Crashes of Convenience: Michael Hastings Friday, July 5, 2013 - 23:30 LOVE IT6WTF1B.S.1OMG0LOL2
Michael Hastings was that rarest of breeds: a mainstream reporter who wasn't afraid to rail against the system, kick back against the establishment, and bite the hand that feeds him. On the morning of June 18, 2013, he died in a fiery car crash. But now details are emerging that he was on the verge of breaking an important new story about the CIA, and believed he was being investigated by the FBI. Now even a former counter-terrorism czar is admitting Hastings' car may have been cyber-hijacked.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
"In the beginning of a change, the Patriot is a scarce man, brave, hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a Patriot."
"In the beginning of a change, the Patriot is a scarce man, brave, hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a Patriot."
1. No one has contacted the FAMILY... only some "family friend". (Third Hand Information) 2. Hastings hasn't had a drink in 5 years. (According to family... not according to Hastings himself) 3. A lot of the media won't cover this story. (If there were a 'story', it would be covered) 4. Wife and family are not pursuing this issue... (The only ones with a problem are those with a political agenda) 5. No FACTS, no new information, no nuttin'... only hype! (The Birth Of A Conspiracy Theory)
One more thing. For all of us who watched the original video... there was a fire. Not just a 'roast a marshmallow' fire, but a huge @ss 'burn your house down' fire. What would you assume, from watching the video, is left of the body of the driver in that car? A shoebox full of ashes, and a few long bones. We all saw the fire dept arrive after several minutes of watching the car totally engulfed in flames. The 'body', or what was left of that body, was likely pretty much cremated at the scene.
Conspiracy Theories don't come to life on their own... it takes a lot of effort to get one going... as you have just seen in this video.
(Pathetic)
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith
An eyewitness at the scene, Jose, employed at nearby business ALSCO Inc said, the car was traveling very fast and he heard a couple explosions shortly before the car crashed. In fact, the explosion was so intense that it took the LA County assistant corner, Ed Winter, two days to identify the burned-beyond recognition body of Hastings.
As news of the journalist’s death reached family and work colleagues another story emerged, one that would seemingly contradict the LAPD’s verdict. It quickly surfaced that Hastings reached out to Wikileaks attorney Jennifer Robinson just a few hours before his death claiming the FBI was investigating him.
One particular passage in Hastings book, “The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America’s War in Afghanistan,” revealed that a former McChrystal staff member made a death threat. “We’ll hunt you down and kill you if we don’t like what you write,” the unnamed staffer said. Hastings coolly retorted: “Well, I get death threats like that about once a year, so no worries.”
He later wrote; “I wasn’t disturbed by the claim. Whenever I’d been reporting around groups of dudes whose job it was to kill people, one of them would usually mention that they were going to kill me.” But the most significant missing evidence was the absence of any skid marks—even though the car made a 60-degree turn into a palm tree.
Research of this topic reveals a new angle to this story, namely —Boston Brakes.
This theory was explained by a former Marine Gordon Duff who refers to the “Boston Brakes” technique, in which “drive by wire” cars, specifically a Mercedes Benz, can be manipulated remotely to simulate an out-of-control accident, according to his Veterans Today story (The 2010 story is a must read). The story details are eerily similar to Hastings fiery accident scene as there were no skid marks.
Adding credence to the possible car-hacking scenario is former U.S. National Coordinator for Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Counter-terrorism Richard Clarke. After news broke on the Hastings car accident, he confirmed the “drive by wire” concept.
Clarke told The Huffington Post that a single-vehicle crash is “consistent with a car cyber attack. There is reason to believe that intelligence agencies for major powers — including the United States — know how to remotely seize control of a car.”
Another significant detail pointed out by some members of law enforcement, is the intensity of the fire inside the car. It’s highly unusual since gasoline generally doesn’t burn that hot. Reviewing video footage from the scene, the intensity of the fire resembles a “thermite” burn. Despite the LAPD’s categorization of the Hasting fatal accident as a “no (evidence of) foul play” accident, LAPD refuses to release the accident and toxicology reports, or make the Mercedes available for inspection which only fuels speculation.
See. No FACTS are necessary for a good Conspiracy Theory... only bogus reports like the one above.
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith
You must be able to read the witness's mind Box and see that he was not telling the truth when the eyewitness on the scene was interviewed. As you would say "just saying it isn't true doesn't make it so".
You must be able to read the witness's mind Box and see that he was not telling the truth when the eyewitness on the scene was interviewed. As you would say "just saying it isn't true doesn't make it so".
We all heard first hand (in the video that was posted first on this board,) of a speeding car hitting bumps in the road and losing control. I've not heard any interviews to contradict that first report.
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith
VIDEO: Was Journalist Michael Hastings Murdered? Police and Firefighters on the Scene Told not to Comment in Breaking News 2 hours ago
The Political Blind Spot reports: Mercedes Benz debunks the theory that the car of Wikileaking journalist Michael Hastings “just blew up” upon impact. Journalists have consulted leading University Physics professors in the Los Angeles area, who all agreed that the placement of the engine defied expectations of a normal crash scenario.
Police and reporters on the scene confirm there were NO skid marks, both explaining the videos of the speeding car. (Gag order issued for Police and Firefighters responders to scene of Wikileaking Journalist assassination, The Political Blind Spot July 11, 2013)
The crime scene has made investigative journalists as well as former military doubt Hastings’ car crash was an accident and claim that Michael Hasting’s car could have been manipulated through remote control. Adding to the murder suspicions is an email Hastings wrote to his coworkers only a few hours before he died:
Subject: FBI Investigation, re: NSA Hey (redacted names) — the Feds are interviewing my “close friends and associates.” Perhaps if the authorities arrive “BuzzFeed GQ,” er HQ, may be wise to immediately request legal counsel before any conversations or interviews about our news-gathering practices or related journalism issues.
Also: I’m onto a big story, and need to go off the rada[r] for a bit. All the best, and hope to see you all soon. (Melissa Jeltsen, Michael Hastings Sent Email About FBI Probe Hours Before Death, Huffington Post, June 23, 2013)
WhoWhatWhy published a lengthy article on July 14 in which author Michael Krikorian quotes ”Terry Hopkins, a former U.S. Navy military policeman who served in Afghanistan”: “I’ve never seen an explosion like that… I’ve seen military vehicles explode, but never quite like that. Look, here’s a reporter who brought down a general. He’s sending out emails saying he’s being watched. It’s four in the morning and his car explodes? Come on, you have to be naïve not to at least consider it wasn’t an accident.” (Michael Krikorian and David J. Krajicek, The Michael Hastings Wreck–Video Evidence Only Deepens the Mystery, WhoWhatWhy, July 14, 2013)
The Political Blind Spot states further: The most traditional explanation is that the breaks were cut, but the “remote control” hacking of the vehicle has proven exceedingly easy in recent years.
More disturbing still, perhaps is that a gag order has also been placed on cops and firefighters who both responded to and investigated the crash, which occurred in the early hours of June 18 in the Hancock Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. ‘Police and firefighters in Los Angeles have been ordered not to speak to the media about the deadly crash involving Rolling Stone journalist Michael Hastings, fueling speculation that some form of cover-up could be underway.’
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
HEY REMEMBER THIS STORY? THE STORY WITH ALL BUMBLERS CONSPIRACY THEORIES? THE STORY FULL OF MURDER, CIA CONTROLLED CARS? WITNESSES WITH CONFLICTING STORIES?
REMEMBER ALL THE HYPE ON THIS BOARD ABOUT THAT CAR CRASH?
Turns out it was all just one more case of Right Winger Hysteria!
Quoted Text
The late journalist Michael Hastings had traces of drugs in his system when he died, the Los Angeles Times reported on Tuesday.
Hastings was killed in a car crash in Los Angeles in June. He was 33.
The coroners who examined him found "traces of amphetamine in his system, consistent with possible intake of methamphetamine many hours before death, as well as marijuana," the Times wrote. "Neither were considered a factor in the crash, according to toxicology reports."
The ultimate verdict: Hastings' death was an accident.
The coroner said Hastings' family had been attempting to get him to go to detox at the time of his death, and that he had relapsed into drugs a month before he died, after 14 years of sobriety.
Hastings' death prompted an outpouring of conspiracy theories. Elise Jordan, Hastings' widow, rejected those theories in an interview with Piers Morgan in early August. She said she thought her late husband's death was a "tragic accident."
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith
Hastings had started using drugs after 14 years of being sober, his family told investigators. A brother said that Hastings was “currently using DMT,” an extremely potent but short-lasting psychedelic drug. He also had a medical marijuana card.
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith
Meet the Journalist Spreading Michael Hastings Conspiracy Theories "Whether it turns out to be true or not, that's a whole other issue," says Kim Dvorak.—By Gavin Aronsen | Fri Aug. 16, 2013 3:00 AM PDT
San Diego 6The Los Angeles Police Department has ruled out foul play in journalist Michael Hastings' fatal car crash two months ago in Hollywood, but several media outlets are continuing to promote conspiracy theories about the circumstances surrounding his death. The theories, which suggest Hastings was assassinated shortly after sending friends a frantic email, have received attention beyond the usual fringe suspects partly because of ongoing reporting by freelance blogger Kimberly Dvorak for the CW Television Network affiliate San Diego 6.
Dvorak, whom the station touts as an "investigative journalist," is a "National Homeland Security Correspondent" for Examiner.com, a blog network owned by Republican billionaire Philip Anschutz that has minimal editorial oversight. Since Hastings' death, San Diego 6 has repeatedly given Dvorak airtime to float conspiracy theories—that the crash was not consistent with a car accident, that Hastings was cremated to cover up foul play, that federal officials may have ordered him killed. None of these theories, which often come from unnamed sources, are backed up by convincing evidence, but reputable media outlets keep falling for Dvorak's reporting anyway.
Last month, for example, the Independent, a major British newspaper, picked up Dvorak's report claiming that Hastings' body "was cremated and it wasn't the request of the family…in fact, the family wanted Michael's body to go home." But on Tuesday, veteran journalist Russ Baker dispelled the myth on his news site WhoWhatWhy by talking to a family member who confirmed that the cremation was done at the family's request. Dvorak later removed the passage saying Hastings' family wanted his body to "go home," but her story still hints at a cover-up, calling the cremation a "macabre twist."
Dvorak's other theories are just as questionable. She claimed on air that the engine of Hastings' Mercedes C250 coupe had been found behind the crash site, which would have been impossible with the forward velocity of an ordinary accident. The engine was found in front of the crash site. Her suggestion that a grainy video of the crash showed evidence of a "pre-explosion" sabotage has been dismissed by car experts. She has also reported that the intensity of the resulting fire might suggest the use of thermite accelerants—a popular theory among 9/11 truthers who believe thermite was used to melt the World Trade Center towers' steel columns. She's written credulously about the theory that President Barack Obama may not have been born in the United States. And Dvorak has repeated speculation by Richard Clarke, the former Bush- and Clinton-era counterterrorism czar, that Hastings' car's computer system may have been remotely hacked—something that's technically possible but highly unlikely.
Dvorak also thinks the LAPD's refusal to turn over information about its investigation is evidence of a conspiracy. "Despite the LAPD's categorization of the Hasting[s] fatal accident as [not involving foul play]," she wrote, the police continue to ignore "requests made by San Diego 6 News for the police report, 9/11 call, autopsy, bomb squad and toxicology reports, or make the Mercedes available for inspection." The police department's reluctance to comply with Dvorak's requests "only fuels conjecture," she added. Dvorak recently received the 911 calls, which she suspects the LAPD may have given her to defy federal officials who are covering up the investigation, and says she's enlisted the help of Judicial Watch, a conservative legal watchdog group funded by billionaire media mogul Richard Mellon Scaife, as she continues to file public records requests with local and federal agencies.
"I'm going out on a limb reporting this," Dvorak tells Mother Jones when asked about her theories. "Journalists are becoming so irrelevant right now." As Dvorak sees it, the story of Hastings' crash must be told, even though she says she's received death threats over her reporting, and no other journalists are interested in telling it. She hasn't ruled out the possibility that the "stars could have aligned" and resulted in a tragic accident. But she says she remains suspicious that Hastings may have "faked his death" or been assassinated. "Whether it turns out to be true or not, that's a whole other issue," she adds. (San Diego 6's news director, Irv Kass, who also writes for Examiner.com, did not respond to requests for comment.)
Dvorak's reporting—and mainstream media outlets' embrace of it—is ongoing. On Monday, Dvorak reported that she had "confirmed" a claim made last week by Hastings' widow, Elise Jordan, that Hastings was working on a profile of CIA Director John Brennan at the time of his death. (The news that Hastings had been investigating Brennan first appeared in the Los Angeles Times the day after Hastings' death in June.) "It's curious how his wife came out and talked about [Hastings' death] and kind of had a smile on her face and didn't seem like a grieving widow," Dvorak says.
Riffing off the Brennan detail, Dvorak referenced an old WikiLeaks email about the Obama administration's investigation of classified leaks to suggest that Brennan may have targeted Hastings. The next day, Reason linked to Dvorak's report, citing its supposedly "[n]ew details." Fox News, the International Business Times, and the Epoch Times also cited her reporting.
If Brennan or the CIA didn't play a role in Hastings' death, perhaps Army General Stanley McChrystal, who resigned after Hastings quoted him and advisers in Rolling Stone mocking government officials, had something to do with it, Dvorak has suggested. After quoting a friend of Hastings who said the crash "wasn't an accident," Dvorak cited a passage from The Operators, Hastings' book about the Afghanistan war. Hastings wrote that Jake McFerren, a top civilian adviser to McChrystal, threatened that he and other McChrystal staffers would "hunt…down and kill" Hastings if they didn't like how the Rolling Stone profile turned out. (Hastings wrote that McFerren later apologized.)
Dvorak is a "f**king disgrace," Matt Farwell, a writer and friend of Hastings who is finishing his Brennan profile for an upcoming issue of Rolling Stone, told WhoWhatWhy. Farwell wants Hastings' death to be investigated, but "unless it's good solid shoe leather journalism…it's not helping anyone," he said. "It makes the LAPD and the feds go into closed-off mode and makes people not want to say anything." (Asked to comment on the Hastings investigation and Dvorak's theories, the LAPD replied with an email saying, "We have no further comment on this matter.")
Farwell is unlikely to sway Dvorak, who says she doesn't know who he is and that his criticism "doesn't bother me one way or another." She says she probably won't keep making regular appearances on TV until she hears back about her latest records requests but plans to keep reporting until details of Hastings' death become clear. "There's a huge dialogue that's been created out of this," she says. "I think Michael would have really liked that. I'm fairly certain he would welcome that discussion."
The coroners who examined him found "traces of amphetamine in his system, consistent with possible intake of methamphetamine many hours before death, as well as marijuana," the Times wrote. "Neither were considered a factor in the crash, according to toxicology reports."
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