I got an interesting call on Friday from the TV show Inside Edition. One of their research or other staff members called me to see if I would like to appear on camera to discuss a quote by me that appeared in a People Magazine's book(I didn't know they had them). I was surprised as I didn't know I had been quoted; I think I know the genesis of it but hadn't seen anything in the immediate aftermath in any of the People Mag issues and specials. What happened is that a day or two after the accident, I had a voice message from a friend who works for People and who is a paddler. He asked if I had ever paddled with JFK Jr. or could say anything about his paddling. I returned my friend's call, got his voice mailbox and told him that I had not paddled with JFK Jr. but did see him paddle on several occasions and from my observations I felt that Kennedy's approach to paddling was "on the casual side." I think I mentioned my reasons (lack of wearing a PFD, no cold-water clothing etc.) but I was quite shaken by the man's death in what I felt was so avoidable a loss and waste of life, so am uncertain of all that I said. I frankly thought that my remark, which went counter to all the hype about the man, would put my friend off and my remark would not get in as they would likely do a tender piece on JFK Jr. Indeed, a lot of the stuff about his paddling that came out in mags and TV later had him being a careful person, albeit the photos of him PFD-less belie that tag of carefulness. So I was surprised to hear I did get quoted afterall. I turned down the request for a on-camera interview for several reasons: 1. The article said that I was an acquaintance of JFK Jr, which I certainly was not. I had seen him a few times, said hello while giving him his private space as we all did at the Downtown Boathouse where he kept his kayaks. I had only really talked with him once, at length, a month or two before his death, and only because _he_ had approached me since I had been pointed out as knowing something about folding kayaks and he wanted info on some models. So I could never with a straight face say I was an acquaintance. 2. I really don't want to speak ill of the dead and I am afraid it would come across as that in such a forum. When we discussed the Kennedy paddling approach here on our paddling forums, I felt that this was a sophisticated enough audience with a discerning mindset to be able to speak frankly and constructively about the subject and keep it in context. I think in a wider audience for a TV program that has a somewhat sensationalist slant (I think all the TV news magazines have this flaw to one degree or another) anything I said would come over differently, even tacky. In my comments to my friend's voice mailbox, I had chosen my words with deliberation saying Kennedy's approach was "casual." In retrospect, I guess I would also have been comfortable saying it was an "imprudent" approach to kayaking. And it still rankles me that photos of him in articles and TV specials that show him kayaking depict him not wearing a PFD; they really give the wrong message about this life pursuit we all cherish. If I thought any good would come of such an TV appearance, I would have gone ahead but I just didn't feel that way. Any comments? ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
|If I thought any good would come of such an TV appearance, I would have |gone ahead but I just didn't feel that way. Any comments? |ralph diaz You did the right thing for the right reasons. Later... Dan *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I think your reaction is wise. The lack of depth of coverage that all the "mags" provide just makes misunderstandings gospel. I rarely watch them and when I do I am almost overwhelmingly aware, from first hand experience, that they are at best incomplete and at worst knowingly false. I've been involved with some of the topics they have covered and I have known that what they have said is 100% wrong. I also KNOW they have been told so BEFORE air time. Every topic they have covered that I have known in depth I have been at least disappointed in. I know there are time limits but truth limits? The bias that they bring to the coverage is what they appear to want to prove rather than the real story. If you get involved you really have no control over how they edit your piece. The way they can turn a positive statement into anything from stupid to the reverse of the intention is appalling. If they want to prove that he could do no wrong/right they will use whatever they can get their hands on and manipulate it to prove their theory. I really don't know how many people who see the pictures of him without a pfd on will even notice it. It is like the settles in a car. Should he have been wearing it, sure. Would your participation help/hurt kayaking? Maybe, maybe not. Is the risk too high? Obviously, I think so and that you made the right choice personally and as a kayaking personality. Would they address kayaking? I'd guess not really, only his kayaking and the ones who have been on so far talk about how extremely careful he was. This is were it hurts. It is just like a Seattle that isn't worn, unuseful, not safe. Would they air a statement like that? Who knows. It depends on the bias of the piece. Joan Spinner rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com wrote: > > 2. I really don't want to speak ill of the dead and I am afraid it > would come across as that in such a forum. When we discussed the > Kennedy paddling approach here on our paddling forums, I felt that this > was a sophisticated enough audience with a discerning mindset to be able > to speak frankly and constructively about the subject and keep it in > context. I think in a wider audience for a TV program that has a > somewhat sensationalist slant (I think all the TV news magazines have > this flaw to one degree or another) anything I said would come over > differently, even tacky. In my comments to my friend's voice mailbox, I > had chosen my words with deliberation saying Kennedy's approach was > "casual." In retrospect, I guess I would also have been comfortable > saying it was an "imprudent" approach to kayaking. And it still rankles > me that photos of him in articles and TV specials that show him kayaking > depict him not wearing a PFD; they really give the wrong message about > this life pursuit we all cherish. > > If I thought any good would come of such an TV appearance, I would have > gone ahead but I just didn't feel that way. Any comments? > > ralph diaz > -- > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- > Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter > PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 > Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com > "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- > > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ > *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Sorry folks that is 'seat belt' in both nonsense places. I thought I hit the right button but apparently not <G> > It is like the settles in a car. . . . It is just like a Seattle that isn't > worn, that is a spell checker thing- Joan *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
You wouldnt by any chance be using voice dictation sofware? >. It is like the settles in a car. > It is just like a Seattle that isn't worn, unuseful, not safe. Professor Karl S. Coplan Pace Environmental Litigation Clinic, Inc. 78 North Broadway White Plains, N.Y. 10603 kcoplan_at_genesis.law.pace.edu (914) 422-4343 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Hi All - I think Ralph made the right call here. The producers can honestly say that fellow kayakers, myself included but certainly not all, noted with some concern that some aspects of kayaking safety didn't seem to register with JK. If they run into trouble, they can fall back on sourcing it to Ralph. It's certainly worth noting that Jim W. said that when packing away JK's boat, he noticed there was a PFD inside. I only know he didn't wear it or strap it to his deck on any of the occasions I saw him in person, or after his death on video or in photographs. His own accounts also show he didn't seem to know how to do rescues. Anyway, regardless of what his safety habits may have been, I'm glad that kayaking brought JK the privacy, adventure, and maybe solace, he needed. As a member of the DTBH he was a gentleman (writing a considerate letter once to resolve even a small argument, I've been told) and very friendly. And the greater sadness for me is that had he lived, he might have become our best advocate for preserving NYC's resurgent waterways environment. Erik *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Did he happen to have a background in rowing? Cheers, Richard Culpeper *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I paraphrase... "sunlight is the best disinfectant" Do it Ralph, I volunteer YOU to suffer from the truth - tell it like it is. I'm sure the Coast Guard will appreciate it... Andrew :) rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com wrote: > > I got an interesting call on Friday from the TV show Inside Edition. > One of their research or other staff members called me to see if I would > like to appear on camera to discuss a quote by me that appeared in a > People Magazine's book(I didn't know they had them). *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
From: Joan Spinner <JSpinner_at_agu.org> > > I think your reaction is wise. > The lack of depth of coverage that all the "mags" provide just makes > misunderstandings gospel. I rarely watch them and when I do I am almost > overwhelmingly aware, from first hand experience, that they are at best > incomplete and at worst knowingly false. <snip> I agree with Joan's statements and could not have said it better. I too have little faith or trust in the media and have often been disappointed (even amazed) in their reportings. It appears to me facts isn't the goal when it comes to the media and Inside Edition is no exception. I think you made the right call, Ralph. Jackie *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Dear Ralph, I think you could do a lot of good by giving an on-camera interview. I have observed you to be very careful with your words, as well as having a lot of important things to say. Just my 2 cents. BijiliE *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Ralph, I absolutely agree with your concerns. As you said, P'wise includes a "sophisticated" :) group of paddlers. Remember what happens when you open a can of worms!! Sandy Kramer *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Hi Ralph, I think you're definitely taking the high road on this one. Whenever there's a death or scandal involving a famous person, the media conduct an unseemly "race to the bottom" trying to find a new angle on the story. In their desperation they give fifteen minutes of fame to any moron with the most tenuous connection to the event: "Yup, I'm Harry Hayseed, the janitor at the airport where JFK left from on his last flight. I replaced the toliet paper in the cubicle that might have been the one where JFK took his last dump..." I remember about a year before his death, we had a disscussion about JKF's not wearing a lifevest and I made a crack at the time about "natural selection" in action, for which I was scolded off-line by one Paddlewiser. What an awful way to be semi-vindicated. Philip Torrens N49°16' W123°06' >From: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com >To: nyckayaker_at_envirolink.org, paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net >Subject: [Paddlewise] JFK, Jr. >Date: Mon, 04 Oct 1999 09:01:30 -0700 > >I got an interesting call on Friday from the TV show Inside Edition. >One of their research or other staff members called me to see if I would >like to appear on camera to discuss a quote by me that appeared in a >People Magazine's book(I didn't know they had them). big snip >I turned down the request for a on-camera interview for several reasons: > >1. The article said that I was an acquaintance of JFK Jr, which I >certainly was not. I had seen him a few times, said hello while giving >him his private space as we all did at the Downtown Boathouse where he >kept his kayaks. I had only really talked with him once, at length, a >month or two before his death, and only because _he_ had approached me >since I had been pointed out as knowing something about folding kayaks >and he wanted info on some models. So I could never with a straight >face say I was an acquaintance. > >2. I really don't want to speak ill of the dead and I am afraid it >would come across as that in such a forum. When we discussed the >Kennedy paddling approach here on our paddling forums, I felt that this >was a sophisticated enough audience with a discerning mindset to be able >to speak frankly and constructively about the subject and keep it in >context. I think in a wider audience for a TV program that has a >somewhat sensationalist slant (I think all the TV news magazines have >this flaw to one degree or another) anything I said would come over >differently, even tacky. In my comments to my friend's voice mailbox, I >had chosen my words with deliberation saying Kennedy's approach was >"casual." In retrospect, I guess I would also have been comfortable >saying it was an "imprudent" approach to kayaking. And it still rankles >me that photos of him in articles and TV specials that show him kayaking >depict him not wearing a PFD; they really give the wrong message about >this life pursuit we all cherish. > >If I thought any good would come of such an TV appearance, I would have >gone ahead but I just didn't feel that way. Any comments? > >ralph diaz *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
If the story was about kayaking safety and JFK was a small part of it, I would probably change my opinion. But the way it stands now, I believe you made the right decision considering all the different factors. Debbie Reeves Sandy Hook, NJ > ---------- > From: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com[SMTP:rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com] > > If I thought any good would come of such an TV appearance, I would have > gone ahead but I just didn't feel that way. Any comments? > > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Ralph, I think that it would have been OK for you to talk about JFK's approach to paddling on TV because it reaches so many people who would benefit by knowing that not wearing a PFD is a reckless act. But it is also OK that you decided not, too. That's your right and privilege. Tullia *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I agree with you - it would not have been productive. There is no reason to be forced to speak at any length, for an unselected audience, about the faults of someone who isn't around to learn from the discussion. And it's not likely that it would cause anyone who isn't already so inclined to change their habits. You couldn't come off well in this one. On Mon, 04 Oct 1999 09:01:30 -0700 rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com writes: > I got an interesting call on Friday from the TV show Inside Edition. > One of their research or other staff members called me to see if I > would > like to appear on camera to discuss a quote by me that appeared in a > People Magazine's book(I didn't know they had them). > > I was surprised as I didn't know I had been quoted; I think I know > the > genesis of it but hadn't seen anything in the immediate aftermath in > any > of the People Mag issues and specials. What happened is that a day > or > two after the accident, I had a voice message from a friend who > works > for People and who is a paddler. He asked if I had ever paddled > with > JFK Jr. or could say anything about his paddling. I returned my > friend's call, got his voice mailbox and told him that I had not > paddled > with JFK Jr. but did see him paddle on several occasions and from my > observations I felt that Kennedy's approach to paddling was "on the > casual side." I think I mentioned my reasons (lack of wearing a PFD, > no > cold-water clothing etc.) but I was quite shaken by the man's death > in > what I felt was so avoidable a loss and waste of life, so am > uncertain > of all that I said. > > I frankly thought that my remark, which went counter to all the hype > about the man, would put my friend off and my remark would not get > in as > they would likely do a tender piece on JFK Jr. Indeed, a lot of the > stuff about his paddling that came out in mags and TV later had him > being a careful person, albeit the photos of him PFD-less belie that > tag > of carefulness. > > So I was surprised to hear I did get quoted afterall. > > I turned down the request for a on-camera interview for several > reasons: > > 1. The article said that I was an acquaintance of JFK Jr, which I > certainly was not. I had seen him a few times, said hello while > giving > him his private space as we all did at the Downtown Boathouse where > he > kept his kayaks. I had only really talked with him once, at length, > a > month or two before his death, and only because _he_ had approached > me > since I had been pointed out as knowing something about folding > kayaks > and he wanted info on some models. So I could never with a straight > face say I was an acquaintance. > > 2. I really don't want to speak ill of the dead and I am afraid it > would come across as that in such a forum. When we discussed the > Kennedy paddling approach here on our paddling forums, I felt that > this > was a sophisticated enough audience with a discerning mindset to be > able > to speak frankly and constructively about the subject and keep it in > context. I think in a wider audience for a TV program that has a > somewhat sensationalist slant (I think all the TV news magazines > have > this flaw to one degree or another) anything I said would come over > differently, even tacky. In my comments to my friend's voice > mailbox, I > had chosen my words with deliberation saying Kennedy's approach was > "casual." In retrospect, I guess I would also have been comfortable > saying it was an "imprudent" approach to kayaking. And it still > rankles > me that photos of him in articles and TV specials that show him > kayaking > depict him not wearing a PFD; they really give the wrong message > about > this life pursuit we all cherish. > > If I thought any good would come of such an TV appearance, I would > have > gone ahead but I just didn't feel that way. Any comments? > > ralph diaz > -- > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- > Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter > PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 > Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com > "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- > ___________________________________________________________________ Get the Internet just the way you want it. Free software, free e-mail, and free Internet access for a month! Try Juno Web: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Here I find myself moving into the fray. This is certainly a multifaceted discussion. To grant an interview or not to, that is the question. BUT, the subject breeds others in its very context. To be casual, careless of even reckless? By not donning a PFD? In calm waters, on a summer day? By not wearing a wet/dry suit? By carrying a pump, floatation bags or paddle floats? Or a tow line? Or to have proper training -- and to what level? These questions have been discussed to the point of boredom. We all know the answers. The question is how much personal liberty do we grant others in risking their own necks? And what is the cost of this personal liberty to the rest of us? (Much like the motorcycle helmet laws.) The original question must be answered by the skeptic in me. I do not trust the media under (almost) any circumstances. To wit: "The article said that I was an acquaintance of JFK, Jr., which I certainly was not." But again, granting interviews is a personal choice... Ray *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
----- Original Message ----- From: <rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com> To: <nyckayaker_at_envirolink.org>; <paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net> Sent: Monday, October 04, 1999 9:01 AM Subject: [Paddlewise] JFK, Jr. > If I thought any good would come of such an TV appearance, I would have > gone ahead but I just didn't feel that way. Any comments? > > ralph diaz > -- Good choice. Having had some experience with "the media" (on a smaller scale) they will spin anything with out-takes and lead-ins to present what they want in the most sensational way possible. They can make the subject look foolish and use you to help if that's what they want. Or they can show photos of Olymic kayakers and girls rowing teams (sans-PFDs) to make you look foolish. Worse yet, they could make the Downtown Boathouse look any way they want. And they don't attract viewers by making anyone look good. Bob *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
>> If I thought any good would come of such an TV appearance, I would have >> gone ahead but I just didn't feel that way. Any comments? >> >> ralph diaz >> -- >Good choice. Having had some experience with "the media" (on a smaller >scale) they will spin anything with out-takes and lead-ins to present what >they want in the most sensational way possible. They can make the subject >look foolish and use you to help if that's what they want. Worse yet, they could make the Downtown Boathouse look any >way they want. And they don't attract viewers by making anyone look good. >Bob Ralph, I totally agree with what Bob stated above (key word sensationalize), been there myself ( on a much smaller scale also). Regarding your initial posting, you stated personal standards why did not want to be interviewed. I personally can only admire your ethics. Arthur http://homepages.gs.net/seacajun *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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