On today’s NOTICE News: The military has shot down three more unidentified objects out of the sky, just a week after shooting down a suspected Chinese spy balloon. We have an update from Washington. Plus: How did Valentine’s Day become a holiday? The answer: It’s complicated. Here’s a transcript of the show.
Discussion Questions
- Why might there be such an influx in questions this week as to what the protocols are for the government to shoot unidentified objects out of the sky?
- Aside from maybe having surveillance capabilities, what was potentially dangerous about the objects that were shot down?
- Why was Prime Minister Trudeau involved in the decision to shoot down the unidentified objects?
- The U.S. government has advised that U.S. citizens leave Russia immediately. Why would Americans be under threat if the war is in Ukraine?
- Why might consumers be likely to spend more this year than on Valentine’s Day in 2022?
Writing Prompts
- With so much activity in the skies over the past week, many are calling for revised protocols or for the government to make the protocols clear and even public for shooting down unidentified objects in the sky. What sorts of questions should be considered when making such a protocol for reacting to such things?
- Often, travel advisories will come out for U.S. citizens, even if the U.S isn’t in direct conflict with that nation in question. What are some different reasons such advisories against travel could come out, and why is it important for them to be taken seriously? What could be some consequences if they’re not taken seriously?
More info On…
- Our top story today: U.S. Still Stumped By Latest Flying Objects As Friction With China Grows (Reuters)
- Go Deeper: What We Know (And What We Don’t) About The Objects Shot Down By The U.S. Military (Reuters)
- What’s that? A recent military report found more than 350 new reports of UFOs since March 2021 (Smithsonian Magazine)
- A short history of St. Valentine’s Day courtesy of History.com
- Valentine’s Day 2023 by the numbers (Fox News)