August 16, 2000 [Edited]

What does "The Politics of Disclosure" mean?

by Stephen Bassett

Washington, DC  It is a strange phrase - other worldly, ambiguous.  It’s also a standing joke which goes like this:  the lobbyist/activist is lurking at some soirée or another in Georgetown or Bethesda or the Capitol.  Amiable chatting is taking place, harmless banter, until that magic moment occurs when the unsuspecting attendee asks innocently, “Now what is it that you do?”

Heh, heh, heh, of course this is exactly why the lobbyists/activist is there in the first place – for just this question, this polite act of networking so essential to everything that happens in this town.

The answer always catches them off guard. {“He seemed so normal - well dressed, articulate, sane.”}  They were expecting something to do with the oil depletion allowance, passenger-side air bags, some newspaper in the mid-west.  But “the politics of disclosure?”

These are not dumb people.  They recover quickly.  Something light is called for, something to diffuse the awkwardness, “You mean you lobby on behalf of aliens.  Do they pay well?”

The questioner doesn’t realize this is a perfectly appropriate question.  Extraterrestrial beings are here.  They seem to have an agenda, which Jim Marrs, David Jacobs or a number of other fine researchers are quite happy to elaborate upon.   They want something, probably have all sort of neat things to swap, and would likely prefer our military stop shooting at them.  Sure, they could use a lobbyist.

Unfortunately, there is not an iota of evidence they have anything remotely resembling money.  No coin, no plastic – nada, zilch, nichevo.  The lobbyist/activist can understand this.  Just about everyone associated with this subject (with a few notable exceptions) hasn’t got any money either.  Why should the aliens?

One could wonder whether any of the symbols on the Roswell wreckage happened to be alien for “pro bono,” but why bother?  If the extraterrestrials want representation in Washington, this lobbyist is more than willing to take on a new, non-paying client and present their interests on the Hill.  Of course, he would prefer the initial consultation were probeless.  This goes without saying.

So, to all those with a more direct connection to our elusive visitors – channelers, hybrids, walk-ins, experiencers, the guy at Wright Patterson sitting outside the cell door – feel free to pass on the offer.    Perhaps some day it will be possible to answer the question above with, “They don’t provide a retainer, but you would not believe my vacation venues.”

The Reality Segue

Back to the soirée.  It’s time to move off the humor and get to the point.  “Nope, don’t represent ETs, but research and activist organizations addressing the phenomena.”  This elaboration usually elicits the logical, yet dreaded, comeback, “Why?”

Why indeed.  This legitimate yet troubling question lies at the heart of the politics of disclosure. 

When politics is at its best it is a constant, external dialogue with those near the center speaking outwardly to the general public, telling us truthfully what is going on  in the world and the details of their activities.  At its worst, politics becomes an internal dialogue with those near the center speaking truthfully only to those within their own group – a kind of informational incest.  Outside of these inward directed entities, no one really knows what is going on.  At some point people even cease to care.  Now you have real trouble.  As world history clearly shows, this happens often.  At this time the political and activist mandate must be as follows:  making the case to the general public why their personal vital interests and their nation’s vital interests are served by a comprehensive and truthful disclosure of the facts known to their government relating to the extraterrestrial presence. (Comprehensive as opposed to full, since full disclosure will not happen.  National security will always require some information be withheld – the key question being, “how much?”)

Unless the reasons for disclosure are widely presented and valid, the general public cannot be faulted for giving their government the benefit of the doubt in this matter indefinitely.  And general public means everyone, not just the interested minority.  This includes people who presently know absolutely nothing of UFOs, ETs, and cover-ups. 

Our society is revered for its willingness to permit controversial information to be disseminated as far and wide as necessary.  But it is not automatic.  A deliberate and competent effort has to occur.   The politics of disclosure is all about such an effort.

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Copyright © 2000 Stephen Bassett