Who the hell knows ?
What was Buster Crabb doing and what happened to him ?
We still don’t know for sure.
The reason to refer to past events is because there is nothing new under the sun.
Most people understand that part of what one can do is look at past events to try to explain confusing or inexplicable current news. Past events can sometimes give some hints or guidance.
Also, past events gives a pattern for institutions which have to face bad news or failed missions, and how they communicate that to the public.
I guess the connection will remain a mystery to me.