Michael Hastings’ Death … A Year Later … Anything New?

a reply to: Daedalus
It's almost impressive...
How absurdly can we perform our duties, and continue to maintain credibility?

I don't know.
I suppose it's possible that Someone let them know, early-on, that they were not to look very deeply into this.
That would almost explain the apparent incompetence.

The novel found on Michael Hastings' laptop...being broadcast as 'biographical' has just been published/released...
"The Last Magazine"
Seems to be well received...by some, at least.
can be found here...and other places.

If you want to read a review...click here.

See ya later.

a reply to: WanDash

Sounds like a good read! So thanks for posting review too


And seeing ass we' re going back to our youth and getting a bit soppy in our old age



stuck with theme here ..

X

originally posted by: bowaconstricta
a reply to: WanDash

...And seeing ass we' re going back to our youth and getting a bit soppy in our old age

...

Thought I'd fix the video-link...so I & others could see it.
Thanks!

I thank you WanDash for your continued pursuit of the truth in the death of MH.


Truth IS Molten !!

a reply to: WanDash:

looks like I am a week late to the party. Early for me. I suspect that few if any will find this post. The Hastings story is ancient history in this digital 24 hour news cycle world. Even with the recent political pissing contest over Bowe Bergdahl and MH article being the only professionally researched. Even with the recent release of MH only novel, The Last Magazine, and attempts to hype its release.

You have done a wonderful service to the legacy of MH in your posts. You have presented the facts that are of public record in a manner that is not accusatory, judge mental, or mis leading. I feel sure that you hope a professional reporter with resources, or even a family member, will look at your record as a starting point. I do as well, but I feel it will not happen unless pressure is applied. I really have few ideas on how to acquire more info and/or apply pressure with it.

I am going to go off course for your blog. I am going to look at different people/organizations involved in the MH death official narrative. Some of what I post will be fact. Some will be speculation. A lot will be my disappointments and grievances. If you do not want this thread to be used in this manner I will respectfully end. If you want me to post in another thread, just suggest. Warning, this is going to be spread out over days if not weeks. I have other interests, commitments, and holiday festivities to engage with.

I hope you or others will impart discussion on ways to obtain info and produce pressure that will provide answers that are the truth. No matter what it is. Just prove it in a convincing way.

I love obsession as well.

a reply to: barabajagal
Absolutely look forward to seeing, reading and considering your thoughts and insights.
Fresh views are often the spark needed.

BTW - thanks for the tune... I don't know that I had ever heard it...and, of course, now I know "who you are"...
(I didn't get to start listening to 'secular' music until, perhaps, the year after this was released - but, of course, always heard of Donovan)

Disappointments in Michael Hastings:

Why didn't MH write, or at least tweet, about his fears in the last week of his life? I appreciate the e-mail to his colleagues and Sargent Biggs. Shout out to him for having the courage, rage, and love to get this important e-mail part of the public record. MH was having concerns for his career and safety. Why didn't he write about them? Why didn't MH leave info or a diary with a trusted friend/family member/colleague to be released in event of his death? Or did he?

It has been speculated that MH computer & records did not get destroyed in his fiery end. I am not so sure. I suspect MH had more than one computer and storage device. Most investigative journalist have on line computers and others that never get connected to the internet. His novel, The Last Magazine, was written several years back IMO. Elise Jordan, MH wife, claims it was found in multiple forms on his lap top. On 6/10/14 Adam Piore (a thinly disguised character in the novel) reported that Elise became aware of the novel when a former MH colleague sent her an old draft.

I have read, and enjoy reading, a high % of MH articles and am starting one of his books. I suspect MH TV personality was an act. His aggressive attack style did offend many people. I like his writing much more than his TV analyst persona. I understand why some people can be easily persuaded that he had a "manic episode" as suggested by his brother Jonathan. Elise has stated that MH was paranoid in his final days. The only friend/colleague I recall admitting observing increased paranoia in MH was Young Turks Cenk Uygur. Reading his twitter account it is obvious many of MH colleagues were concerned about the governments perceived surveillance & attacks on journalists. IMO MH did not display any more concern than most investigative journalist in the last 3 months of his life.

Note: I attempted to revisit the 5/20/13 Young Turks link that WanDash posted on page 1, but was directed to a page saying they were closed. Perhaps it is on YouTube.

a reply to: barabajagal
Last things first…
Looks like the Young Turks have removed/archived the original and put up a very short edit/outtake…here.
Sorry about that… If I find a longer version, I’ll be sure to post it.

When you say MH was having concerns for his ‘career’…I’m not sure I follow…aside from his point regarding the Feds investigating him…and…should they come knocking at BuzzFeed’s (and whomever-elses’) doors – that they should get legal counsel before answering any questions about their information-gathering practices.
Otherwise, it seemed that his writing career was blossoming.

Regarding the laptop issue… Multiple laptops, desktops, external HDs and online/cloud storage are becoming more and more common.
You could be right.
I simply recall reading…last August or so…that she’d found the ‘manuscript’ on his laptop.

~ Elise stated that MH was paranoid in his final days… I continue to find nothing unusual about such a state of mind, given the context, some of which would be:
1. One of his friends was purportedly visited/questioned by someone representing that they were with the FBI, with some regard to MH (within a week +/- of those ‘final days’)…
2. I presume it was not Matt Farwell that had been ‘visited’…since MH called Matt during those final days to ‘warn’ him of the same (and, of course, Farwell was the link to the story that the FBI was interested in MH over)…
3. The possibility/probability that he was actively pursuing precisely what he had ‘threatened’ in the Young Turks broadcast – “(government), we declare war on you!”.
4. The recent furor over NSA snooping, Snowden, etc…
5. His involvement with Barrett Brown…
6. …etc…
I am not arguing your points…just tossing in some additional roughage.

Thanks for your thoughts.
Here's hoping for more.

I should have included MH neighbor and new friend, Jordanna Thigpen, as noticing increased fear and paranoia in the final weeks and days.

While doing research on Elise Jordan, MH wife, I found a article for the 7/3/14 Rolling Stone mag. It is titled "Michael Hastings Life After Death" by Jon Dolan. I recommend it. I do not find it full of new info or any provable facts. However it does provide a few direct quotes from EJ. I think anything she says concerning MH is important.

EJ when commenting about MH accident being a cyberattack by the Obama administration. "I worked for the US government, we're not that sophisticated". The article claims EJ commissioned a PI into MH death. EJ "They say the car blew up, but it's not like a bomb." I wonder who they are. Was she referring to her PI's? EJ, "I've seen bomb detonations before, but this was burning." I do not understand how you can look at the video of impact and be certain that you are not witnessing an explosion. If you are going to hire PI why wouldn't you have the auto forensically examined for explosive residue, other types of tampering, or equipment failure? If she did this why not disclose the results. This would put an end to suspicions faster than anything else IMO. This would have been my primary effort if I was a close family member of MH with authority to demand access.

Article claims MH told EJ he was reporting on NSA surveillance at the time. Article claims MH was described by friends to be behaving erratically in his final days. They do not identify these friends or provide quotes. I suppose this would not be of interest to the readers?

Article claims EJ uses the phrase "emotional volatility" in describing MH in his last days. I would use that phrase to describe a lover who is upset, not a person experiencing paranoia or mania.

EJ "He had some paranoia about being surveilled". "But I don't think surveillance caused his death. Two things can exist separately." I find it hard to believe this article was written without mentioning that MH was correct in believing he was being investigated by at least the FBI. I do agree with EJ last statements. I do not think surveillance killed MH. And two things can exist separately. I believe he was surveilled. I believe he was assassinated. I can not prove that. EJ evidently does not believe he was assassinated. She should be in a position to prove that. IMO we are as far as ever from the truth. I fear EJ may not really believe MH died accidentally. There are many motives for EJ not to be truthful. I am going off to think about this some more.

a reply to: WanDash

Appreciate your reply. IMO MH feared his career could be interrupted by the government. Aka Barrett Brown, James Rosen etc. I think this is why he "journalist need to declare war on Obama administration." I do not think fear for his physical safety occurred to him until the very last days.

I agree that MH being paranoid in his final days would be normal for a journalist in his position. "Just because your paranoid doesn't mean they are not out to get you." Not sure where I first heard that. Made me laugh.

1. " One of his friends was purportedly visited/questioned by someone representing that they were with the FBI, with some regard to MH. (Within a week +/- of those final days)" Great point that I wished was widely reported in MS media. Along with the later disclosure that the FBI was investigating MH and Matt Farwell.

I think you are spot on with your second point. IMO Matt Farwell is in greater jeopardy of charges being filed than MH would have been concerning their Bowe Bergdahl reporting. I do not see the JD pursuing this with the current politicizing of his release. ELise Jordan said MH thought the Bergdahl article was his best work. I agree. Very thoughtful and well researched.

I have no doubt that MH was energized and concentrating on National Security info in his last days. I think it is likely he was included in the Snowden leaks. I can see MH working with Scahill, Greenwald, etc at The Intercept if he were alive now.

a reply to: barabajagal
A few thoughts on Jordanna Thigpen...
If you think about 'time frames'... Ms. Thigpen was in a precarious position to judge or measure his behaviors against each other.
They only met sometime in the month before the NSA/Snowden revelations were broadcast - she had just experienced a tragic loss - and, of course, he had been 'introduced' as someone who could understand (kind of like a means of therapy)...so, of course, if he accepted the 'task/assignment', he would probably have moderated his political &/or national security &/or 'conspiratorial' rhetoric to mildly non-grating levels...at least for a bit.
Once, however, the news came out (Guardian), and continued to gain substance & steam, I don't think anyone in a position similar to his...should be expected to keep emotional biases from bubbling to the surface...
I can certainly see how that might have pumped-up-the-volume levels...

Regarding some of EJ's comments:
1. The US government is not sophisticated-enough to have carried out a cyber attack that resulted in the palm tree finale...
First - one would need to determine EJ's definition of what would need to have taken place...to result in the video evidence available.
As I've stated numerous times - the only way this could have been pulled off, cyber-attack-style, would have been a signficant operation.
2. Not a bomb-type explosion
I can't agree or disagree with that...without some elaboration on what she (or, the PI's) consider a 'bomb-type explosion'.
The first evidence is a "flash", that begins at a much greater magnitude than a lit match or fuse...and it rapidly/exponentially accelerates into a genuine explosion before settling into a raging inferno.
There are really only a few/couple of possible explanations for that can account for this...especially when considering that all lights had been "out" for a half second or more.

Nevertheless... I don't blame her for going with the easiest explanation - which is really no explanation...but, rather, (might have been) a kindly-offered suggestion of don't rock the boat - you have a great future & long life ahead...

Will wait to see the full/entire article.
Thanks for the heads up and your thoughts - Very Sane!

originally posted by: the2ofusr1
Great post ..Have you considered any of the information recently about the 5 terrorist from Gitmo in exchange for the American hostage ? Some how this has to be in all this story somewhere . a reply to: WanDash

ETA

This Journalist Died After Exposing Bowe Bergdahl’s Anti-Americanism
www.westernjournalism.com...

At the time Rolling Stone reporter Michael Hastings was killed under suspicious circumstances, he had recently written a huge exposé on Bowe Bergdahl, revealing that he had deserted his unit and actively sought out the Taliban. Hastings had also revealed Bergdahl’s anti-American sentiments, publishing the emails to his father that so shocked America: “I am ashamed to be an American…The horror that is America is disgusting.”

If he was instructed by covert operations to leave his camp and join the Taliban in order for information to be gained over years of time, the reporters investigation would be ruining the mission. if this were the case it would also explain the weirdness of exchanging him for the taliban members they released.

a reply to: JiggyPotamus

I don't know if a professional assassination would be conducted on such shaky ground in this day and age. But hey, if the steering could be controlled without the driver being aware of it after entering the car

What if steering was controlled without him in the car at all, it can be done maybe the cars that got vidoe were even involved. Any part needing to be hidden is set to explode.

So either the neighbor lied and he did not ask for the car, or the brother lied and he was not passed out or someone after he went and talked to the neighbor removed and killed him and staged the car accident. Remote control with him dead or unconscious in the car then the death through foot would have been inserted into the evidence to show he was alive and driving.

The oddest thing to me is this, his brother traveled a long way to be with him to help him, they went happily souvenir (assumed)Tee shirt shopping, now he was leaving and going off to Los Vegas alone?

I also agree this type would not leave their laptop at home if leaving town, did he have any suitcase or anything else, why would he not tell his brother he was leaving.

He was 33 maybe he was a journalistic sacrifice

originally posted by: Char-Lee
...What if steering was controlled without him in the car at all, it can be done maybe the cars that got vidoe were even involved. Any part needing to be hidden is set to explode. ...

I'm guessing that you are suggesting the possibility that MH didn't need to be steering the vehicle...
It seems to me that, there was no time to place a body in the car, once it hit the tree... So - I'm leaning toward "he (or - his body) was in the car". I do, though, concede (and often accept) the possibility that he was not in control of the vehicle.

...So either the neighbor lied and he did not ask for the car, or the brother lied and he was not passed out or someone after he went and talked to the neighbor removed and killed him and staged the car accident. ...

There is also the possibility that the brother was convinced he had passed out...while he was simply putting-on an act, so the brother would leave, and he could make his escape.

...Remote control with him dead or unconscious in the car then the death through foot would have been inserted into the evidence to show he was alive and driving.

If *they* could pull-off the entire scene, as evidenced and witnessed from Santa Monica' to the palm tree...I think they could rig his leg/foot into position to accept the final blow.
...just another possibility to consider.

...The oddest thing to me is this, his brother traveled a long way to be with him to help him, they went happily souvenir (assumed)Tee shirt shopping, now he was leaving and going off to Los Vegas alone? ...

I don't see it that way. From his brother's own testimony - once he saw MH, it was apparent he wasn't going to 'go' willingly...and, he immediately started trying to arrange for the younger brother to fly out and assist in strong-arming MH to go to rehab.
To me, MH's response was typical of someone who believes what they're saying... ie: He believed that the feds were stalking or closing-in on him.
Either that...or also possibly...Ron Brynaert's suggestion that 'he was spooked by a bogus informant' might have come into play.
It appears that something happened between the previous Wednesday (the Jeremy Scahill & company day) and Friday/Saturday that got MH more agitated than usual.
He was apparently tipped...BY SOMEONE...to the FBI's apparent interest in his journalistic techniques.
Maybe he was going to Las Vegas to meet the same someone...
I surely don't know...
Maybe it was just to get away from his brother...

...I also agree this type would not leave their laptop at home if leaving town, did he have any suitcase or anything else, why would he not tell his brother he was leaving. ...

I don't know about the suitcase or anything else that might indicate that his intent was for more than a day.
It is possible that a suitcase could have been trapped inside the car...
I have studied the LoudLabs video many times, attempting to identify items that would answer this question - and have come up short every time.
Perhaps the LAPD kept some of the effects found in the debris field... Not likely there would have been a lot of reason from them to try to salvage any items that burned in the car...

If we had answers to many of the little facts about the crash and the behavior of MH last few days it would go along way to explain the statements of Elise and Jonathan, and the lack of statements from other family and friends. Unlike Pat Tillman's family who questioned and challenged the official story, MH family have supported the official story. IMO the public has accepted the official story, despite the lack of proof and suspicious circumstances, primarily because the widow and brother support the story.

Why do MH colleagues accept the story? Or do they accept it? Is there large agreement among them? Are they privy to the info of MH final days and hours? Are they protecting MH legacy and the privacy of the family? TMZ and other like magazines usually disclose very seedy detail. That is their business model. Is MH not famous enough? Why should a reporter put there career and possibly more on the line if the family supports the official story? Even if an investigator or reporter found evidence that created doubt in the official narrative, why risk it if the family is satisfied? Why would Elise hire a private investigator if she was in agreement with Jonathan? Could Elise have hired a PI for public relation or perception?

Can anyone think of ways to get MH colleagues to provide info?

I have not purchased a copy of the 7/3/14 Rolling Stone magazine. Looking on line I am sure that the Elise Jordan posted on line is the same as the one published. Last year EJ said that MH was working on several stories. She said that she was going to help finish an article on CIA Director John Brennan and that it would be published by Rolling Stone. EJ nor Jon Dolan commented on the failure of this story to be published to date. They did mention that MH was working on a story about the NSA. My frustration grows.

On 6/18/14 at the Union Square Barnes & Noble in NY, "The Last Magazine" release party was held. I know several friends of MH attended. Elise Jordan was scheduled to appear. Ben Smith (Buzzfeed) was the moderator. Eric Bates (first Look/Intercept/RS); Jeremy Scahill (First Look/Nation); Ruby Cramer (Buzzfeed);
Will Dana (RS); Jack Gray (CNN) were all scheduled to be on a panel. I wonder if anybody has info about this event or attended? I wonder how comfortable EJ was? This appears to be a collection of MH colleagues. Not the usual conservative MS Press that EJ is usually associated with.

I am continuing research.

a reply to: WanDash

Your missing the Barrett Brown connection.

www.abovetopsecret.com...

a reply to: barabajagal
As you, I have not chosen to purchase a subscription…yet… May in the next few days – May not.

If you have information that I do not (public comments/statements/thoughts of MH’s family – other than the elder brother & EJ), could you please direct me to the same…?
If you are simply referring to EJ and Jonathan Hastings’ public statements, I have arrived at another conclusion – being – Jonathan’ is & was the only member of the family touting his story.

In fact – I find/found the difference between his account and that of the younger brother to paint a very red flag… Especially after the coroner’s findings were released.

The younger brother’s participation was…imo…a big piece of the elder’s story…
Not Once, have I seen confirmation…from the younger brother…that he had fallen into lock-step with the elder…EVEN in going to L.A. to help strong-arm MH…
I have seen NO-ONE comment on, or mention this.
We don’t even know that a flight had been booked for that day…

Rather – as I’ve stated numerous times – the younger brother, who, according to JH, fully agreed with him and his assessment/s…responded to WhoWhatWhy.com in utter dismay and disgust at the LAPD’s handling (specifically referring to the investigation)…

And – AGain – I would draw ANYONE’s attention to the question – “Why would he care if they were only interested in finding drugs…if he was convinced of JH’s assessment/judgment?”

He was, rather, entirely convinced that MH was not suicidal, and was not doing meth’ or the ‘spirit molecule’.

On the other hand – I agree that the largest swath of the public has been lulled back to sleep with JH’s & EJ’s take on the tragedy.

I don’t know that All of MH’s colleagues accept the OS…but…if any are flowing another direction, they’re certainly keeping their questions/suspicions close to the vest.

As you say – If the family is ‘satisfied’…how far could an investigator/journalist prosecute an inquiry?

Thanks for your continuing thoughts and pursuit!

a reply to: OpinionatedB
Thanks, OpinionatedB
I haven't missed that connection... In fact, it continues to bounce around from room to room in this story and my thoughts on it...
I, in fact, believe that it was because of what happened to Barrett, and MH's advisory involvement in one of Barrett's projects...that MH grew as 'agitated' as he did in those last few days...after finding that the Feds/FBI were looking into his (&/or BuzzFeed's and Rolling Stone's) news-gathering practices.

If it was just Snowden...not enough information was in the public domain, at the time, to know that 'whistle-blowers' &/or news organizations that gave the 'whistle-blowers' voice... But - combined with his intimate knowledge of the Barrett Brown incarceration...there was no reason (imo) NOT to grow highly agitated/concerned.

You may be going another direction with this - being the meeting that was supposed to have taken place later, the same month, with BB in prison... And...you may be right...

Again - thanks for checking in...

a reply to: OpinionatedB
ShadellacZumbrum, the author of the thread you pointed to, was deeply involved in a thread I have referenced in this thread...which, I was both the author and primary contributor too... After discussion of the Barrett Brown controversy, and some delving therein-to...Shadellac' started the thread you have pointed to...

I had attempted to contact Shadellac' in the weeks that preceded authoring this thread...but, have received no response...and, see that, as of tonight...he has not logged-on to ATS since Sept of 2013...