Sunday, March 13, 2016

Why I’m convinced Oswald Acted Alone When He Assassinated JFK.

Oswald's crappy 6.5 Italian Carcano rifle
Dallas, TXLee Harvey Oswald was a former Marine.   He was trained on the eight round semi-automatic M-1 Garand rifle.  In 1963 he military was dumping those fine rifles on the surplus market when they switched to the 20 round M-14 rifle.
Klien’s Sporting Goods in Chicago was selling both the far superior M-1 Garand and the crappy 6.5 Carcano rifle that Oswald bought and used on Kennedy.  Of course Kline’s sold many other rifles by mail order back then.  Oswald selected the really cheap Carcano rifle.  He also bought a cheap 4X scope. 
Had there been any kind of conspiracy Oswald would have purchased a far superior rifle like the M-1 Garand he was trained to use.  Certainly had others been involved a better rifle would have been chosen.
The distance between Kennedy and the sixth floor window was just 81 meters.  Kennedy’s limo was traveling in a straight line away from Oswald’s position at less than 12 miles per hour.
This was what most experienced shooters would call a “cheap shot”.  No particular skill was needed to hit Kennedy even using the bolt-action rifle.  However the use of a semi-automatic rifle would maximize the success of that mad act. 
Conspiracy theories would exist no matter who killed Kennedy.  Conspiracies sell books and films. We know that the Kennedy assassination theories sold massive amounts of books, movie tickets and supermarket heckout line tabloids. .
The truth is that Oswald’s rifle with shipping cost him less than $22.00.  The really great M-1 Garand cost less that $100.00 at the time.
Every time I hear the words, Kennedy and Conspiracy, I cringe.  It’s all baseless, even though there were plenty of people that really wanted Kennedy out of the Whitehouse.
We all know Oswald, an avowed Communist that wanted to become important to Fidel Castro.  Kennedy tried to overthrow and kill the Cuban dictator.  Oswald had dreams of being a hero in the new Communist Utopia in Cuba.
One man murdered both Kennedy and Dallas cop J.D. Tippett.  That man was Lee Harvey Oswald.
As for Jack Ruby he was just another narcissist jackass who thought he’d be hailed as a hero for killing the most hated man in America.
I hope I’ve helped those people that still ask themselves nagging questions about that 22nd day in November 1963.
As for me, I was in the ROTC Class at Chicago’s Senn High School when we got word the Kennedy was shot.  That’s my story and I’m sticking to it! 

So you Wanna Be A Citizen Journalist? Here are a few tips!

Los Angeles, CA—We are now in a truly multimedia world.  TV and Newspapers are on life support because of declining viewers and readership.  Today’s people want news on their terms, instantly, short, sweet and with compelling video.
People want to see news on the iPhones and IPads.  They want it while they are between tasks. They seek it out while in the grocery checkout line or when waiting at the barber’s office or hair salon.
The opportunities for citizen journalists are starting to surface.  Today the pay may be low but now’s the time to prepare.  You can be creative and lead the pack or be left in the dirt.
You need writing skills.  Hopefully you learned them in school.
Multimedia is the venue.  That means writing, photography, video and video editing.  You must be a master of all media forms.  You also need to learn how to transfer your work to the Internet. 
Most people have some of these skills right now.  The technical aspect has never been easier to learn and the equipment and tools gave never been more affordable.
For starters the iPhone 6 plus is a great platform.  You need a selfie-stick and a good lavalier microphone like the Rode for $80.00.  You can simply obtain the iMovie app for $5.00 and you’re in business.  For the absolute best results, so-called prosumer cameras, wireless microphones and lights are recommended.
For spot news the iPhone is quick and easy. 
If you go to YouTube there are a huge amount of tutorials on every technical aspect of shooting, editing and getting your material posted.
If you get an exclusive story on a hot subject you can be paid a small fortune.  Those opportunities are rare but they do exist. 
The first rule is to always hold your iPhone sideways because that’s the way video monitors and TV screens are positioned.  Vertical cellphone video simply stinks.
When you’re at the scene of news events being shy will destroy your chances of success.  Get up close and into the face of the event.  Ask lots of questions!  For news you need not get anyone to sign a release.  If you’re using the video for a documentary or entertainment by all means a release is a good idea.
Learn how to put voiceovers on your video keeping the natural sound.  Crappy audio makes for unsalable video.  Using a second audio source like a Zoom H4N microphone is always the best failsafe.
Drones are great.  Get it up, get the shots and you may have something exclusive, unique and sensational.  You don’t need to ask permission to fly over property!  That’s First Amendment protected activity.
Libel avoidance is an absolute must.  You better have solid proof before making accusations.  Rather than accuse, it’s better to simply ask the question, did your protagonist do something wrong?  
Be bold, be accurate and get the details.  Understand your subject matter and tell the story.
I have one story below done with just my iPhone in London.  It took me just minutes to put the story together and post it on YouTube.
Below that is an exclusive story I did for WND that uses all the things I talked about.  Here I used some prosumer gear because it was warranted.   



Friday, March 11, 2016

There is a documentary film about rocks that really rocks!

Los Angeles, CA--While attending the German Film Pre-Oscar Reception here I saw an attractive lady and asked a fellow who I was chatting with what he knew about her.  He made a disapproving face and said she made documentary films about rocks.  He then said  that her films must be dreadful! 

That lady was Petra Haffter and I didn't care about the the quality of her films because she had a great presence and she rang my bell.  I had to meet her!  

I forgot the line I used on Petra, but she responded in a warm and friendly manner.  I liked her more by the second! Her personality was equally attractive! 

Petra then invited my to a screening of her film series on rocks.  Suddenly in my mind I could see the disapproval on the face of of the guy who thought Petra's films must be dreadful.  I tried not to show Petra any skepticism but I had some serious doubts.  I then called the Goethe Institute and put in my RSVP for the screening.  

Tonight was the screening.  Petra really packed the house! Either she was a great promoter or her project was hot! 

Petra spent a year and a half making her five-part series that took her to Rajasthan, India in search of white marble, the Pacific Rim to see lava at various stages, sandstone, meteors in the American Southwest and granite at the French Atlantic coast. 

Drone video was everywhere but used in subtle and clever ways. The cinematography was great and the sound was a combination of great music with energetic and expertly researched narration by Petra. Petra's minimal German accent all but completely disappeared.  Petra's writing would rival Hemingway any day! 

There are three more parts to this series and I don't want to miss them! 

Could a series about rocks, rock you ask? The answer is a rock solid, yes! 

Petra's website has a trailer for the series!