Numbers TV show is really CIA -NSA recruiting tool.

[Anonymous]

Its true the National Security Agency NSA which officaily did not realy exist untill the 70s (despite the fact that my Grandfather worked there) is short of staff and are getting so desprete that they have sponsered there own TV show to get young people intrested in mathamatics so they can get more college kids who would chose the CIA or NSA as a job.
Now If Union Pacific would do the same thing[:)] might help there worker shortage.

[Anonymous]

NSA in the production biz? Do they all sit in director chairs that say NSA on the backs, when they're on set? Do they also check all the bagels at craft services for mics each morning?

Dave
-DPD Productions - Home of the TrainTenna RR Monitoring Antenna-
http://eje.railfan.net/dpdp/

[Richard A]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Dunkirkeriestation

Its true the National Security Agency NSA which officaily did not realy exist untill the 70s (despite the fact that my Grandfather worked there) is short of staff and are getting so desprete that they have sponsered there own TV show to get young people intrested in mathamatics so they can get more college kids who would chose the CIA or NSA as a job..

Hey, I'm not going to dispute your theory. One conspiracy is as good as another these days. I'm just not making the connection you're making (as you've stated it). So if my son or daughter graduates from MIT (or wherever) with a PhD in mathmatics, they are more inclined to work for the CIA or NSA?

I'm sure you're trying to say that the CIA and NSA need a larger pool of qualified mathmaticians from which to hire. Producing/sponsoring/backing that TV show seems a far stretch to increase such a pool.

Just MHO........

BTW, I got a kick out of the "train" episode, too!

[BaltACD]

I have had a number of aquaintances that worked at NSA....my understanding is that there is a waiting list to work at Spook Central.

A club that I used to blong to held automotive contests on NSA property...they were great with the holding of the contests....JUST DON'T HAVE A CAMERA ON THE PROPERTY, The Fort Meade MP's would confiscate it....or at least any film or tape that it contained (days before digital).

[kenneo]

Program could work as a recruiting tool, but think it works better as a propaganda or PR tool. Other programs have done the same and I think all (at least, most) were sponsored in some way by "Law Enforcement". Dragnet was assisted by the LAPD, if memory serves correctly; the Elliot Ness series and "Sue Thomas, FB'EYE'" had/have FBI assistance in addition to those programs openly promoting the FBI. If any assistance or approval was given, it will be in the very small print of the credits at the end, where folks seldom stay around to look.

[dharmon]

Shouldn't this be in Zardoz's "Would you believe..... (a little humor)" thread?

[M636C]

Dan,

I retract my doubts about your earlier identification of the author of this thread!

But as to support, I assume the USN support "NCIS" and "JAG" for PR and recruiting purposes. It isn't illegal or misleading to do so. Or are they smarter than that and get the PR for free?

Could we have a "Paranoia and Xenophobia" thread. Somewhere for Roswell enthusiasts to post?

Peter

[kenneo]

QUOTE: Originally posted by M636C

Dan,

I retract my doubts about your earlier identification of the author of this thread!

But as to support, I assume the USN support "NCIS" and "JAG" for PR and recruiting purposes. It isn't illegal or misleading to do so. Or are they smarter than that and get the PR for free?

Could we have a "Paranoia and Xenophobia" thread. Somewhere for Roswell enthusiasts to post?

Peter

Peter, they get it for free. Law states that if you use an established law enforcement or public safety agency (aka fire dept) or Military Service you must have the film/episode approved by them. Believe me, they make sure it is a favorable protrayal.

[dharmon]

I'm not sure how the PR types work with studios to determine which films or shows are given what degree of help. Given the degree of reality both share I'd hope not too much. I've never met any folks of either group that fit the profiles of the characters on TV. The Navy did give alot of support to "Top Gun". There are also several companies now that work from retired bases that provide location/equipment support to studios.

Eric....I have heard that studios are billed for anything that requires equipment utilization. But I don't have anything available in front of me to confirm that.

[kenneo]

Dan...yes, if a direct cost is involved and, usually, if a request was made by the studio for assistance. But they reserve the right to censor, review and advise. USN bankrolled "Hunt for Red October" as a thinly veiled hint about what the USN could do to their sub fleet. Both the book and the movie.

[Anonymous]

Uhmmm... some mistakes here.
Anyone who's read "The Hunt for Red October" knows that Tom Clancy was originally an insurance salesman who loved (and still does) to play computer games. "The Hunt...." was inspired by a computer game he played with a Navy captain... called "SSN".

The book was published by the publishing house run by the Naval academy... which normally turns out pretty boring stuff (unless you are a Navy officer interested in their articles.)

DRAGNET was indeed "inspired by real crimes"... one of the writers was Gene Roddenberry, an LAPD cop better known for creating a small "Wagon Train to the Stars" show known today as "Star Trek." Otherwise, all the names were changed to protect the innocent.. and not one of the innocent were serving LAPD cops.

"The Untouchables" were never supported in any way by the Federal Government. By the time that Eliot Ness was an advisor to the show, he and Walter Winchell were on a fast track to death by alcoholism. BTW, Ness did NOT work for the FBI or the Department of Justice... he worked for the Treasury department,

If you watch war movies, occasionally you will see a "military advisor" listed in the credits. The same holds true for crime dramas. NYPD Blue does NOT get support from the NYPD... and Stephen Bochco does have an NYPD "technical advisor" who gets paid pretty well.

The armed forces do charge for the use of people and equipment. TOP GUN used the entire staff of the Miramar NAS (the location of TOP GUN). Lots of the footage is "stock" footage... which the Navy happily provided at a "small fee".

It's too bad they didn't bother with technical advisors for programs and movies like "Supertrain" or "Runaway Train"... or even Steven Seagall running around a train in "Under Siege II". They might have been better.

Erik

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by erikthered

Uhmmm... some mistakes here.

The book was published by the publishing house run by the Naval academy... which normally turns out pretty boring stuff (unless you are a Navy officer interested in their articles.)

The "Hunt for Red October" was published by the Naval Institute Press, which is not affiliated with the US Government. The Naval Insititute is the Navy's (primarily Officer) professional organization. Closely allied but a private organization.

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by erikthered

Uhmmm... some mistakes here.

The armed forces do charge for the use of people and equipment. TOP GUN used the entire staff of the Miramar NAS (the location of TOP GUN). Lots of the footage is "stock" footage... which the Navy happily provided at a "small fee".

Erik

And you have to remember Top Gun was done in a different time when things politically were different.

[SALfan]

Dude . . . what kind of drugs are you on? Or did you quit taking your meds?

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by JOdom

Dude . . . what kind of drugs are you on? Or did you quit taking your meds?

Me? ......or the originator?

[SALfan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon

QUOTE: Originally posted by JOdom

Dude . . . what kind of drugs are you on? Or did you quit taking your meds?

Me? ......or the originator?

Sorry, dharmon, I didn't make myself clear. I was responding to the originator. No offense meant to you.

[dharmon]

None taken...

[Big_Boy_4005]

Gee guys, has anyone stopped to think that Numb3rs is just another formula TV drama. Look at the CBS prime time lineup. It consists of a few sit coms, a couple of reality based contest shows, and the rest is pretty much crime based.

Let's see, we have 3 flavors of CSI (I like original and New York), JAG, NCIS, Without a Trace, and Cold Case. Network execs are notorious for wanting ratings, and feel that this is what the public wants these days. They might even be right.[swg]

[Anonymous]

Naval Institute and Chief Petty Officer assciation represent Military Proffesionals. There about a dozen indedepent organizations representing Millitary personal. So would the activitys of these organizations be like that of a Labor Orgonization "aka" Union?

[dharmon]

No.

The USNI presents professional symposiums, maintains historical archives, publishes naval and maritime interest publications and maintains a forum for discussing professional community issues. It's membership is primarily active, reserve and retired military officers, and not just from the US. There are also many other organizations such as Association of Naval Aviation which do similiar fucntions but that are not as large.

CPOA and TROA/MOAA do some of those functions but also lobby congress in support of benefits for active, reserve and retired members.

Other organizations such as the American Legion and VFW do also at times.

We do not have a union or labor organizations. Not tactically effective to stop a fight to discuss orders issued with the shop steward.

[gabe]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon

QUOTE: Originally posted by erikthered

Uhmmm... some mistakes here.

The book was published by the publishing house run by the Naval academy... which normally turns out pretty boring stuff (unless you are a Navy officer interested in their articles.)

The "Hunt for Red October" was published by the Naval Institute Press, which is not affiliated with the US Government. The Naval Insititute is the Navy's (primarily Officer) professional organization. Closely allied but a private organization.

And to think when I worked there, my checks stated they were from the United States Government. So confusing.

[dharmon]

Depends on who you were working for while you were there.

Here's a link to the site and under the FAQs tab, it talks about funding.

http://www.usni.org/

[gabe]

Back in the day, I was merely a summer intern for them that did research on various WWI & II destroyers and cruisers at the National Archives.

Perhaps I was on a federal grant for the Institute?

Then again, I didn't really care who was signing my checks so long as the bank honored them.

Gabe