

However, another local blog, The 11th Hour (http ://the11thhour.blogspot.com/), challenged that quote, calling it "bogus information" taken from right-wing Web postings.

Another local blogger, Jerome Prophet (http://jeromeprophet.blogspot.com/), joined the call for Pierce to cite a "reputable source."

A heated online exchange among the three included this response from Pierce: "I simply don't take this thing as seriously as you guys do. I've been in media 32 years. I cume (reach a cumulative audience of) 35,000 people a day on the radio show. ... I can say anything I want here - that's the fun."

On Monday, Pierce edited his original post to remove the questioned quote and extended an olive branch. He acknowledged not "researching the topic completely," but added, "I hope you react similarly to the tens of thousands of blog posts that get the facts wrong."

The 11th Hour acknowledged the sarcasm, but accepted the apology. On Wednesday, that blog posted this response to the WNNS news: "Just to be clear, I really, really had nothing to do with this. I sent no bad karma or nothin'. I certainly would never wish anyone to lose their job. So best of luck to both of them in the future.""

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Did Pierce's Blog Statements Befall Him?

First and foremost I want to mention that I have no knowledge about any actual meeting between Mr. Pierce, and his manager. I'm using total speculation as a vehicle to express my ideas on blogging. If you're reading this Mr. Pierce, and Kellie Michaels I want you both to know I have nothing but the greatest respect for you. In all honesty I have never listened to your radio program, but Mr. Pierce earned my respect when he deleted his Hillary Clinton quote, and stated that he had made a mistake. It takes a mature person to do that.

I believe it is very likely that Brian Pierce's blog post on Hillary Clinton started a chain of events which led to his, and his spouse's departure from WNNS. Brian had made an arrogant, and inflammatory statement, even citing his station's cumulative audience value in an attempt to impress his readers, and to belittle his critics.

I'm paraphrasing here (note the lack of quotation marks)

Most importantly Mr. Pierce went on to state that he did not consider making unfounded statements about Hillary Clinton to be all that serious of a matter, and that he would go on to say whatever he wanted in the future because it was fun.

From the stand point of his employer this could be considered a dangerous declaration.

Unlike most bloggers Pierce's employers provided publicity for, and a link to Mr. Pierce's personal websites. If an average blogger becomes embroiled in an online dispute most find themselves unable to play the CUME card which Mr. Pierce used. In that sense Mr. Pierce was not only relying upon his personal prestige, but also that of his employer.

Citing your employer is a double edged sword, which can indeed cut both ways. Pierce was essentially yoking his unfounded, and untrue quote which he attributed to Hillary Clinton around the necks of his employers. Furthermore his declaration that he'd go on making whatever statements he wanted in the future because it was fun, alluding to the wild west, had to set off alarms in the minds of his managers.

If Mr. Pierce had been a journalist, and had falsely quoted a candidate for the Presidency, and then said something similar to, "I don't take this as seriously as you do, I work for the New York Times, and the New York Times is read by millions of people, and I'll write anything I want on my personal blog, and by the way how many people read your blog?", then it would be all too obvious that that New York Times Journalist had stepped over the line of propriety, and that the New York Times would be right to terminate their relationship with that journalist.

Yet is being an on air radio personality different? Is there a lower standard for such personalities? Dave of the11thhour suggest that there has to be another reason for their dismissal, than just Mr. Pierce's blog postings. I feel that Dave who worked in radio for several years is a bit jaded when it comes to the motivations of radio station owners, and managers. I am not idealistic about the motivations of WNNS management.

I don't believe that Pierce was dismissed simply because he made up a quote, or used a quote without citation. Nor do I believe he was dismissed due to making an arrogant statement. I do however believe that his approach led to problems once he was asked about his blog by his employer.

I suspect that Mr. Pierce was brought in to discuss his blog post, and was told that it made the station look bad, and that according to the terms of his employment contract that WNNS could terminate him if he didn't stop. I suspect at that point Mr. Pierce argued that it was a violation of his privacy, and first amendment rights for WNNS to tell him what to write on his blog.

At which point his manager probably stated that he couldn't claim a right to privacy since the station had links to Brian's website, and that Brian himself had mentioned his affiliation to his employer on his blog.

Somehow in that moment, when things may have been resolved they only became worse, and Mr. Pierce was terminated. I'm totally guessing on all of this, but I'd guess at that point that Kellie Michaels in solidarity with her spouse quit.
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If True Was It Just?

I believe the lesson to be learned is not to mention your employer on your blog. You'll find no links, and no stories about my employer on this blog, and you never will. There won't be any company water cooler gossip, and no trade secrets posted here. There won't be any sly references to my mangers either. Especially important you'll find no statements on my blog which use my relationship to my employer as a means of propping up an invalid claim about anyone - including Hillary Clinton.

In the end we live in a rapidly changing world, and we're all sailing in uncharted seas when it comes to blogging, and so the safest course to sail is a conservative course. Assume that at all times everything you write will be read by your beloved grandmother, your pastor or priest, and your employer.

Where the private, and the personal meet has always been an area of contention, and blogging makes things all the more complex. What is clear is that WNNS has a right to defend itself from potential liability, and bad press just as Mr. Pierce has a right to blog. What is less clear is how those rights coexist.

My hope is that as time passes and employers, and individuals become more sophisticated about where the line falls on such matters that people won't find themselves victim to these types of events.

In the meantime I recommend to all bloggers looking for a safer blogging experience to either remain anonymous, or practice a high level of care when it comes to what you say, and in how you refer to your employer. Yes this is self censorship, but it will make a more responsible blogger out of you too.

NEO Apophis - Lucifer's Hammer!

Apophis - One Mean Snake & Ancient Egyptian Spirit Of Destruction!
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Life on Earth is doomed. Doomed I say!

Apophis, which happens to be a Near Earth Object, an asteroid in this case, is threatening to do the smack down on Earth in less than thirty years! That's right there's a threat that some city, or region will be wiped off the face of the Earth in less than thirty years. Odds of this happening are approximately 45000 to 1.

Apophis was discovered back in 2004, which seems like a long time ago, but the fact is since its discovery nothing has been done to ward off the approach of Apophis, and time is running out.

If Apophis hits Earth it will release the equivalent of 100,000 times the energy released in the Hiroshima A-Bomb, and that's a pretty big blast! Not only would a large area be wiped off the face of the Earth, but the dust thrown up into the atmosphere would cause major problems for crops around the world.


NEO Apophis - Asteroid & One Nasty Spud

The approach of the asteroid Apophis is and issue which seriously needs to be addressed, and soon. If humanity waits much longer there may be nothing it can do, but hope. The difference between human beings, and the dinosaurs which were wiped out by a collision with an asteroid or comet, is that human beings have a choice in the matter.

While Apophis isn't presenting humanity with a ELE (i.e., extinction level event) it does illustrate the need for a coordinated response to such a threat. A few billion dollars may be all it would take to insure that Apophis, and other NEOs could no longer threaten Earth with such disasters.

On April 29th, 2029 Apophis will pass so close to Earth that people will be able to look into the sky and see it pass by! As it passes by the Earth's gravity will alter Apophis' path, and when the asteroid returns in 2036 it may just smack into Earth.

Check this CNN article out on the coming of Apophis!

Also this Space.Com Article

Springfield Illinois Firestone Tire & Auto Art

Springfield, Illinois Firestone Tire and Auto Macarthur Blvd

I'm too poor to be an alcoholic so I do art. This one just leaped out at me. I took it a few months ago during a rainfall. The streets were wet, and all the lights from all the businesses, and traffic lights were gleaming mystically long across the pavement. I just love that effect, but it's often hard to capture that je ne sais quoi which seems so appealing in those moments.

Perhaps its the mixture of darkness overcome by light? The light is not wasted like on an ordinary night. It is not dulled, but made spectacular. Each bit of light bounces off the water splashed street coming together with the eye to form rivulets of color.

Is this theme one of sadness overcome by joy, death overcome by life, beauty and radiance?

I'm not sure what it is, but it uplifts me to see it.

Does WNNS Talk Jock Brian Pierce Hate Our Troops?

Spreading Lies About Their Future Commander In Chief?

Update: Brian Pierce has done the honest, and honorable thing by retracting the unfounded quote from his blog post which he attributed to Hillary Clinton. The following serves only as a record of the exchange.

Dave of the11thhour wrote a post challenging big time Springfield, Illinois radio star Brian Pierce to provide a link to a reputable source which shows that Hillary Clinton had ever actually stated that she "loathed the military".

Pierce states on his blog

Hillary Clinton has started her Presidential campaign by attempting to align herself with the military and be tough on terror. Many have never forgotten that when she was co-president for eight years she was quoted as saying : ” I loathe the military.”

A Commenter Request A Source

Anonymous said...

I know this is showing up on all the rightwing blogs and you can’t help but unquestioningly repeat it as a loyal unthinking droid, but please provide a link to where Senator Clinton said she “loathed the military”. She never said it, so please post a retraction. That is, before you delete my comment.

2:34 AM

Anonymous said...

Oh, and when I say provide a link, I mean a credible news source not some other ideological blog that claims she said it. A little proof please.

2:37 AM

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WNNS' Brian Pierce Responds - Sort Of?

Briblog Blog said...

It began here:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows
/clinton/etc/draftletter.html


Speaking of "droid", you my friend, are the one up at 2:30am reading blogs.

I wouldn't have posted my name either.

6:46 PM

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JeromeProphet Responds To Brian

JeromeProphet said...

It began here?

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows
/clinton/etc/draftletter.html

Your link doesn't provide a direct link to any story which supports your claim.

JP

11:03 PM

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Is Brian Pierce Too Big of a Radio Star to Care?

Briblog Blog said...

I have no moral high road I have to take here. The shit is deep on the net - it's the Wild Wild West. I simply don't take this thing as seriously as you guys do. I've been in media 32 years. I cume 35,000 people a day on the radio show. I've worked at stations that reached a million people a week. What are your page counts? I do this for fun. I can say anything I want here - that's the fun. To Dave, JP & the rest of you - I promise three things. I will continue to say what I want about Hillary. I will never blog about your blog on my front page & I will never delete your comments.

You win the pissing match.

9:36 AM

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Brian Pierce - Please Provide A Link

JeromeProphet said...

Am I supposed to be impressed?

Hey everybody Brian's voice was heard by a million people!

So was Hitler's.

Have you found a reputable link yet to source your allegation that Hilary Clinton ever stated that she "loathed the military"?

JP

12:23 PM

Does Honesty & Accuracy Really Matter to Brian Pierce?

Note: Brian Pierce has done the honest, and honorable thing by retracting the unfounded quote attributed to Hillary Clinton. This post serves only as a record of the exchange.

I Implore you Mr. Brian Pierce of Springfield, Illinois WNNS to find a link and post it which supports your claim that Hillary Clinton actually stated that she "loathes the military" as you have quoted on your blog.

If you can't find a source won't you at least admit that you can't find one, and remove the claim which you, Mr. Brian Pierce of WNNS located in Springfield, Illinois have made on your blog?

Isn't that the honest thing to do radio talk show host Mr. Brian Pierce of WNNS located in Springfield, Illinois?
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Has Brian Pierce of WNNS Really Worked at the Following Radio Stations?

WHAT - KBLO SPRINGFIELD ILLINOIS 1972-1975

WHEN MACOMB ILLINOIS 1975-1976

WCVS SPRINGFIELD ILLINOIS 1976-1979

WKIO CHAMPAIGN ILLINOIS 1979

WCVS SPRINGFIELD ILLINOIS 1980

WOAI-AM WOAI-FM KAJA-FM SAN ANTONIO TEXAS 1981

KLLS-FM KCCW-AM SAN ANTONIO 1982

WEZB-FM WDSU-TV NEW ORLEANS LOUISIANA 1983-1986

WZOU BOSTON MASSACHUSETTS 1986-1987

KSMG SAN ANTONIO TEXAS 1987

KLUV DALLAS TEXAS 1988-1991

ABC SATELLITE MUSIC NETWORK DALLAS TEXAS 1991

WNNS SPRINGFIELD ILLINOIS 1991

Maybe so, but in all honesty despite his claim to fame I have really never heard of him before - although I did include a link to his blog on my blog roll..
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Saint John's Hospital Bloody Smoke Stack Redux

Does Saint John's Incinerator Poison East Side Neighborhood's Air?

Ten years ago there were nearly 7000 hospital waste incinerators poisoning communities throughout the nation. Due to tighter EPA standards less than one hundred still operate today.

Saint John's Hospital in Springfield, Illinois continues to operate a medical waste incinerator in the heart of downtown Springfield. Most of the air pollution which Saint John's incinerator produces flows east across Springfield's east side neighborhoods. The east side of Springfield is made up of poorer less politically powerful neighborhoods.

Medical waste incinerators produce dioxins, and toxic heavy metals which have threatend the health of those who breathed air contaminated by these obsolete devices.

One can only wonder how long such an eyesore, and potential threat to public health would be tolerated if it were located just west of Panther Creek - Springfield's posh upper class subdivision where many of the doctors who work at Saint John's live.

How it is possible for any medical establishment to justify poisoning the very air people breath?
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This incinerator is just one block east of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, and Museum. It is an eyesore which needs to be demolished. It is time for Saint John's Hospital to stop polluting the air of east side and downtown Springfield residents!

Update!
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Did Someone From Saint John's Post A Comment?

If so it was well written, and only took about a half hour to write from the time of the initial visit.

Thoughts on the Passing of a Friend

Someone I knew and grew to like very much died earlier this week. I first met her at a fitness center here in town. I saw her first while she was walking on the treadmill. She told me that her doctor advised her to use a treadmill every day.

We also worked for the same employer, but in different divisions.

She had experienced a problem with her heart, and she was walking for her life's sake.

Each passing day brought new opportunities to talk with this incredible woman.

She often came with a friend, and the three of us would talk about our families.

I learned that two of her children attended the same school as my daughter, and eventually at sporting events I met her children, and even watched them graduate from high school last Spring.

She loved her children very much, and was very proud of them.

I spoke with her last week, and asked about her children. She gushed forth with such love and pride. She was so proud that her daughter was in college, and her son would soon be.

That was the last time I spoke with her. She was just as kind, and bubbling with joy as she always was. Just an incredibly nice person.

Thursday her friend - the one she'd walk with every day told me that she had died of a heart attack early this week. It was then I recalled she had had trouble with her heart.

I was shocked. This woman was so alive, so very much alive that one would never consider that she could ever die.

She was an African American woman about my age, but race and gender never factored into the way she and I got along. She was one of the nicest people I ever met.

May God Bless you, forgive you for your sins, and accept your soul into heaven dear woman. And if I'm so fortunate as to follow you may we meet again.

To her children I can only say what an incredible woman your mother was. You have the joy of being able to carry her memory within you, and I'm sure she'll always be there watching over you.

Despite this comforting thought I am sad, for the world seems just a little less bright with her departure. I'll never forget her.

Shut Down St. John's Waste Incinerator?

Carbon and Iron Oxide (from incinerated blood) Mar Saint John's Incinerator?

Most hospitals have opted out of the medical waste incineration business, but not Springfield, Illinois' Saint John's Hospital.

As of 2004 there were just twelve hospitals in Illinois that incinerated their own medical waste. Some including Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich have called for the closure of the remaining dirty dozen.

This from NoHarm.Org

Prompted by neighborhood activists pushing to close Evanston Hospital's medical-waste incinerator, Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Monday urged the state's last remaining hospital-trash burners to shut down.

Most hospitals got out of the business of burning waste years ago after concerns about cancer-causing dioxins from incinerators led the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to require a dramatic reduction in air pollution from trash burners.

But Illinois still has 12 such incinerators, five of which are in densely populated neighborhoods of suburban Chicago. Nearly 28,000 people live within a half-mile of one of the state's medical-waste burners, according to a Tribune analysis.

"Hospitals are supposed to provide health care, and hospitals are supposed to promote health care," Blagojevich said at a news conference a few hours before the Evanston City Council passed an ordinance that bans medical-waste incineration within city limits. "Hospitals are supposed to not undermine public health."

State records obtained by the Tribune show that most of the state's remaining waste burners have been in trouble at some point in recent years for putting too much pollution into the air.

Saint John's Hospital continues to rely upon its medical waste incinerator even though studies show that such incinerators release toxic chemicals like dioxins, and toxic heavy metals such as cadmium into nearby neighborhoods. Easterly winds usually carry Saint John's airborne waste stream over, and onto Springfield's, Illinois poorest neighborhoods.

While regular maintenance may remove condensed carbon, and iron oxide deposits from the smoke stack itself there is no way to remove elevated levels of toxic chemicals from east side, and downtown resident's lungs.

Time To Shut Down St. John's Hospital Waste Incinerator?

The 1986 JAL Flight 1628 UFO Encounter!

In 1986 JAL 1628 Encountered Two DC-8 Sized UFOs & Huge Mother Ship
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With the Chicago, Illinois O'Hare International Airport UFO cover up in full force it's easy to forget that other UFO encounters involving commercial aviation has successfully been squelched by the FAA on behest of the powers that be.

Many sightings of UFOs by commercial airline pilots are most likely top secret military aircraft, and possibly even covert U.S. suborbital and orbital surveillance spacecraft. It's also probable that readily explainable natural phenomena reported by commercial airline pilots has been suppressed too by over zealous federal officials. Yet there remains a large number of reports made by airline pilots of encounters with unidentified flying objects which appear to have no explanation based upon current human technology, or natural phenomena. Furthermore it is probable that the vast number of such encounters are either not reported at all, or are reported in ways that would not be recognized as an official reporting of a UFO encounter.

Pilots who fear for their own safety during a UFO encounter often find it easier to simply remain silent rather than risk the consequences of reporting such an encounter. Certainly this can not be good for the flying public.

For many reading this now, you might be asking why you shouldn't just click to another website instead of taking the time to read of the encounter presented below. The answer is that as long as we do nothing we will never be able to do anything about stories like this. It is a trap in which we all find ourselves placed.
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Society Needs to Begin an Open Discussion On UFOs
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The Internet like no other tool before it has allowed the presentation of previously classified materials which in previous decades would never have made its way to the general public. We are living in a new era of rapid information exchange. This increased access, and the ability to network directly without going through the gatekeepers of the main stream media will allow us all to bring down the wall of silence which has been erected around the UFO phenomena for over sixty years.

The CIA, Air Force, and their operatives within the FAA have always taken it for granted that they could easily and completely withhold the truth about UFOs. While their task has been made much more difficult in this Internet age it is up to you the reader to remain curious, and to put forth the effort to learn about this subject, and then make up your own mind about this important subject.
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The Need to Know
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We need to ask if these aircraft encounters with UFO events are happening, or not. If these stories are simply hallucinations, or misinterpretations on behalf of pilots, and crew then the flying public, and those on the ground below are all in danger.

If these stories are simply the result of pilot insanity, or stupidity then none of us are safe from the kind of incident which took place on September 11th, 2001. Insane pilots could begin smashing into cities at any time, and stupid pilots could begin crashing their aircraft by accident.

The very fact that commercial airliners are not being flow into mountains, or skyscrapers on a regular basis seems to suggest that these pilots are neither insane, or easily confused observers.

Which leads to the question if these events are actually taking place then who or what has possession of technology this advanced? Who or what is capable of flying so closely to a 747 without crashing? Who or what can loft, and maintain in flight structures larger than aircraft carriers? Is this human based technology?
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Encounter with Advanced Technology
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The following story is a fantastic illustration of the type of story the general public is not being told. Our government officials fear that if stories like the one that follows reach the public that mass panic would ensue.

What follows is based upon a well documented encounter with UFOs over Alaska in November of 1986. A Japanese Airlines 747 Cargo plane loaded with French wines made its way high above North America heading toward Japan when it encountered several UFOs which followed it for nearly an hour. Only as the encounter came to an end did the crew of flight 1628 notice a nearby "mothership" the size of two aircraft carriers floating in the sky!

Despite efforts by the CIA, and FAA to squash the story, documentation and testimony from the pilots, and air traffic controllers began to leak.

What follows is a translation of a statement which is part of the FAA file on the event obtained through the Freedom of Information Act. I recreate it, with some editing, in full without permission from UFOEVIDENCE.ORG which also reproduced it via Free Use Rules.
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Statement Of Captain Terauchi - Pilot of JAL Flight 1628

U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Summary: This is taken from the FAA official document "Concerning JAL Flight 1628's Sightings of Unidentified Air Traffic on November 17, 1986." It is a Translation of a Written Statement By Captain Kenju Terauchi.
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We took a flight course southeast of Greenland direct to Chule, where a U.S. military base is, by crossing the great icy highland midwest of Greenland.The flight above Greenland, under a nearly full moon, which was raising on the right front side of our aircraft, helped visibility for the night flight. The flight was smooth despite the unstable air current that shook the plane for about two hours, but was still a rather stress less flight as compared to a passenger flight.We aimed towards Single Point, on the north coast of Canada, by passing through the Canadian north polar regions and down southwest along an Arctic flight course. It was 4:25 p.m., Alaska time, when we reported our location to Edmonton Center from above Single Point, Canada (68 degrees 55 minutes the North Latitude, 137 degrees 15 minutes West Longitude). It had become pitch dark, perhaps because the moon was directly behind us near the horizon.

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We received an order from Edmonton Center that we should contact the Anchorage Center when we reach above Pottat where Alaska Territorial Air begins. Pottat locates approximately 480 miles, approximately 890 kilometers, North-northeast of Anchorage, 67 degrees 56 minutes North Latitude, 141 degrees West Longitude.We began the communication with the Anchorage Center about 5:05 p.m. The flight course we had acknowledged was Jet 529, direct to Ft. Yukon and Jet 125 via Nenana, Talkeetna, Chaiger and to Anchorage. The Anchorage Center ordered us to fly direct to Talkeetna, provided us transponder codes and placed us on a radar scope at the same time.
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JAL 1628 Cockpit View - UFOs Flew In Vertical Assemblage Formation For Two Minutes
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Ordinary Flight Becomes Other Worldly

The strange phenomenon happened immediately after we began left rotation, following the order of taking the direct flight course.There was an unidentifiable light ahead of the rotation. We set the course toward Talkeetna and began level flight. Then we saw lights that looked like aircraft lights, 30 degrees left front, 2000 feet (600 meters) below us, moving exactly in the same direction and with the same speed as we were. We were at the altitude of 35,000 feet (10,600 meters), flying speed was 900 kilometer per hour to 910 kilometer per hour.We ignored the lights, thinking probably they were special missioned aircraft or two fighters because we did not notice the lights while communication with the Anchorage Center or on prior visual inspection. However, the position of the lights had not changed ever after a few minutes and that called our attention.
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Pilot Suspected Laser Experiment

The First Officer, Tameto(?), called the Anchorage Center and asked to report to us if there were any aircraft other than ours in the area. The Anchorage Center told us that there were no other aircraft in the North area. We immediately reported back that we were seeing aircraft lights. They again reported that there was no military aircraft and the ground radar did not show any aircraft but us. They also asked us several times if there were clouds near our altitudes. We saw thin and spotty clouds near the mountain below us, no clouds in mid-to-upper air, and the air current was steady and conditions were quite pleasant. Perhaps the controllers were concerned that an increased use of improved laser beams using clouds was creating moving images.

We kept observing the lights below us in left front, thinking it was ridiculous to have laser beam testing at the end of a tundra area. Then the two lights began to move in a manner different from ordinary aircraft maneuvers, like two bear cubs playing with each other. We continued the flight South along a straight course since the distance from the lights was far enough from us and their movement was not extreme and we felt no immediate danger.
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One Of Those Things Called UFO

I thought perhaps it is one of those things called UFO and taking a photo might help to identify the object later. I asked to bring forward my camera bag that was placed in the rear of the cockpit and began to take a picture. The area in which the plane was flying was unchanged, but the lights were still moving strangely. I had ASA 100 film in my camera, mainly to take scenery and had auto-focus on, aimed at the object but the lens kept adjusting and never could set a focus. I changed auto-focus to manual-focus and pressed the shutter but this time the shutter would not close.
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UFOs Hovered Side by Side In Front of 747 At 560 Miles Per Hour For Ten Minutes
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Then our aircraft started to vibrate and I gave up taking a photo. I placed my camera back in the camera bag and concentrated on observing the lights.It was about seven or so minutes since we began paying attention to the lights. Most unexpectedly two spaceships stopped in front of our face, shooting off lights. The inside cockpit shined brightly and I felt warm in the face. Perhaps the firing of jets was the result to kill inertia of their quick high speed maneuver, but the ships appeared as if they were stopped in one place in front of us.
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Close Up Of JAL 1628 UFO - Multiple Exhaust Vents Allowed Directed And Stabilized Flight
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Detailed Description of UFOs
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Then three to seven seconds later a fire like from jet engines stopped and became a small circle of lights as they began to fly in level flight at the same speed as we were, showing numerous numbers of exhaust pipes. However, the center area of the ship where below an engine might be was invisible. The middle of the body of the ship sparked an occasionally stream of lights, like a charcoal fire, from right to left and from left to right. Its shape was a square, flying 500 feet to 1000 feet in front of us, very slightly higher in altitude than us, its size was about the same size as the body of a DC-8 jet, and with numerous exhaust pipes. The firing of the exhaust jets varied, perhaps to maintain balance, some became stronger than others and some became weaker than others, but seemed controlled automatically.
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Two UFOs Play With 747?
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We did not feel threatened or in danger because the spaceship moved so suddenly. We probably would have felt more in danger and would have been prepared to escape if the spaceships were shaking unsteadily or were unable to stop themselves. It is impossible for any man made machine to make a sudden appearance in front of a jumbo jet that is flying 910 kilometers per hour and to move along in a formation paralleling our aircraft. The ships moved in formation for about three to five minutes, then two ships moved forward in a line, again slightly higher in altitude as we were, 40 degrees to our left. We did not report this action to the Anchorage Center. Honestly, we were simply breath taken. The VHF communication, both in transmitting and receiving were extremely difficult for ten or fifteen minutes while the little ships came close to us and often interfered with communication from the Anchorage Center; however, communication conditions became just as good as soon as the ships left us. There were no abnormalities in the equipment or the aircraft. I have no idea why they came so close to us.
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UFOs Used Stealth Technology
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Then again, there was a pale white flat light on the direction where the ships flew away, moving in a line along with us, in the same direction and same speed and in the same altitude as we were. Again, we began communicating with the Anchorage Center. We said that we could see a light in the 10 o'clock position at the same altitude and wondered if they could see anything in their radar. The Anchorage Center replied that they saw nothing in their radar. I thought it would be impossible to find anything on an aircraft radar if a large ground radar did not show anything, but I judged the distance of the object visually, and it was not very far. I set the digital weather radar distance in 20 miles, radar angle to horizon. There it was, on the screen: a large, green and a round object had appeared in seven or eight miles (13 kilometers to 15 kilometers) away, where the direction of the object was. We reported to the Anchorage Center that our aircraft radar caught the object within seven or eight miles in 10 o'clock position. We asked if they could catch it on the ground radar but did not seem they could at all. Normally, it appears in red when an aircraft radar catches another aircraft. I wonder if the metal used in the spaceship is different from ours. While we were communicating with the Anchorage Center, the two pale white lights gradually moved to the left side and to left diagonally back 30 degrees as if they understood our conversation and then when they were beside our aircraft they totally disappeared from our radar.

When they were in front of us, the ships were positioned slightly higher in altitude than we were, but now they placed themselves slightly below the horizon where it was most difficult for us to see. The distance between us was still about seven miles to eight miles visually. When we started to see Ft. Yukon diagonally below us at the right, the sun was setting down in the Southwest, painting the sky in a slightly red stripe, approximately two to three millimeters and gave a bit of light but the east side was still pitch dark. Far in front of us there were lights increasing from the U.S. Military Eielson Air Force Base and Fairbanks. The lights were still following us at exactly the same distance; however, it was too dark to identify by only the lights whether or not they were the same two spaceships that appeared in front of us a few minutes ago. It seemed that we were flying in the lighter side and gave them the advantage of being on the dark side.

We had no fears so far but began to worry since we had no idea for their purpose. When the lights from the Eielson Air Force Base and Fairbanks became clear and bright, two very bright lights appeared suddenly from the North from a belt of lights, perhaps four or five mountains away. The extremely bright lights reflected on the snow on the side of the mountains and seemed even brighter. We wondered if they were searching something on the ground surface or to (attract?) lead something. The flight above Alaska territory is generally in the daytime, and it is confusing to identify the kind of lights. It cannot be a base for the spaceship. Is it a move? There was something. Oh, yes, it is the Alaska pipeline. The lights must be a pump station for the pipeline. I got it.
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Huge Mother Ship Encountered 31000 Feet Above Fairbanks, Alaska
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We arrived at the sky above the Eielson Air Force Base and Fairbanks. It was a clear night. The lights were extremely bright to eyes that were used to the dark. How bright it was! We were just above the bright city lights and we checked the pale white light behind us. There was a silhouette of a gigantic spaceship. We must run away quickly! "Anchorage Center. This is JL 1628, requesting a change of course to right 45 degrees." It felt like a long time before we received permission. When we checked our rear there was still the ship following us. "This is JL 1628. Again requesting for change the course 45 degrees to the right." We had to get away from that object. "JL 1628. This is Anchorage Center. We advise you, continue and take 360 degree turn." "JL 1628, thank you. We will continue 360 degree turn."It was too slow to circle in the auto-pilot mode; therefore, we switched to the manual mode and set to turn right on a 30 degrees bank. We looked to our right forward, but did not see any light. We were relieved, thinking the object may have left us and returned to the level flight but when we checked to our rear the object was still there in exactly the same place. "Anchorage Center, this is JL 1628. The object follows us in formation. We request a change in altitude, 31,000 feet, yes, 31,000 feet." "This is Anchorage Center, JL 1628, ascend to 31,000 feet."

The consumption of fuel during this flight was almost as expected but there was only 3,800 pounds left and as such was not enough for extra flying, for running around. We have got to arrive at Anchorage. "Anchorage Center, this is JL 1628. We request permission for the direct flight to Talkeetna." "JL 1628, this is the Anchorage Center, we authorize the direct flight to Talkeetna." We checked behind us again. The ship was in formation and ascending with us. We wondered and feared as to their purpose. "JL 1628, this is the Anchorage Center. Would you like to request scramble for confirmation?" "The Anchorage Center, this is JL 1628. We would not request scramble." We turned the offer down quickly.
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Pilots In Fear For Safety
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I knew that in the past there was a U.S. military fighter called the mustang that had flown up high for a confirmation and a tragedy had happened to it. Even the F-15 with the newest technology had no guarantee of safety against the creature with an unknown degree of scientific technology. We flew toward Talkeetna at an altitude of 31,000 feet. The spaceship was still following us, not leaving us at all.
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Other Aircraft's Pilots Saw UFOs Too?
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About the same time, a United Airline passenger aircraft which had left Anchorage to Fairbanks flew into the same air zone and began communicating with the Anchorage Center. We heard them transmitting that there was an object near JL 1628 and requesting for confirmation. We heard that the Anchorage Center was saying to the United Airline aircraft that JL 1628 was at an altitude of 31,000 feet, therefore, United Airline should maintain an altitude of 33,000 feet. It sounded as if Anchorage Center had the United Airline aircraft fly above the spaceship. We were flying the east side of Mt. McKinley. The United Airline aircraft came close to us. The United Airline aircraft requested us to flash landing lights for visual confirmation and we both confirmed our positions visually. The United Airline aircraft was coming close to us. We knew that they were watching us. When the United plane came by our side, the spaceship disappeared suddenly and there was nothing but the light of the moon.The strange encounter ended at 75 miles North of Talkeetna, 150 miles (Approximately 276 kilometers) away from Anchorage. It comprised approximately 50 minutes of flight time.
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FAA Air Traffic Controller's Reports
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Note: The following is a transcription which I personally transcribed from the imaged documents. I slightly edited the document for readability, correcting several spelling and punctuation errors. See links to the document's scans for verification.

Unidentified Traffic Sighting
by Japan Airlines Flight 1628
November 18, 1986
ANC ARCC (DFAFT)

Tab 1 - Index
Tab 2 - Chronology of Events
Tab 3 - Transcription
Tab 4 - Flight Path Chart
Tab 5 - Personnel Statements
Tab 6 - Daily Record of Facility Operations, FAA Form 7230-4
Tab 7 - Position Logs, FAA Form 7230-10
Tab 8 - ZAN EARTS Continuous Data Recordings, (radar tracking data).

End Page 38
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U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Memorandum
Anchorage ARTCC
5400 Davis Hwy.
Anchorage, Alaska

Date: January 9, 1987
Subject Information: Transcription concerning the incident involving Japan Airlines Flight 1628 on November 18th, 1986 at approximately 0218 UTC.

From: Quentin J. Gates - Air Traffic Manager, ANC ARTCC
To: This transcription covers the time period from November 18, 1986, 0214 UTC to November 18, 1986, 0259 UTC.
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Abrv.................Agencies Making Transmissions
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JL1628"............."Japan Airlines Flight 1628
R/D15".............."Anchorage ARTCC Combinded Sector R/D15
D15"...... ..........."Anchorage ARTCC Sector D15
R15"...... .... ......"Anchorage ARTCC Sector R15
ROCC"............."Regional Operations Command Center
UA69"..... ........."United Airlines Flight 69
TOTEM".........."TOTEM71
APCH".............."Fairbanks Approach Control

I hereby certify that the following is a true transcription of the recorded conversations pertaining to the subject incindent. Signed, Anthony M. Wylie - Quality Assurance Specialist - Anchorage ARTCC

End Page 39
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U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Memorandum
Date: December 18, 1986
Subject Information: Unidentified Traffic Sighting by Japan Airlines
From: Air Traffic Manager, Anchorage ARTCC, ZAN-1
To: Manager, Air Traffic Division, AAL-500
ATTN: Evaluation Specialist, AAL-514

The attached chronology summarizes the communications and actions of Japan Airlines Flight 1628 on November 18, 1986.

Radar data recorded by Anchorage Center does not confirm the presence of the traffic reported by Flight 1628. No further information has been received from civil or military sources since the date of the sightings.

Major Johnson of the Elmendorf Regional Operations Command Center (ROCC) is checking their records and the operations personnel for further details. He will forward any additional information to Anchorage Center as soon as possible.

Should you have any questions or need additional information, contact Tony Wylie, Quality Assurance Specialist, 269-1162.

Signed - Quentin J. Gates

Attachment

End Page 40
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The following is a chronological summary of the alleged aircraft sightings by Japan Airlines Flight 1628, on November 18, 1986:
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All times listed are approximate UTC unless otherwise specified.

0219 - The pilot of the JL1628 requested traffic information from the ZAN Sector 15 controller. When the controller advised there was no traffic in the vicinity, JL1628 responded that they had same direction traffic, approximately 1 mile in front, and it appeared to be at their altitude. When queried about any identifiable markings, the pilot responded that they could only see white and yellow strobes.

0226 - ZAN contacted the Military Regional Operations Control Center (ROCC), and asked if they were receiving any radar returns near the position of JL1628. The ROCC advised that they were receiving a primary radar return in JL1628's 10 o'clock position at 8 miles.

0227 - The ROCC contacted ZAN to advise they were no longer receiving any radar returns in the vicinity of JL1628.

0231 - JL1628 advised that the "plane" was "quite big", at which time the ZAN controller approved any course deviations needed to avoid the traffic.

0232 - JL1628 requested and received a descent from FL350 to FL310. When asked if the traffic was descending also, the pilot stated it was descending "in formation".

0235 - JL1628 requested and received a heading change to two one zero. The aircraft was now in the vicinity of Fairbanks and ZAN contacted Fairbanks Approach Control asking if they had any radar returns near JL1628's position. The Fairbanks Controller advised they did not.

0236 - JL1628 was issued a 360 degree turn and asked to inform ZAN if the traffic stayed with them.

0238 - The ROCC called ZAN advising they had confirmed a "flight of two" in JL1628's position. They advised they had some "other equipment watching this", and one was a primary target only.

0239 - JL1628 told ZAN they no longer had the traffic in sight.

0242 - The ROCC advised it looked as though the traffic had dropped back and to the right of JL1628, however, they were no longer tracking it.

0244 - JL1628 advised the traffic was now at 9 o'clock

0245 - ZAN issued a 10 degree turn to a northbound United Airlines Flight, after pilot concurrence, in an attempt to confirm the traffic.

0248 - JL1628 told ZAN the traffic was now at 7 o'clock, 8 miles.

End Page 41
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Continued Chronology
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0250 - The Northbound United Flight advised they had the Japan Airlines flight in sight, against a light background, and could not see any other traffic.
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0253 - JL1628 advised they no longer had contact with the traffic.
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A subsequent review of ANC ARTCC's radar tracking data failed to confirm any targets in close proximity to JL1628.
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End Page 42
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PERSONNEL STATEMENT
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
Anchorage Air Route Traffic Control Center
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The following is a report concerning the incindent to aircraft JL1628 on November 18, 1986 at 0230 UTC.

My name is Carl E. Henley (HC) I am employed as an Air Traffic COntrol Specialist by the Federal Aviation Administration at the Anchorage Air Route Traffic Control Center, Anchorage, Alaska.

During the period of 2030 UTC, November 17, 1986, to 0430 UTC, November 18, 1986 I was on duty in the Anchorage ARTCC. I was working the D15 position from 0156 UTC, November 18 1986 to 0230 UTC, November 18, 1986.

At approximately 02257Z while monitoring JL168 on Sector 15 radar, the aircraft requested traffic information. I advised no traffic in his vicinity. The aircraft advised he had traffic 12 o'clock same altitude. I asked JL1628 f he would like higher/lower altitude and the pilot replied, negative. I checked with ROCC to see if they had military traffic in the area and to see if they had primary targets in the area. ROCC did have primary target in the same position JL1628 reported. Several times I had single primary returns where JL1628 reported traffic. JL1628 later requested a turn to heading 210 degrees, I approved JL1628 to make deviations necessary for traffic.
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The traffic stayed with JL1628 through turns and decent in the vicinity of FAI. I requested JL1628 to make a right 360 degree turn to see if he could identify the aircraft, he lost contact momentarily, at which time I observed a primary target in the 6 o'clock position 5 miles. I then vectored UA69 northbound to FAI from ANC with his approval to see if he could identify traffic, by this time JL1628 had lost contact with the traffic. Also a military C-130 southbound to EDF from EIL advised he had plenty of fuel and would take a look. I vectored him toward the flight and climbed him to FL240. He also had no contact.

Note: I requested JL1628 to identify the type of markings of the aircraft. He could not identify but reported white and yellow strobes. I requested the JL1628 to say flight conditions, he reported clear and no clouds.

Signed - Carl E. Henley
November 19, 1986
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End Page 43
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PERSONNEL STATEMENT
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
Anchorage Air Route Traffic Control Center
January 9, 1987
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The following is a report concerning the incident involving aircraft JL1628 north of Fairbanks, Alaska on November 18, 1986 at 0218 UTC.
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My name is Samuel J. Rich (SR). I am employed as an Air Traffic Control Specialist by the Federal Aviation Administration at the Anchorage Air Route Traffic Control Center, Anchorage, Alaska.
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During the period of 0035 UTC, November 18, 1986, to 0835 uTC, November 18, 1986, I was on duty in the Anchorage ARTCC. I was working the U15 position from 0230 UTC, November 18, 1986, to 0530 UTC, November 18, 1986.
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I returned from my break at approximately 0218 UTC to relieve Mr. Henley on the sector R/D15 position. In the process of relieving Mr. Henley I heard the pilot of JL1628 ask if we had any traffic near his position. I continued to monitor the position as Mr. Henley was too busy to give me a relief briefing.
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I monitored the situation for approximately twelve minutes at which time I assumed the D15 position and Mr. Henley moved to the R15 position. During the twelve minute period I heard the JL1628 pilot report the color of the lights were white and yellow. After the radar scale was reduced to approximately twenty miles I observed a radar return in the position the pilot had reported traffic.
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After assuming the D15 position I called the ROCC at approximately 0230 UTC to ask if they had any military traffic operation nearl JL1628. The ROCC said they had no military traffic in the area. I then asked them if they could see any traffic near JL1628. ROCC advised that they had traffic near JL1628 in the same position we did.
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I asked ROCC if they had any aircraft to scramble on JL1628. They said they would call back. I received no further communication regarding the request for a scramble.
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Signed - Samuel J. Rich
Air Traffic Control Specialist
Anchorage ARTCC
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End Page 44
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PERSONNEL STATEMENT
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
Anchorage Air Route Traffic Control Center
January 9, 1986
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The following is a report concerning the incident involving the incident to Japan Airlines Flight 1628 (JL1628) North of Fairbanks, Alaska on November 18, 1986 at 0218 UTC.
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My name is John L. Aarnink (AA). I am employed as an Air Traffic Control Specialist by the Federal Aviation Administration at the Anchorage Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC), Anchorage Alaska. During the period of 2230 UTC, November 17, 1986 to 0630 November 18, 1986 I was on duty in the Anchorage ARTCC. I was working the C15 position from approximately 0218 UTC, November 18, 1986.
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I was on my way to take a break when I noticed the unusual activity at the Sector 15 positions. I plugged into the C15 position and assisted them by answering telephone lines, making and taking handoffs and coordinating as necessary. As to the specific incident, I monitored the aircraft's transmissions and observed data on the radar that coincided with information that the pilot of JL1628 reported. I coordinated with the ROCC on the BRAVO and CHARLIE lines. They confirmed they also saw data in the same location.
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At approximately abeam CAWIN intersection, I no longer saw the data and the pilot advised he no longer saw the traffic. I called the ROCC and they advised they had lost the target. I then unplugged from the position and went on break.
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Signed - John L. Aarnink
Air Traffic Control Specialist
Anchorage ARTCC
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End Page 45
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NOTES FROM JEROME PROPHET

I created this post relying extensively upon materials found on UFOEVIDENCE.ORG. According to UFOEVIDENCE.ORG these materials were originally obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration through the use of the Freedom of Information Act. I reproduced and represent those documents here using Free Use Copyright exclusion rules for both educational and scientific purposes.
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All JAL 1628 UFO Digital Art Under Creative Commons Copyright by JeromeProphet
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