Paul;
Please accept my compliments for your having publicly taken a stand on this critical issue. I wasn't listening when the blow up happened and I have been too embarrassed to inquire about Jeff's feelings ever since, although he is certainly very important to me.
My first encounter with Jeff occurred in 2002, following an encounter I had with a big black triangular UFO, here in North Little Rock, Arkansas, on Christmas, 2001. Jeff, you would agree, takes big leap of faith to cover some of this material in the first place. Despite the fact that I hate the sound of my own voice, and that I have no propensity for public speaking, He was delighted to lead me through our first interview, and I did not pass-out, despite severe stage fright. Later, Jeff's subtle innuendo over my (ahhem) 'chain-smoking' during that show caused me to quit smoking, without so much as a single relapse or a moment's thought about the real importance of my decisions, in this case simply to live more responsibly.
Alex Jones, by contrast, was, ( in 1996,) nothing short of a complete jerk, despite the fact that I approached him with considerable praise, overjoyed at the prospect of meeting someone who I thought really cared about where our lives in America had been leading. Just two nights before, I had first seen Alex's show on Austin's public access TV. Delighted with his no-holes-barred , 'both parties are corrupt' politics, I spent the following day asking my work mates, and our employer, how they felt about the guy's take on local politics. Everyone, without exception, hated Alex Jones. Mostly, they just didn't like his reputation. My boss, Doug Smith, (well known TV systems engineer) said he would avoid the guy and that I probably should not mention politics anymore at work. Further discussion was not forthcoming. Note, our income depended on our 'network neutrality!'
What was said was curious enough. Alex had just wrapped a shoot in front of a newly opened 'Fiesta Mart,' where he was editorializing about the rights of a Mexican Corporation to open such a large grocery-chain in central Austin. After watching him in action, and waiting considerately, (around 18 minutes,) to approach him, I said I just wanted to say hello. He said, "you are allowed to say hello, -anything else?" And, I replied, "Yes, I am a community producer from Denver and we've come to Austin to build a digital TV suite. I really liked seeing your show for the first time!" Alex replied, then you understand that I am a busy man and I can't be stopping to answer a lot of questions. If you are a 'certified' community producer, then where's your video camera? Can't you see we are right in the middle of a shoot?" (His assistants looked at him a little shocked as they went on packing away their camera gear.) - "It's OK, we'll talk later," I said, wondering why anyone would choose to spend the summers 'frying their brains' in South Texas?
Around two months after 9/11, I composed a major story about my involvement in the taking down of the World Trade Center. Had anyone in the (sic) 9/11 community remotely considered the importance of 'long-range' planning--where it comes to mega-structures, they might understand why 'tearing one down' could be a daunting process. Imagine, just for example, the trouble it might be to 'replace' the Golden Gate Bridge? Would this take a year, or more? Would they not simply use a mini-nuke at each of the fulcrum points?
The story I eventually told at Rense, was much stranger than fiction. Having my apartment and subsequent residences 'searched' for traces of my involvement in NYC, having been 'shadowed' from coast to coast, by former [*unpublished*] photographers from Denver, Jim Chestnut and Kurt Sonnenfeld, I was both scared to death, and subsequently emboldened to speak out about the facts behind the WTC demolition.
Alex Jones, who's office people previously signed for my 'registered dossier,' refused to acknowledge having received it. He subsequently lied about it again, and tried to make a fool of me each of the three occasions I phoned to discuss it on air. This was, I felt, a tragic oversight. Not long after that, one of the DJ's who had phoned me to find out more, was killed on his motorcycle in Phoenix. Then, Hunter, (--rather, 'Gonzo,' or 'wolfie,' as we called him at the lab in Denver,) somehow... 'committed suicide?' My story was (and still is) much hotter than any 'to do' over these 'patsys,' like Mohammed Atta. Mind you, I deeply admire our friend in Florida, at Mad Cow Productions. He is a consummate professional of exceedingly high character, someone I would have to say truly deserves the attention that Hunter S. Thompson received, just for brandishing his seemingly careless lifestyle. Sadly, though, that attitude mirrored the deplorable condition of his property at Wolf Creek pass, which partially explains why his emotional 'stability' was easily written off by an uncaring local/international Press.
Supporting Jeff Rense, is, for me, a no-brainer. I'll even up the stakes and remind you that he's 'loyal,' almost to a fault. We would ALL be remiss not to point out the tireless work that his partner James Neff has contributed all these years to the Rense.com website. ..Doubtless, there was a time or two when their "servers went down" and jeff considered ripping his (someone's) hair out!
In closing, let me add that I appreciate the things you write as well. 'Brevity,' (I'm sad to say,) isn't my strong point, but it certainly works well for you.
Keep up the good work, and thanks for speaking out!
Tom-Scott Gordon,
prior photographer, Emery Roth Associates, AIA, NYC, circa 1989.