Craig Gottlieb and grave robbing

joerookery

joerookery

Well-known member
If you have not been aware of this controversy this seems to be pretty much the end of it.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2594201/Nazi-war-diggers-television-scrapped-National-Geographic-furious-viewers-complain-insensitive-historians-excavating-Second-World-War-graves.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
yes, he is not a nice guy.

Sounds like he was suppose to give everything he found to the museum, but decided to bring items home instead to sell.....
 
http://www.change.org/petitions/the-national-geographic-channel-the-travel-channel-spike-tv-stop-airing-their-digger-programs-3?utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_facebook_mobile&recruiter=87922580" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Regards,

Edwin
 
Ghastly. Thanks for bringing it to our attention. It highlights the less savoury aspect of collecting any form of militaria, the fact that there are people out there who are willing to do anything to make a buck.

Just this week I was explaining my pickelhaube collection to someone who I barely knew. I could hear the slight distaste in her voice, and I rather fear I came across as some psychologically damaged warmonger...
 
For those who care to read a bit more regarding this, here is a link to the other forum's thread http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/showthread.php?t=729807&page=25" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; At present there are 25 pages, with numerous supporting links. Though most of the comments are directed towards one individual, in my opinion the greater ghoul in this fiasco is Nat Geo and the production company. I watched the 10-12 minute trailer and it is very obvious these four Nimrods didn't have a clue as to proper procedures, and the image of the four of them kneeling down Safari-like, with the bones of this poor soldier laying before them like some recently bagged "big game" is truly sad.

The professional and amateur archeological societies from around the globe led the charge for protest against this program. Sadly absent (at least to my knowledge) were any official comments or statements from the many online militaria forums or collecting societies condemning this program and its repulsive activities. Individuals from the forums signed petitions (we signed one) but that's about all I know of and I have tried to follow this pretty closely.

Why are we always so hesitant to step up and defend our hobby? This would have been a wonderful opportunity to stand shoulder to shoulder with other serious, history minded individuals and societies and simply say this is wrong, we as military historians do not condone or support this activity and we want this program stopped.

I am happy the show is cancelled, although the rumor mill is suggesting that it may be re-shot, perhaps with different players and with a more toned-down script.

Larmo
 
Nothing new really gents....the title Nazi War Diggers, a great title! You have to step back and realize that this is just another piece of reality TV. In actual fact, there is nothing real about it, its BS at its finest. It is scripted and "cut" to be entertaining just like everything else on TV. Hmm...funny how the commercial always hits when they are on the verge of some discovery. Nat Geo has to make money through ratings, welcome to capitalist entertainment, no excitement, then no commercials and no money. There had to be bones and a skull for Gods sake. Look at the posed pic of the "DIGGERS", Hollywood crap at its best....come on, the Pawn Stars are some of the fattest and ugliest men on earth and yet they got their series! They even tried to lose weight in subsequent episodes. You gotta love their posed folded arms angry face "still" on the promo commercials......pure theatre.

Kind of ironic really and rather boring...everyone is posed in the folded arms angry face...the Storage Wars dudes, the Duck Dudes, the Texas Storage guys, Rick the Restoration guy (nice wife he scored after the show had gone 2 seasons).... its all the same! Obviously, I watch it too but step back and realize what it is!

Yea, so some known militaria guy is being pilloried, so what, he sold out for bucks like that has not happened before? Pretty hard to pay the bills on the proceeds of being a "recognized authority on militaria" and a dealer. I never trust them but I do understand where they are coming from and the great need/temptation they have facing them in trying to make a living in any collector hobby. There would be no SOS without them!
 
As I watched Pawn Stars on History I heard the name Craig...Craig who...

I linked this with this toppic....

Now he has a face. Yuup. It's "him".

:angry5:

Francis
 
I have heard from several sources that that TV show "pawn stars" is one big scam. The "experts" bring the item to the producers – educate the main guys – and then film the entire thing in. It's not what walks in the door it's what the experts bring into the door.
 
Bungo said:
Just this week I was explaining my pickelhaube collection to someone who I barely knew. I could hear the slight distaste in her voice, and I rather fear I came across as some psychologically damaged warmonger...
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Bungo,

My wife's friends think the same of me. Some Ex Army Officer nutter who can't let go... Some people just can't appreciate military history or the craftsmanship that went into making some military items!
 
joerookery said:
I have heard from several sources that that TV show "pawn stars" is one big scam. The "experts" bring the item to the producers – educate the main guys – and then film the entire thing in. It's not what walks in the door it's what the experts bring into the door.
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Hey Joe,
This is true, the porn stars staff go around looking of good stuff too, a friend was asked if they could use his Gattling gun on one episode, they filmed it like he was trying to sell it, and I know for a fact that there is no way in hell he would part with it for any sum. I hate to tell you that survivor was fake too:)
 
From Joe's link:

"Dr Tony Pollard, the Director of the Centre for Battlefield Archaeology at Glasgow University, labelled the show a ‘disgrace’.
He said: ‘I’m appalled that a major broadcaster has sunk to the levels of exploitation television. I’ve been at the forefront of battlefield archaeology for fifteen years, and I have spent much time getting the subject taken seriously."


It's too bad. We see this all too often associated with military collecting. I have a real problem with civilians who purchase armored vehicles, then run around with them as if they're Toyota's rather than potentially dangerous machines. Makes me sick.

Ron
 
b.loree said:
Kind of ironic really and rather boring...everyone is posed in the folded arms angry face...the Storage Wars dudes, the Duck Dudes, the Texas Storage guys, Rick the Restoration guy (nice wife he scored after the show had gone 2 seasons).... its all the same! Obviously, I watch it too but step back and realize what it is!

Yea, so some known militaria guy is being pilloried, so what, he sold out for bucks like that has not happened before? Pretty hard to pay the bills on the proceeds of being a "recognized authority on militaria" and a dealer. I never trust them but I do understand where they are coming from and the great need/temptation they have facing them in trying to make a living in any collector hobby. There would be no SOS without them!
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Don't forget Myth Busters, American Chopper (is that the right name?) I get a laugh out of the guys with the Fu-Manchu mustaches and tough faces, but not much else upstairs. It's just for fun I s'pose.

On the second point, we have a lot of media-made (and self-made) 'experts' who have a lot of 'what it takes' for the camera, but not much else and I'm not naming any names. As a former tanker and artilleryman, I love the experts who have never spent a single week in the vehicles and know everything about them. It would be like me being an expert on the F-16 because I've seen a bunch of them fly.

Oh well, such is the American media culture.

:D Ron
 
poniatowski said:
b.loree said:
On the second point, we have a lot of media-made (and self-made) 'experts' who have a lot of 'what it takes' for the camera, but not much else and I'm not naming any names. As a former tanker and artilleryman, I love the experts who have never spent a single week in the vehicles and know everything about them. It would be like me being an expert on the F-16 because I've seen a bunch of them fly.
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Click to expand...

Good points Ron. I'm the author of two books on helmets, contributed to a couple of other books, and I've written more than 100 articles on helmets - and I never use the "E" (Expert) word. Perhaps this is because I've been a writer/reporter so long, but I find that whatever I write about (helmets, TVs, Chinese consumer electronic companies, etc.) that I shouldn't make myself the expert. If I need expert opinion I try to get that from someone else.

In today's culture people think they can be experts just by being really into something.

I'm sorry, I don't buy it. As an example: I think Saul David is probably an expert on the Indian Mutiny. He's written several books, studied at Oxford and spent his life on the subject. I know more about the Mutiny than probably most people but I'm no expert - I guess I'm no Saul David either.

That's my take on this issue.
 
Agreed. That brings to mind Joe and Janet as well as several others on this forum. I don't think I can claim to be an expert on anything either. Although I've crewed or driven over twenty families of armored vehicles (tanks) from WWII to present from various countries; plus half tracks, armored cars and countless 'wheels' (I can't even count the ones I've ridden in or been inside of). I think I can instruct safety and driving for a tank or armored vehicle because it was once part of my job and volunteer work, but can only offer a general overview of the historical / technical aspects. So, I know tanks, but the new technology is always changing and somebody always comes up with a new bit of information on the older vehicles that can be an eye opener. I guess that's why technology of all kinds (except electronic, sorry) is fascinating for me. I'm also not fond of Hollywood generated myths regarding these vehicles, but that's the way it goes!

:D Ron
 
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