New Forum & News Updates

[Shutter]

Just got home, the air conditioner was off all day. it's 103 in here....Heeeeeeeeelp 

Update...down to 94 now 

[Bruce A. Smith]

I'm actually surprised you guys aren't on a non-disclosure agreement; any other tidbits about the show you can share?

This is a major dynamic at work between me (and others) and LMNO. The fine line of non-disclosure is actually a bit hazy. LMNO has told me that they don't WANT to be the "email police," but in actuality they would like to be. Basically, they would like nobody to say nuttin' to nobody. I've told them that to ask- or expect - an investigative reporter to suspend his investigation for a year or two while they pursue their exclusive take on the DB Cooper case is ridiculous. Particularly since they aren't paying me a dime, other than giving me a very nice chocolate cake on my birthday last September.

The real question is fairness and propriety. I don't share details of the LMNO production with the Travel Channel when they call looking for ideas for a Cooper story. Nor the many freelance writers and producers from Hollywood who have been reading the Mountain News or the DZ and are similarly probing for ideas.

The LMNO angle is unique in my opinion, and I will refrain from describing it or my opinion of it here, in consideration of LMNO expressing its creative vision and making a bunch o' bucks with it. After July 10th, I'll have plenty to say.

I feel that this Forum is a bit different than the Mountain News or my book, and what I say here I feel has a bit more latitude than a more public arena, so I mention Bill Jensen and Tom Fuentes by name. That might be naïve since the Internet is still the Internet; nevertheless, LMNO should expect a Cooper forum to be chatting about a Cooper documentary in some fashion. LMNO could do itself a favor by developing some guidelines, perhaps, and not reminding me that I have a legal obligation to protect their production. Really? Yes, I signed a confidentiality agreement, or something like it, but I've told them what I think the parameters of that agreement are in practical terms, which is essentially what I have revealed here.

After all, Billy Jensen has called me seeking contact information to launch his own independent DB Cooper investigation. If anyone has a confidentiality issue, I would say it's Billy and his employers.

I think it comes down to "Not Stealing Someone's Thunder." Let each tell his story as he sees fit. Let each of us support and encourage the other to tell a good story. I gave LMNO several dozen email addresses and phone numbers to assist them in the development of their manuscript, plus I described in detail the personalities and impediments they might encounter in contacting Norjak principals, and offered some strategies for a successful interview. Plus, they could read my books and the 60-odd DB Cooper stories on the Mountain News, and we Skyped and talked for hours on the phone. So, I gave them a  TON o' free stuff. But then I got most of it free from you guys and Snowmman, wrote a book on it and make a $100 bucks a month in royalties, so I figure it's a pretty even deal. Plus, I might get mentioned in the docu! So book sales might bump a bit in July. Woo-hoo.

I'm good, and I hope LMNO is too.

[Bruce A. Smith]

Just got home, the air conditioner was off all day. it's 103 in here....Heeeeeeeeelp 

Update...down to 94 now 

Cooper County is currently sunny with broken clouds and 70 degrees. Tomorrow's forecast is rain and a high of 59. Strawberries are booming, and the slugs look fat and happy as I pull them off my strawberries and kale (!) and dunk them permanently in a soapy bucket. Speaking of slugs, I feel we are locked in an Epic Karmic Battle as we struggle over eating, life, predation, and death. It's a bitch being a mystic some times.

[MarkBennett]

Anyone know who some of those people are?

Also, I died inside when I noticed the photo of Kenny Christensen.

Yes. I interviewed with Tom Fuentes and Billy Jensen on September 24th, 2015. This was soon after Mark and I had lunch with Bill Mitchell.
Tom Fuentes: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
Billy Jensen: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

The producer has a suspect and they have been investigating him for the past 5 years. It is not Christiansen. They will reveal their suspect in the documentary.

Tom Fuentes was FBI Assistant Director.  That's a position that has some historical significance.  I believe that's what Deep Throat was.

I talked to Tom Fuentes and the other host while they were here -- not as part of the documentary but because I was  there with Vicki.  One thing that struck me -- and Vicki can weigh in if my perception was off -- I was surprised how little Tom knew about the case at that time.  This was in September 2015 (I could figure out the exact date.  It was the same date as the "Ride the Duck" accident in Seattle that killed several people).  We were talking to him about the case, and he didn't seem to know who a lot of people were.  That might have been by design.  The producer pulled me away and told me she didn't want me talking to them about the case primarily because she didn't want them to have preconceived notions about who they were interviewing.  I don't think it was any more than wanting the information to be "new" when the hosts heard it on camera.

I wonder about the Brad Metzler "History Channel" show where the producers didn't exactly script it, but they knew how they wanted it to come out beforehand.   I assume Tom Fuentes researched more after filming was done.  I agree with Georger in that he was a major "get" for this documentary.  With contacts in the FBI, he might not only get to see evidence, but agents might share the opinions and impressions more than Geoff Gray would have gotten.

I'm anxious to see this show.  Good or bad, if it can raise interest in the case, it will be a major benefit.  I always go back to the movie "JFK".  Even though most of it was basically made up, it led to the release of lots of long sealed documents.

[Shutter]

Decoded 

The hiding spot in the ceiling (laughs) strange how they found it almost immediately. it had the same top that Kenny put on it years ago. sure, then the kitchen, and inside was demolished and a piece of it ended up in the attic...common sense.

You glue the formica onto the counter, and then take a router and trim it off. you wouldn't have an "extra" piece unless you did something else with it. that piece was from the original counter prior to the demo...end of story.

I'm going to buy a DeLorean, and turn it into a time machine, and solve all of this 

JFK, Cooper, Alcatraz, next weeks lotto numbers, find my missing socks from the dryer, who killed Nichole Simpson etc. etc. 

[georger]

I'm actually surprised you guys aren't on a non-disclosure agreement; any other tidbits about the show you can share?

In my case 'yes' - there were exchanges of email today but I wont quote - otherwise, its my understanding the original plan was two episodes which was expanded to four to 'broaden public appeal ie. increase likelihood of interest'. The two episodes that have been added will include commentary about "suspects who were cleared, or have been cleared". Those socalled 'suspects' may includes names we would recognise.

That is all I am going to say until the program has been telecast and  some further time for scheduled releases has cleared.

Thanks.
G.
 

[georger]

I'm actually surprised you guys aren't on a non-disclosure agreement; any other tidbits about the show you can share?

This is a major dynamic at work between me (and others) and LMNO. The fine line of non-disclosure is actually a bit hazy. LMNO has told me that they don't WANT to be the "email police," but in actuality they would like to be. Basically, they would like nobody to say nuttin' to nobody. I've told them that to ask- or expect - an investigative reporter to suspend his investigation for a year or two while they pursue their exclusive take on the DB Cooper case is ridiculous. Particularly since they aren't paying me a dime, other than giving me a very nice chocolate cake on my birthday last September.

The real question is fairness and propriety. I don't share details of the LMNO production with the Travel Channel when they call looking for ideas for a Cooper story. Nor the many freelance writers and producers from Hollywood who have been reading the Mountain News or the DZ and are similarly probing for ideas.

The LMNO angle is unique in my opinion, and I will refrain from describing it or my opinion of it here, in consideration of LMNO expressing its creative vision and making a bunch o' bucks with it. After July 10th, I'll have plenty to say.

I feel that this Forum is a bit different than the Mountain News or my book, and what I say here I feel has a bit more latitude than a more public arena, so I mention Bill Jensen and Tom Fuentes by name. That might be naïve since the Internet is still the Internet; nevertheless, LMNO should expect a Cooper forum to be chatting about a Cooper documentary in some fashion. LMNO could do itself a favor by developing some guidelines, perhaps, and not reminding me that I have a legal obligation to protect their production. Really? Yes, I signed a confidentiality agreement, or something like it, but I've told them what I think the parameters of that agreement are in practical terms, which is essentially what I have revealed here.

After all, Billy Jensen has called me seeking contact information to launch his own independent DB Cooper investigation. If anyone has a confidentiality issue, I would say it's Billy and his employers.

I think it comes down to "Not Stealing Someone's Thunder." Let each tell his story as he sees fit. Let each of us support and encourage the other to tell a good story. I gave LMNO several dozen email addresses and phone numbers to assist them in the development of their manuscript, plus I described in detail the personalities and impediments they might encounter in contacting Norjak principals, and offered some strategies for a successful interview. Plus, they could read my books and the 60-odd DB Cooper stories on the Mountain News, and we Skyped and talked for hours on the phone. So, I gave them a  TON o' free stuff. But then I got most of it free from you guys and Snowmman, wrote a book on it and make a $100 bucks a month in royalties, so I figure it's a pretty even deal. Plus, I might get mentioned in the docu! So book sales might bump a bit in July. Woo-hoo.

I'm good, and I hope LMNO is too.

well said and done.
 

[georger]

Anyone know who some of those people are?

Also, I died inside when I noticed the photo of Kenny Christensen.

Yes. I interviewed with Tom Fuentes and Billy Jensen on September 24th, 2015. This was soon after Mark and I had lunch with Bill Mitchell.
Tom Fuentes: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
Billy Jensen: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

The producer has a suspect and they have been investigating him for the past 5 years. It is not Christiansen. They will reveal their suspect in the documentary.

Tom Fuentes was FBI Assistant Director.  That's a position that has some historical significance.  I believe that's what Deep Throat was.

I talked to Tom Fuentes and the other host while they were here -- not as part of the documentary but because I was  there with Vicki.  One thing that struck me -- and Vicki can weigh in if my perception was off -- I was surprised how little Tom knew about the case at that time.  This was in September 2015 (I could figure out the exact date.  It was the same date as the "Ride the Duck" accident in Seattle that killed several people).  We were talking to him about the case, and he didn't seem to know who a lot of people were.  That might have been by design.  The producer pulled me away and told me she didn't want me talking to them about the case primarily because she didn't want them to have preconceived notions about who they were interviewing.  I don't think it was any more than wanting the information to be "new" when the hosts heard it on camera.

I wonder about the Brad Metzler "History Channel" show where the producers didn't exactly script it, but they knew how they wanted it to come out beforehand.   I assume Tom Fuentes researched more after filming was done.  I agree with Georger in that he was a major "get" for this documentary.  With contacts in the FBI, he might not only get to see evidence, but agents might share the opinions and impressions more than Geoff Gray would have gotten.

I'm anxious to see this show.  Good or bad, if it can raise interest in the case, it will be a major benefit.  I always go back to the movie "JFK".  Even though most of it was basically made up, it led to the release of lots of long sealed documents.

Mark, Im taking an almost identical approach. With a similar hope for a positive outcome. 

[Tom Kaye]

Hi All,

So we are all waiting with baited breath for the new revelations about our favorite criminal. Carol A. noticed that the little video segment had a background image of Christiansen so she took a pic for further investigation. Sure looks to me like they are focusing on him. Do we know for sure that C. is ruled out?  Would hate to see 4 hours of that.

Tom Kaye

[georger]

Hi All,

So we are all waiting with baited breath for the new revelations about our favorite criminal. Carol A. noticed that the little video segment had a background image of Christiansen so she took a pic for further investigation. Sure looks to me like they are focusing on him. Do we know for sure that C. is ruled out?  Would hate to see 4 hours of that.

Tom Kaye

I believe the new suspect will be a living person. Not any deceased person, so very likely the vid clip Carol saw of Christiansen has some other purpose. 

[Shutter]

Hi All,

So we are all waiting with baited breath for the new revelations about our favorite criminal. Carol A. noticed that the little video segment had a background image of Christiansen so she took a pic for further investigation. Sure looks to me like they are focusing on him. Do we know for sure that C. is ruled out?  Would hate to see 4 hours of that.

Tom Kaye

I believe the new suspect will be a living person. Not any deceased person, so very likely the vid clip Carol saw of Christiansen has some other purpose.

I concur, it's a living person....I'm sure Bobby Blevins will now think it's Christiansen they are focusing on, but as usual, he would be wrong!

only Bobby could provide 4 hours of wasted air time on Kenny. the last time a show focused on Kenny was an hour long, and they blew a hole in there own theory by agreeing that Bernie had nothing to do with the crime..

[MarkBennett]

If the documentary were about Christiansen, Robert would almost certainly have been interviewed for it.   Since he was critical of the documentary and the way it was done, I suspect he wasn't.

But, if you're doing a four hour documentary, you'd run through all of the commonly known suspects.  Since it was another History Channel show that promoted Cooper, Kenny would have certainly been mentioned.

[EVickiW]

Hi All,

So we are all waiting with baited breath for the new revelations about our favorite criminal. Carol A. noticed that the little video segment had a background image of Christiansen so she took a pic for further investigation. Sure looks to me like they are focusing on him. Do we know for sure that C. is ruled out?  Would hate to see 4 hours of that.

Tom Kaye

The documentary is not focused around Christiansen. However, he may be mentioned along with; Sheridan, L.D., Weber, Wilson, etc.....

[EVickiW]

I'm actually surprised you guys aren't on a non-disclosure agreement; any other tidbits about the show you can share?

I have a verbal agreement with the show's writer not to disclose what was said when I interviewed or what I have learned during our many conversations about his investigation. Since the History teaser showed the two hosts of the show (Fuentes and Jensen), I did hesitate to answer your questions on who they were. Everything else that was shared with me will stay with me until it is appropriate to share.

After the show is aired, I will be posting a photo of the original NWO ticket that Bill Mitchell showed to Mark and me during our lunch date in September.

[Robert99]

I'm actually surprised you guys aren't on a non-disclosure agreement; any other tidbits about the show you can share?

I have a verbal agreement with the show's writer not to disclose what was said when I interviewed or what I have learned during our many conversations about his investigation. Since the History teaser showed the two hosts of the show (Fuentes and Jensen), I did hesitate to answer your questions on who they were. Everything else that was shared with me will stay with me until it is appropriate to share.

After the show is aired, I will be posting a photo of the original NWO ticket that Bill Mitchell showed to Mark and me during our lunch date in September.

Please explain what you mean by "the original NWO ticket" and how Bill Mitchell came into possession of it.