BruceSmith

If she would like to go to Ariel next year, I will gladly give her a personal escort.

I agree, Three-Seven-Seven. No sea voyages with Captain Bobby. I get sea sick, too. (I'm so delicate...) Camping used to be a big part of my life. Monthy camp-outs with my beloved Troop 166 in NY at Camp Wauwepex was my life-saver as a lad. Without it, I might have ended up in the back wards of a state "facility." In fact, I still wear my Philmont Scout Ranch belt every day. As for JT, whatever happened to that boy? He was going to organize a Washougal trek, and I signed up for it!

Let me get this straight, Bobby. You want me to go camping with you, a guy who has almost died TWICE in the wilds, according to your accounts here, (which I loved reading about). The last time was a doozy - spending a month in the Cascadian boonies in the snow, and surviving on a dozen cocoa packets, or some such. Did Jo put you up to this? Or are you trying to slim down Paul's coward list???? (smile).

Well, at least my fate is better than that of Mike Scotto, the reporter from the cable news service, New York 1. During an interview with US Congressman Mike Grimm after the State of the Union speech in the US Captiol, Rep Grimm threatened to throw Scotto off the balcomy. And Grimm is a former FBI agent, too. It's a good thing I'm fat. I'd be hard to lift and throw anywhere. Where are those Mallowmars????

You got that right, G! Smoke, whaddaya say????

I was a union stagehand for several years, and worked freelance in private production companies, too. Pushing 600-pound amps up 'dem ramps! In fact, my column "Stories from Backstage" was my first regular professional writing. Does that count?

Thank you for bringing my forgetfullness to my attention. Regarding the mis-identification, I thank you for the correction once the error was brought to your attention. I agree, it was done in a most timely manner. I understand how such mistakes occur and I trust your word that you had no ill intentions. I apologize if my treatment of your actions on these pages was a bit heavy handed. Please forgive. I will be more cognizant of your many courtesies in future postings. Speaking of which, could you help me out with making contact with Bill Mitchell? Perhaps you could let him know that I would like to speak with him and give him my contact information? Also, as happy as I am to correspond with you on the DZ, I would prefer having an email exchange - brucesmith AT rainierconnect DOT com. Thanks!

So, how's your search for Bill Mitchell coming along? Me, I'm slogging along.

My source who interviewed Bill Mitchell and claimed that KC is not the skyjacker, has told me that they do not wish to be revealed here, nor become part of this fractitious discussion. Hence, we will have to continue waiting for Bobby B to make contact with this very important witness. To those helping me find the correct Bill Mitchell, thank you and please know that I've begun to review the lists. Whew....so many Mitchells, so little time...where's the Tequila????

All of you writers, poets, screenwriters and associated wannabes plus you DB Cooper sleuths may find the following links interesting. I certainly did. The main article: http://www.latimes.com/opinion/opinion-la/la-ol-tarantino-sues-gawker-for-leaked-screenplay-20140127,0,6298957.story#axzz2rnr5ltvy A link to a discussion thread for full-fledged geeks/nerds where I found a link to the article: http://news.slashdot.org/story/14/01/28/220217/quentin-tarantino-vs-gawker-when-is-linking-illegal-for-journalists Enjoy and be careful; litigation is expensive. I have a few thoughts on this lawsuit, and if anyone would like to hear them in full, give me a call and I'll tell you. In the meantime, the heart of the issue is two-fold. One is writing about Quentin Tarantino and his actions or non-actions in developing a movie script. The second is the reporter's linkage in his story to a web site that is posting the manuscript in an unauthorized manner. My view is this: since QT is a public figure and half of Hollywood wants to know what he doing, the story is certainly newsworthy and appropriate to write. However, the reporter - and the editors and publishers - erred mightily in posting a link to the manuscript. Not cool. As obvious as this example may be - it cetainly is to me - there are comparable instances here in the writings of DB Cooper World. In particular, it is the publishing of photographs. Rarely does anyone cut and paste the text of what I write, but often my pix are snatched, as happened when the WSHM took two of my pix of Norman Hayden and his parachute from the Moutnain News. Getting permission to publish pix is a damned nuisance and only a few pubs do it. When they do, I am surprised and pleased that a few of us still adhere to high standards. There are a ton o' shots from the Cooper story that I would love to use, especially of the original story in Reno and the ground search; but I haven't because I haven't gotten permission. One problem is that major pubications use freelance photogs and getting ahold of them is near-impossible. Hence, even though a picture might be worth a thousand words, a good story well-told can be priceless.

He had not come right out and said it ... but I was just this { } close... a skosh more an I would have made it. The list is short. But those on it are of a rare breed! Matt Am I on it, Matt? I forget. I know you're on it, but I don't know why. I thought you were the most courageous person at Ariel because you walked over to the DB Cooper Memorabilia corner with GC ALL BY YOURSELF. Vicki was watching your back, I think, and made an intervention after awhile. But you took the first few steps by yourself, and bought his book. Cajones, I say. I'm on the list, yes. But I have no idea what the second paragraph you wrote is about, I wasn't there. That must be someone else. Matt That was me who went over and talked to GreyCop in Ariel. We're both "M"'s, so easy to confuse. I couldn't make sense of his story. Vicki came over after several minutes and told him they had copies of "Ha Ha Ha" for sale and he scampered right away. As near as I can tell, the way to get on GreyCop's cowards list is to refuse to call him and talk about the case. I bought a copy of his book to give him a fair chance. But, it seems like me, Bruce and Matt are the permanent three members of that list. Oops. Yup, I mixed my "M's."

Three-Seven-Seven, I think you've been reading too much Tom Clancy. I'm getting worried about you, unless you're working on a movie deal, then count me in.

I have never taken any photographs of Tina. That distortion needs to be corrected. Yes, I did post pictures of Tina on the Mountain News that Galen took. Remember, I consider Tina to be a near-celebrity and a quasi-public figure. Besides being the primary witness to the Cooper skyjacking she has also been a major figure in multiple books and has been interviewed by numerous media outlets, with her video interviews still on YouTube. Tina Mucklow generates enormous public interest, as attested by the 40,000 hits her pix attracted on the Mountain News in one day.

Galen did not tell me that KC died of Karposi Sarcoma, I know that the comment was attributed to me and Galen, but that's not what happened. We were involved in an on-going conversation about KC on a variety of topics as I was looking for Skippy in NYC, and a third party (at least) got involved and the story developed from there. I truly wish you would develop a greater level of discernment about who says what and the circumstances in which the information is shared.

'Your understanding' how exactly? You should provide a source. Otherwise it's just YOU saying it. Yup, you are correct. I will have to ask my source if he is wiilling to go on the record here. Stay tuned. But your comments beg the question - how come you haven't shown a pix of KC to Billy? Me, I've been trying but getting no where fast.

We seem to be talking a bit about Bill Mitchell these days. So, here's a wrap-up on my efforts to talk to this important witness. 1. Geoffrey Gray gave me a lead to Mitchell a few months back, and when I got the number and spoke to the Bill Mitchell who answered he said he was not the guy on 305. His voice sounded younger than the 62 years-old that the correct Bill Mitchell is these days. 2. Vicki Wilson and I scoured the Internet and phone books for hours looking for Bill Mitchells in the Puget Sound area. There are dozens of them. We called a bunch of likely prospects and couldn't find the right guy. 3. Vicki and I had heard that our Bill Mitchell lived in the Auburn area, so we went up there and started asking around at Starbucks if anyone knew the Bill Mitchell who was a passenger on 305 and had grown up in Auburn and had gone to school there. We had lots of great conversations with folks, but didn't get any connections to our guy. 4. Galen has the contact information for the witness and has interviewed him at length. However, Galen says that he wants to hang onto his information for proprietary reasons and add substance to his book. I respect that request. 5. The WSHM has steadfastly refused to tell me how to get in touch with Mitchell or to tell him that I am trying to make contact. They are pretty stuffy about it, which is surprising since I didn't make a stink when they stole my pix and put them in their exhibit, and I also was the conduit that put Robb Heady on their stage for the symposium, which I believe was widely considered to be the highlight of the gathering. That said, I am grateful to the WSHM for their contributions here, and more importantly they put on a good exhibit for the public and have developed a superb archive of Norjak information. It is my understanding that Bill Mitchell has not seen a pix of Mel Wilson, but has seen one of Kenny Christiansen and has stated that KC is defintely not the skyjacker. Don't know about Duane Weber, but Mrs. Cooper might be able to tell us what Billy Boy told her about her hubby. I'd be surprised if Galen hasn't shown Mitchell a pix of Gossett, but I have no idea what the outcome of that event has been.

He had not come right out and said it ... but I was just this { } close... a skosh more an I would have made it. The list is short. But those on it are of a rare breed! Matt Am I on it, Matt? I forget. I know you're on it, but I don't know why. I thought you were the most courageous person at Ariel because you walked over to the DB Cooper Memorabilia corner with GC ALL BY YOURSELF. Vicki was watching your back, I think, and made an intervention after awhile. But you took the first few steps by yourself, and bought his book. Cajones, I say.

Glad to hear everything went well with the WSHM, Three-Seven-Seven. My relationship with them has been uneven, but they have provided us with unique information on the case. I'm pleased that you helped them with their exhibit. Good on you, mate.

You're welcome Bruce. Your post looks remarkably coherent for someone who is kicking back with a bottle of Tequila. You must be just sipping not drinking. GreyCop's publication of G's personal info was way out of line. I won't be putting him on my clemency docket. GreyCop Paul was a puzzle. Almost seemed like someone pretending to be crazy. Anyhow, his mission was completed. He solved the case. Wrote a book. Next stop Hollywood. 377 Yup, a sipper. My last wife used to complain about it. She thought I was a wuss, and she clearly wasn't. After my divorce I began to give serious consideration to arranged marriages, or at least hiring a yenta. The hell with pre-nups; I need a pre-courtship screening. Yeah, Paul was a strange lad. Via con Dios, GC Glad he solved the case. I heard it was some guy named Kenny. Whaddaya think? Kind of cozy here on the DZ, late at night. No screaming and ALL CAPS and other blasts from the Sunshine State, if you catch my drift. Just you, me, Bobby B and Amazon - the Pacific Time Zone crew. Well, I gotta a sink full of dishes and they won't get clean if I keep tapping away here. 'Night.

I've seen worse here Jo. This is a dive bar. Shutting it down and opening a new one won't turn it into a high class cocktail lounge. 377 Ahhhh, it's so good to have friends in low places, Three-Seven-Seven. You kickin' back? Me, I'm sipping cheap Tequila and feeling pretty good. Cholesterol is 177, too, my doc tells me. He just emailed. What the hell is my doc doing talking to patients at 10:42 pm? Maybe it's just the wonders of Obamacare, which just signed me up. Hence, I have a doc, and got some blood work, too. Thank you, American Taxpayers. Please keep working and paying taxes. I truly appreciate it.

Holy crap, folks, after all these years Mr. Blevins and I agree on something!! Having a root canal is more fun than deciphering a post by our resident cop. See! I've been telling you folks for years that you can't trust the cops!! Thank Gawd I'm finally getting some respect around here. Whew.

Regarding the recent sharings from the WSHM, they have provided the passenger manifest from NWO. It jives completely with the list published by the Seattle Times and presented by Carol Abracadabra in 2011 at the Portland symposium. However, some questions still remain. To whit: There are three McPhersons listed: 1. Bill McPherson 2. Scott McPherson 3. S. McPherson (son) Are Scott McPherson and S. McPherson the same person or two individuals with the same initial? Also, the manifest lists a Mr. Kloepfer, but not a Mrs. Kloepfer. Yet, Geoff's book suggests that the couple were on board together. Lastly, a Michael Cooper is listed. Is this our Danny Boy, or is it just a co-incidence to have another Cooper on board? Can you help us, WSHM Curator?

[Modified to make the cited collection clickable.] Thank you WSHM. Wonderful tidbits - 1. Av gas was 11 cents a gallon. Total bill to refuel DB Cooper in Sea-Tac was $116.27. 2. 305 flew back to Sea-Tac on Thanksgiving Day "with crew," presumably Tina, Bill, Scotty and Andy, who went home to MSP via Flight 70. (see note). 3. The official designation for the aircraft was "Ship 467." 4. Memo from George E Harrison to JA Rigby, Director of NWO flight services, confirms that Norm owned the back parachutes and they went sent to NWO Air Freight Services, as directed by Harrison. 5. The mail onboard 305 was delivered to the Reno PO. 6. The damage to the aft stairs was listed as "minor." 7. J. Earl Milnes was the agent in charge of the FBI crew at Sea-Tac, and worked directly with George Harrison. 8. Passengers came back to Sea-Tac to get their luggage. Note: Lee Dormuth told me that he and Jane flew to Reno directly from San Diego as soon as 305 landed there, and they met with Tina. I assume that she spent the night with her sister and BIL in Reno.

So, I gather that there is no one to independently corroborate your claim that Duane is a legitimate suspect. Thank you.

Thanks! By the way, since you've read my book, along with the rest of the AB staff, what do you think of my treatment of Tina? As for "trashing" Tina, why would I do that? I have profound sympathy for the woman. I believe she is the victim of multiple crimes, and I salute her stellar work aboard 305. I share Bill Rataczak's view that she saved a lot of lives that evening. You?