There aren’t words to express my appreciation for our guys in uniform. They ALL serve, whether it’s on the front, or here at home. Thanks, guys….

If the people of this country has 1% of the respect and discipline of these fine young men and I assume women, we would all be better off. USMC rocks all that rocks.

Hi Friends,

As usual, when things are getting interesting, I get the occasional email from someone in the world of media production, journalism, or entertainment…asking for help, usually finding “volunteers” who wouldn’t mind being interviewed…in places convenient to the producer’s location…with something to do with survivalism, skills, or nuclear prepping.

I received the latest one last night, from Elisabeth

Quote:

Dear Richard,

I saw a lot of your writing online and was very interested in contacting you. I am working on a series of online documentaries for www.cbs.com and we are dealing with quite a few issues of nuclear preparedness, disaster scenarios, private military, and citizen’s armies. We are shooting some interviews in New York City about the possibility of a modern day civil war in the US…and looking for some theorists or sociologists who could talk about some hypotheticals.

I wonder, would you have any aquantences in the New York area who might be able to talk about this sort of thing?

I know it is a long shot…but I hope to hear your thoughts!

Many thanks,

Elisabeth Harris
Associate Producer
CBS News / 48 Hours
212-975-xxxx

I’ve posted this kinds of requests here before, as well as on my website, and on my blog at www.cosmicechoes.org .

Below is my response back to her this morning, after sleeping on it…

Quote:

Hi Elisabeth,

Thank you for contacting me.

In the past, I have helped journalists like yourself connect with individuals in all parts of the country regarding preparedness, survival skills, and community involvement. Regarding the topics you’ve mentioned, there are a great many folks who are quite knowledgeable of these areas.

Unfortunately, I have found that since 9/11, the Patriot Act, and somewhat lopsided news coverage of these people and their work, that most are becoming quite shy about assisting journalists, and the media in general.

I have been sharing these media requests I receive such as yours below, with close friends and contacts, and posting on my websites, my blogs, my email lists, and several forums I frequent for many years now (since 1999), and the response I get back lately is one of concern for their safety, their privacy, their ideas and ideals being misrepresented, and general concern for what the real angle of the news story is. In other words, they fear misrepresentation and downright hostility, just for wanting to help their fellow man.

Personally, after seeing this happen for years, I have decided to do something about it, and returned to college, having finished two degrees and working on a third, which just happens to be Journalism. In the work I’ve done, I believe there is still much to be learned and shared by these intelligent and caring people, but MSM just is not going to get very far with most of them. I hope to be able to tell these stories that others don’t seem to be able to get anymore, through the long term work and longevity of my SurvivalRing project.

I will be glad to forward your request below, and locations needed and contact info, to my usual outlets, and see what we can turn up for you.

As always, I would be glad to talk with you on any of the subjects and help your project if you can use me. I do have a TV and radio studio at my disposal here at my college campus (I am the radio station Operations Manager) to produce any content or on camera work you might need…just in case.

Let me know if you’d like me to move forward, and I’ll start immediately with the call to help.

Rich

To this, Ms. Harris responded with much more enlightening info, specifically regarding a TV show on CBS that many of us here find quite interesting and enjoy watching.

Read more…

Quote:

Hello Rich

Thank you for your honest answer! I understand completely where you are coming from and I don’t really think of myself as part of the news media even though I am freelancing with CBS right now. Our project is 22 episodes and almost all complete. We have spoken with experts of all sorts of backgrounds, on very controversial issues. You can see 17 of our episodes at:
http://www.cbs.com/primetime/jericho/digital.php

This is not for TV and is not high enough exposure for anyone to be concerned about safety. In fact, we don’t intend to really go into conspiracy or underground groups, but rather just want to talk about the climate today vs. the climate at the time of the Civil War and how they are similar. And what kind of scenario it would take for red & blue states to separate and fight. This is all in relation to the show JERICHO which features an all out war between neighboring towns.

I hope this makes a little more sense now…we must find someone in the next few days so if you do have any thoughts of people on the east coast, near NYC, please do let me know!

Much appreciated,

Elisabeth

Personally, these web based videos are about the CLOSEST thing I’ve seen with REAL SURVIVAL information being put out by MAIN STREAM ANYONE in years.

I fully support helping in these projects, but alas, I am in the middle of Wyoming…lightyears away from the Big City.

So…again…the call goes out.

Could you or can you volunteer to help Ms. Harris at CBS, with background info and personal theories on possible future civil war (something pretty much aligned with the current story line in Jericho), in the next few days?

If you’re interesting in helping her, email me for her email address and phone number.

Rich

Every few months, some big wig in the media world knocks on my online door, asking for assistance in their quest to Market Survivalism To The World.

In nearly all cases, these “assistants” to the decision makers are looking for options, but almost always, when it comes to “Survivalism” and “Survivalists”…they are looking for that Main Stream Media version of Survivalists…you know the kind…camoflauge, guns, missing teeth, scorn of the government, etc, etc, etc.

I truly believe that FOX is looking for that flavor of individual..er, uhm…family…for TRADING SPOUSES…as the email below will show…

Give it a shot if you want. $50k is on the line for the LUCKY family selected for this “Wonderful Opportunity”.

As for me and my family…uhhh…we’re going to pass this time…yes, the money would be wonderful…but at what expense to our family and friends? Personally, I don’t think it balances out.

Ya’ll have fun!

Hello,

I am a casting associate for FOX’s hit show “Trading Spouses.” I was checking out your website and was hoping you could help me out in my search. I am looking for hardcore survivalists and their families to participate in the show which highlights the wealth of cultures and personalities from households across the country. The show requires that each family consist of at least one child between 6-18 years of age and have two parents within the home. At the end of the 7 day shoot, each family receives $50,000! If you are what we are looking for, or know another family that is, please contact me. If you have any questions regarding the show, check out the website at www.fox.com and click on the “Trading Spouses” icon.

Our deadline is approaching FAST and I would love for families to have this amazing opportunity. Thanks so much and I can’t wait to hear from you!

Thanks a lot and take care,

Jason

Jason Eskin
Casting Assistant
Trading Spouses
Rocket Science Laboratories
323.802.0485
JasonE@rocketsciencelabs.com

As some of you might know, I won the New Century Scholar award for Wyoming several weeks ago. With that comes a free trip to Long Beach, where I’m staying in the Westin Hotel…a very nice, 4 star, and extremely expensive place to spend a couple of nights.

I’m here for the awards ceremony, as well as the opening night of the American Associaton of Community Colleges, being held at the Long Beach Convention Center. Tomorrow night I get to pick up my scholarship winnings at the official New Century Scholar reception. Hint…look at the very BOTTOM of this page for my picture.

From http://www.ptk.org/knb/apr06/h0421064.html

“Fifty outstanding community college students will be honored as 2006 New Century Scholars during this week’s American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention in Long Beach, California. New Century Scholars are the highest-scoring nominees for the All-USA Academic Team in each state. They each receive $2,000 scholarships from the Coca-Cola Foundation and the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. Learn more about the 2006 New Century Scholars online.”

Just finished the rehearsal phase of the presentation for tonight. Very interesting. The Grand Ballroom here in the convention center is HUGE. Two giant screens on either side of the stage. Looks like a couple thousands chairs as well.

The New Century Scholar part is the middle part of the presentation, after the opening remarks by the PTK CEO and so forth. We march on (of course I’m the very last one on stage), and then they present us, and then people cheer (think Monty Python and the Holy Grail where the minstrels rejoice)…and then Coke is given the Truman award (they’re the money for the New Century Scholar), and then Coke goes away, the lights go down, and we all march off stage back to our front row seats.

Sometime after this event, PTK will be shipping all participants a DVD of the event, so all will be able to see the whole thing.

Fun.

After the presentation tonight, the ballroom at the Westin has live video feeds, where us PTKers, er, um…Scholars…will get to watch the Hallmark awards, which I think is the international convention for PTK…going on this very same weekend in Seattle (you’d think they plan better!).

That’s the place for free pizza and soda…yum.

Around lunchtime, I did walk uptown on Long Beach Blvd. to “Acres of Books“, and found three VERY good used books for $20.03…all pertain to production stuff for our business, and future plans…film making, screenwriting, and online community planning.

You would love AOB. Think Half Price Books, when they were in that old store off Northwest Highway in Dallas…the one that had the Ship looking thing in the middle of the ground floor…but with stacks stacked HIGHER, and rows much narrower. I could stand in the aisle and both shoulders touched bookshelves across from each other. There must have been MILLIONS of books!

Weather is still cool here…and very breezy. Got some video last night before sunset of the bay, the Queen Mary, and ALMOST got video of a seal swimming around the giant boats…kept going underwater before I could grab him on video.

I can’t believe the prices here….haven’t found a 7/11…or even seen a gas station in this neck of the woods. Spent $14 at Borders…got the one PODCASTING book , and 4 alkaline batteries for the digital camera. Breakfast via room service was over $30. 2 eggs, sausage, coffee, OJ, a small basket with 3 danishes, and hash browns….jiminy christmas!

My lunch here at the events center, a piece of roasted chicken, mashed taters, brocolli, bottle of coke, and bottle of water, and a tiny bowl of salad … $17! On Jo Anne’s (the college president, who is also here for this convention) credit card of course…

Tomorrow evening is the “official reception” for the NCSers…I think that’s when I get the check (which I hope isn’t a gift certificate for $2,000 worth of Coke products!

Anyway…that’s about it for now. Gonna go snoop around this floor and find any freebie stuff that have…and fill my pockets!!!!

More later…!

Rich

I’ve gone flying before many times…but not like this…so damn cool!

Yesterday was my birthday…number 46.

Busy day…to the bank, the grocery store, the college bookstore..

Got to work a bit after noon, and got the news and weather done..

Basic stuff…normal day.

Then, starting at 4pm, the excitement built a bit.

Had a special visitor coming to town…not for me, mind you.

Wyoming first lady Nancy Freudenthal was coming to town for her state wide teen anti-drinking initiative….

Just so happens we’ve been doing some video work in this area for the last YEAR. www.yaaaonline.com

Doors opened at 6. We got there at 5. I was part of committee that put together this visit for the Fremont County Coalition of WFLI.

I was in charge of the video presentation hardware, and audio system.

Did I mention that the best steak restaurant in town was catering?

Took just a little time to get the laptop setup with a borrowed computer projector, and ran thru the video’s making sure everything would work as we wanted, when we wanted.

About 5:45, everything was done…so we (me, daughter Laurie, friend Charlie [backup geek], and Bart [Riverton cop and fellow YAAA sponsor] relaxed, and had a seat at our reserved table waiting for our YAAA teens to finish showing up.

Blessings were said at 6, and dinner serving started. REALLY good food..and free for anyone who showed up (about 300 or so folks from around the county).

Then, Wyoming Family Services Coordinator Roger xxxx got up and gave a short introduction speech talking about how prevention was the key to helping teens avoid becoming teen drinking statistics, and later adult drinking statistics.

When he was done, it was our turn…Young Adults Against Addiction. 6 teens, I cop, and one non-traditional college student (me). We were officially announced, and headed up to the stage/podium to do our little presentation.

Bart started first, and gave a very short history of how YAAA came about. (Read the website above). Then tow of the teens, Megan (star of THINK ABOUT IT) and Austin (star of PARTY BOY and TWILIGHT ZONE) each said a few SHORT words…less then 1 minute each. Then it was my turn…

I have spoken in front of a few groups the past couple of years here at college…at most a few dozen folks at a time…and almost always fellow students.

This time it was HUNDREDS.

I spent over an hour today writing several versions a speech, including trimming it and timing it to as close to two minutes as possible. See it below. However, I didn’t even pull the speech out of my pocket…I winged the whole thing..and left out a lot of details.

I think I did OK. Finished my little verbiage, then introduced the videos, and scooted over to start the show. We showed the last five of our 8 finished projects. The audiences laughter at the right places, silence at the right places and applause at the end let us know we did good.

Besides the first lady, attending were the sheriff, chief of police, mayor, most of the city councilman and county commissioners, the native American liaisons to the Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone Nations, the states chief prosecutor, and lots more important folks and regular people just like myself.

The great turnout for something like this means that we ARE making a difference. Locals and state wonks are paying attention. Kids are joining our group more and more, and more people are asking about our projects.

Daughter Laurie shot video of our presentation this evening, and I’ll try to get it digitized and online this weekend for you all to see what we do.

It may not be much…we’re just a little town WAY off the beaten path, a few hours from the nearest interstate. We don’t have any money to put into this project, so the kids, Bart, and I..we do it for free.

But, when someone at the highest office in the state (yes, Governor Dave DOES listen to his wife) takes the time to come to town, and makes a special point to see our work, and then asks to share it with the rest of the state….and THANKS us for doing it…well, I think we’re doing just fine.

If you haven’t yet, take the time to visit the YAAA site above, and watch each of the videos. Share them with YOUR local school district, police department, and any youth groups in your area.

If you have any questions about the videos, future work, or learning how to do this yourself, just ask.

Have a great weekend…(I’m going to enjoy my last full weekend before school OFFICIALLY starts next Tuesday)

Take care,
Rich

ps… here’s that speech I worked so hard on, and didn’t completely cover while winging it. It should make it a little bit more clear about why I spend so much of my time on THIS very unique project.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and best wishes for you and yours in this joyous holiday season.

From the Fleetwood family, to yours….