Citizens Against UFO Secrecy Case Versus DoD Still Alive Source: Alien Zoo February 7, 2000
PHOENIX, Ariz. After hearing the arguments of Citizens Against UFO Secrecy (CAUS) attorney Peter Gersten today, U.S. District Court Judge Stephen M. McNamee announced he would issue a written decision regarding the UFO groups case against the Dept. of Defense (DoD). The judges decision on whether to allow Gersten to take 90 days to gather witness testimony regarding an identified flying object, is expected
within one month.
In its case, CAUS has argued that the DoD did not adequately search for Freedom of Information Act documents related to a large flying triangle seen throughout the U.S. over the last two decades. In DoDs defense, attorney Richard Patrick claimed its search was adequate, that employees of DoD divisions were properly notified, even though no related information materialized in the course of the search.
In his February 7 court appearance, Gersten spoke for nearly 20 minutes slightly longer than was originally hoped and was heard with surprising attentiveness by Judge McNamee. The case could have been dismissed verbally by McNamee, but the fact that it wasnt encouraged Gersten, who got what he wanted: A chance for CAUS to be heard in court for the first time in 17 years.
CAUS Director Peter Gersten talks to reporters after his court appearance Before a standing-room-only courtroom, Gersten opened his presentation arguing that the DoD didnt read the CAUS FOIA request carefully, adding that the DoD approached its search with indifference. Gersten questioned how the DoDs Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) sent e-mails to 200 employees, asking for documents regarding a specific triangular object, not just a UFO in general. Gersten wanted to know what keywords were used in the electronic search.
Why cant we see the e-mails? Gersten asked. Why cant we see whether they did a reasonable search? Lets see what the responses are.
Gersten also took issue with a document called SD 172, an information-request form that was returned with a scratched-out yes in the category delineating whether documents were found. Gersten argued that this inference of sloppiness, or inference of indifference, could have tainted the objectivity of the search.
Nearing conclusion, Gersten pointed out that the interests of national security were at stake. How can the Dept. of Defense not have information? You would think this issue is a number-one priority, Gersten said. Media coverage surprising
Win or lose, CAUS will benefit from serious media coverage. Outside of the U.S. District Court building, DoD attorney Patrick and Gersten were greeted by the microphones of several Phoenix-area TV and radio reporters. This, too, was surprising, given mainstream medias reluctance to publicize UFO cases. Given the opportunity, Gersten emphatically revealed that he could prove that humankind is in contact with extraterrestrial intelligence.
Listen, Im just happy I was given the chance, the UFO lawyer said afterward. Part of this lawsuit is to get information. And the other part is to bring attention to our contact with this other intelligence. Its about time that we woke up and realized that were not highest level of intelligence on this planet.
Hearing this, one TV reporter tried to correct Gersten: You mean in this universe?
No, I mean on this planet, Gersten replied.
The attorney also told reporters that newspapers should be treating UFO cases with highest priority, instead of publicizing rapes and murders.
Dept. of Defense attorney Richard Patrick offered a composed defense If there were any moments in court where Gersten might have let hearsay seep into his argument, it was when he inferred that half of the onlookers in the courtroom had seen a UFO of some kind. He also mentioned how Luke Air Force Base has scrambled, or launched, fighter jets to pursue mysterious flying objects. Combined with Gerstens offer to help the DoD search for documents, these assumptions may have damaged Gerstens otherwise persuasive case.
Regardless, CAUS has had a moment of triumph. And Gersten did admirably well. For at least a while longer, what arguably may be CAUSs most successful case is still alive.
by Wiggz
AlienZoo prohibitor of dullness
www.alienzoo.com