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GuardianDec 14
Mystery Drones Over NJ Prompt Governor's Call for Federal Aid
Above: New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy during an interview in New York on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. Image copyright: Jeenah Moon/Contributor/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Facts
Democratic New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has formally requested additional federal resources from US Pres. Joe Biden to investigate mysterious drone sightings that have been occurring across the state since Nov. 18.
Multiple witnesses, including Sen. Andy Kim, have reported seeing clusters of "5-7 lights" performing unusual maneuvers at low altitudes, with the objects displaying capabilities beyond conventional aircraft.
The Spin
Narrative A
The drones over New Jersey are likely not dangerous, as federal analysis indicates many sightings are lawful manned aircraft, not unauthorized drones. However, the government should implement precautions like no-fly zones over sensitive areas to mitigate potential threats, given the public's concern and the uncertainty surrounding the sightings.
Narrative B
The government should be more alarmed by these drones than it admits, as they're flying over sensitive sites, indicating possible espionage or sabotage. Claims of foreign involvement, like an Iranian "mothership" or Chinese surveillance, suggest sophisticated operations. With drones coming from the ocean, evading detection, and posing risks to air traffic, the government's downplaying of the issue is concerning.
Cynical narrative
We should be skeptical of mainstream UFO legitimization, as it might be a "limited hangout" tactic by US intelligence agencies. Since the 2017 New York Times article on the Pentagon's UFO program, the narrative has been carefully managed to admit some truths while concealing critical information about advanced US technology. The focus on foreign or alien origins could be a ploy to distract the public from more important things.