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Film Review: THE FLIR PROJECT

Crime/Corruption Breaking News Editorial
Source: The FLIR Project
Published: April 15, 2001 Author: E. Pluribus Unum
Posted on 04/15/2001 14:21:39 PDT by E. Pluribus Unum

Film Review: THE FLIR PROJECT

Produced and Directed by Michael McNulty
COPS Productions
PO Box 8068
Fort Collins, CO 80526 1-800-688-3547
WWW.FLIRPROJECT.COM
$19.95 +$5.00 Shipping/Handling

"The FLIR Project" is different from Mr. McNulty's first two Waco massacre documentaries (1997's "Waco: The Rules of Engagement" and 1999's "Waco: A New Revelation"). While the first two videos are sprawling attempts to cover multiple facets of the government's actions and the ensuing cover up, "The FLIR Project" is a tightly focused refutation of Special Counsel John Danforth's official report that concluded "with 100% certainty" that government agents did not fire upon Branch Davidians as they attempted to escape the flames of their burning buildings on April 19, 1993.

Anyone who has seen the FBI's aerial FLIR imagery that instigated the appointment of this Special Counsel knows that Mr. Danforth's conclusion can only be described as a bald-faced lie.

The basis of Mr. Danforth's report (I purposely refrain from using the term "Senator" because in my opinion Mr. Danforth does not deserve the respect the title confers) are simulations conducted under the auspices of the Office of the Special Counsel at Fort Hood on March 19, 2000. The purpose of these simulations was to replicate the weapons, ammunition, uniforms and climatic/atmospheric conditions present at Mount Carmel and determine whether the flashes seen in the FLIR images are the result of automatic gunfire.

The three primary conclusions of Mr. Danforth's report are:

In the fall of 2000 a team of volunteer experts conducted tests at two Western locations to reproduce the work done by the OSC. These experts determined that the conditions chosen by Mr. Danforth's office did not replicate conditions at Mount Carmel. Since the altered conditions chosen "proved" government agents innocent, I conclude that the choice of conditions was premeditated and purposeful. I would like to emphasize, however, that Mr. McNulty makes no such claim in his documentary.

Here are the major observations/conclusions presented by "The FLIR Project."

FLIR imagery depends on differences in temperatures between objects and their backgrounds. The greater the contrast in temperatures, the more visible the contrast there is in the infrared image. There are human figures clearly visible in the Mount Carmel FLIR imagery crossing the storm shelter roof. These figures disappear as they cross open ground. When these figures stand motionless they blend in completely with the background. When they move they can be distinguished from the background. 

Not only was the ambient temperature at the Fort Hood simulation twenty degrees lower than at Mount Carmel, much of the ground was soaked with water the day before to keep down the dust. This moisture would also cause the ground to be cooler, further increasing the thermal contrast between human figures and the background. Human figures are clearly visible in the Fort Hood FLIR imagery despite the use of uniforms treated to minimize infrared absorption like the ones worn by the agents at Mount Carmel.

"The FLIR Project" simulation was conducted much closer to 85F ambient temperature, and the resulting FLIR imagery was identical to that at Mount Carmel, meaning that motionless human figures on open ground were invisible. 

As can be readily observed from the many FBI still photos of April 19, 1993, federal agents were using CAR-16s (M-4s) with 14 - ½" barrels. The ammunition used was commercial Federal .223.

The firearms used in the Fort Hood simulation were M16-A2s with 20" barrels. The ammunition used was standard military ball with flash-suppressant powder. This combination of firearm and ammunition is specifically designed to minimize muzzle flash.

The flashes seen in the Mount Carmel FLIR images last up to 32 milliseconds. The government claims that the flash from an M16 lasts only 8 milliseconds. "The FLIR Project" confirmed that an M16/20" flash lasts 8 milliseconds, but the flash of the M-4/14 - ½" with commercial ammunition lasts considerably longer. 

Finally, due to the heavy tank traffic and 30-mph winds at Mount Carmel, there was a considerable amount of fine dust in the air. "The FLIR Project" demonstrated that these dust particles further amplified the duration of muzzle flash of the M-4s to match that seen in the Mount Carmel imagery.

Mr. McNulty's previous two videos were somewhat of a disappointment to me because they were too disjointed and presented a muddled story. This video, while only thirty minutes in duration, is packed with factual information and presents a razor-sharp argument.

My suggestion to all people who really care about the murders of 80 innocent people by our government at Waco is to buy two copies of this video. Send one to your congressman with orders to do something about it, and send the other to Mr. Danforth with the word "SHAME" emblazoned on the package in red letters.


1 Posted on 04/15/2001 14:21:39 PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

NICE WORK BUMP.

2 Posted on 04/15/2001 14:46:17 PDT by StriperSniper
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Agree- FYI-

-The Dark Underbelly of the Beast- Stories the Media won't Discuss...--

3 Posted on 04/15/2001 14:54:32 PDT by backhoe
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To: E. Pluribus Unum,Fred Mertz,Ada Coddington,Buckeroo,Ol' Dan Tucker

bump

4 Posted on 04/15/2001 15:26:01 PDT by Leper Messiah
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To: Out Spot,aristeides,jedediah smith,Jeff Head,politeia,

Yo !

5 Posted on 04/15/2001 15:28:11 PDT by Leper Messiah
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To: Fred Mertz, dawnal, , YaYa123, Alamo-Girl, prism, PJ-Comix

I guess it's time to order.

6 Posted on 04/15/2001 15:29:37 PDT by Leper Messiah
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

The biggest problem with the government Glint Hypothesis is that glint (being a reflection) would move as the plane FLIR camera above moves (when you travel in a plane and look down on a body of water, the reflected sunlight moves WITH you---It does NOT remain stationary). However, Danforth and the Feds would have us believe that the laws of physics were suspended one April day in Waco.

7 Posted on 04/15/2001 15:40:35 PDT by PJ-Comix
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To: PJ-Comix

Mail them all the videos you can buy. They already know the truth and have made their choice to side with tryants.

There is only one thing that I can think of that will return this country to constitutional rule and where the orginal principles this once free country was founded on would be supported...but not enough people want to pay the price.

8 Posted on 04/15/2001 16:08:34 PDT by rebel
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

bump

9 Posted on 04/15/2001 17:37:46 PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Instead of sending the video, how about sending photocopies of the label from the tape. Much less expensive and many more people could do it. Then the congresscritters can buy their own if enough stink is raised to make them think they need to view it.

10 Posted on 04/15/2001 17:46:38 PDT by LSJohn
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

BTW, good work, thanks, and B U M P !

11 Posted on 04/15/2001 17:47:27 PDT by LSJohn
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

FLIR bump!

12 Posted on 04/15/2001 18:18:31 PDT by Fred Mertz
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

bump

13 Posted on 04/15/2001 18:33:41 PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Waco (FLIR) Expert's Death Suspicious

14 Posted on 04/15/2001 18:39:36 PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

BTTT

15 Posted on 04/15/2001 18:52:04 PDT by Fiddlstix
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To: Leper Messiah

Thanks for the heads up!

16 Posted on 04/15/2001 22:38:09 PDT by Alamo-Girl
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

The Waco FLIR Flashes

17 Posted on 04/16/2001 05:30:52 PDT by Reelect President Dubya
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

WACO FLIR Expert Dies before Trial

18 Posted on 04/16/2001 06:31:13 PDT by Reelect President Dubya
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To: Reelect President Dubya

Waco FLIR Disinformation in the Media

19 Posted on 04/16/2001 08:27:59 PDT by Reelect President Dubya
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Nice review and analysis. This video is a must see.

I'm still waiting for the self(?)-appointed government stooge, "_Jim", to show up on this thread, like a bad smell in a crowded elevator.

prambo

20 Posted on 04/16/2001 08:35:32 PDT by prambo
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Waco FLIR Shows Gunfire

21 Posted on 04/16/2001 09:56:46 PDT by Reelect President Dubya
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

"As can be readily observed from the many FBI still photos of April 19, 1993, federal agents were using CAR-16s (M-4s) with 14 - ½" barrels. The ammunition used was commercial Federal .223."

Correction: CAR-15s, not CAR-16s. There is no such thing as a CAR-16.

22 Posted on 04/16/2001 10:02:02 PDT by Reelect President Dubya
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

"The FLIR Project" simulation was conducted much closer to 85F ambient temperature, and the resulting FLIR imagery was identical to that at Mount Carmel, meaning that motionless human figures on open ground were invisible.

I bought the film. What I want to know is why, if it was 20 degrees warmer at Waco (and for the FLIR Project), why is the infrared tape darker? The Project and Waco tapes have similar background shading, but the Danforth tape is brighter, despite being cooler.

23 Posted on 04/16/2001 10:17:24 PDT by sendtoscott
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To: sendtoscott

I think the sensor must be calibrated to make readings comparable. The sensor used at Mount Carmel and the sensor used in the FLIR Project were evidently calibrated, whereas the Fort Hood readings were with an uncalibrated or deliberately miscalibrated sensor.

According to Waco FLIR expert Carl Ghigliotti (who mysteriously died before he could testify to the OSC):

...In his tribute, Hardy discussed several of Ghigliotti's observations and discoveries that he had uncovered -- such as what he thought of the recent re-creation designed to test the thesis that the FLIR footage showed powerful evidence of gunshots being poured into the complex.

"Pure junk," is what Ghigliotti thought about the re-creation tape, according to Hardy. "The aircraft wasn't even at the right altitude, they didn't have the right procedures to verify that the sensor was functioning comparable to the one of 4/19, etc.," Hardy wrote.

"The best thing that could be done with any resulting tape (and this is BEFORE the results were known) was to drop it in the waste can. Whether it showed gunshots or did not, it'd be useless for proving anything, whether for the Davidians or the FBI."

24 Posted on 04/16/2001 10:39:24 PDT by Reelect President Dubya
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To: Reelect President Dubya

Thanks for the links, for those who are new to this.

25 Posted on 04/16/2001 11:46:07 PDT by Leper Messiah
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To: sendtoscott

So you have allready seen the video ?What do you think of it ?

26 Posted on 04/16/2001 11:47:07 PDT by Leper Messiah
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To: Leper Messiah

Like almost anything else, you can make a video that would prove what you want to prove. That doesn't mean that's what McNulty did, and I didn't see any glaring obvious jumping to conclusions or obvious questions left out. It would indict, but wouldn't convict yet. Unfortunately, nobody in govt seems to give a d*mn enough to test the evidence in trial, or they're just afraid to.

All in all, it was a well done, convincing video.

27 Posted on 04/16/2001 11:51:52 PDT by sendtoscott
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

bump

28 Posted on 04/16/2001 12:35:27 PDT by Reelect President Dubya
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To: Reelect President Dubya

bump

29 Posted on 04/16/2001 17:04:27 PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
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To: Reelect President Dubya

Retired Brigadier General Benton Partin has come out publicly and denounced the FLIR test. He was involved in the development of the FLIR some decades ago. He knows a little something about it. Also, he said that Ft. Hood had covered the ground before the test, keeping it cooler than normal.

30 Posted on 04/17/2001 15:10:07 PDT by That Poppins Woman
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To: That Poppins Woman

Also, he said that Ft. Hood had covered the ground before the test, keeping it cooler than normal.

That's what "The FLIR Project" documentary says too. Uncalibrated IR sensor and ambient temperature twenty degrees cooler than Mount Carmel, which would increase thermal contrast. Also that the OSC used firearms and ammo that were optimized for flash suppression at the Fort Hood simulation. The simulation was so poorly designed that the late Waco FLIR expert Carl Ghigliotti (who mysteriously died just before he was to testify to Danforth's office) said it was completely worthless for proving anything for either side.

31 Posted on 04/17/2001 15:17:07 PDT by Reelect President Dubya
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To: Reelect President Dubya

Also note that Ghigliotti's death was attributed to heart failure due to clogged arteries. The Navy did experiments with ultra-low frequency radio waves. When exposed to ULF radio waves, humans all have a standard reaction: immediate and dangerous elevations of triglycerides in the blood. Triglycerides are responsible for clogged arteries. If a ULF transmitter was placed in close proximity to a person, and they were exposed to these radio waves for any period of time, they would begin to develop clogs.

32 Posted on 04/17/2001 15:20:12 PDT by That Poppins Woman
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To: That Poppins Woman

Also note that Ghigliotti's death was attributed to heart failure due to clogged arteries.

He didn't commit suicide by shooting himself twelve times in the back? </sarcasm>

33 Posted on 04/17/2001 15:32:11 PDT by Reelect President Dubya
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To: Reelect President Dubya

...In his tribute, Hardy discussed several of Ghigliotti's observations and discoveries that he had uncovered -- such as what he thought of the recent re-creation designed to test the thesis that the FLIR footage showed powerful evidence of gunshots being poured into the complex.

As a personal testament, I'd like to say that I've had the pleasure of debating alongside David Hardy in many, many Usenet discussions through the years, and have exchanged countless emails with him on various subjects. I've also read his book ("Origins and Development of the Second Amendment: A Sourcebook"), which is excellent. And for what it's worth, he has been cited in quite a few Supreme Court decisions.

In my opinion, he's one of the most fair-minded, hard-headed, scrupulously scholarly people I've ever met. He is NOT your standard credulous conspiracy theorist. If he examines something and declares it not to be BS, I'd feel confident betting my house on it.

So when he writes that Ghigliotti's work showed convincing evidence of government gunfire on April 19th, I can only believe that it must be so.

34 Posted on 04/18/2001 12:51:10 PDT by Dan Day
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Remember Waco !

35 Posted on 04/21/2001 04:24:49 PDT by LinnieBeth
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To: LinnieBeth

bump

36 Posted on 04/23/2001 15:39:10 PDT by Reelect President Dubya
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To: Reelect President Dubya

bump

37 Posted on 05/12/2001 14:56:44 PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
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