Posted on 01/07/2022 4:31:18 AM PST by jimjohn
January 6, 2022: About 30 minutes into a popular, live video podcast, a reported 5 local police officers responded to a call that “two persons had been shot, and the shooter was held up inside”. Fortunately, the matter was resolved peacefully. But it exposed a deep flaw in security at the studios of “Timcast IRL”, and a teachable moment for anyone doing live broadcasts in the future.
Hopefully, the associates of Timcast IRL also receive this, or similar messages.
Let me first say “Swatting” is no joke. I know this from experience. It happens when a person or persons create false police reports to a victim’s residence and/or workplace. In some cases, it has gotten people killed. But this was more than just a prank. This was a clear attempt at best, to gather intel on the security around the Timcast complex and at worst – an attempt to induce a violent confrontation – live on the air to one of the most popular podcasts on the internet.
Another January 6 to remember, indeed.
As a regular viewer of the 8:00 pm ET broadcast, I tuned in wondering if they were aware of the grilling U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) was getting from Fox News’ Tucker Carlson at the same time. That’s when I – and probably thousands of others – noticed someone walk directly in front of the camera. This followed a live interruption of the broadcast, as Tim Poole himself was forced to leave his chair and address the matter with law enforcement. To that we all say, “Good Job, Tim”.
But that’s where the pat on the back stops.
For the remainder of the program, and probably into the members only broadcast (which happens later in the evening), Poole began describing exactly what had happened, what was happening, along with talking about the infrastructure of the offices. While watching on my phone, I began saying out loud: “Shut up, Tim… SHUT up, TIM… SHUT UP TIM!”. I noticed similar statements being posted in the live chat area while this was happening. Obviously, others had the same concern. Here were the results of Tim Poole’s comments and actions both during and after this event:
Assuming whoever pulled this stunt was watching:
They learned how long it would take for police to respond to an incident there.
They learned the approximate number of persons in the offices during a broadcast.
They were able to gauge Tim and the team’s response.
The teachable moment for all of us? None of those details (including law enforcement on camera) should have gone out over the air. This is a flaw I have seen in Timcast IRL before: The Cuban National who would not stop talking; and more recently a woman guest (Amada Milius) that was clearly too intoxicated to be on the air. This popular podcast has no way of cutting the video feed to something else, and making the necessary adjustments.
Perhaps that will change after the incident of January 6, 2022.
When I worked in both radio and television, we always had a package of commercials and/or public service announcements (PSAs) ready to go at a moment’s notice. It didn’t take long to learn that during a live broadcast, ANYTHING can happen (just ask Dan Rather). If you are doing a live podcast (especially from a fixed location), be prepared to go to a pre-recorded video in case of emergency, and the producer should know where that button is located. It would have been better to cut the feed, go to color bars, and come back later with an apology for the ‘technical difficulties’, and act like the incident had never happened.
The security at the offices of Timcast IRL will need more than an upgrade; it will need an overhaul. For the cool kids at Timcast, here are a few more pointed, if you haven’t figured it out already:
The point is that more and more real Americans are beginning to broadcast news and other information, unknowingly creating an alternative media space; and that space is quickly overtaking the so-called ‘mainstream’. This is a direct threat to our opposition as information (and the control thereof) has been among their most effective weapons. As each talent of the alternative rises, they are attacked in some fashion (just ask Tucker, Bannon, Crowder, Prager, Epoch Times, etc.).
Again, this is not to call out Tim Poole and associates directly, but a teachable moment for all of us embarking on the alternative media landscape. To note: wherever you are reading this, most assured it's part of that First Amendment alternative. The threat of counter-actions against us is real and constant. We must take all measures necessary to not only protect the free-flow of information, but our personal safety. Or, to use a phrase from the past that holds true today:
Loose lips sink ships.
Carry on.
- jimjohn
Those responsible need to be tracked down and dealt with.
And it can be done but will it?
You’re better known by the enemies you have than friends.
The number of swatting cases that get resolved (not necessarily solved) is vanishingly small.
Unless one swats a democrat.
Which seems to seldom happen.
But it has happened, and perhaps will happen again.
But no of us will be holding our breath waiting for it to happen.
How is it even possible to do swatting these days and not be caught? Burner phones? Seems expensive unless you are serious about being a serious fool.
People who use police to carry out personal vendettas are truly the scum of the earth. There should be special investigators set up just to prosecute them.
Joe Biden?
How?
I don’t know how this particular incident happened, but if add a wireless network to your phone and activate ‘wireless calling’, you are asked to input your home address for E911. Don’t try this at home, but it would be easy choose a different address.
True...my wife and I got 'swatted' by a disturbed female neighbor when we lived in soviet Red Hampshire. Authorities KNOW she did it, but did absolutely NOTHING in the way of prosecuting her. Why? She was the 'goddaughter' of another town official, and the whole incident was swept under the rug. We did the only thing we could do...we moved...NEVER to return (even though my wife's relative still live there).
It better be done. This is serious as hell.
“People who use police to carry out personal vendettas are truly the scum of the earth. There should be special investigators set up just to prosecute them.
Slight correction needed: People who use the police and various state agencies to carry out their personal vendettas are truly the scum of the earth and should be dealt with accordingly. I could tell you a story about that.
Good post.
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