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