Ross Coulthart Q&A: New Church Commission, CIA lies and the galactic federation | Reality Check

The Importance of UAP Disclosure 00:34

"This is great news. Very, very positive development, and thank you to Eric Berles for all the work he's doing along with the rest of the UAP caucus in Congress."

• Ross Coulthart discusses the recent revelation that Donald Trump will mandate the release of UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) files, recognizing it as a significant step towards transparency.

• He expresses gratitude to Eric Berles and the UAP caucus for their continuous efforts in advocating for this disclosure within Congress.

Concerns About CIA Oversight 01:16

"I am very concerned, Megan, that the CIA has lost sight of where it sits in the intelligence community pyramid."

• Coulthart expresses his worries about the CIA's perceived arrogance regarding its position within the intelligence community, stating that the CIA is subordinate to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).

• He highlights Tulsi Gabbard's critical role as the US intelligence czar, emphasizing that the structure was designed to improve oversight and prevent disasters like the events leading to 9/11.

A Call for a New Church Commission 03:29

"I do think it's time for a revisit that was muted, I think, by Senator Johnson from Wisconsin. He suggested that maybe it's time for a new Church Commission to investigate the illegalities and abuses of the CIA."

• Coulthart asserts the need for a modern investigation into the CIA's actions, akin to the historical Church Committee, to address the agency's repeated failures in disclosing UAP data.

• He stresses that the CIA's legal obligations to Congress must be respected and highlights the troubling signs of obstruction within the agency.

Issues with Document Control and Transparency 06:28

"The implication was... that the action circumvented oversight, that it was in some way blocking transparency or that it was withholding records long sought by Congress."

• During a recent testimony, James Erdman, a former CIA officer, raised concerns about the CIA reclaiming documents meant for declassification, which could indicate a lack of transparency and oversight.

• Coulthart points out that although the CIA retains control of its records, it does not have the authority to override presidential orders or limit the ODNI's access to necessary information.

Accountability and Legislative Authority 10:10

"The CIA is subordinate to the Director of National Intelligence. It's time it learned its ranking in the intelligence community pyramid."

• Coulthart emphasizes the need for Congress to maintain its oversight authority over the CIA, challenging the agency's claims of political theater in response to subpoenas and testimony requests.

• He calls for a rigorous investigation into the CIA’s activities and holds that the agency should be held accountable for obstructing transparency related to UAP and historical records.

Public Disillusionment with Intelligence Agencies 11:23

"I don't trust the Pentagon to deliver the goods."

• The speaker expresses skepticism about the Pentagon's ability to release truthful information, highlighting a pattern of distrust in government agencies.

• They mention the former ARO, Dr. Sha Kirkpatrick, who appeared indifferent to UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) disclosures, suggesting that there may be attempts to dismiss significant findings as unimportant to avoid scrutiny.

• There's a growing public interest in UAP files, evidenced by "hundreds of millions of views," despite the information released being described as "underwhelming."

• The speaker notes a change in mood among Congress members, hinting at a collective frustration with the CIA and a desire for increased transparency.

Risk of Catastrophic Disclosure 14:37

"There is a very grave risk for the United States that if it doesn't move quickly to show good faith with the public on the release of UAP information, there is going to be a catastrophic disclosure."

• The urgency is reinforced by the implication that failure to disclose relevant information could lead to unexpected and potentially damaging revelations.

• The discussion emphasizes that public sentiment has shifted dramatically, with many individuals firmly wanting the truth about governmental secrecy regarding UAPs.

• A newly announced memo from the president will mandate UAP disclosures, indicating a potential shift towards transparency, while simultaneously warning of accountability for those attempting to obstruct this release.

Debate Over Disinformation and Trustworthiness of Whistleblowers 16:46

"I hope that no one is lying to Congress. However, I know differently; people have lied."

• The conversation transitions to concerns over the credibility of whistleblowers within the UAP discussion, specifically referencing the conflict between James Latsky and Lou Alzando regarding their respective roles in UAP programs.

• There is speculation that some narratives may have been manipulated or controlled, particularly during the 2016 election campaigns when factions within the defense community sought to manage the disclosure narrative.

• The speaker suggests that a clearer account of these individuals' roles in UAP disclosures is necessary for enhancing trust within the community, and acknowledges the tension between those in the government and public advocates for disclosure.

National Security and UAP Programs 21:55

"To talk about it would be a breach of his national security oath because it would go to the heart of the existence of the legacy UAP retrieval and reverse engineering program."

• The secrecy surrounding discussions related to unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) and associated national security oaths has become a point of contention. There's a tension between public interest in transparency and the obligations of individuals who might possess sensitive information.

• The ongoing discord between figures in the UAP community, such as James Latsky and Lou Alzando, is distracting and provides debunkers with opportunities to exploit perceived divisions within this field.

The Galactic Federation Theory 22:42

"I have no idea whether there is such a thing; obviously, if there are non-human intelligences engaging benevolently or malevolently towards humanity, one might assume that there is a community or a grouping thereof."

• The concept of a galactic federation—which suggests the existence of a coalition of advanced extraterrestrial species monitoring Earth—has been characterized as fanciful, yet it continues to capture interest.

• Historical references to the idea can be traced back to the 1950s, when individuals claimed to channel communications from an alleged extraterrestrial commander known as Ashtar, whose messages promoted a peaceful federation opposing dark forces. However, there remains a distinct lack of verifiable evidence supporting these claims.

Credibility of Extraterrestrial Claims 24:17

"Nobody is saying that he is mentally unwell. He also said that President Trump was aware and on the verge of public disclosure."

• Claims made by prominent figures, such as Haim Eshed, the former head of Israel's space program, regarding secret communications between Israel, the U.S., and extraterrestrial entities have stirred controversy. Eshed posits that agreements were made to allow extraterrestrial beings to conduct experiments on Earth in exchange for technological insights.

• Despite Eshed's credentials and assertions of high-level awareness of these issues, skepticism remains due to the absence of supporting documents or physical evidence. Other Israeli officials have criticized his specific claims while acknowledging the serious interest in extraterrestrial life within their government.

Questions of Intent and Disclosure 26:39

"Essentially, frankly, I think Haim's 2020 claims are the highest profile on record official-sounding statements."

• Efforts to engage with individuals who have made extraordinary claims regarding extraterrestrial contact often encounter significant challenges, including heightened security and a lack of access to those willing to speak publicly.

• There is a suggestion of institutional reluctance within government circles to facilitate the disclosure of information about extraterrestrial engagements, which fosters an atmosphere of unanswered questions and speculation among the public and researchers alike.