UFO Hearings
Did you hear the news? On May 17th, Congress held hearings to discuss what they called Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, what we call UFOs.
Traditionally, congressional hearings have been held to accomplish the following: (1) to gather information relating to pending legislation; (2) to prepare for legislation that may occur in the future; and (3) to oversee existing federal programs.
The UFO hearings did none of the three. Instead, one lawmaker stood before the cameras and solemnly warned that UFOs “must be investigated and taken seriously as a potential threat to national security.”
That is what they used to say about Donald Trump. No more Trump transgressions to investigate? No problem. Pivot to UFOs. Save our children and grandchildren.
What was the cost of that hearing? Not chump change, that’s for sure. Congressional staff had to prepare briefing books for their bosses. Expert witnesses had to be transported and housed to appear before the cameras. Reports had to be published and mailed to constituents.
Oh, and by the way, the hearings were convened by the House Intelligence Committee’s Counterterrorism, Counterintelligence, and Counterproliferation subcommittee. Didn’t even know that such a subcommittee existed. Too much time and not enough focus on the people’s immediate needs.
Our tax dollars at work.