Monday, February 16, 2015

People are Asking Me What I Actually Do For A Living. Here are Some Answers!

From an Undisclosed Location—Ok, that’s a fair question.  The answer is complicated.  I’ll do my best to answer that.
Yes, I’m a licensed private detective but I avoid work that’s meaningless, illegal, or immoral.  My primary specialty is criminal defense and I’m considered an expert in self-defense cases involving deadly force. 
I accept other cases including personal injury cases where liability must be established and fixed.
In 1989 I was recruited to work as a TV investigative news producer.  I did not shut down my agency but agreed simply do the work for TV news like all my other clients. 
On news cases I spend my time finding out what the cops and other authorities do NOT want the media to know about the most high profile murders and such.  I’ve actually reported stories but generally never have the time to do anything but locate and hand over the material and important witnesses for interviews to those familiar TV faces. 
I have been sent to all over the USA, India and Europe on cases.  I speak fluent German thanks to that draft/conscript invitation from President Lyndon B. Johnson.  Germany was a much better assignment than Viet Nam!   I served as a medical corpsman which in addition to personally observing nearly 800 autopsies at Chicago’s Cook County Morgue helps me in homicide cases.
I write this blog for fun.  However, I wish I were sponsored more to travel and report on more of the crime stories around the world.  I do manage to cover a high profile story from time to time.
I love to report on filmmakers and review art, music and of course films.  I’m naturally attracted to crime films and documentaries. 
As my blog visitors know I’m a serious gun Rights advocate.  I’m often called to speak about gun rights on radio, TV or live events.
My latest endeavor is the camera/drone technology.  I value drones for video journalism in a big way.  Unfortunately as much as I’d like to be a somewhat less creepy, Droneie version of that film character in Jake Gyllenhaal's latest movie "Nightcrawler",  so far the FAA, so far has obstructed that new passion. 
My news experience has also given me a specialty in Media Crisis Management.  That’s helping high profile people and businesses deal with a sudden onset of bad publicity connected to serious allegations.
For more fun I like writing, acting (I’m a member of SAG-AFTRA) and making short and documentary films.
This blog has brought me some very exciting cases when my visitors have reached out to me for help.  As you can expect I can’t nor won’t talk about most of my cases due to necessary client confidentiality.
I seem to wear at lot of hats but for me they’re all interesting and fun.  I hope this answers a lot of questions.


Sunday, February 15, 2015

Annual Reception to Honor German Nominees for the Oscar Awards is Almost Here!

Pacific Palisades, CA—At Pacific Coast Highway and Sunset Boulevard high on a hill with a stunning view overlooking the ocean is Villa Aurora.  This was once the playground of film icons such as Marlene Dietrich and Charlie Chaplin. 
Today Villa Aurora is an exciting artist’s residence, owned by the German government.  It’s contributions to art, music and film is immeasurable.  The same could be said here for the German government.  
The partnership between American and German filmmakers has brought thrilling film after film to both European and American audiences,
On Saturday February 21st German Films, Villa Aurora (Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles) and the Consulate General of The Federal Republic of Germany will host its Pre-Oscar event.  In honor of the German Oscar® nominees:
This year they will be honoring the following:
Director Wim Wenders -  nominated for THE SALT OF THE EARTH as Best Documentary Feature
Team of CITIZENFOUR  nominated as Best Documentary Feature:
Dirk Wilutzky ( Producer)
Mathilde Bonnefoy ( Producer)
Laura Poitras ( Director)
Patricia Schlesinger ( Commissioning Editor Norddeutscher Rundfunk)
Barbara Biermann ( Commissioning Editor Norddeutscher Rundfunk)
Bettina Reitz ( Director TV Bayerischer Rundfunk)
Hubert von Spreti (Commissioning Editor Bayerischer Rundfunk)
Sonja Scheider ( Commissioning Editor Bayerischer Rundfunk)
Carl Bergengruen ( Managing Director MFG Baden-Württemberg)
Team of THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL -  nominated for nine Oscars®  i .a. Best Motion Picture of the Year:
Charlie Woebcken ( Executive Producer Studio Babelsberg)
Henning Molfenter ( Executive Producer Studio Babelsberg)
Christoph Fisser ( Executive Producer Studio Babelsberg)
Jeremy Dawson ( Producer )
Miki Emmrich (   Line Producer)
Carl Bergengruen ( Managing Director MFG Baden-Württemberg)
Kirsten Niehuus ( Managing Director  Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg)
Generous Film Funding has made some great films possible over the years.  Renowned directors such as Paul Verhoeven, Quentin Taratino, Werner Herzog and so many other artists were able to thrill audiences because of this important support.
The German government understands that making films is important to a nations economy and quality of life.
I look forward to attending this gala and sharing with you interviews, video and some surprises from this exciting event. 
Here is my drone’s-eye view of the Villa on a somewhat dreary day last year.





The FAA Just Proposed New Rules For Commercial Drone Use.

Washington, DC--The FAA finally came out with a proposed rule for commercial drone use.  They were far less draconian and created a somewhat reasonable approach to regulation than expected by most observers. 
The “FAA Guidelines for Model Aircraft” for non-commercial hobbyist fights will remain unchanged. 
The new rule would make Electronic Drone News Gathering possible in most situations.
The period of public comment must pass and after some tweaking the final rule will be established.  This could take up to three years.  By then the technology will change for the better and this will be liberalized somewhat.  
Below is the UAS (drone) Commercial Use Press Release for the Rule the FAA is sending out for public comment.
HIGHLIGHTS:
The FAA will require a minimal pilot UAS ground license testing requirement with recertification every two years.
No drone night flights.
No flying drones over the heads of people unless they are part of the shoot.
Drones must stay under 500 ft. maximum flight altitude.
Drones must yield to all manned aircraft.
Drone is not to exceed 55 lbs. in weight.
Maximum drone speed shall be 100 MPH.
Since public comment is required the news media clients must make their concerns known.  Because of the rapid loss of TV and Newspaper consumers and budgets drones are a salvation as helicopters are the single largest cost to TV stations. 
We can capture images without flying over the heads of people by shooting the scene from along side at a 45-degree angle.  That angle also provides for better images.  Remember the drone has the distinct advantage of flying at much lower altitudes than helicopters.
This is great news for TV and all news media organizations since they will be able to cover news from the air at a fraction of the cost of helicopters.
Until the rule becomes final commercial uses must still apply for waivers from the FAA.  I suspect that that procedure will become simplified considering the new proposed rules. 
Here is the FAA press Release:


Saturday, February 14, 2015

Liberals Need to Understand Why Millions of Americans are willing to Fight and Die to Preserve Their Gun Rights.

Washington, DC—In the seat of American political power, gun rights have been unlawfully compromised away by our politicians for more than four decades. 
The anti-gun rights attacks have almost exclusively come from the far political Left.  I see dark and nefarious motives here since the political Left detests self-reliance, liberty and freedom except for of course, abortion. 
The Left insists the Constitution needs to change with the political wind without that difficult amendment process.  The idea of the founding fathers had was to prevent our Capitalist form of government from being hijacked by those who would corrupt and destroy the system with a simple majority.
Frankly, many of our Presidents, Representatives and Senators are or have been Socialists, Communists and of course criminals.  Unfortunately most politicians have the desire to control, exploit and loot the property of others programed into their DNA.
Don’t let all those broad similes and firm handshakes fool you.  They carefully craft their images to that of offering benevolence to their constituents, but they are in this for themselves.  They all enter office as middle-class people and manage to leave or retire as multi-millionaires. 
Politicians hate running for reelection and they have conspired at every opportunity to rig the political process.  They invented extensive and complicated gerrymandering and campaign finance schemes they sold voters as necessary for “fair” elections.  Their only goal has been incumbent protection at all cost. 
Governments work better for the citizens when politicians are fighting among themselves.  When they all get along the red flag of corruption is waiving. 
Look out when a Conservative suddenly votes for excessive taxation or compromises our freedom away.  That is a sure sign that bribery or extortion is involved. 
Too many of our politicians would end elections in a flash if they had the power to do that.  They are afraid of the voters especially when they push extortionate taxation, over-regulation or curb our freedom.  They all fear revolution as a reality.
The Right to Keep and Bear Arms:
There has never been a despotic dictator in world history that did not order draconian weapon laws or ordered weapon confiscation.   Our founding fathers understood this and the necessity for an armed well-regulated population to fight tyranny.
Our politicians created our formal police agencies during the mid-nineteenth century.  Unfortunately the cops were not there to protect anything but the corrupt politicians, their business operations and wealth.
Police officers were strictly hired on the patronage system and were too often used exclusively to victimize their sponsor’s political opposition.   Cops became the bagmen for politicians, extorting from businesses legal and otherwise. 
To legitimize the cops they had to be given an active role in public safety.  In the large urban areas citizens were told to abdicate their responsibilities of defending themselves and families to these “much better qualified” armed government strangers wearing uniforms. 
Americans were told never to take the law into their own hands but to let the cops handle public safety.  Police professionalized their image and training however when responding to urban violence they still have a huge disadvantage.  They can’t tell the criminals from the good guys unlike you and your family members.
That failed and pathetic, “leave it to the authorities” mindset was never so evident, then when a group of skinny Islamic hijackers took over four passenger jets on September 11, 2001. 
When cops respond to calls involving life-threatening violence they still have a tendency to take the losing injured parties to the hospital while arresting the uninjured winners.  The cops are not clairvoyant and we have thousands of wrongful convictions to make this fact abundantly clear.
Our law enforcement system is way over-rated by films and television.  The fact is they only arrive after the crimes have occurred just in time to clean up the mess.  Then they conduct an investigation but again they are forced to guess what the truth may be. 
The only way to insure actual protection for you and your family is through aggressive and positive self-help.  Weapons, training in their use along with the law and liability of the justifiable use of deadly force are your only option for survival. 
That brings us to the National Rifle Association and Second Amendment Foundation.  They are supported by millions of members just like me.  The gun manufactures and dealers have their own National Shooting Sports Foundation to service their political needs.
The NRA’s millions of dues paying members simply demand that our interests and gun rights be zealously and uncompromisingly protected. 
Some on the political Left will suggest to follow the NRA money like there is something evil going on.  The fact is the NRA members and their sympathizers care much more about their safety and liberty than money.  Without liberty money is meaningless.  Our money is far better spent on lobbying for and supporting politicians that protect our rights.
Gun ownership has never been higher in the USA and the crime rate has been steadily declining.   
Since the Supreme Court landmark Heller and McDonald cases, gun laws have been struck down and repealed nearly everywhere. The sky has not fallen. The fact is we are safer than ever.  The guns our in our hands are far more effective than some 911 operator on the phone.  
American gun owners will never again tolerate a Waco or Ruby Ridge holocaust conducted by bucket helmeted, jackboot wearing government thugs.  
The Supreme Court has reaffirmed our rights and those politicians that foolishly try to violate our rights will do so at their peril. Americans have always shown their willingness to shed blood for precious liberty.


Friday, February 13, 2015

Drone Disaster--The DJI Inspire 1 Marketing Rollout Nightmare

San Francisco, CA—The camera drone industry is growing at breakneck speed.  Engineers especially in China are competing to make most reliable, safest, and easiest to operate drones.
DJI is the undisputed leader of the pack.  They put out the wildly successful Phantom and Phantom 2 consumer models multi-rotor drones.
They either use the great little GoPro Cameras or their own built in offering.  DJI should stick to drone making and there is now evidence that they are partnering up with Panasonic and at least one other company to make photography history.
I’m beyond delighted with my Phantom 2 and GoPro unit.  I learned how to fly it through the generosity and kindness of an American Airlines pilot pal along with my drone hobby shop proprietor Sergio of PiroflipRC in Van Nuys, CA. 
There is a learning curve and the drone engineers are not writers but still must write the instruction manuals nonetheless.  When you add in a Chinese to English translation, things tend to become, lost or scrambled.
Thankfully there are lots of helpful YouTube tutorials to watch but there is still nothing like an experienced pilot personally guiding you through your flight checklist.  The excitement of having that drone too often causes the new owner to rush out and fly alone rather than wait for some assistance.   The results are often needless crashes and broken parts. 
When a brand new drone model hits the streets there are often a few bugs waiting to be discovered and corrected.  There are complicated software and hardware issues that must undergo beta testing.  The competition to get any new model out robs the makers of sufficient time to discover problems.
It was just a few months ago when DJI and the Public Relations people unveiled the all new Inspire 1 at Treasure Island to an invited group of dronie VIPs. 
DJI hired two terrific photographer pilots to make epic demonstration  films.  One was in Germany and the other in Southern California.  The films were incredible eye candy or what I like to call drone porn to drool over.
The California pilot photographer was so rightly proud of his work he put it up on YouTube days before the planned Inspire 1 unveiling.  That mistake in judgment cost that pilot dearly. 
There was another noticeable problem in that the Inspire 1 camera and gimbal.  It could be seen visibly shaking from vibrations during flight.  That seemed simple enough to fix but it was a definite turn off for many potential buyers.
There was yet another issue with the camera using European 4K rather than the USA version.  Frankly they should offer a new modular gimbal for the superior GoPro cameras.  Also most drone owners already have them anyway and they should not be forced to buy an arguably second rate camera they don’t want or need. 
The Inspire 1 is a dream machine in every other respect.  It returns to the controller rather than the take off location allowing it to be operated from a moving boat or vehicle.  Its parts positioning prevents the propellers or landing gear from ever being in the camera shot.  Unlike the Phantoms the Phantom 1 can fly indoors safely without GPS.
The Inspire 1 allows for using two operators,  one for the device and the other for the camera.  It’s well worth the additional $1,500 over the Phantom 2.
DJI decided to simply hand out their new Inspire1 to bloggers like me.   Well not exactly, because sadly, I did not get one.  DJI needed some good reviews published by the unveiling date. 
When you send out a product for review you must be prepared for anything.  One lucky recipient reviewer had the Inspire lift off from his driveway and then as luck would have it, it crashed right into his garage door.
DJI quickly took responsibility saying the problem was fixed by a firmware update.  Whatever the reason was, that YouTube video was really rude and cost DJI a bundle after getting 650K viewing hits. 
DJI has not been normally been brave enough to eat the financial losses of crashed or lost drones and there is no insurance for consumers. The risk of a sudden $3000 plus loss can be a frightening and real possibility.
My personal strategy is to wait a few months and let others go through the experimental difficulties with the new products so I can suffer less pain.  Of course these Inspires were provided by DJI.
I’d say the DJI leadership and marketing people learned a hard lesson.  Perhaps that photographer that jumped the gun deserves a second chance?   Who knows more then he does now to never release the client’s video until its time? 
Next time DJI should let me get the product and write the review. 
Let me say again that my DJI Phantom 2 is an incredible part of my growing multi-rotor camera air force.  I also want their S100O to use with a Panasonic GH4 and a live broadcast quality transmitter for TV news or streaming video broadcasts.
Then, I want a spare S1000 incase the other needs servicing for whatever reason. 
DJI must hire lobbyists and lawyers to fight off FAA and legislative tyranny.  I know how to lobby the various legislative bodies effectively and would want to take that assignment on if I ever had a chance to do that.
In the meantime, the drone competition is red hot and DJI has the lead, but for how long? 
Sit back and watch a brand spanking new DJI Inspire 1 attack a perfectly good garage door!