TIGHAR

Amelia Earhart Search Forum => News, Views, Books, Archival Data & Interviews on AE => Topic started by: Don Dollinger on April 07, 2011, 11:46:39 AM

Title: FBI Vault
Post by: Don Dollinger on April 07, 2011, 11:46:39 AM
Just opened a bunch more documents from the FBI and they have reorganized their site so that you can do searchs by keywords and such.  First key word I punched in was Amelia Earhart and am now looking at a 59 pages .pdf file.  First document is concerning TIGHARs analysis of the navigator desk. 

Check it out at:  vault.fbi.gov (http://vault.fbi.gov)


Title: Re: FBI Vault
Post by: Martin X. Moleski, SJ on April 07, 2011, 12:26:17 PM
Just opened a bunch more documents from the FBI and they have reorganized their site so that you can do searches by keywords and such.  First key word I punched in was Amelia Earhart and am now looking at a 59 pages .pdf file.  First document is concerning TIGHARs analysis of the navigator desk. 

Check it out at:  vault.fbi.gov (http://vault.fbi.gov)


Direct link to the file you mentioned. (http://vault.fbi.gov/amelia-mary-earhart/amelia-mary-earhart-part-01-of-01/view)
Title: Re: FBI Vault
Post by: Don Dollinger on April 07, 2011, 01:10:37 PM
Can do...

vault.fbi.gov/amelia-mary-earhart/amelia-mary-earhart-part-01-of-01/view (http://vault.fbi.gov/amelia-mary-earhart/amelia-mary-earhart-part-01-of-01/view)

LTM,

Don
Title: Re: FBI Vault
Post by: david alan atchason on April 07, 2011, 02:52:47 PM
I skimmed over it, actually it's not that lengthy, and discovered the letter, sender blacked out, to Mr. Winchell, dated Sept. 22, 1943 which states sender heard broadcasts describing their location as a small island near Knox Atoll in the Marshalls, that they were OK. Knox is a lot closer to Lae than Gardner, also was Japanese controlled at the time, though there may not have been any inhabitants on Knox or nearby islands. It is obviously not on LOP from Howland. Also letter claims she said plane was drifting. Read it for yourself. I suppose in wartime Mr. Winchell might have forwarded the letter to FBI. You wouldn't think she could transmit if the plane were DRIFTING, but maybe that was misunderstood. It goes on to say messages ended in Aug. So maybe they were rescued by the Japanese and Amelia assumed identity of Tokyo Rose after all.   There you have it.
Title: Re: FBI Vault
Post by: Martin X. Moleski, SJ on April 07, 2011, 04:29:29 PM
Can do...

vault.fbi.gov/amelia-mary-earhart/amelia-mary-earhart-part-01-of-01/view (http://vault.fbi.gov/amelia-mary-earhart/amelia-mary-earhart-part-01-of-01/view)


Don, when I said "Direct link to the file you mentioned," (http://vault.fbi.gov/amelia-mary-earhart/amelia-mary-earhart-part-01-of-01/view) I wasn't giving you a command; I was providing the direct link.  Run your cursor over that phrase and you will see that it is a link. 

I will try to use more words next time to make my meaning clearer.

Thanks.
Title: Re: FBI Vault
Post by: Ric Gillespie on April 07, 2011, 07:20:30 PM
I skimmed over it, actually it's not that lengthy, and discovered the letter, sender blacked out, to Mr. Winchell, dated Sept. 22, 1943 which states sender heard broadcasts describing their location as a small island near Knox Atoll in the Marshalls, that they were OK.

That letter was sent by Nina Paxton of Ashland, KY.  The letter to Walter Winchell was one of many. Of all the shortwave listeners Nina was by far the most persistent in trying to convince others that she had really heard Amelia Earhart. Her repeated efforts to make her story known span 31 years from 1937 to 1968.  She made her initial report to her local newspaper on July 9, 1937 claiming to have heard Earhart on July 3rd say that she was "down in ocean."  At that time there was no mention of Knox Island. Over the years her tale grew increasingly elaborate and absurd. 
Title: Re: FBI Vault
Post by: James G. Stoveken on April 07, 2011, 07:52:43 PM
Marty, In defense of Don (not that he needs defending, or me to defend him) the contrast for links is not that great, especially for tired eyes.  Would it be possible to set the default to a more contrasting color?  (The blue font is not a link... just an example of what I'm suggesting)
Title: Re: FBI Vault
Post by: Martin X. Moleski, SJ on April 07, 2011, 10:43:34 PM
Marty, In defense of Don (not that he needs defending, or me to defend him) the contrast for links is not that great, especially for tired eyes.  Would it be possible to set the default to a more contrasting color?  (The blue font is not a link... just an example of what I'm suggesting)

OK.  New color chosen, FWIW. (http://tighar.org/news)
Title: Re: FBI Vault
Post by: david alan atchason on April 07, 2011, 11:06:10 PM
Well, at least Nina Paxton caused me to learn where Knox Island was, increasing my superficial knowledge of the area. So it was of some benefit.
Title: Re: FBI Vault
Post by: Chris Johnson on April 08, 2011, 02:33:44 AM
Marty, In defense of Don (not that he needs defending, or me to defend him) the contrast for links is not that great, especially for tired eyes.  Would it be possible to set the default to a more contrasting color?  (The blue font is not a link... just an example of what I'm suggesting)

So its your fault i've now got a head ache ;)
Title: Re: FBI Vault
Post by: Martin X. Moleski, SJ on April 08, 2011, 05:26:25 AM
Marty, In defense of Don (not that he needs defending, or me to defend him) the contrast for links is not that great, especially for tired eyes.  Would it be possible to set the default to a more contrasting color?  (The blue font is not a link... just an example of what I'm suggesting)

So it's your fault I've now got a head ache ;)

Yes.  It took me a while to isolate just the links inside of posts.  But now we're in a position to fool around just with that one element of the style, for good or ill.   :)
Title: Re: FBI Vault
Post by: Don Dollinger on April 08, 2011, 07:48:16 AM
Appreciate the support all.  Sorry Marty, I was flipping back and forth between the forum and the Amelia file and didn't realize that you were supplying a link, thought you were asking for a direct link to the document which is a fair request which I should've supplied from the get-go  :-[.  No problems, either way it is a very interesting document. 

Love the penned in comment advising the SA not to participate in person at any scheduled press conference arranged by TIGHAR.

I know that they do that routinely so as not to infer that they support any group or any unproven theory, but to the uninitiated (with the emphasis on NOT), if you read between the lines it almost looks like they are saying stay away from that TIGHAR organization, their members wear tinfoil hats.   ;D

LTM,

Don

Title: Re: FBI Vault
Post by: James G. Stoveken on April 08, 2011, 08:09:02 AM
Good job Marty!  Chris... Just wear your shades when you're here.   8)
Title: Re: FBI Vault
Post by: Martin X. Moleski, SJ on April 08, 2011, 09:48:05 AM
Just wondering if hidden "working" forums exist for senior members which aren't open to the public, for example, for coordinating the upcoming bones mission? I'm not knocking a friendly open forum, just wondering if there is something like a hidden working forum where the real business is happening, for expedition members to discuss logistics like itineraries, priorities, search strategies, etcetera?

Yes.  Much of that takes place in the Earhart Project Advisory Committee (EPAC) (http://tighar.org/wiki/EPAC) or sub-committees selected from that.  People get assigned to projects or volunteer for them, then work in little groups to finish the assignment.  There is also a Board of Directors for TIGHAR, (http://tighar.org/about.htm) which can also create sub-committees or ad-hoc groups as needed. 
Title: Re: FBI Vault
Post by: Chris Johnson on April 08, 2011, 02:34:51 PM
I've thoroughly enjoyed the forums here, yet it becomes evident they're for the curiosity of the public and not working forums - ain't nothin' wrong wit' dat. I will say if I'm honest, though, when posts begin simply wobbling into wild speculation and apparent important news (a new mission!) doesn't seem to be generating interest or forum dialogue or questions about team members or itineraries or priorities or goals, etcetera... it seems like something is missing and it becomes a hint less compelling to come back.

Gotta' say this, above all, Ric is sure one classy guy. Ric, top researcher in the world in the AE mystery, never fails to politely respond to the the most newbie questions. One classy guy, that Ric.

Alan,

this is only my opinion but I view this Forum as a new intake of pupils learning about a complex subject.  The new pupils come form diverse background with different agendas.  Like all new pupils there are people who study hard and watch what is happening, people who ask questions without looking for the answer and people who are looking at stuff that older pupils have already discussed and put aside.  The forum is in its infancy but has the capacity to develop into a new research tool to add to the tools that TIGHAR already has.

I thank the older pupils for there patience in us youngsters who just love to keep tirning over the same old stone.  I beleive that every contribution is worth while if it has the potential to 'turn on a light'

I especialy like this quote;

"FAIR WARNING:The Surgeon General has determined the TIGHAR Forum to be highly addictive. Side effects can  include significant brain stimulation , loss of productivity in the workplace, and occasional sleep loss. Ask your physician if the TIGHAR Forum is right for you. Chances are he or she is already signed up."

because it has made me start to study.

Title: Re: FBI Vault
Post by: Chris Johnson on April 08, 2011, 03:13:58 PM
I don't get you wrong at all  :)

The old email Forum was quite a frightening place (IMO) the new forum is more open.  I've said before that there does appear to be a lack of TIGHAR 'heavy weights' BUT this could be that they arn't comfortable in an open Forum.

I seem to remember once that in the old days the email forum may or may not have been for members only?

I've lurked for many a year and only this year have joined TIGHAR as this has been the only time that as a none credit card owner I could do so.

I'm sure when all of the post expedition reports come out then the forum will hot up.
Title: Re: FBI Vault
Post by: Martin X. Moleski, SJ on April 08, 2011, 05:03:25 PM
... As a TIGHAR member I would know next to nothing about the most important TIGHAR mission of 2011.

That's all I'm saying. That said, I do respect that TIGHAR has "corporate secrets" and doesn't want to give out too much information allowing another entity to sabotage a mission or "get there first".

I'm not sure the motivations run that deep.  It's just a fact of human nature that the signal-to-noise ratio is better in smaller groups.  I've been on EPAC since the summer of 2002.  I wouldn't want to try to conduct EPAC business in the forum--it just wouldn't work.

Quote
I'll ask these questions...
  • Is it common for those slightly more advanced in the hypothesis to drift away from the forum?
  • If so, how many have drifted away and where are they participating now?
  • As more senior and knowledgeable people drift away, is that a good thing?
  • Is there any way to easily bring them back?
  • Make our forum more compelling?
  • Is that even a reasonable question?

Is it common for those slightly more advanced in the hypothesis to drift away from the forum?

-- Yes.  The best researchers, in my experience, with the exception of Ric, do not participate in the Forum these days.

If so, how many have drifted away and where are they participating now?

-- A dozen or so.  Some are in EPAC.  A few have died.

As more senior and knowledgeable people drift away, is that a good thing?

-- No.

Is there any way to easily bring them back?

-- No.

Make our forum more compelling?

-- I think we're all doing the best we can at that.

Is that even a reasonable question?

-- It's understandable.
Title: Re: FBI Vault
Post by: Martin X. Moleski, SJ on April 08, 2011, 05:04:41 PM
I seem to remember once that in the old days the email forum may or may not have been for members only?

Yes, there was a time when the Forum was closed.  There were some very active people taking up a lot of time.  They went away when the Forum was restricted to dues-paying members.
Title: Re: FBI Vault
Post by: Chris Johnson on April 09, 2011, 01:43:52 AM
Well, it crosses my mind to ask, "If I also 'fade away' from the forums will I also possibly be presumed to have achieved "satori", or doesn't it work quite like that?  :D

Good luck to all those whose activities we, those not behind the curtain, can't delve. Good luck and Godspeed with solving the mystery!.....

Forum members have their own life cycle and for whatever reason they can fade away.  You often see people join in a flurry of activity onlt to goe off radar.  Others wait and watch, adding a snippet now and again.  I don't know why but some people join and never post.

One day some bright spark will do research into forums and their life cycles.  Me i'll stick to missing persons and tropical islands (until something else catches my eye ;) )

And in answer to your question - maybe enlightenment in all things Earhart takes you away to another place (Niku if you've got the bucks  ;D )
Title: Re: FBI Vault
Post by: Dan Swift on April 11, 2011, 08:03:25 PM
As a relative newcomer, I love this forum.  Especially when Ric and other 'main' Tighar's weigh in on something.  NO DISRESPECT TO ANYONE ELSE NOT MENTIONED.  Personally, I have learned a lot from this forum, and had some of misunderstandings straightened out....or at least put in the right direction. 
It is nothing short of great!