petitions

Dear Stakeholders,

NBC Cameramen Darnell and Weigman filmed scenes in Dealey Plaza at the time of the assassination of JFK.

These films meet the definition of a "JFK record" under the JFK Act as published in the Federal Register on June 28, 1995. and should have been obtained during the life of the Assassinations Record Review Board (ARRB) for inclusion in the records now held in the National Archives. Other films were obtained by the ARRB.

Although relevant sections of these films are not hard to obtain, as multi-generational copies, they are virtually useless for study purposes.

Of particular interest are frames from these films showing the front steps of the Texas School Book Depository at or about the time of the shots. Recently found interrogation notes of FBI agent Hosty reveal that Oswald told his interrogators in unequivocal terms that he went "outside to watch the presidential parade". Most of those shown on the steps have been positively identified through statements taken from employees outlining their whereabouts at the relevant time. One individual has not been identified via any statements is standing in the top left corner. It is reasonably clear that the person is a white male wearing workers clothing and that he is leaning against the wall, arms folded, with part of his reflection in the window behind blending in and giving the illusion of added bulk. A process of elimination shows that the only white male laborer not accounted for elsewhere is Oswald. The only alternative to it being Oswald is that it is a random person from the street.

Expert opinion from long-serving news cameramen is that a scan from the original or first generation copy would settle this issue in that there would be enough clarity to say definitively that this person is or is not Oswald

The potential importance of having the films available for study cannot be underlined strongly enough. On a micro level, it would be immeasurably beneficial to the surviving members of the Oswald family, not least being his wife and children. On a macro level, it will help repair the damage done to history and put the case back into an open category.

It is hoped, with all of this in mind, that NBC and the NARA can come to some arrangement in regard to having this work done, or to make the films available to private researchers to have the work done.

Thank you for consideration of this matter.

%%your signature%%

\"Well, I can assure you so far as the FBI is concerned, the case will be continued in an open classification for all time.\" J. Edgar Hoover in testimony to the Warren Commission

Dear Stakeholders,

It is an accepted fact that the expansion of the game of Rugby League must include undoing the Sydney-centric leftovers of a bygone era. Put another way, expansion must include the merging or moving of some Sydney teams.

What is not accepted is that the number of teams in a truly national competition must be limited to no more than the currently mooted twelve so as not to dilute limited quality player stock. The game has never had as many quality players as it currently enjoys, partly because of the influx of Pacific Islanders, but partly also from improved coaching and training practices, equipment and science. The "limited quality player" stock argument is just another remnant of a bygone era when the game was only semi-professional.

Rather than dilute quality player stock. expansion will increase popularity and participation - both of which would help keep quality at buoyant levels.

One of the teams most mentioned as a candidate for merging or moving is Wests Tigers. If Wests Tigers is moved, it should be no further than Campbelltown, with the team possibly renamed Macarthur Magpies to better represent the local population. A team based at Campbelltown should be no more considered a Sydney side than Newcastle is. Expansion without the Macarthur district will see the area lost to League, while the economic benefits to the area of having a team should be self-evident.

If the above is not accepted, then perhaps a new franchise for the area could be thrown open for purchase?

As for the total number of teams and structure, the following is proposed:

-a 20 team single competition where each team plays each team once with a top 8 team playoff series, or

-2 conferences of 10 teams each, with a top 5 teams playoff series in each, with the winners of each conference playing each other in a 3 game series, or

-an A and a B competition of 10 teams each with a top 5 playoff series and a system of regulation and promotion

The areas most often cited for expansion are the Central Coast, Perth, Brisbane, and New Zealand. Let me add Adelaide, Central Queensland, Papua New Guinea and Darwin as other possibilities., albeit looking further into the future.

%%your signature%%

\"I don\'t think we pay Campbelltown area enough respect.\" Brad Fittler, July, 30, 2020