tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post1570622355062181170..comments2023-11-27T02:17:22.859-06:00Comments on The LawDog Files: Professor LawDog's School of Mayhem and SurvivalLawDoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05232684877582591461noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-13999229218523667412018-06-03T12:48:56.037-05:002018-06-03T12:48:56.037-05:00Hey Prof,
Good idea on press creds. Many people...Hey Prof,<br /> Good idea on press creds. Many people seem to forget that Benjamin Franklin's "press creds" were simply "I'm an American citizen observing life and relaying my thoughts about what I see". However, there may be situations *today* where a badge that says "Press" will short-circuit someone's "You can't do that" response and default to deference to implied authority.<br /> I note that the "Constitution First Amendment Press Association" (cfapa.org) has downloadable templates for press creds in .pdf form.<br /> I'm not associated with this site/organization, I simply point it out as a potentially useful thing to know.<br /> The site says they charge no fees for membership and keep no records of membership--indeed, I can find no place on the site to even register yourself as a member. Apparently, membership is in spirit only as expressed by your willingness to click on the "I agree" (to their pledge) and "I accept" (the terms and conditions) links and use their templates. Again, this seems much in the tradition of Freedom of the Press in Benjamin Franklin's day.<br /> The CFAPA "Pledge" is basically a set of ideals to strive for. No one--<i>no one</i>--can meet all these ideals all the time, so I take it as the heroic archetype that one tries to emulate.<br /> The CFAPA "Terms and Conditions" are written in polite legalese understandable to anyone of average intelligence. IANAL, but the gist seems to be "Don't be a dick" and "If you <i>do</i> act dickish, you can't hold <i>us</i> accountable for you being a dick."<br /> -- ScrewtapeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-60142141164990018942018-04-21T00:57:10.502-05:002018-04-21T00:57:10.502-05:00For God’s sake, NEVER use the term “freelance.”
Th...For God’s sake, NEVER use the term “freelance.”<br />That’s like broadcasting “I’m at best a total yokel wanna-be, more likely a narc,” And it’ll get you hurt, or worse.<br />It’s a term that was already obsolete in the 1970’s so your best tactic remains, “Get The F*** Out Of There!”<br />You can do no good in a situation where the irrational rule but yet you risk becoming a casualty.<br />Go home.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-78492321040524506052018-04-11T10:07:56.743-05:002018-04-11T10:07:56.743-05:00Oooh.Oooh.LawDoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05232684877582591461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-65714897485122385672018-04-10T00:29:48.146-05:002018-04-10T00:29:48.146-05:00Hmmm...
If your garb (or accessories) happens to h...Hmmm...<br />If your garb (or accessories) happens to have velcro: <a href="http://www.skdtac.com/E9-3M-Reflective-Press-Patch-p/ech.157.htm" rel="nofollow">E9 3M Reflective Press Patch</a>Dranghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08082177597135236652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-74859086903464894942018-04-05T18:50:58.048-05:002018-04-05T18:50:58.048-05:00Off to get some passport photos taken. God bless ...Off to get some passport photos taken. God bless desk top publishing and sneaking friends.<br /><br /> I've gotten into more than one concert by wearing a hardhat, old vest and carrying a Fluke DMM. "Do you have any idea how many amps you're pulling?!?" got me past many a roadie and guys wearing a black "security" tees. The sound tech won't fall for that.<br /> Have an old ID case from my LE days. A dummied up photo ID on one side and a fancy logo on the other and I've walked into at least 3 areas I had no business in. But damn ... I got some great photos!Stretchnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-51742518929787385652018-04-04T20:06:12.000-05:002018-04-04T20:06:12.000-05:00Kelly B: Hence, my aircraft carrier bridge comment...Kelly B: Hence, my aircraft carrier bridge comment.Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09800106790176447938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-12660033818283474152018-04-04T10:34:20.804-05:002018-04-04T10:34:20.804-05:00Carry a clipboard and walk with intent, mid level ...Carry a clipboard and walk with intent, mid level military nco's have been using this scam for many years.Kelly Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-28643600972901499982018-04-03T14:47:43.775-05:002018-04-03T14:47:43.775-05:00Carl Kolchak, Night Stalker, was a TV hero of mine...Carl Kolchak, Night Stalker, was a TV hero of mine, long ago. <br />Thanks for the memories of sewer beasts, lycanthropes in the big city, and undead horrors stalking the countryside, without a government conspiracy covering up the aliens or a parallel world inhabited by glittery teen vampires.mikeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17875483485290838207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-75374581215227972722018-04-02T20:53:51.599-05:002018-04-02T20:53:51.599-05:00A US Navy hard hat and clipbooard let me wander ar...A US Navy hard hat and clipbooard let me wander around the bridge of an aircraft carrier at a time when I had no business being there.<br />Nowadays I have my own thick aluminum clipboard and my hard hat is somewhere around here...Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09800106790176447938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-86514202747164938862018-04-01T23:01:49.262-05:002018-04-01T23:01:49.262-05:00That "power corrupts" is the exact reaso...That "power corrupts" is the exact reason you don't allow your opponents to monopolize it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04859870179763026330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-84167529516983006132018-04-01T22:18:55.575-05:002018-04-01T22:18:55.575-05:00Brilliant piece, amigo! I confess to attending a p...Brilliant piece, amigo! I confess to attending a paid-only event (once, only) with my large orange "media" badge around my neck. No one, and I mean NO ONE, gave me a second look. Being that power corrupts, I have not repeated the experience, but... confession time. I've been tempted!ScribblersDadnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-76392361769031321672018-03-31T08:58:45.019-05:002018-03-31T08:58:45.019-05:00Enjoyed the "Gardai" reference... or was...Enjoyed the "Gardai" reference... or was I the only one to get that? :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04859870179763026330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-67999528855196681152018-03-30T19:42:11.851-05:002018-03-30T19:42:11.851-05:00Good points all!Good points all!Old NFOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16404197287935017147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-57636488381902031182018-03-30T15:37:44.115-05:002018-03-30T15:37:44.115-05:00Oh, and like websites, a small quantity of busines...Oh, and like websites, a small quantity of business cards carry a <i>bona fide</i> weight far beyond their actual price, as countless episodes of <i>The Rockford Files</i>, and more than a few personal experiences have confirmed.<br /><br />This is the point where a nickname in lieu of your actual first name is handy for ID'ing you without *ID*ing you, providing you don't go with something like "Tater Salad". I hear "Junior" and "Tiny" are the rage thereabouts, but once again, When In Rome...Aesophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07834464741531503378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-6618991247093389132018-03-30T15:33:36.935-05:002018-03-30T15:33:36.935-05:00Genius.
I note, purely for informational purposes...Genius.<br /><br />I note, purely for informational purposes, that the brick and mortar Barnes & Noble hereabouts sells the Offishul "Reporter's notebook", the long, tall skinny type, for about $10, just the size to fit in a glovebox.<br /><br />Next to my freelance press pass.<br />And a cheap but serviceable handheld miniature voice recorder.<br />And a 50¢ pen.<br /><br />I already keep a similar cheap but serviceable digital camera there, for the random traffic collision I might be invited to.<br /><br />"<i>In nomine Sanctus Deus Busybody, I proclaim you are heretofore and henceforth a member of the Holy Order of Journalistic Scribes. Amen.</i><br /><br />I also note that the agency frequently referred to as "Christians In Action", has - and had - a long and distinguished history of not covering their employees as agents of legitimate <i>American</i> press, like ABCNNBCBS.<br />Making up spurious American agencies, either on spur-of-the-moment, or by adequately backstopping the ruse, or posing as Canadian/Anglosphere/foreign press agents was still considered well within the bounds of Marquis of Queensbury Rules.<br />>cough< I hear.<br /><br />I note further that websites are cheaply obtained, and easily checked in the field, yet may be enough to pass a cursory check, in the moment, if they are included on the back of your creds.<br /><br />Sincere thanks for the reminder.<br /><br />P.S. When making your credentials, don't forget that WalMart and Le Boutique Targét both sell the ultimate blessing of the Goddess Busybody for same, the sealable laminate coating, in the stationary and office supplies aisle.<br /><br />P.P.S.: For those going the clipboard and hardhat route, an old thermos, and a well-battered orange hi-vis vest that has been stored under your greasy jack after you wore it for cattle roping or being dragged behind a car is the <i>sine qua non</i> of the effect. Whereas a pristine one still bearing store-bought creases screams "<i>poseur</i>". Aesophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07834464741531503378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-84836402303879263352018-03-30T14:32:34.629-05:002018-03-30T14:32:34.629-05:00Outstanding as always Mr Dog! Now... lets see what...Outstanding as always Mr Dog! Now... lets see what Bing has to say about Press Pass Template...Sabrecathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06646035385583202381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-23391392686730250082018-03-30T12:54:08.906-05:002018-03-30T12:54:08.906-05:00Excellent! I have found a Clipboard, Measuring Tap...Excellent! I have found a Clipboard, Measuring Tape and Clean White Hard Hat to be very handy also.KJRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16254074719219254441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-57448889666995788852018-03-30T10:35:58.339-05:002018-03-30T10:35:58.339-05:00My favorite pickup truck had a genuine press stick...My favorite pickup truck had a genuine press sticker on the windshield right where the new style New Hampshire inspection stickers go. Working for the local cat box liner as a photographer it was actually legit. (I've seen 'selective reporting' from the inside.) Our humble scribes idea is a good one. I shall be implementing it as soon as I'm at my computer on Monday. I might suggest improving its credibility by having it laminated at your local office supply store and getting a breakaway neck lanyard so it looks like part of your everyday kit. Scruff it up some too so it looks like it's been around a while.HerrBGonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09617037969539420284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-24045855162484777982018-03-30T09:17:20.986-05:002018-03-30T09:17:20.986-05:00At one time, there was probably some credibility w...At one time, there was probably some credibility with those with such passes. Today? It's more like a clown parade with an official Bozo certificate. Jesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15969361446367636746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-40402021728452162662018-03-30T08:58:04.917-05:002018-03-30T08:58:04.917-05:00Hmm...must add this to my growing bag of tricks. ...Hmm...must add this to my growing bag of tricks. Got a good one from G Ellifritz yesterday too. The bag trick.<br /><br />Thanks!Monkeywranglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06732066232389894763noreply@blogger.com