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Gravy · 30th March 2007, 08:49 PM

Several times I've been away from my computer when an email came through requesting an interview that I would have liked to do, but didn't know about before the deadline.

That happened again today. The producer of a national gossipy TV show wanted to interview me about WTC 7 conspiracy theories, but it had to be done within a few hours, and I wasn't around.

That gave me the idea of compiling a list of knowledgeable 9/11 conspiracy debunkers who would be willing to do interviews and who are somewhat likely to be available on short notice. The people who wrote the official reports are public knowledge, but don't know the conspiracists' claims like we do and are probably less accessible. The media know of Popular Mechanics, but otherwise find debunkers through internet searches, which can mean wading through many CT sites.

Who would be interested in participating?

What's the best way to distribute the contact information? A web page with email contacts sounds like an invitation to massive spam. Emails to thousands of media outlets seem likely to get lost in the noise. Are there "expert" lists for various topics that journalists consult?

Your thoughts and suggestions?

The Demon's Head · 30th March 2007, 08:59 PM

Superb idea, Gravy.

It seems though that the twoofers manage to appear in the media more frequently than an debunker would. Usually when CTists appear in the media, a government offical is there to oppose the arguement. Which really doesn't work all too well. A debunker opposing a CTist's arguement would indeed be more efficient.

beachnut · 30th March 2007, 09:23 PM

Normal thoughts do not make good news

FactCheck · 30th March 2007, 09:23 PM

This is an great idea. I actually tried to get in contact with you before. So has Kent1 and jazz2006. For instance I have an invite right now but I don't know if the deadline passed. I believe Jazz PM'd you about it too. I recieved it on Mar 22nd.

Did you recieve my Private Message? Is your mailbox full? Are you ignoring me?

As you know I already have a private forum you can use.

Brainster · 30th March 2007, 09:33 PM

Yeah, that's a tough issue. I certainly don't mind my name and number being passed out to the real media, but I have no desire to deal with Deniers. We get a couple media contacts a month, but almost always on short notice. However, I am always willing to get an email; they already spam the heck out of me.

defaultdotxbe · 30th March 2007, 10:21 PM

might be a good idea to create a single email address you can all share, that way theres just one place to send amessege to get in touch with someone

Gravy · 30th March 2007, 11:29 PM

Originally Posted by defaultdotxbe

might be a good idea to create a single email address you can all share, that way theres just one place to send amessege to get in touch with someone

Excellent idea.

Gravy · 30th March 2007, 11:30 PM

Originally Posted by FactCheck

This is an great idea. I actually tried to get in contact with you before. So has Kent1 and jazz2006. For instance I have an invite right now but I don't know if the deadline passed. I believe Jazz PM'd you about it too. I recieved it on Mar 22nd.

Did you recieve my Private Message? Is your mailbox full? Are you ignoring me?

As you know I already have a private forum you can use.

Sorry, I had let my PMs pile up. Getting to them now.

ref · 31st March 2007, 01:51 AM

Originally Posted by defaultdotxbe

might be a good idea to create a single email address you can all share, that way theres just one place to send amessege to get in touch with someone

That would be a good idea. Those participating could use the same e-mail address. They could also share their cell phone numbers, so when someone goes through the e-mail and sees an invitation, he/she can SMS or call to notify the others and to find out who is able/willing to go.

uk_dave · 31st March 2007, 03:03 AM

You could call it "Team Randi".......

...though that might be mistaken for a porn film.

(Cue ron jeremy picture and a posting by Abby Scott)

MG1962 · 31st March 2007, 03:28 AM

Possibly when compiling the list, add the area each feels most comfortable with. Example Flight 93 - would be such and such Flight 11 blah blah etc

Panoply_Prefect · 31st March 2007, 04:44 AM

Originally Posted by defaultdotxbe

might be a good idea to create a single email address you can all share, that way theres just one place to send amessege to get in touch with someone

I would agree that would be the best idea. It would also help you if you cant make it yourself and want to help the reporter out finding another interviewee. Thus you can always give him/her two or three more contacts to try.

Also, us journalist tend to save numbers and contact info given to us, for later use. But if its given in trust, any serious reporter will keep that info to him- or herself. So it might be a good idea to tell the reporter you are in contact with if he/she can spread contacts to collegues - that is if your intention is to make sure one of you is always reachable.

/S

30th March 2007, 08:49 PM	#1
Gravy Downsitting Citizen Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: In the argyle Posts: 17,136	9/11 Debunker Contacts For the Press? Several times I've been away from my computer when an email came through requesting an interview that I would have liked to do, but didn't know about before the deadline. That happened again today. The producer of a national gossipy TV show wanted to interview me about WTC 7 conspiracy theories, but it had to be done within a few hours, and I wasn't around. That gave me the idea of compiling a list of knowledgeable 9/11 conspiracy debunkers who would be willing to do interviews and who are somewhat likely to be available on short notice. The people who wrote the official reports are public knowledge, but don't know the conspiracists' claims like we do and are probably less accessible. The media know of Popular Mechanics, but otherwise find debunkers through internet searches, which can mean wading through many CT sites. Who would be interested in participating? What's the best way to distribute the contact information? A web page with email contacts sounds like an invitation to massive spam. Emails to thousands of media outlets seem likely to get lost in the noise. Are there "expert" lists for various topics that journalists consult? Your thoughts and suggestions?
	__________________ "Please, keep your chops cool and don’t overblow.” –Freddie Hubbard What's the Harm?........Stop Sylvia Browne........My 9/11 links

30th March 2007, 08:59 PM	#2
The Demon's Head Crime cannot be tolerated Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hell. Posts: 1,419	Superb idea, Gravy. It seems though that the twoofers manage to appear in the media more frequently than an debunker would. Usually when CTists appear in the media, a government offical is there to oppose the arguement. Which really doesn't work all too well. A debunker opposing a CTist's arguement would indeed be more efficient.
	__________________

30th March 2007, 09:23 PM	#4
FactCheck Muse Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Firmly planted in reality. Posts: 620	This is an great idea. I actually tried to get in contact with you before. So has Kent1 and jazz2006. For instance I have an invite right now but I don't know if the deadline passed. I believe Jazz PM'd you about it too. I recieved it on Mar 22nd. Did you recieve my Private Message? Is your mailbox full? Are you ignoring me? As you know I already have a private forum you can use.
	Last edited by FactCheck; 30th March 2007 at 09:28 PM.

30th March 2007, 09:33 PM	#5
Brainster Penultimate Amazing Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 10,541	Yeah, that's a tough issue. I certainly don't mind my name and number being passed out to the real media, but I have no desire to deal with Deniers. We get a couple media contacts a month, but almost always on short notice. However, I am always willing to get an email; they already spam the heck out of me.
	__________________ My new blog: Recent Reads. 1960s Comic Book Nostalgia Visit the Screw Loose Change blog. Last edited by Brainster; 30th March 2007 at 09:36 PM.

30th March 2007, 10:21 PM	#6
defaultdotxbe Drunken Shikigami Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: The Dark Side of the Sun Posts: 7,482	might be a good idea to create a single email address you can all share, that way theres just one place to send amessege to get in touch with someone
	__________________ I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones. -Albert Einstein

30th March 2007, 09:23 PM	#3
beachnut Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dog House Posts: 19,950	Normal thoughts do not make good news

30th March 2007, 11:29 PM	#7
Gravy Downsitting Citizen Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: In the argyle Posts: 17,136	Originally Posted by defaultdotxbe might be a good idea to create a single email address you can all share, that way theres just one place to send amessege to get in touch with someone Excellent idea.
	__________________ "Please, keep your chops cool and don’t overblow.” –Freddie Hubbard What's the Harm?........Stop Sylvia Browne........My 9/11 links

30th March 2007, 11:30 PM	#8
Gravy Downsitting Citizen Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: In the argyle Posts: 17,136	Originally Posted by FactCheck This is an great idea. I actually tried to get in contact with you before. So has Kent1 and jazz2006. For instance I have an invite right now but I don't know if the deadline passed. I believe Jazz PM'd you about it too. I recieved it on Mar 22nd. Did you recieve my Private Message? Is your mailbox full? Are you ignoring me? As you know I already have a private forum you can use. Sorry, I had let my PMs pile up. Getting to them now.
	__________________ "Please, keep your chops cool and don’t overblow.” –Freddie Hubbard What's the Harm?........Stop Sylvia Browne........My 9/11 links

31st March 2007, 01:51 AM	#9
ref Master Poster Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 2,664	Originally Posted by defaultdotxbe might be a good idea to create a single email address you can all share, that way theres just one place to send amessege to get in touch with someone That would be a good idea. Those participating could use the same e-mail address. They could also share their cell phone numbers, so when someone goes through the e-mail and sees an invitation, he/she can SMS or call to notify the others and to find out who is able/willing to go.
ref Master Poster Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 2,664	__________________ 9/11 Guide homepage Conspiracy theories abound and I believe firmly that all of them are without merit. - Chief Daniel Nigro

31st March 2007, 03:03 AM	#10
uk_dave Philosopher Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 7,866	You could call it "Team Randi"....... ...though that might be mistaken for a porn film. (Cue ron jeremy picture and a posting by Abby Scott)
uk_dave Philosopher Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 7,866

31st March 2007, 03:28 AM	#11
MG1962 Guest Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kansas (Australia) Posts: 14,750	Possibly when compiling the list, add the area each feels most comfortable with. Example Flight 93 - would be such and such Flight 11 blah blah etc

31st March 2007, 04:44 AM	#12
Panoply_Prefect Graduate Poster Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,075	Originally Posted by defaultdotxbe might be a good idea to create a single email address you can all share, that way theres just one place to send amessege to get in touch with someone I would agree that would be the best idea. It would also help you if you cant make it yourself and want to help the reporter out finding another interviewee. Thus you can always give him/her two or three more contacts to try. Also, us journalist tend to save numbers and contact info given to us, for later use. But if its given in trust, any serious reporter will keep that info to him- or herself. So it might be a good idea to tell the reporter you are in contact with if he/she can spread contacts to collegues - that is if your intention is to make sure one of you is always reachable. /S
	Last edited by Panoply_Prefect; 31st March 2007 at 04:49 AM.