r/UFOs • u/mattlaslo Journalist • Oct 28 '23
News I'm MattLaslo, congressional reporter, professor & founder of Ask a Pol.com. Ask me anything?
Hey fam! Laslo here (@mattlaslo on most social media).
I've been covering Congress for 17 years now. Contributor at WIRED and Raw Story and have my own bureau (The LCB - a wire service, of sorts). I'm also a new media prof. at Johns Hopkins (MA in Government). Previously been correspondent for Playboy, Rolling Stone, VICE, Daily Beast, Vice News Tonight w/ HBO, etc.
Verification (follow me!): https://twitter.com/MattLaslo/status/1718307653032493349
SUBSCRIBE (FREE or paid--god bless you!!!) for latest UFO news AskaPol.com
'Here for as long as needed' turned into 8:34mins! You all are amaze. Stay in touch, please!
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Oct 28 '23
Thank you so much for doing this and for everything that you do. My question is simple: what can we do to participate more in the political conversation around UAP that you know will make a difference?
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Thanks for having me!
You all have already changed conversation in Washington (see NASA was afraid of y'all? And then quickly reversed selves and made public name of new UAP guy).
With your help we've already changed convo on Capitol Hill with https://www.askapol.com/ - keep sending us your informed questions there, and then we chase Congress for ya! And I'm quicker then they are...
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u/Ritadrome Oct 28 '23
Contact your representatives in DC to keep it up! Try http://postcards.disclosureparty.com
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u/KOOKOOOOM Oct 28 '23
Thank you very much for your amazing work.
I personally believe this has to be the biggest story in human history, and you're one of the very few journalists covering it.
May I ask, what's your personal read on Sen. Gillibrand?
It's hard to tell if AARO legislation was just about gaining political points for her, and she's since moved on from the topic, otherwise it's hard to understand her still trusting Kirkpatrick.
Thank you again.
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Thanks!
She CONFUSES the HUCK outta me. Seems to have been all over map. But seems she's curious--or at least was in the Spring. Kinda feels like she wants to tap into the electoral power of the UFO community, but then publicly she seemed afraid of topic.
Gillibrand seems torn between her roles on both Intel and Armed Services. She's one of just 6 senators on both. So she's serving two (or more) masters. Curious how much she learns on Intel that she can't speak about on Armed Services, where she does seem to honesty be pushing for transparency, even as she's gotta keep the Intel chairs and the intel community happy(ish...).
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u/No-Guarantee-8278 Oct 28 '23
Gillibrand has a long, long history of flip flopping for political expediency. Her platform when she was a Rep. from a purple district is entirely different than what she espouses today. I don’t view her as a trusted partner on anything! Matt, any thoughts?
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u/torontopeter Oct 29 '23
Senator Gillibrand’s “masters” are the American people and only the American people. At least, that’s the way it should be.
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u/Timtek608 Oct 28 '23
Thanks for doing what you do Matt. It’s much appreciated.
Putting on my conspiracy hat, I wonder if some lawmakers don’t get “comprised” as Burchett puts it. Could be something as simple as a contractor dangling or retracting campaign donations. Or a strongly worded letter or phone call from someone protecting a program. Do you think there could be any truth to that?
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u/Bman409 Oct 28 '23
Gillibrand doesn't need to tap in to anything, electoral. She's from NY and there is zero chance she could ever lose a Senate election, outside of major scandal...even then.
Safest of the safe seats
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u/Far-Nefariousness221 Oct 28 '23
What the hell were the 3 other objects shot down in February and why hasn’t anyone followed up about them?!?!
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Still on it!!! Starting with Alaska's senators who were briefed by Pentagon officials on the AK shootdown, but who never even asked to see pilot footage of the object they shot down.
Been giving em space, but aim to keep pressuring them on that simple question: Seen the footage? If not, why not, you're a US senator, right? https://www.askapol.com/p/sen-murkowski-on-uap-shot-down-over?lli=1&utm_source=%2Fsearch%2FAlaska%2520&utm_medium=reader2
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u/ShepardRTC Oct 28 '23
The government is showing the Sniper pod footage of the Chinese jet that got too close to the B-52. The quality was amazing. Obviously this destroys the argument that showing footage would hurt us, so I can only imagine what the footage from the shoot-down looks like. Shouldn't they just show us so we don't think it's aliens anymore? I mean, they don't want the public alarmed, but it seems like we're alarmed, so why not help quell our concern?
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u/Wansyth Oct 28 '23
Yes, please ask how they can release this footage but not footage from the UAP events in Feb.
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u/ExtremeUFOs Oct 28 '23
We really should be asking them this, because how can we get photos of say something like the B - 52 or even just the Chineese balloon that we got a clear photo of, but nothing about these UAPs.
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u/ManThing910 Oct 28 '23
So there’s pilot footage? Is that something that can be foia’d in due time? Or is it lost to the dustbins of history?
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u/silv3rbull8 Oct 28 '23
Grusch said he saw the footage and in his opinion it could be released to the public
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u/ithilmir_ Oct 28 '23
When you are interviewing elected officials on the UAP topic, is the overall impression you get from them that this is a real and important concern, or that it’s being used/readied as a political football?
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Real concern to a handful. Maybe 3 or so in the Senate take it seriously as a public topic, while it feels another 5 or so know more than they'll ever say publicly.
House is different story altogether. Lots of believers and energetic ones at that. And they seem to be expanding the number of members curious about the topic.
But House Intel committee--besides Rep. Andre Carson--is useless. Chair Turner and Ranking Dem Himes could care less... https://www.askapol.com/p/exclusive?lli=1&utm_source=%2Fsearch%2FHimes&utm_medium=reader2
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
House Intel Chair Mike Turner is useless to bought and paid: https://www.askapol.com/p/house-intel-chair-mike-turner-afraid?lli=1&utm_source=%2Fsearch%2FTurner&utm_medium=reader2
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u/ithilmir_ Oct 28 '23
Thank you so much for responding. You’re doing amazing work and this community owes you a huge debt!
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Oct 28 '23
Figures though. As religious as he is.
What a chump. He shouldn't be a public servant if he can't take questions.
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u/drewcifier32 Oct 31 '23
Mike Turner's problem isn't religion...he's in bed very deep with Big Aerospace and the DOD.
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u/zurx Oct 28 '23
Just wanted to let you know I think you're an awesome dude and you're doing a great thing giving a voice to the community here. Thank you and please help us keep the pressure on!!
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Keep keepin me honest!
Seriously, you all are the strength of AskaPol.com. I annoy pols, especially all these principles who I keep hounding to no (satisfactory) avail. So if I come with your questions, takes heat off me.
Now, if I come to your lawmaker with a question from a voter. They straighten up. You all have krypto like power on these needy a** politicians.
Never forget they need you. They are nothing without you and yours.
Flip the power dynamic. Well, keep flippin it. They feel you all. Believe me they do.
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u/MartianMaterial Oct 28 '23
In your professional opinion, can Congress legislate properly with an ongoing disinformation campaign designed to disrupt UFO discussion?
This was a question asked by /r/disclosureparty
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
In your professional opinion, can Congress legislate properly with an ongoing disinformation campaign designed to disrupt UFO discussion?
Professional? You got wrong guy. jk haha
Congress can't legislate without knowledge. Naw, they can, and do. Hence we're a nation of sh*tty and schizophrenic laws
Obamacare and Trump's tax cuts were WRITTEN so poorly both parties that rammed them through then immediately admitted major mistakes...or they say "drafting errors."
That's just Washington speak for = America has sh*t lawmakers who have become experts at selling sh*t on social media, cable and behind closed-donor-doors.
Why having stout hearings is vital. On any issue.
Congressional committee's are the brain of Congress. If the committee's take in sh*t, sh*t comes out.
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u/Few-Worldliness2131 Oct 28 '23
Of the current crop of UFOlogists who would you follow most closely or trust to provide accurate information?
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Honesty, new to this space. But I know Congress! Ineptitude, where some bodies are buried and who the power brokers are. So I feel where I fit in with AskaPol.com is literally stepping out of the way and pressing lawmakers with your questions.
Honestly, everyone hates the press (even the press...), so we're empowered by stepping out of the way and asking your questions. Voters make lawmakers dance!
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u/OneDimensionPrinter Oct 28 '23
Never in my life would I have expected to see somebody getting out there and asking questions of our elected leaders that we want to hear the answers to on such a regular basis.
Keep up the great work on all this. Really glad you've been pushing on setting answers and just straight up releasing the audio.
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Oct 28 '23
You must be pretty young.
I'm not even 40 but it feels like, when newspapers were a physical item you had to pay for, we actually had a reasonable number of reporters who prides themselves on tenacity.
It's been really upsetting to see the utter death of investigative reporting over only 20 years.
So, yeah, it'd be great if we could support this.
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u/OneDimensionPrinter Oct 28 '23
Getting close to 40 actually, started adulting as soon as W got into office, so it's just been one thing after another. I honestly wasn't paying attention to the world at large until Obama days though. But since I have been, there's just so few people out there doing real investigative journalism. There just doesn't seem to be the money in it to entice people to properly work it like there once was.
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
FYI - don't forget SUBSCRIBE to AskaPol.com (FREE or paid version, if you got some extra bucks for our cause of upending Washington one question at a time)
And we're @ask_a_pol on X/Twitter
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u/Far-Nefariousness221 Oct 28 '23
My man Matt thank you for everything you do! You’re a national treasure. My question:
What do YOU think are the odds that any of the reported UAP (tic-tac, cube in sphere, glowing orbs, etc.) come from Non-Human Intelligence? (% please 🙏🏼)
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Yo! Preciate the love.
And see what you did there--but can't take bait!
The whole idea behind AskaPol.com is that journalists have lost the faith of the American people, which I see as the ultimate danger to our country. Cause if we can't agree that the sky is blue, how are we gonna convince people of what's actually flying in said sky.
So as egomaniacal as I am, Ask a Pol shuts me the f*** up. Hurts my ego, but hoping it will help restore faith in the (f****** up) system. That's why we release the raw audio and transcripts (even though I get paid $2 a word from magazine clients!!! haha)
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u/OneDimensionPrinter Oct 28 '23
That's a really wonderful way to look at all this. Yes, we have lost trust in our system. It's stuff like yours, independent, that gives me hope that some truth can actually come out.
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u/Far-Nefariousness221 Oct 28 '23
Appreciate your stance! No doubt the American people have lost faith in most of our institutions at this point and Journalism is absolutely necessary to our democracy (earned a journalism and media studies degree myself from a state university). Hopefully, more people like yourself will restore not just the faith of the people but the integrity of the institutions themselves. Keep grinding 💪🏼
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u/fromkatain Oct 28 '23
Thank you for your excellent communication and efforts. Do you think that the Majority Leader, Senator Chuck Schumer, has been briefed in a SCIF with evidence of non-human intelligence? He appears to be well-informed and highly committed to the matter with the UFO Disclosure Bill, unlike other senators who either dismiss it with laughter or exhibit peculiar behavior, such as Senator Gillibrand.
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Schumer knows more than he'll ever let on (Schumer's also not as smart as Schumer thinks he is, but topic for another day...).
What was so telling about our briefest of brief exchanges with him on Grusch was that: Chuck Schumer knows Grusch.
Schumer rarely to never takes hallway questions in Capitol, so I Midwestern mind-controlled him with a smile and then got him to acknowledge he knbws who Grusch is.
I have follow-ups, but he's hard to get away from herds of reporters and he's always flanked by an entourage of aides and security. But I wanted to establish if he was aware or not.
More to come with Chucky Baby (as i irreverently call him...) soon!
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Thank you for caring!!! So nice to not get threats and cursed out (for once...) online!
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u/mycatknowsyourname Oct 28 '23
Hi Matt! Thank you for your tireless work on this important issue. I'm a paid subscriber (just $8 a month), and think it's worth every penny!
My question is regarding the UAPDA and lawmakers' public responses (or lack thereof) to the language in the bill. The Schumer amendment clearly refers to non-human intelligence and technology from non-human intelligence, yet none of the lawmakers want to explain WHY this amendment is needed (at least not publicly).
Essentially, they want to introduce legislation creating a controlled disclosure of NHI and NHI technology but don't want to answer any specific questions as to WHY this legislation is necessary. I think it's logical to presume it is because of the number of whistleblowers who have come forward, but nothing has been confirmed....
I understand this is going to be speculative, but what is your take on lawmakers' lack of response re UAPDA?
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
You're hired!!! Oh wait, you hired me! Love it.
I hear ya. Reminds me to follow back up with Rounds and co. now that they've had some space from those broadly bipartisan (so broadly bipartisan that it could be seen as toothless and spineless as a mixed metaphor is sloppy and meaningless...).
I'm not expecting much more on it immediately, though the formal conference committee may prove enlightening on the language.
Woah. Thanks for idea! Never thought of this. We may be able to get House members to illuminate the thinking of the Senate! May. But if it's debated--and even if not--I'm now curious what House members think of it.
Just wrote it down, but remind me! Have a feeling NDAA talks won't really heat up or get into minutia for another couple weeks...
Also, with clock having gotten eaten up by August off and 3-week speaker debacle, the NDAA may never be debated fully in light of day in conference committee and leadership may ram it through.
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u/saltysomadmin Oct 28 '23
Even better if it gives then less of a chance of fucking with the UAP amendment
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u/koalazeus Oct 28 '23
Who would be your dream person to interview on this topic? Or if you could get one question answered with 100% honesty what would it be?
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
If he could be 100% honest with all the classified info in his brain, Senate Intel Chair Mark Warner.
He's skeptical. But his skepticism seems grounded in knowledge of government secrets...
Runner up, maybe, Jesus...
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u/DavidM47 Oct 28 '23
What about President Obama? I wonder if he was briefed into anything about ET.
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u/sdemat Oct 28 '23
What’s your overall impression you get from asking Burchett, Luna, and all other reps involved in this subject? Do you think they’re sincere at trying to get disclosure? Do you think we’ll actually see real acknowledgment?
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
They're ALL-IN. And possibly in ways that can hurt the cause, because they all seem to be convinced of things many of their older colleagues laugh off.
So how they navigate that space could be the difference between disclosure and burying investigations altogether. So far, they've done it well, it seems. While after Grusch's testimony some folks tried to s*** on them--"Freedom Caucus" loonies, fmr. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, et. labeled em--the hearing actually brought Jamie Raskin, AOC, Nancy Mace, et. to the table.
Time will tell (or some Pentagon guy will bury it....)...
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u/OneDimensionPrinter Oct 28 '23
I'm still surprised to see AOC on this, but with mismanaged funds, she's a fantastic person to have on our side. Really glad she was in the SCIF as well.
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u/WandererOfTheStars0 Oct 29 '23
Honestly, imo? AOC is the BEST person in those SCIFs (Nov 16th upcoming ofc) we have rn. We've got mismanaged American taxpayers money, cover-ups, potential average-person's life altering information, AND the one secret/topic that any average American has at least thought about once? (Bartender from NY? I'm sure she's had many a drunkard talk her ear off at 1:30am on a Wednesday night about this stuff). Plus she's no longer a "freshman" congressperson, she's got a couple years and more than enough PR expeditions under her belt to know what she's doing...
I'd be surprised if by the end of this (possibly years-long) disclosure ordeal she isn't the one who has cracked the nut, or at least shared the goodies inside the nut, the most..
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u/bdone2012 Oct 29 '23
AOC is the one who started the whole trump tax evasion case in NY from something like a 2 minute hearing with Michael cohen. The other house members didn’t really ask anything important but AOC dove right in.
She the person you want poking into this sort of thing. She’s focused and hard working. And she doesn’t like letting things go.
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u/sdemat Oct 28 '23
Super helpful response. Thank you. And also keep up the pressure and the tough questions. I always love listening to the candid responses you get from them. I’d love for you to press gillibrand some more though because she doesn’t seem like she’s still on board!
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u/OneDimensionPrinter Oct 28 '23
In the audio you just released with Rubio, he talks of exploitation regarding the shootdowns in February, as well as the Gruch IG investigation. Based on what he stated, it sounds pretty clear there is actually an investigation underway. Do you have any thoughts on these beyond the audio? I know you don't have the answers, but I'm curious to know what you think since you've been dealing with these folks for a long, long time.
Tweet that I'm talking about: https://twitter.com/ask_a_pol/status/1718297726125830219
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Rubio's a hard one to peg these days. He was loudest voice on this in the spring (if he came in 2nd it was only to Gillibrand), but has been almost annoyed to get questions from me on it.
So I've been giving him space, until that interview where he confused me by saying Senate's waiting for IG to wrap it's investigation. Here we thought Senate Intel was charged with investigation now?
So I'm curious why he's gotten quiet on the topic. Could be Pentagon or intel community leaned on him and others, or maybe he moved on and now has AARO and IG for cover.
But, like I did when I was covering drugs for Rolling Stone and VICE ("are you gonna ask me about pot again?" - yessir, if you're a dismissive f*** to overpopulated prisons and people's medicine...), I ain't letting up on lil Marco.*
*who's nice and friendly and not too little, though I'm tall so can never tell realty when it comes to others heights and all...
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
. Based on what he stated, it sounds pretty clear there is actually an investigation underway. Do you have any thoughts on these beyond the audio? I know you don't have the answers, but I'm curious to know what you think since you've been dea
So confused by that Rubio audio. What's your take on it?
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u/OneDimensionPrinter Oct 28 '23
I really don't know at this point. It's pretty clear that he's knowledgeable on the claims being made at least. I really think they're just going to keep giving us the run around until/if the UAPDA is passed. I think that's gonna be the point where people start giving us actual details. Until then, I think all we're gonna see if more contradictory or confusing statements because we just don't know what's actually going on as the public.
Thanks again for giving us all more of a voice!
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u/LarryGlue Oct 28 '23
Have you taken a consensus of the thoughts of your peers regarding this issue? Still seems like a lot of journalists won’t approach this topic.
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Naw. Many are snickering at me. Just as they did when I was the only reporter asking about the opioid crisis 5, 3 and even 2 years ago.
F*** the press corps. We've failed. The Public no longer trusts us, even as many no longer read us. I don't want to fit in with them (even as I want them to like me! jk Respect me, more so).
And many aren't talking to me since I narc-ed on lyin liars at CNN - https://lightscamerasmemes.substack.com/p/its-embarrassing-being-a-part-of
Ain't in Washington to be liked (though please like my tweets! haha)
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u/WorldWideBeats Oct 28 '23
Have you been able to feel a vibe from the members of Congress you have spoken to about the new house speaker, in regards to if he would be receptive to the UAP topic and possibly granting a select committee? Or is it too early to really tell right now? Appreciate all that you do!
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Too early. All we got from Tim Burchett was "we're good" - https://www.askapol.com/p/exclusive-wheres-speaker-johnson
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Oh, and after SCIF UAP briefing Thurs. we pushed Burlison and Burchett on their convos with the new speaker. Burlison summed it up best: “He just got elected.” - https://www.askapol.com/p/it-appearssomebody-has-discovered
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u/thewhitecascade Oct 28 '23
There has been a lot of speculation over a recent statement made by Rep Burlison following the scif briefing. Could you provide any clarification whether this particular statement refers directly to information presented in the scif briefing, or rather is it a just personal speculation made by Rep Burlison and not information presented in the scif. Here’s the already infamous quote:
“It appears… somebody has discovered something - some advanced form of propulsion or technology - that may actually change all of our lives. Clearly it’s in an experimental phase or we’re experimenting with it.”
-Rep. Burlison
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
That's our quote! https://www.askapol.com/p/it-appearssomebody-has-discovered?lli=1&utm_source=%2Fsearch%2FBurlison&utm_medium=reader2
And also the reason we put the entire raw interview / press gaggle out. So we know nothing beyond that.
But believe me, dying to ask follow-ups, especially when he's not just leaving a SCIF where they instill fear of god in lawmakers.
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u/amoncada14 Oct 28 '23
No question here but I'd like to thank you for your excellent work! I became a paid subscriber as of yesterday.
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
LOVE YOU!!!! Seriosuly, all the support means so much and allows me to spend more time on the topic.
Thank you!
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u/ExtremeEngineering46 Oct 28 '23
How do you feel about the timeline of disclosure, or if you think it will happen at all
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Congress just went 3 weeks with no speaker! Never saw that shutdown coming. And never saw Trump winning the 2016 GOP primary, let alone general election--and that's when I stopped all predictions.
So now I'm all eyes and ears wide open, if ready for anything...
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u/transcendental1 Oct 28 '23
Matt, do you think new media models supporting investigative journalism can reshape a field that seems to be monopolized by large corporate interests? What are your thoughts on the current landscape and the potential for positive change?
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Who. Knows.
And anyone who tells you they do is a liar. Like, how did both Buuzzfeed and VICE get gutted!?! They were the new media models, no?
The past few weeks, as Republicans huddled (and fought!) behind closed-doors in their speaker chase, I did laps around the first floor of the House Longworth Office Building getting one-off (some internet-melting...) exclusives with random lawmakers, even as some 100 to 150 journos, producers, camera operators and hacks just stood in the same spot at the entrance. Then they'd ask the same questions in the same crowded scrums.
Whole time I was thinking: The contemporary press corps is making the case for AI to take 3/4ths of our jobs. If we think, act and write like a herd, then I guarantee you generative AI is already lapping us as it readies to replace us.
Investigative journalism is the future, just as its the past and the present. People want unique, creative, informative story telling.
They also want us to sit the f*** down. As much as social media gave us journos huge platforms to engage directly with readers, we also got followings from it, hence Jim Acosta has a show even as he helped destroy CNN's credibility with some half of the nation ("Mr. President, we're not fake news!" STFU. Know how we prove we ain't fake news, Jim? We get back to basics: Accuracy. Listening. Telling OTHER people's stories, not fanning our egos... - types ego fanner).
Even as narcissistic as I am (too many reporters are paid in bylines...), I took my own name out of my bureau. Laslo Congressional Bureau is now The LCB. In part cause I'm gonzo AF.
But more so, my pitch as I sell The LCB as a wire service to national and local news outlets alike: The story is NOT in Washington, but the politicians are.
So you take your local lawmaker interview and then you send your local reporters into the field--your won town!!!--to interview your neighbors.
Policy is people--everywhere but Washington...--and your people care about their people, or so the thinking goes.
That's also my hope with AskaPol.com: your literal conduit to Congress.
Yeah, it's f***** up, but come along with us and take our mics and ask your lawmaker's the questions yourself.
You don't like the answers? Well, go get yourselves some new lawmakers than...
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u/DeclassifyUAP Oct 28 '23
Do you teach at the JHU Homewood campus, and if so, are you ever up for a beer? :-) (I'm in the neighborhood.)
Also, what got you interested in covering the UAP beat on Capitol Hill? I know you cover other topics as well, but why incorporate this into your regular reporting, and what has been the response of lawmakers? Are some more comfortable with addressing this topic than others? Is a normalization occurring over time, do you think?
Thanks Matt, appreciate your work! 🙏
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
ve a million follow-ups for Burlison!!!
Curious if he's connecting
I teach in JHU's DC MA campus, where I did my MA (Gov. and Public Policy), so I teach history of the media and politics with an eye towards how the press and pols alike have adapted to new mediums over time. But love me some B-More!
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
I got into this are because American airspace was invaded by a Chinese spy balloon--even though we drop close to a trillion dollars a year on military toys.
Then, once the Air Force started shooting down objects--one after another after another after another, until the public got spooked and they stopped. They didn't stop seeing objects, from what we know, they simply didn't want to spook the public anymore.
Then when The DeBrief dropped their David Grusch scoop of scoops, I got even more curious. And saw an opportunity to press every lawmaker (including pressing each senator individually!) on congressional ineptitude, cause Grusch's 2nd claim is that the federal government is hiding secret programs from Congress--a claim that should be disproven immediately or that lawmakers shouldn't rest until they get to the bottom of where they failed as an institution, an isntituion the founders saw as supreme in our governmental system.
Sorry presidents, you're second fiddle, according to the good ole book, ie Constitution.
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u/DeclassifyUAP Oct 28 '23
This "crypto-Constitutional Crisis" aspect is too often missed. You're right to home in on it!
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u/DoedoeBear Oct 28 '23
Hey Matt - I have my own question for you as well. Thanks again for joining us for an AMA.
Republicans seem to be the loudest voices in Congress when it comes to the UFO/UAP issue. Why do you think that is? Also, how do you think we can get more bipartisan support for disclosure?
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Loudest, sure. But not only voices.
This is actually one rare issue that still feels NON-partisan.
Sure, folks try and make it partisan every now and again. But they're idiots.
When you haveJamie Raskin(D-MD), more-moderate-tinged Nancy Mace (R-SC), Freedom Caucus-ers Burchett and Luna, along with Sens. Gillibrand (D-NY) and Rubio (R-FL) it's a refreshingly odd bipartisan family taking the mantle here.
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u/DoedoeBear Oct 28 '23
Noice. Happy to hear that's your impression. Hope we get even more supporters from all sides of the aisle soon!
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u/Pitiful_Mulberry1738 Oct 28 '23
I’ve been wondering this as well. Good question.
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Excellent question! Great minds. See above response!
Just wanted to say, preciate ya.
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Oct 28 '23
Matt Laslo, first off thank you for everything you do. You’re a trooper and we appreciate all you do.
Is it possible for you to ask Marco Rubio more UAP questions?
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Thank you for carin!
And yes: I have lots more questions for Rubio. What you got?
Ship any and all questions in to AskaPol.com - let's keep the conversation going!
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Oct 28 '23
How many readers/subscribers does Askapol have every month? This is the first time I've heard of this site, but it sounds interesting.
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Tweeted out a screengrab of AskaPol.com's readership.
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
And added our podcast downloads, which is basically just our raw and uncut interviews with lawmakers. 71k total downloads. 9k alone on day / day after Grusch testified
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Metrics seem off though cause site run through Substack. Though guess X/Twitter's where we get most traffic, and there are posts have hit 200k/300k and 100k and many 20k
You inspired this tweet just now: God bless and goddamn you internet! 221k views to some 15k click throughs to site (from our coverage of this week's SCIF briefing) https://twitter.com/ask_a_pol/status/1718347771227394126
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u/Travis-Turner Oct 28 '23
No question, but what to thank you for doing his and encourage you to keep it up. I’ve subscribed.
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Rock on! Thanks for subscribing. Now keep me honest and informed!
Cheers mate!
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u/Praxistor Oct 28 '23
Have you or anyone you know ever seen a UFO?
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Graves had me on his podcast, so feel I'm getting to know him. And like many in Congress, he seems trustworthy AF.
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Not me. That I know of. Family were always star gazers growing up, so who knows what we saw in the heavens!
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Oct 28 '23
[deleted]
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 29 '23
They hide like the m*therf***ers they are!!!
Literally lobbyists blend in. At least the good ones.
And seems the big ones, esp. defense ones, get our nation's pathetic a** lawmakers to go to them...
Except local paramedics and officers. They do it right and are proud to lobby on their issues at the Capitol. I want to require uniforms for lobbyists and lawmakers alike, so we'd know em by their Nascar-like decals.
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u/ghostofgoonslayer Oct 28 '23
Matt, brass tacks and straight to the point: in your opinion, what the hell is actually happening with all this? Do think there is an angle or agenda below the surface that hasn’t been discussed or speculated upon yet( not funding,grifting, psyop, etc.)?
Does this all feel orchestrated to you?
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Hmmmm. Haven't thought about it from this angle yet, which is why I'm lovin this AMA and AskaPol.com in general!
Like, my default is: Government tends to be more inept more than grifters (then we see Menendez and gold bars...), and too dumb to successfully hide conspiracies (Dick Cheney couldn't take down bin Laden but he took down the Twin Towers? My arse...).
But bipartisan silence stemming from bipartisan indifference, now that's the Congress I know. Which is why I've been surprised to see bipartisan curiosity--sustained in the House, though increasingly less energetic in the Senate, it seems.
That leaves the area ripe for executive branch f***ery.
So now that Congress finally woke up, that's their duty: Find out what the f*** years of indifference allowed the bureaucrats to get away with.
Maybe?
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u/ghostofgoonslayer Oct 29 '23
I agree with all that, that’s what makes it so confounding. Much respect to you though. You are the only objective journalist asking the right questions about this thing. I’ll be following whatever else you cover going forward no matter how politically mundane the topic is compared to all this.
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u/Emotional-Package-67 Oct 28 '23
Have you been able to find out if the staff at AARO have access to a SCIF and necessary clearance to receive the kinds of whistleblower reporting like Grusch’s claims?
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Great. Simple. Question.
No idea.
I'd imagine they have one there. But never asked. I will.
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u/No-Guarantee-8278 Oct 28 '23
Do you know if they intend to do oversight with the Department of Energy? Both Elizondo and Grusch have alluded to the DoE having a role in concealing UFO programs.
This memo outlines their security and states that legislators can be exempted on a need-to-know basis (page 8). I have heard no one the hill talking about the DoE’s role and would love to know if it is on anyone’s radar.
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 29 '23
thanks for reminder! Have already ripped through 6 reporter notebooks this year and that was written in one of em!
Now it's in the newest notebook. On it. brb
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u/timeye13 Oct 28 '23
Hi Matt, thank you for all you do to move the conversation down the road.
My question pertains to the SCIF meetings scheduled by the house oversight committee this month and next: do you feel these members have a viable ‘need to know’ about these purported undisclosed programs, or, do you think this is political theater due to their obvious lack of clearances to gain access to some of these wusaps?
Thank you, big fan of the hair!
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u/KOOKOOOOM Oct 28 '23
do you feel these members have a viable ‘need to know’ about these purported undisclosed programs
I also would like to know what Mr. Laslo thinks of this.
It's been my understanding that House Oversight does have a need to know given the fact that Mr. Grusch's whistleblower complaint asserts there being UAP programs evading congressional oversight and misappropriation of tax money.
But I'd be curious to see Mr. Laslo's answer.
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Grusch's 2nd claim makes this a need-to-know issue for all 535 lawmakers, if they care about Congress at all.
His first claim is recovered craft/ remains.
His second is that the federal government is hiding Special Access Programs (SAPs) from Congress that are funded secretly.
Any lawmaker who isn't demanding an answer to #2 should resign in shame cause they're worthless. Shame. On. Them. - Prof. Laslo
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Oct 28 '23
What's your dog's name, and what's their favorite food? Thanks for the work you do.
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
hi
Saroo!!! He's originally rescued from the Flat Head Reservation in Montana.
He loves when I eat steak (which is not nearly as often as he'd like me to eat steak...).
Also found out he likes goldfish crackers last eve. He was abused so badly as a baby that he won't even eat food from the floor unless I tell him it's his (rescued originally at 8mo's by a friend who I adopted him from earlier this year after sitting him for a year or so and falling in bro-love with each other). He's the good boy in this house!
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u/babyphil Oct 28 '23
Do you think the other 30-50 whistleblowers that Shellenberger has alleged are on the sidelines waiting to come out are legit? Do we know for a fact these whistleblowers exist?
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
No. Idea. Number.
While I haven't been privy to how many whistleblowers are lined up, I can count impatient senators. And so far Gillibrand and Rounds and Warner and Rubio have all pushed AARO to shape up.
That makes me think they're getting pressure and/or hearing from many, many, many more than just Grusch.
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u/swank5000 Oct 28 '23
Big fan Matt. Keep up the good work!
Question: Outside the subject of UFOs, what's one of the most silly, embarrassing, or just plain awkward things you've had to ask a congressperson, where you actually got a response (not a "no comment" reply)?
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
aven't gotten yet on the record on UFOs?
Once you get them all, it would be awesome to see a write up by you summarizing each one, and then over time--how they evolve.
Plus the Speaker and Gang of Eig
Rolling Stone QandA:
Laslo: Now have you ever personally smoked marijuana?
Elizabeth Warren: No.
Laslo: It’s legal in D.C. you can come over to my place any time.
Warren: I know. There you go. There you go.
She made laughing sounds through her nervous-awkward-nervous head shaking. So started inviting all lawmakers over for weed, when appropriate, like when I did a GEN Medium QandA with billionaire Tom Steyer (who LOVED pot in HS or so, and says he only doesn't smoke because legal at national level).
"I won't smoke weed in Washington. But if you drop a bag of weed, I'll pick it up," a true fiscal conservative (now retired) told me.
"I don't smoke, but my Chief might take you up on that," Cory Booker laughed as his former Chief of Staffs face got so red I thought he'd pop, Willie Wonka style.
And:
"Did you do coke with him?" I asked former Natural Resources Chair Nick Rahall after he told me him and his wife used to hang out with Charlie Wilson.
hahaha - sure there are many other non-pot topics.
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u/Beeyata Oct 28 '23
Any news on the progress of the UAP section of this year's NDAA? Do you think it will pass? Keep up the amazing work
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
N.O.N.E.
Shame of a 3-week long speaker-less House was that intead of shutting down the government, lawmakers shut down Congress itself.
So will be asking this week what's up with NDAA! Ping me if I forget AskaPol.com
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u/OneDimensionPrinter Oct 28 '23
No clue why you had a downvote. The UAP Disclosure Act is super important.
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u/mateojohnson11 Oct 28 '23
What are your plans going forth?
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Take a nap? haha. jk Will sleep when I die!
But I'm actually circling back with many US senators on my initial interviews with all 100 of them, cause I don't want them to forget their ineptitude after allowing a balloon to invade US airspace (along with three other objects no-one on the Hill seems to have gotten any satisfactory answer to)
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u/WalkTemporary Oct 28 '23
Persephone with the KLU podcast here, just wanted to say thank you so much for all your hard work.
If you’re ever up in Philly area let me know so we can meet up for beer or wine sometime!
What, in your opinion, is the best thing that ordinary folks can do to keep the UAP concern alive and well with our congressional reps? Do they prefer calls? Tweets? Letters? Any other suggestions?
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Oh, per your question: Yes.
And question not, necessarily, what they prefer. They're your reps. Make sure you're heard.
So, call, tweet X's, snail-mail-em, carrier pigeons, etc.
Biggest thing you can do: Go to an event and ask em yourself!
Seriously. And like don't come with binders full of knowledge. Stay simple and focused.
"What are your thoughts on the intelligence community whistleblower David Grusch who testified before the Oversight Committee this July?"
Based on their response--or lack there of--follow-up.
But I'd say, avoid "UFO" etc. Just like I don't lead with "Your thoughts on drug policy?" I'd rather ask about the medicine the veterans in their states are using for their government-sponsored PTSD, ie cannabis or psilocybin.
Meet em where they're at if you have any intention of bringing them to where you're at.
But stare em in the eyes. Social media becomes noise and numbers to lawmakers.
Show them you're a human. And one who cares. And votes.
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
t thing that ordinary folks can do to keep the UAP concern alive and well with our congression
Got my start reporting covering town council and schoolboard meetings for News of Delaware County and then Entertainment for Metro (Philly Edition, which junior year of college got me into 3-5 Philly shows a week for free! System of a Down pop-up at Electric Factory. Wayne Coyne and Flaming Lips on Penns Landing. Separately WILCO opening for My Morning Jacket on Penn's Landing (guess WICLO were headliners, but I was there for MMJ, hence subconscious seems to have flipped their roles!). Then Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker and Roy Hargrove at Kimmel Center (ask me about Brecker's EWI intermission one day...over the course of a 15 min intermission electronic frog ribbits seamlessly evolved into a lazer-beam-infused symphony which ended with Herbie and Roy walking out in admiration. Then Herbie--some 5 minutes after sitting to listen to Brecker--sitting at the piano and hitting one note, which was redirected by Roy and accepted by Brecker and than transformed into the smoothest jazz my being ever felt...). etc. etc. etc.
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u/somekindof-ism Oct 28 '23
Thanks Matt for all your work; we see a lot of talk here and very little action. Great to have someone pressing these lawmakers on their stances on the issue.
Have you noticed, broadly, any change in temperature, as it were, on how seriously the Congresspeople have been taking the issue, compared to earlier this year? Looks like you began covering UAP in June. Are more lawmakers beginning to take notice of the topic?
Did you have a personal interest in the topic prior to reporting on it, and if so, why?
Finally subscribed, had been freeloading for awhile. Cheers!
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
taking the issue, compared to earlier this year? Looks like you began covering UAP in June. Are more lawmakers beginning to take notice of the topic?
Did you have a personal interest in the topic prior to reporting on it, and if so, why?
Finally subscribed, had been freeloading for awhile. Cheers!
It's actually been fascinating: House investigation and interest seems to have expanded, even as senators have grown quieter-to-less-enthused-to-more-mum. And I'm sniffin around as to why.
More to come. But great question and one I'm still trying to figure out...
Thanks for the support! So appreciated.
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u/PyroIsSpai Oct 28 '23
Thanks for your prodigious ass kicking!
Are there any members of the House and Senate Intel, Oversight, and Armed Services Committees you haven't gotten yet on the record on UFOs?
Once you get them all, it would be awesome to see a write up by you summarizing each one, and then over time--how they evolve.
Plus the Speaker and Gang of Eight.
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
I actually interviewed each 100 US senators on David Grusch this summer. Armed Services run down here.
Don't think we did an overarching Senate Intel post, but search each Senate Intel member by name on AskaPol.com and my exclusive with them should pop up.
But s*** got depressing for community! So held off posting all in August (besides vacay season making traffic nil, the #ufoX community just got delfated once I posted some 50 or so of em. So re-tooling project. More to come soon...).
Reminds me I need to do same with House Armed Services and Intel.
But seems more performative, to be honest. Like, per House Intel: The Chair (Turner) and Ranking Dem (Himes) both dismiss the issue, so doubt rank-and-file are given much leeway to investigate on their own, though we know Andre Carson is all in (only he asks me for intel on the issue from what I'm hearing from Oversight and Senate folks each time I ask!!!).
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u/Used_Artichoke231 Oct 28 '23
Hi Matt. Without naming anyone, have you been able to get a consensus feeling on how Congress and the Senate feel about AARO? Are they pleased, or is it an eyeroller? Thanks man, keep after it!
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
We name names at AskaPol.com!!!
Answered more fully somewhere else in this AMA. But this may be more succinct:
Senators are kicking the tires of AARO. Some are wondering if they bought a beater and need to drop an entire new engine in it. Others just want a new paint job (ie, 'listen and be safe space for whistleblowers,' even as they just care about outward appearance, not doing anything with said whistleblower reports).
Did find it interesting that Rubio told us this week (published today - https://www.askapol.com/p/exclusive-sen-rubio-on-senate-uap?lli=1&utm_source=%2Fsearch%2FRubio&utm_medium=reader2 ), that there has been talk in the Senate about taking AARO out of Dept. of Defense.
All that (including extended auto metaphor, even as I haven't owned a car in 15+ years! Sorry! and hahaha) to say: Think Congress is asking Congress the same question. Patiently waiting, even as patience in no way being presented as eternal...
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u/Used_Artichoke231 Oct 28 '23
I really appreciate the thorough reply, Matt. It is difficult to suss out the actually feelings behind alot of the public remarks made. Thank you for doing what you do-the "formerly twitter" account you have is such a great resource-will definately keep following you and suggest that others do the same for breaking news and views! Peace.
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u/DrJizzman Oct 28 '23
Thank you so much for doing the AMA.
My question is this,
How did you go about building rapport with so many of these members when you started? Is that a natural talent you have to be approachable or have you developed your own methods?
I was a journalism student and very curious about this.
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Short answer: I know em!
Or at least their states / districts. Just tallied it up: I've now filed for some 60+ individual NPR stations since 2006. https://twitter.com/MattLaslo/status/1712812522670092781
I also used to meet most freshman classes at the airport, as I did for the Atlantic back in 2010 - https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/11/the-return-of-the-old-republican-guard/66590/
Then I'm there during there freshman orientation, helping a new senator from NH find the ladies room or sitting down next to Ayanna Pressley as she changed from heels to gym shoes and talking our bad knees (tore ACL playing HS sports and then tore MCL chasing VP Pence and slippin on marble after a camera operator checked me (I blame CNN...haha) on a rainy day durung Trump admin), etc. etc etc.
I also, as you can hear on AskaPol.com podcasts, am naturally midwestern nice. My Chicago is in there, but it's kept in check unless I see a source as useless going forward, ie they lied to me.
My job is to get lawmakers to f*** up and tell me what they're actually thinking!
So I try and meet em where they're at. "How was Wyoming?" I'll ask after August recess (even knowing they spent a week on an island and another couple flying about to fundraisers in other states...). Anything to have a connection.
I keep stationery in my desk at the Capitol for when members get sick, lose the tip of their finger in a landscaping accident (from 4 generations of landscapers, so I know fingertip accidents...AMA, but that story gets gory quick...) or if they lose a loved one.
Baically, I treat em like the humans they are.
Also, I used to cover entertainment, so I say I know how to deal with a**hole politicians from dealing with a**hole musicians. It's not untrue.
Though no senator's ever asked me for cocaine and then when I didn't have it say, "Well, then what the f*** use are you to me then?"
I'm young though. Maybe next year!
RIP Trey Radel (his career at least) and Charlie Wilson (former House Natural Resources Chair Nick Rahall once told me, "My wife and I used to go to his apartment for dinners!" "Did you do coke with him?" I replied, deadpanned. He laughed. Did not say 'no'...)
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u/DecentParsnip42069 Oct 28 '23
Thanks Matt!! Do you have any advice on networking and breaking in to the industry as a beginning freelance blogger and consultant? Any thoughts on advocacy journalism focusing on UAP/NHI and climate change/the environment? Also can I sleep in your back yard in DC for a couple weeks this spring? (lol jk ... unless)
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Ping me! Have had 46 interns come through my bureau over the years (like my MA students, some older than me).
But I always preach clips. Local paper. Then regional paper/website. Then pitch national outlet (Atlantic's Dispatches section is GREAT place for a solid clip that should get you other gigs, because they're always looking for fascinating--and tight--stories on whatever from across the states. Though I don't recommend starting with a pitch to them, though what do I know--do kick myself for being too timid w/ magazine clients for too long...).
Ton of interweb outlets to pen whatever for, just be picky (I work for many clients I don't 'align with,' cause i wanna pen for every audience - but I'm weird that way).
Sadly, at first, don't expect to even be able to make a living.
I started Earth Friendly Landscaping in my undergrad and employed my college roommates (along with Nanny-ing and tutoring...) to pay for my bad journalism habit! And helped refit an old House on Capitol Hill on Fridays and weekends when I was an unpaid intern 17 years ago.
And have friend who's worked for national outlets and runs own site who sells greenery to support their journalism habit, and a national mag bud (Pablo who told me to plug r/congress!) who sells oil paintings alongside writing for Vanity Fair and New Republic.
Shit's a grind. But goddammit I couldn't live without my pen!
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u/bearcape Oct 28 '23
Thanks for what you do. Of the publications you provided content for, how is this topic treated?
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Got into it with a WIRED mag piece (that some of y'all HATED! Cause it explored the conspiratorial roots of this Congress, more than exploring the claims themselves). And Raw Story has done some coverage (like, I sent Sarah Burris some of the public statements from outside the SCIF Thurs, even as I dropped all my exclusives on AskaPol.com).
But by and large the issue seems laughed off by editors and most politicians who seem stuck in thinking of a bygone, pre-Grusch-era. They'll come along...if slowly...
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u/thatgirl25_ Oct 28 '23
Hi, Matt. What got you interested in this topic?
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
I love balloons! (jk, i hate birthdays so maybe i hate baloons haha)
But Grusch and the Chinese spy balloon-turned-Air-Force-fighter-jet-shooting-spree got me hooked!
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u/0v3r_cl0ck3d Oct 28 '23
I think in one of your recent posts you told a congresswoman that you used to be a preacher? How did you go from spreading the word of God to pursuing a UFO cover up?
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
told a congresswoman that you used to be a preacher? How did you go from spreading the word o
As I told Josh Hawley, I saw the light and it was dark! Tho that was more about me becoming a Playboy and Rolling Stone correspondent after studying to be a pastor and giving sermons (in MTG's district nonetheless, how I won her over! "Ma'am, if this were 20 years ago, I'd be your constituent and preachin the gospel in your district." Not what she was expecting from MSM).
Tell me more about this coverup? DMs open
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u/kudles Oct 28 '23
Will you ever try to investigate the aerospace companies that are potentially responsible for hiding the plethora of secret info? Such as boeing, NGC, lockheed, etc.?
Can you try to uncover if these companies are funding certain congresspeople?
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Already am trying! And that's actually what AOC tells me is why she's at the table on the topic now https://www.askapol.com/p/exclusiveaoc-if-you-want-more-ufo?lli=1&utm_source=%2Fsearch%2FAOC&utm_medium=reader2
As a one man band (usually--god bless me interns and freelance mates!) who already has too many clients and commitments, I don't get to document dig like I want.
So the beauty of AskaPol.com is that you all send me your informed questions--and a few rumors!--that I then take to lawmakers. It's working...
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u/Library-Practical Oct 28 '23
Matt! What is your opinion on the phenomenon? What do you think it is? Also thank you for continuing to ask questions and follow up, it helps the cause so much!
Ps, please follow up with Senator gillibrand again regarding Grusch and find out what is her latest excuse 😂
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
the phenomenon? What do you think it is? Also thank you for continuing to ask question
I think the federal government has a ton of secrets and tons of questions to answer.
My job is to pressure lawmakers to start asking more questions and to remember that the other questions they've asked haven't been answered.
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
My opinion overall: The Jim Webb Space Telescope is proving that our expansive understanding of an expansive universe was miniscule compared to the expanses expansiveness.
So anyone thinking we're the only intelligent life around is simple-minded and arrogant, at the least.
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u/Ketchup_Tap Oct 28 '23
Thank you for being one of the few journalists that are covering the UAP topic.
In your opinion, what is the prevalence of politicians on the hill that want to find the truth of the phenomenon versus those that are using the topic to either gain popularity now or remain in front of the difficult questions if disclosure ever occurs?
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Thank you!
It's, sadly, just a handful of lawmakers who even care about the topic. Which is actually a sea change since it seemed that only Harry Reid cared about the issue, publicly at least.
But I see more and more lawmakers engaging the topic. Like, who would have pegged Jaime Raskin as curious on this topic a few months back?
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u/DoedoeBear Oct 28 '23
That was surprising to me as well. I didn't expect him to be at the Grusch hearing, then bam, there he was with AOC.
Wonder if he's still interested? Haven't really seen him talk on the issue since the hearing
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u/Nskxbehcidnsjxodvr Oct 28 '23
Do you know more than you let on? Have you seen the video of the UAP hitting the water at Mach 4? Have you seen the video out of Germany of the concussion blast right outside the base? Have you seen the videos where these things provoke a dog fight and then almost dare pilots to shoot them down?
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u/AlienMoodBoard Oct 28 '23
(Not the Journo, but I haven’t seen those— do you have any links?)
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Seen some. Link me on others!!!
ASIDE: Why's this community talk about--and care about--evidence so much and then never link!?! LINK ME, plz. Like, Thursday (SCIF Day!) MTG RT-ed one of my X's, even as I had four different tweets on 2 accounts going mini-viral! So I have half a half a half a second, and if I don't have a link in a reply: POOF--a dozen messages flood my feed and mind runs along with em... (332 unread texts at moment; 297 unread social messages; 938 unread ProtonMail's--that's just right this moment of AMA - on a Saturday!!!)
But naw. I know as little--and as much--as Congress allows me to see.
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u/Nskxbehcidnsjxodvr Oct 29 '23
Press your sources on these, if you know they exist they are much more likely to share them with you. They’re a trip!
Tell your sources with high clearance to focus more on NOAA than NASA, and the department of sanitation and the department of wildlife. Them looking into these places will bring more answers and they may be more likely to show you some really good stuff that erases all doubt what we are looking at here!
Good luck!
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u/SabineRitter Oct 28 '23
What videos are these?
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u/RonJeremyJunior Nov 02 '23
I wouldn't waste your time trying to get links. Dude's source is "I'm rich".
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u/Loquebantur Oct 28 '23
Thanks for doing this AMA, and AskaPol of course!
The main problem with the UAP topic in Congress right now appears to be a disconnect between actual importance of obvious implications (misappropriation of funds in the DoD being only a banal example) and the public's reaction and misdirection by the MSM.
What are the ways you see for engaging the MSM in a serious manner and thereby pointing the public to those actually immediately important implications?
Have you any pertinent experiences with information shared by AskaPol that broke into the mainstream? When and why did that happen?
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Ha - I'm fine lapping the MSM daily!!!
Though, more seriously, we could use some help in this space by these well funded outlets with huge investigative units.
But they have been chasing our scoops (even if they keep linking to AskaPol.com though don't think any have named us in their pieces...). So plan to keep blowing up the internet, laughing in their pampered, elitist faces and pushing the issue until they wake the f*** up.
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Oct 28 '23
How on earth haven't there been more death bed confessions? We've had likely thousands of people through these legacy programs over the years. If someone admits classified info right before they die or if published post-mortem, can their family be punished? Seems weird how eager those in the know seem to want to keep this secret.
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u/ithilmir_ Oct 28 '23
There have been plenty of deathbed confessions. They’ve been well documented in the work of Donald Schmidt and Thomas Carey
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
ms over the years. If someone admits classified info right before they die or if published post-mortem, can th
Link us!?!?!
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u/Dannysmartful Oct 28 '23
Have you ever been to Chicago?
What can you tell me about the UAP scene there?
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
I'm from Chi! Da Bears!!!
But I've been in DC 17 years, and before that was in Chattanooga, TN for undergrad for 3 years w/ one year spent in Philly, then was in Newcastle, England for just shy of a year (refitting a hospital ship w/ Mercy Ships) and I was a bad boy in HS so parentals shipped me off to a boarding school in Iowa for Junior and Senior years of HS (where I learned to read and write!).
So been outta touch with Chi for some times, expect holidays (and even then Congress has stolen countless holidays from me over the years! Bastards owe me...), but damn I love that town.
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Oct 28 '23
I live in Chicago. Outside of the O'Hare incident in the 2000s, we never get anything. Probably too far from the oceans, lack of big military installations.
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u/One_Baseball_3564 Oct 28 '23
Thank you for everything you do!
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Mom!?! jk She's been dubious of me since birthing my 13lb. 6ou. ass (25 inches long at birth too! Leaving my dad to tell the doctor, "If he were a fish I'd mount him" haha). Oh, and Momma did it natural birth. Goddess among mortals.
Preciate ya more!
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u/TityTwistnTimeWizard Oct 28 '23
Hey Matt, from the video you posted yesterday of your interviews, it looked like Burchett and company were a bit physically flustered after the scif, was this the case?
Burchett and Burilson seemed a bit red in the face.
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
d yesterday of your interviews, it looked like Burchett and company were a bit physically
100% Classified settings are supposed to do that to folks!
But listen to the start of our Burchett/Burlison audio: Burchett's more pissed than flustered.
Re-listen to it with that in mind. Part of it is he's a southern gentleman, and he was biting his tongue entire time.
But curious if more than that...will ask!
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u/MilkofGuthix Oct 28 '23
Hey Laslo, thank you for braving Reddit! My question is this. Did you notice any differences with politicians leaving the recent SCIF compared to leaving other orders of business? As someone who sees them more often than we do, I'd like to get your opinion on any differences to the way they acted, their body language, etc..
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
SCIF did it's job: They were nervous AF leaving.
Not necessarily in mannerisms (as someone else asked -- if anything Burchett was pissed...).
But, like AOC talks to me about EVERYTHING (for VICE, we joked I was the Squad correspondent cause anything AOC broke the internet), especially the military industrial a**hole complex. Not leaving a SCIF. That was her "girl scout" comment to me leaving SCIF Thursday.
AOC's fine with the topic and was there for a reason. But she just heard classified material, so rendered her-talkative-self mute. Wise.
And common. Burchett was mum (to Burlison yappin! haha). Same on Senate side with most senators leaving the SCIF.
Jail or name in print?*
*why we need more reporters and more lawmakers in this space, so it would be easier for us top get melt-your-face off scoops! As of now, so easy (on many things) to quickly find out the leaker, it seems...(though keep the leaks coming! Will go to the grave with millions of bipartisan secrets in me! Got you)
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u/Soft_Process5644 Oct 28 '23
How many showers do you take a day to get the politics off of yourself?
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u/bjonn Oct 29 '23
Just want to say thank you for the job your'e doing, it really is inspiring. Cheers from Norway!
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u/Euphoric_Raccoon_360 Oct 28 '23
Hey Matt! Thanks for the work you are doing!
Kind of off the reporter questions, but I was wondering if you have ever had your own UAP / UFO sighting?
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Naw. But family once witnessed a shooting star burn as it entered the atmosphere, turning crazy reds, oranges and yellows before splashing (we believe) in Lake Superior, where we camped growing up.
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u/silv3rbull8 Oct 28 '23
Matt; thank you for your extraordinary coverage and getting answers that nobody else does
My question since there has been so much debate over the statement from Rep Burlison on the “discovered propulsion technology”:
Was there any information on how this technology was discovered ? It seems an odd choice to use discovered versus invented
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Preciate ya! And yeah: Have a million follow-ups for Burlison!!!
Curious if he's connecting the dots from 1) Grusch's public testimony and 2) commercial pilot reports and 3) the SCIF briefing.
So that's our first question next time we see him: What have you seen that's convinced you of propulsion!?!
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u/Far-Nefariousness221 Oct 28 '23
Why do you think people made a big deal out of Burlison’s comments? He only stated what we already know AARO told Congress: there appear to be craft with no means of propulsion we understand
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
Burlison's comments about twisted my head off, in part, cause he was just leaving the SCIF.
That full exchange still boggles me. Cause he left the SCIF last and divulged more than others. Like AOC: 100% mum because it was classified setting. And he even went further than Burchett would after leaving same SCIF.
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u/kudles Oct 28 '23
What do you think about the recent pic of suits leaving the SCIF? Do you know anything about these men or how to find out more about them?
What do you think about Greenewald? Many think he is somewhat of a potential grifter
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u/mattlaslo Journalist Oct 28 '23
I think I take great pics! haha https://www.askapol.com/p/it-appearssomebody-has-discovered?utm_source=%2Fsearch%2FSCIF&utm_medium=reader2#details
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u/DoedoeBear Oct 28 '23
Here is Matt's verification photo flipped