NBC attempts heli hijack / Terrorist threat to helicopters
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The job of ensuring airports are secure is that of the FAA and TSA. These organisations should be and presumably do auditing to ensure that proper procedures are in place.
These journalists should be prosecuted and so should NBC. But they won't coz if they were the White House wouldn't be able to get them to withhold tape of Bush looking like he didn't have a clue as one film maker found out recently.
If NBC has evidence TSA and FAA are not properly auditing aviation facilities it should show it, not go after airports in a way that they are damned if they profile suspicious characters and behaviour and damned if they don't.
These journalists should be prosecuted and so should NBC. But they won't coz if they were the White House wouldn't be able to get them to withhold tape of Bush looking like he didn't have a clue as one film maker found out recently.
If NBC has evidence TSA and FAA are not properly auditing aviation facilities it should show it, not go after airports in a way that they are damned if they profile suspicious characters and behaviour and damned if they don't.
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I've said it before. and I'll say it again. What would the concequences have been if any other journo's involved in this little escapade had been injured or killed if the situation had evolved into something that got beyond anybody's control (take the recent example of that Brit tool from the Sun that took a knife on a flight)? And I'm not just talking injury from the involvement of law enforcement.
I'm putting 10 bucks down now the media would worship them a martyrs.
I'm putting 10 bucks down now the media would worship them a martyrs.
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1. Dateline also sneaked into the cockpits of some Delta jets in Atlanta back in the mid-nineties. Got reporters hired on as contract cleaners without background checks. I actually was glad they did that - I still think the industry's weakest link is our hiring practices.
2. There are at least three professional pilots from major airlines that have lost their jobs over flip remarks made to screeners. We've all heard the "what are you worried about my hat for? I could crash the plane if I wanted to" story. That guy is now a greeter at WalMart or something. Hard to believe these guys are gonna skate away from this.
3. A New York Italian can't do ANYTHING anonymously south of about Virginia.
4. The very best part of the story is: the hero is named Arlene. All the money we spend, and we're saved by Arlene. The terrorist war will be won by the Arlenes and Bubbas of this world.
2. There are at least three professional pilots from major airlines that have lost their jobs over flip remarks made to screeners. We've all heard the "what are you worried about my hat for? I could crash the plane if I wanted to" story. That guy is now a greeter at WalMart or something. Hard to believe these guys are gonna skate away from this.
3. A New York Italian can't do ANYTHING anonymously south of about Virginia.
4. The very best part of the story is: the hero is named Arlene. All the money we spend, and we're saved by Arlene. The terrorist war will be won by the Arlenes and Bubbas of this world.
NBC attempts helicopter hi-jacking
Maybe a little jail time would help the fervour of these "journalists"? I am hopeful (yeah, right) that this story will feature prominently in the National Press - unlikely somehow! Must all be graduates of the Mary Schiavo school of investigative money making - oops, sorry, journalism!
NBC staffers arrested in airport ploy
Caught with maps, lighter and box cutter
BY NICKLAUS LOVELADY
Belleville (Ill.) News Democrat
Two NBC News staffers were arrested Wednesday at St. Louis Downtown Airport when they attempted to demonstrate whether a terrorist could rent a helicopter.
The New York producer and cameraman portrayed themselves as tourists who wanted to rent a charter helicopter to visit sites such as the Arch, airport director Bob McDaniel said.
Arleane Thomas, vice president of Fostaire Helicopters at the airport, called the police after the two NBC staffers tried to rent a helicopter using driver's licenses from two different states, and then tried to pay cash for the sessions, which cost between $750-$875 per hour.
Sauget Police officers and FBI agents responded moments after Thomas made the call and the two NBC employees were taken into custody. Officers searched their belongings and discovered a box cutter, a butane lighter, maps and a white powder which turned out to be baby powder.
"They're trained so that when you see something you know who to call and (Thomas) was right on target," said Bill Switzer federal security director for the Department of Homeland Security at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.
Switzer said his department has done extensive training for airport employees in the St. Louis region.
"Everything worked well. (Thomas) called the right people and they were able to respond in a timely manner. It was very, very effective," Switzer said.
Allison Gullust, a spokesman for NBC, said NBC wanted to see how employees at helicopter charter companies would respond to suspicious behavior.
The two NBC staffers were part of two teams performing tests on a helicopter charter companies in the St. Louis region and in New York.
"Helicopter security has been a focus of public attention this week, following the latest set of government warnings about potential terrorist targets," Gullust said. "In Illinois the employees did what they were trained to do."
St. Louis Downtown Airport is the region's second busiest general aviation terminal next Lambert Airport, with 175,000 takeoffs and landings each year.
McDaniel said he was elated that the airport personnel acted in such an effective and timely manner, but felt that NBC's actions were extreme.
"It's an absolute outrage that we have people in the media trying to create news instead of report it," McDaniel said.
More from the HAI.
The REST of the story...
The Helicopter Association International (HAI) congratulates member Fostaire Helicopters, whose vigilance helped foil an attempted security breach by a national media organization at their General Aviation (GA) facility at the St. Louis Downtown Airport. HAI thanks Fostaire and their employees, including Bob McDaniel, the Director at the St. Louis Downtown Airport, the FBI, Sauget Police Department, and Police Chief Pat Dulaney for their diligent efforts.
The event was reported by the department of Homeland Security and several other sources. The following synopsis, disseminated by the Transportation Security Policy Department, demonstrates how the Press attempted to charter a helicopter, and bring hidden, prohibited items onboard, so they could report on the ease of gaining access to aircraft to carry out terrorist plots.
The following occurred Wednesday, August 11 at the St. Louis Downtown Airport, a large GA facility. The affected facility, Fostaire reports:
Two Middle Eastern looking men attempted to penetrate our security. They telephoned one of my helicopter FBOs and asked about a charter flight. After discussion of price and directions to the business, they arrived an hour later. When the office agent asked how they were going to pay for the flight they produced cash. When asked for ID, they produced driver's licenses from two different states and they were driving a car licensed in a third state.
Things didn't smell right so the mechanic took them into the hangar to see the aircraft while the office person called the FBI and local police. The helicopter they were going to fly was blocked in by other aircraft so the mechanic was able to stall them by having to slowly shuffle the blocking planes. Meanwhile the two men got their backpacks and odd-shaped luggage out of their car. Soon the local police arrived and they were hauled off to jail in handcuffs.
After a little time behind bars, the FBI verified that the two men were employed by NBC New York and were on assignment to get a story of how easy it is to charter a helicopter for a terrorist attack. The men had stayed in a local hotel and purchased box cutters, leather-man knives, and other potential weapons at the local Wal-Mart using a credit card. The box cutters had been hidden in the lining at the bottom of the back- packs and the other weapons were hidden throughout their baggage. They had audio-taped the telephone conversation with Arlene and were going to use it as part of a national news story about how easy it is to get information and directions to the location of the helicopter and then hijack it to commit a terrorist attack.
Please note that this type of activity is a real possibility. HAI reminds its members to stay alert, remain vigilant, and contact the authorities if something does not seem correct.
NBC staffers arrested in airport ploy
Caught with maps, lighter and box cutter
BY NICKLAUS LOVELADY
Belleville (Ill.) News Democrat
Two NBC News staffers were arrested Wednesday at St. Louis Downtown Airport when they attempted to demonstrate whether a terrorist could rent a helicopter.
The New York producer and cameraman portrayed themselves as tourists who wanted to rent a charter helicopter to visit sites such as the Arch, airport director Bob McDaniel said.
Arleane Thomas, vice president of Fostaire Helicopters at the airport, called the police after the two NBC staffers tried to rent a helicopter using driver's licenses from two different states, and then tried to pay cash for the sessions, which cost between $750-$875 per hour.
Sauget Police officers and FBI agents responded moments after Thomas made the call and the two NBC employees were taken into custody. Officers searched their belongings and discovered a box cutter, a butane lighter, maps and a white powder which turned out to be baby powder.
"They're trained so that when you see something you know who to call and (Thomas) was right on target," said Bill Switzer federal security director for the Department of Homeland Security at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.
Switzer said his department has done extensive training for airport employees in the St. Louis region.
"Everything worked well. (Thomas) called the right people and they were able to respond in a timely manner. It was very, very effective," Switzer said.
Allison Gullust, a spokesman for NBC, said NBC wanted to see how employees at helicopter charter companies would respond to suspicious behavior.
The two NBC staffers were part of two teams performing tests on a helicopter charter companies in the St. Louis region and in New York.
"Helicopter security has been a focus of public attention this week, following the latest set of government warnings about potential terrorist targets," Gullust said. "In Illinois the employees did what they were trained to do."
St. Louis Downtown Airport is the region's second busiest general aviation terminal next Lambert Airport, with 175,000 takeoffs and landings each year.
McDaniel said he was elated that the airport personnel acted in such an effective and timely manner, but felt that NBC's actions were extreme.
"It's an absolute outrage that we have people in the media trying to create news instead of report it," McDaniel said.
More from the HAI.
The REST of the story...
The Helicopter Association International (HAI) congratulates member Fostaire Helicopters, whose vigilance helped foil an attempted security breach by a national media organization at their General Aviation (GA) facility at the St. Louis Downtown Airport. HAI thanks Fostaire and their employees, including Bob McDaniel, the Director at the St. Louis Downtown Airport, the FBI, Sauget Police Department, and Police Chief Pat Dulaney for their diligent efforts.
The event was reported by the department of Homeland Security and several other sources. The following synopsis, disseminated by the Transportation Security Policy Department, demonstrates how the Press attempted to charter a helicopter, and bring hidden, prohibited items onboard, so they could report on the ease of gaining access to aircraft to carry out terrorist plots.
The following occurred Wednesday, August 11 at the St. Louis Downtown Airport, a large GA facility. The affected facility, Fostaire reports:
Two Middle Eastern looking men attempted to penetrate our security. They telephoned one of my helicopter FBOs and asked about a charter flight. After discussion of price and directions to the business, they arrived an hour later. When the office agent asked how they were going to pay for the flight they produced cash. When asked for ID, they produced driver's licenses from two different states and they were driving a car licensed in a third state.
Things didn't smell right so the mechanic took them into the hangar to see the aircraft while the office person called the FBI and local police. The helicopter they were going to fly was blocked in by other aircraft so the mechanic was able to stall them by having to slowly shuffle the blocking planes. Meanwhile the two men got their backpacks and odd-shaped luggage out of their car. Soon the local police arrived and they were hauled off to jail in handcuffs.
After a little time behind bars, the FBI verified that the two men were employed by NBC New York and were on assignment to get a story of how easy it is to charter a helicopter for a terrorist attack. The men had stayed in a local hotel and purchased box cutters, leather-man knives, and other potential weapons at the local Wal-Mart using a credit card. The box cutters had been hidden in the lining at the bottom of the back- packs and the other weapons were hidden throughout their baggage. They had audio-taped the telephone conversation with Arlene and were going to use it as part of a national news story about how easy it is to get information and directions to the location of the helicopter and then hijack it to commit a terrorist attack.
Please note that this type of activity is a real possibility. HAI reminds its members to stay alert, remain vigilant, and contact the authorities if something does not seem correct.
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It will be interesting to see how the courts deal with this, like if the same two went into a bank with loaded shotguns under a similar assignment... but somehow I recon they are going to get off and NBC makes heaps of money out of the story and you get shafted by the journos because they wanted to make a story look bad in the first place and won't stop until they do.
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I recall a TV personality who lied about his qualifications on a job application to gain access to a meat plant, published an "expose" about meat and then was sued by the supermarket for tresspass and other violations. The supermarket won in court, but on appeal the reporters were reduced to paying $1 (because the reports were true).
http://www.caller2.com/1999/october/...onal/1929.html
I guess these bozos in the helicopter case were released because they actually broke no laws. I hope that is true, anyway.
(edited after a web search found the real details about the case)
http://www.caller2.com/1999/october/...onal/1929.html
I guess these bozos in the helicopter case were released because they actually broke no laws. I hope that is true, anyway.
(edited after a web search found the real details about the case)
Last edited by NickLappos; 15th Aug 2004 at 11:49.
Gatvol
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Nick Writes: "I guess these bozos in the helicopter case were released because they actually broke no laws. I hope that is true, anyway"
Probably true and got paid a good sum by the Media to boot. Would have been nicer to see a group of "Good Old Boy" Helicopter types give them a Blanket party......then call the Gendarme..........But guess who would go to the bucket.....
Im pretty certain that with conditions as they are today that these folks WILL be flagged in the massive Fed System so that whenever they pass through Customs/Immigration they will get a Friendly Greeting/Cavity Check. Once in that system you never come out.
Probably true and got paid a good sum by the Media to boot. Would have been nicer to see a group of "Good Old Boy" Helicopter types give them a Blanket party......then call the Gendarme..........But guess who would go to the bucket.....
Im pretty certain that with conditions as they are today that these folks WILL be flagged in the massive Fed System so that whenever they pass through Customs/Immigration they will get a Friendly Greeting/Cavity Check. Once in that system you never come out.
There seem to be a strange number of messages here, and oddly it seems split on national grounds. It seems an important post if only on the number of replies in a matter of two days.
Overall, in principle, the Europeans see little harm in the journalists testing the system where the US based correspondents are against them to a man. My problem is of course that I am poacher turned gamekeeper - now classified as a ‘Journo’ – so how can I defend them at all?
Initially my first thoughts were why shouldn’t the papers try and test the system? Weren’t they doing that for Watergate?
Are not our television screens full of TV journalists [or presenters as they prefer to be called] testing out builders and financial advisers that are seriously damaging the finances of the weak and the stupid. And do we not feel good when they get their come-uppence? Perhaps it is a difference in the perception [and quality] of the journalists in the different countries?
One posting suggested that only Government Departments [‘the authorities’] should test the security systems and that will be good enough.
Will it?
Was it not those same departments who are alleged to have misinterpreted the events leading up to 9-11, which let the killers in and failed to screen them as they boarded? That at a time when most of the rest of the World was screening against a different kind of terror suspect they had lived with for 25 years. Remember Lockerbie? Much of Europe woke up around then and so far it seems to have worked.
Was it not associates of these same authoritative bodies who in serving their own ends decided that the roofs of the twin towers would be sealed because someone got annoyed that the NYPD helicopters had landed on them and sought to rescue people from them after the first attack a decade ago? How many might have lived if those doors were open on 9-11? If its only one thats enough to raise the question.
In general [and there are plenty of people who point the finger at a whole raft of illogical 'official failings' in these pages] those that have the task of running the anti- terror system are pen pushers with little real experience. Their lack of experience – beyond pushing a pen – can leave them dull. Additionally many of them are underpaid for the task they do and why should they think brightly beyond what they are paid to do?
So in those instance new heads [and I mean everyone] can bring new views on a subject that is important to all of us that fly [and even those that do not]. In a way Pprune is just a small part of that wider process.
That is not to defend what these journalists did. They went over the top on the deal and made it so obvious that it rang many, many bells. It would have been a disaster for the industry if the recipients of the ‘assault,’ Fostaire Helicopters, had missed the clues. If those posing as ‘Terror Suspects’ had been subtle, as we must expect the real thing will be Post 9-11… then they would have been doing a service if they got through. What they actually did was tantamount to treating Fostaire as idiots.
As far as I am aware most of the major expose material in the recent pat has come from whistle-blowers [who got sacked] and journalists [some of whom - including Andrew Gilligan, who was right - got sacked]. Is not this activity a check on lethargic government?
Having rechecked my sanity in even daring to post this.... I will now put on my gas suit and tin hat and retire to my Anderson shelter in the back yard!
Overall, in principle, the Europeans see little harm in the journalists testing the system where the US based correspondents are against them to a man. My problem is of course that I am poacher turned gamekeeper - now classified as a ‘Journo’ – so how can I defend them at all?
Initially my first thoughts were why shouldn’t the papers try and test the system? Weren’t they doing that for Watergate?
Are not our television screens full of TV journalists [or presenters as they prefer to be called] testing out builders and financial advisers that are seriously damaging the finances of the weak and the stupid. And do we not feel good when they get their come-uppence? Perhaps it is a difference in the perception [and quality] of the journalists in the different countries?
One posting suggested that only Government Departments [‘the authorities’] should test the security systems and that will be good enough.
Will it?
Was it not those same departments who are alleged to have misinterpreted the events leading up to 9-11, which let the killers in and failed to screen them as they boarded? That at a time when most of the rest of the World was screening against a different kind of terror suspect they had lived with for 25 years. Remember Lockerbie? Much of Europe woke up around then and so far it seems to have worked.
Was it not associates of these same authoritative bodies who in serving their own ends decided that the roofs of the twin towers would be sealed because someone got annoyed that the NYPD helicopters had landed on them and sought to rescue people from them after the first attack a decade ago? How many might have lived if those doors were open on 9-11? If its only one thats enough to raise the question.
In general [and there are plenty of people who point the finger at a whole raft of illogical 'official failings' in these pages] those that have the task of running the anti- terror system are pen pushers with little real experience. Their lack of experience – beyond pushing a pen – can leave them dull. Additionally many of them are underpaid for the task they do and why should they think brightly beyond what they are paid to do?
So in those instance new heads [and I mean everyone] can bring new views on a subject that is important to all of us that fly [and even those that do not]. In a way Pprune is just a small part of that wider process.
That is not to defend what these journalists did. They went over the top on the deal and made it so obvious that it rang many, many bells. It would have been a disaster for the industry if the recipients of the ‘assault,’ Fostaire Helicopters, had missed the clues. If those posing as ‘Terror Suspects’ had been subtle, as we must expect the real thing will be Post 9-11… then they would have been doing a service if they got through. What they actually did was tantamount to treating Fostaire as idiots.
As far as I am aware most of the major expose material in the recent pat has come from whistle-blowers [who got sacked] and journalists [some of whom - including Andrew Gilligan, who was right - got sacked]. Is not this activity a check on lethargic government?
Having rechecked my sanity in even daring to post this.... I will now put on my gas suit and tin hat and retire to my Anderson shelter in the back yard!
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There seem to be a strange number of messages here, and oddly it seems split on national grounds.
Overall, in principle, the Europeans see little harm in the journalists testing the system where the US based correspondents are against them to a man.
Overall, in principle, the Europeans see little harm in the journalists testing the system where the US based correspondents are against them to a man.
I don't believe for a moment that journalists who 'test security' have the slightest interest in improving security. They, and those who employ them, are interested only in trying to obtain a 'shock horror' story regardless of the consequences. If their concerns were sincere, all they need do is report their findings to the relevant authorities discreetly - not through widespread publicity their media organs.
Nor do I consider they perform any useful function, even as a by-product of their irresponsible activities. The frequent consequence of such irresponsible behaviour is a tightening of security which merely further inconveniences law-abiding people while doing nothing whatsoever to deter terrorists.
A and C summed up the problem perfectly in a discussion about one so-called 'security' rule in the R&N forum:
" ..... these stupid rules that we have had imposed on us are not for the protection of the passengers or the public on the ground, these rules are writen to protect the politicians from the media!"
Absolutely right.
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Just from reading the newspaper report, which may or may not be completely accurate, I can see no laws which were broken. It's not illegal to charter a helicopter, nor is it illegal to have any of the items mentioned, as long as it's not going through airline security, and baby powder is legal even there. I carry passengers every day with tools more dangerous than any of these, some of whom are named Bubba and some of whom are named Ahmad. It might be poor judgement, but if that were illegal God help us all.
Some oil companies are already doing things like this, although more subtly. They just send in a guy posing as a potential passenger, not on the passenger list, to see if they can get on the helicopter. So far so good, AFAIK.
Some oil companies are already doing things like this, although more subtly. They just send in a guy posing as a potential passenger, not on the passenger list, to see if they can get on the helicopter. So far so good, AFAIK.
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PAnews,
The thing that gets me, and maybe the others who grouse about this, is that NBC was not after the truth, clearly. Had they been, the next day the TV news would have had a big story about, "Heroic, On the Spot Helicopter People are Safe and Secure!" Did they run that news segment? No, the operator told us about this thing, NBC was dead silent.
Why are we miffed? Because a couple of wise guy "gotcha journalists" (who usually hang around at the zoo looking for the new and stylish ways monkeys have found to play with themselves) were trying to sneak up on a few of our brethren, and ruin their reputations and careers. When these shining Pulitzers failed, they buried the story because their reputations would have been blackened.
It is the hypocracy we detest. News my butt, those "journalists" were after twisted sensationalism, and they know the camera does not look both ways.
The thing that gets me, and maybe the others who grouse about this, is that NBC was not after the truth, clearly. Had they been, the next day the TV news would have had a big story about, "Heroic, On the Spot Helicopter People are Safe and Secure!" Did they run that news segment? No, the operator told us about this thing, NBC was dead silent.
Why are we miffed? Because a couple of wise guy "gotcha journalists" (who usually hang around at the zoo looking for the new and stylish ways monkeys have found to play with themselves) were trying to sneak up on a few of our brethren, and ruin their reputations and careers. When these shining Pulitzers failed, they buried the story because their reputations would have been blackened.
It is the hypocracy we detest. News my butt, those "journalists" were after twisted sensationalism, and they know the camera does not look both ways.
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I will go with that Nick, but what is coming across is that some are not just hitting out at the actors in this smutty security test. They are hitting out root and branch at the checks that are democracy.
Yes NBC should have reported the failure - it would not have taken a brain surgeon to have turned it to NBCs favour. I like to think [hope!] that in most cases such as the BBC would have played it with a fairly straight bat .......
But, if they had properly reported what was after all a newsworthy story of an alert target, would they have been better thought of by those that are saying put them away at any price?
And this is with a background of a UK Sunday newspaper successfully attempting to avoid Olympic security. I bet you could walk into the offices of most 'investigative' newspapers any day of the week totally unchallenged and find them with egg on their faces.
But that is not the point. Do we or do we not challenge the security that is meant to save our lives?
'NO, not unless you are part of athe government machine,' is surely as bad as losing without style as NBC appear to have done.
That said alerting shortcomings quietly in a letter to the Chairman does not sell newspapers. They sell newspapers to make money you fly to attract the same commodity, security should be secure. As we know, in this instance, they were.
The only reason we know is that they were challenged - albeit badly.
Yes NBC should have reported the failure - it would not have taken a brain surgeon to have turned it to NBCs favour. I like to think [hope!] that in most cases such as the BBC would have played it with a fairly straight bat .......
But, if they had properly reported what was after all a newsworthy story of an alert target, would they have been better thought of by those that are saying put them away at any price?
And this is with a background of a UK Sunday newspaper successfully attempting to avoid Olympic security. I bet you could walk into the offices of most 'investigative' newspapers any day of the week totally unchallenged and find them with egg on their faces.
But that is not the point. Do we or do we not challenge the security that is meant to save our lives?
'NO, not unless you are part of athe government machine,' is surely as bad as losing without style as NBC appear to have done.
That said alerting shortcomings quietly in a letter to the Chairman does not sell newspapers. They sell newspapers to make money you fly to attract the same commodity, security should be secure. As we know, in this instance, they were.
The only reason we know is that they were challenged - albeit badly.
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PANews
I assume you accept it's a matter of opinion whether these 'checks' on security are a good or bad thing.
I'm trying to follow your 'democracy' argument. Are you suggesting that, if people have a democratic right to do something, it's in some way unreasonable to criticise them if they exercise that right - regardless of the circumstances?
I assume you accept it's a matter of opinion whether these 'checks' on security are a good or bad thing.
I'm trying to follow your 'democracy' argument. Are you suggesting that, if people have a democratic right to do something, it's in some way unreasonable to criticise them if they exercise that right - regardless of the circumstances?
Without a doubt! But of course this is a thread where we will all agree to differ in one way or another. We each have different degrees of what is acceptable.
But of course those that seek to expose may have to pay a heavy price for that right to action!
But of course those that seek to expose may have to pay a heavy price for that right to action!
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Lets take the fact that what they did was legal, they just wanted to see who and when someone would blow the whistle. I will also tell you that here in the states it is legal to carry a gun in a holster exposed in lots of States, particularly here in Nevada. So if I were to have a holstered gun on and walked down the street...........All very legal...How long do you think it would take for the COPs to get a call......... You can bet I wouldnt make it a block or two...
Its a situation that is legal but raises flags.........
Its a situation that is legal but raises flags.........
These "Journalists" are not testing democracy.
They are PAID by a COMMERCIAL broadcasting company to generate HEADLINES to attract CONSUMERS who will watch the show and be exposed to ADVERTISING that brings in the $$$$$ to keep them in BUSINESS!
This is not to say that there are not Journalists that perform a valuable contribution to society and do test the very basis of democracy in the dissemination of information and the exposure of truth. But this has to be balanced against the source and the motivation of the journalist.
But this is simply tabloid journalism at its most pathetic - simply out to make a buck.
They are PAID by a COMMERCIAL broadcasting company to generate HEADLINES to attract CONSUMERS who will watch the show and be exposed to ADVERTISING that brings in the $$$$$ to keep them in BUSINESS!
This is not to say that there are not Journalists that perform a valuable contribution to society and do test the very basis of democracy in the dissemination of information and the exposure of truth. But this has to be balanced against the source and the motivation of the journalist.
But this is simply tabloid journalism at its most pathetic - simply out to make a buck.
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This is America, in America anything is possible.
The operator did a great job. Now the next step.
The two reporters from NBC attempted to fraudulently enter into a contract to rent the aircraft. The operator has clear monetary damages that can be calculated. As the operator, I would file a civil suit against NBC, the reporters as individuals, and of course name their spouses. It would cost NBC 100k to defend themselves. The reporters would need to disclose that they were defendents individually in a civil suit which would diminish their ability to borrow for the normal things in life. Jeez, I am getting excited just thinking about the depositions.
You may or may not win the trial but I would not want to be NBC in front of a jury of my "peers". Further, it is more likely that NBC and the insurance companies would settle as the cost of preparation and trial far exceeds the cost of settlement.
The operator did a great job. Now the next step.
The two reporters from NBC attempted to fraudulently enter into a contract to rent the aircraft. The operator has clear monetary damages that can be calculated. As the operator, I would file a civil suit against NBC, the reporters as individuals, and of course name their spouses. It would cost NBC 100k to defend themselves. The reporters would need to disclose that they were defendents individually in a civil suit which would diminish their ability to borrow for the normal things in life. Jeez, I am getting excited just thinking about the depositions.
You may or may not win the trial but I would not want to be NBC in front of a jury of my "peers". Further, it is more likely that NBC and the insurance companies would settle as the cost of preparation and trial far exceeds the cost of settlement.
Diethelm and Nick deserve a "Hats Off!" for their posts....very good thinking about the situation. I bet if a couple of helicopter pilots posed as reporters....and attempted to sneak into a Press Conference or hung around in the cloak room or where ever these scoundrels congregate....and then took public , contents of conversations held there....why, Heavens on Earth...do you not wonder what a huge "Foul" would be called by our "journalist" friends.
I had a quick thought but put it aside...for a fleeting moment...I considered what Nick would look like posing as a Journalist...but then I remembered he was a TeeTotaller and thus he would really be a poseur.
I had a quick thought but put it aside...for a fleeting moment...I considered what Nick would look like posing as a Journalist...but then I remembered he was a TeeTotaller and thus he would really be a poseur.
Last edited by SASless; 16th Aug 2004 at 00:57.