Prime-time

Perhaps the retirement of Brett won’t have an impact on the Packers getting national games this year following the great season last year.  The first game of the Rodger’s era is in prime-time.

The post-Brett Favre era will begin against the division rival that gave Favre the most problems.

Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers will open the 2008 season by hosting the Minnesota Vikings in a Monday night game at 6 p.m. Sept. 8, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced this afternoon. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.

The teams last met in Week 1 on Sept. 7, 2003, when the Vikings spoiled the opening of the renovated Lambeau Field by beating the Packers 30-25.

Favre was 17-14 against the Vikings in his career, compared to 22-10 against Chicago and 23-9 against Detroit, but the Packers swept the season series against Minnesota the past two years.

The Packers said today that no decision has been made on whether to retire Brett Favre’s No. 4 jersey on opening night. Favre and the Packers will pick a date for the ceremony after the full schedule is announced, which is expected to be next week.

The rest of the kickoff weekend prime-time schedule: Washington at New York Giants, Thursday, Sept. 4, 6 p.m.; Chicago at Indianapolis, Sunday, Sept. 7, 7:15 p.m.; Denver at Oakland, Monday, Sept. 8, 9:15 p.m.

The league’s entire 2008 schedule likely will be announced next week.

So it will be next week at the earliest before we find out which game will be the most sought after.

Is it political?

In a letter to the editor of the WSJ, LCMS President Kieschnick responds to this article in the WSJ last week regarding the cancellation of “Issues, Etc.”  Here’s an excerpt from the article:

So what happened? Initially, the bureaucrats in St. Louis kept a strict silence, claiming that the show had been canceled for “business and programmatic” reasons. Yesterday the synod cited low local ratings in the St. Louis area and the low number of listeners to the live audio stream on the Web site. But the last time the synod tracked the size of the audience was three years ago, and it did not take into account the show’s syndicated or podcast following. The synod also claimed that the show lost $250,000 a year, an assertion that is at odds with those of others familiar with the operating budget of the station.

The Rev. Michael Kumm, who served on three management committees for the station, said that the explanation doesn’t add up. “ ’Issues, Etc.’ is the most listened to, most popular and generates more income than any other program at the station and perhaps even the others combined. This decision is purely political,” he said.

He may well be right. The program was in all likelihood a pawn in a larger battle for the soul of the Missouri Synod. The church is divided between, on the one hand, traditional Lutherans known for their emphasis on sacraments, liturgical worship and the church’s historic confessions and, on the other, those who have embraced pop-culture Christianity and a market-driven approach to church growth. The divide is well known to all confessional Christian denominations struggling to retain their traditional identity.

Ms. Hemingway, the author, further discussed the issue on “WhiteHorse Inn“.

Now here is President Kieschnick’s response today -

Letter to the Editor:

As President of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, I express my extreme disappointment over the column “Radio Silence” published March 28 under “Houses of Worship.” Its author presents a distorted account of the reason for the discontinuation of the “Issues, Etc.” program on the Synod’s KFUO-AM Radio station. What is even more disturbing is the false and misleading picture she presents of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) as a deeply divided church regarding its mission and ministry.

First, let me say our church is happy to own and operate KFUO-AM, the oldest continuously operating religious radio station in the country, if not the world. We are proud of the ministry it has provided listeners for some 84 years, and we endeavor to continue this ministry. I must also note that all ministries of the church, of which KFUO-AM is but one, require financial support from their constituencies.

Here are the facts surrounding the termination of “Issues, Etc.” This program was cancelled by the Synod’s director of communications after years of attempts to keep the program financially solvent. In fiscal year 2007-08, KFUO-AM’s operating deficit was $620,000. Since 2001, the accumulated deficits of the station have been in excess of $3.5 million. While airing for only 18 percent of KFUO-AM’s programming week, “Issues, Etc.” in the last fiscal year accounted for more than 40 percent ($250,000) of the station’s total deficit. These figures are based on the audited financial statements of the LCMS. As of February 29, two thirds into the current fiscal year, KFUO-AM was on pace to suffer heavy loses again.

Listeners of “Issues, Etc.” have had nine years and countless invitations and opportunities to support the program financially, and some have, but not nearly enough to offset the show’s deep, ongoing losses.

More importantly, I wish to address the unfortunate comments in the column that The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is deeply divided and that it is pushing “church marketing” over the historic confessions of the evangelical Lutheran Church.

In truth, last summer the LCMS had its most positive and unified convention in years. Our church remains faithful to the Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions, an integral part of our identity as a church body. As stated in a resolution adopted last summer by the national Synod convention: “From the founding of our Synod 160 years ago, we have been blessed by unity in our common confession and the articles of our shared faith, such as the Trinity, the person and work of Christ, original sin, baptismal regeneration, the real presence of Christ’s body and blood in the Sacrament, the inerrancy of Scripture and many others.”

In accordance with our unity in what we believe, teach, and confess, the Synod adopted the mission and vision of Ablaze!—a focused and concentrated effort to “share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those who do not yet know him.” One goal of Ablaze! calls for the Synod to start 2,000 new congregations by the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in the year 2017. This outreach emphasis is not “marketing” as suggested by last Friday’s column; rather, it is one of many ministry endeavors developed to foster the mission of our Synod “… vigorously to make known the love of Christ by word and deed within our churches, communities, and the world.” (LCMS Mission Statement)

In summary, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is more committed than ever to proclaiming the one message of Jesus Christ and his love for all (1 John 4:9-11).

On behalf of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, I invite readers to visit our website at www.lcms.org for more information on God’s grace and salvation in Christ.

The Rev. Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, President
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

C: Mr. David Strand, Director of Communications
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Kudos to President Kieschnick for responding.  However there is nothing new in this letter aside from the “Ablaze!” comments.  We see repeating of the same things Mr. Strand said for the most part last week.  What I find interesting is this -

I must also note that all ministries of the church, of which KFUO-AM is but one, require financial support from their constituencies.

My understanding from what I’ve read in the last week is that “Issues, Etc” was the ONLY program that asked listeners for support and was the ONLY one underwritten.  (If I am wrong feel free to correct me, I’m not up on the financials.)

I also found this interesting -

Listeners of “Issues, Etc.” have had nine years and countless invitations and opportunities to support the program financially, and some have, but not nearly enough to offset the show’s deep, ongoing losses.

Considering the download stats that have come available in the last few days I’d say that charging for downloads would have more than offset costs.  When it comes to support here is an interesting question that should be answered.

When it comes to money being well spent, ask this as well – Is $25,000 from “Ablaze!” better spent on a program such as “Issues, Etc.” or this when considering this response to it?  (I saw similar billboards last summer when driving through St. Louis and was appalled – and now to find out it is an LCMS church??)

Then ask yourself again after reading the mission statement of the LCMS -

In grateful response to God’s grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacraments, the mission of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod is vigorously to make known the love of Christ by word and deed within our churches, communities, and the world.

Then ask yourself based on the information that has come out, both officially and unofficially, “Was the cancellation of “Issues Etc” political?”

 

Wilken message

Pastor Weedon has posted  this message from Pastor Todd Wilken.

Thank you Pastor Wilken for such wonderful words of wisdom during what must be a very difficult time.

The weak explanation

So late this past week came this letter from David Strand attempting to explain the cancellation of “Issues, Etc.”

Here’s part of it  -

In fiscal year 2007-08, KFUO-AM’s operating deficit was $620,698.  Since 2001, the accumulated deficits at the station have been in excess of $3.5 million. The LCMS budget, entrusted to our care by members of our Synod’s congregations, has absorbed these shortfalls for years.  After long and prayerful consideration, it became clear that measures had to be taken to stop the ongoing, staggering losses.

Although some are under the impression that “Issues, Etc.” was profitable and self-supporting, the fact is the program lost approximately $250,000 in the last fiscal year.  While airing for only 18 percent of KFUO-AM’s programming week, “Issues” accounted for more than 40 percent of the station’s total deficit.  These figures are based on the audited financial statements of the LCMS. 

Over the years, every effort has been made to cut expenses at KFUO-AM.  At the same time, particularly in the past year, extraordinary measures were taken to bolster the financial support of the station.  A sizable portion of those efforts focused on assisting “Issues, Etc.,” the most costly program on the AM schedule.  Unfortunately, these measures have not solved the problem.  As of February 29th, two-thirds into the current fiscal year, KFUO-AM was on pace to suffer heavy losses again.

Some may also be under a misapprehension about the size of the “Issues” audience.  In 2005, station management decided it could no longer justify paying for expensive ratings reports in light of the predictably low and static nature of KFUO-AM’s audience numbers.  At the time, a blending of the spring 2004 and spring 2005 “books” showed an average listening audience during the “Issues” Monday-Friday timeslot of 1,650.  There is no indication these numbers have grown appreciably since. 

As for the audio streaming of “Issues, Etc.” via the Internet, the numbers are similarly low.  During the last full month (February 2008) for which we have reports, the average number of live, streaming listeners during the “Issues” Monday-Friday timeslot was 64. 

On Sunday nights, when the first hour of “Issues” was syndicated in a number of markets (an opportunity for which, during the past fiscal year, the LCMS actually paid $66,000 in broadcast fees), and where the second hour was available only on the Internet, the peak number of online listeners on the KFUO stream was 39. 

Not surprisingly it didn’t take long for supporters of “Issues, Etc” to ask questions, become suspicious, ask some more questions, and locate “missing” data.  Speaking of the “missing” data, here’s a nice breakdown of it -

David Strand today made a two-pronged case to support his cancellation of Issues Etc.

1. The show lost $250,000 in the last fiscal year.
2. Listenership was too low to justify the cost. To support this assertion, Mr. Strand quoted these numbers:
a. Avg. weekday radio listenership is assumed to be around 1,650.
b. Avg. weekday streaming listenership was 64.

Less than 12 hours later, we have access to KFUO logs, showing the number of people who downloaded Issues Etc. in the 4th quarter of 2007:

• October = approximately 170,000
• November = approximately 320,000
• December = approximately 160,000

The November number appears to be an anomaly. The report shows 134,000 downloads of the May 10, 2007 episode (Hour 2). That’s almost certainly a mistake or a glitch in the reporting. Removing that number brings the November total into line with the other months.

On the other hand, this total reportedly does not include downloads from iTunes — the most popular download service for podcasts — and downloads of the Windows media file format. It is safe to say, given these limitations, that the total download numbers are understated by this report.

But let’s assume a total of 480,000 downloads in the three-month period. There were 60 original shows produced during this time, including Sundays. (Keep in mind that the show is a repeat on Fridays, and took off the week of Christmas.) That means 167 1-hour segments available for download.

On average, each 1-hour segment of the program was downloaded 2,874 times, not including iTunes or WMA file downloads. These numbers also fail to include the pass-around value of downloaded files. There is no way to track the number of times a file is copied, once it is downloaded to a computer. Many churches distribute CD copies of the show, for example.

So you ask, how does all this information compare to KFUO-FM or when looking at download stats how do other programs measure up?  Personally, after seeing some of this additional information, I’m starting to think there’s more to the story, that it’s about more than money.  And that comes from someone who until recently wasn’t even really aware of the program.  For that reason I’m going to follow this advice -

Pray for our synodical leaders, especially Pres. Gerald Kieschnick and Mr. David Strand, who are in a very difficult position at the moment. Pray that they receive holy wisdom, courage, crucified strength, and humility to speak the truth in love. Pray that their hearts and minds would be free of every assault of the devil, the world, and their own sinful flesh. Even if you are angry with them, especially if you are angry with them, pray for them.

Pray for Jeff and Todd, and their families, that they receive the needed support to provide daily bread for their tables, and especially for Jeff’s wife Beth, who is sick. Pray that they have the courage and wisdom to make sound decisions about their short term and long term futures.

Pray for the KFUO staff who has to field the brunt of the public’s anger, though they are only doing their jobs and providing for their families.

Pray for the nice lady at the LCMS switchboard who has likely heard vocabulary usually reserved for a hockey game.

Pray for our synod, that we truly learn to walk together in the unity of confession, faith, and practice.

Pray for our apologists and evangelists who stand at the front lines to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a world that has not heard and needs so desperately to hear the good news of the justification of the ungodly by grace through faith for Jesus’ sake.

Pray for all who fight to defend our Reformation heritage, remembering that our warfare is not with flesh and blood but with the powers and principalities of darkness. Pray that they fightly boldly, bravely, and with honor. Pray that the Lord would grant each of us repentant and receiving hearts that trust in Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Almighty God, grant to Your Church Your Holy Spirit and the wisdom that comes down from above, that Your Word may not be bound but have free course and be preached to the joy and edifying of Christ’s holy people, that in steadfast faith we may serve You and, in the confession of Your name, abide unto the end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

In the meantime I will keep this in mind.  I also encourage you to sign the petition (currently over 5500) if you listened to or support the premise of a program like “Issues, Etc.”

Spicy Curry

Read that on a sign CBS showed during the Davidson-Wisconsin game last night.  Now I haven’t watched a great deal of college basketball this season.  So I didn’t do a bracket for this year’s tournament.  Had I done one I surely wouldn’t have had Davidson making it to the Elite Eight.  I didn’t get the opportunity to watch Wisconsin’s games last weekend so I thought I’d take the time to watch what I figured would be a good game.  Well along with the rest of the nation I watched a pretty good game.  Hard to watch as a Wisconsin fan with the Badgers losing big, but definitely a show for ages.  How did this Curry kid NOT get recruited by a big-name college?

Curry scored more than 30 points for a third straight game, and the 10th-seeded Wildcats pulled off another stunner Friday night, rolling over third-seeded Wisconsin 73-56 to advance to the finals of the Midwest Regional.

Little Davidson has gotten so big, even LeBron James is on the bandwagon, snagging a seat a few rows behind the Wildcats bench.

“It just shows what we’re doing here at Davidson,” Curry said. “We got guys that are in the spotlight and they’re coming to our game and watching us play. It’s pretty cool to give him something to be happy about and cheer about and just entertain him.”

Curry, the son of former NBA sharpshooter Dell Curry, outscored the Badgers all by himself in the second half, 22-20. He finished with 33 points on 11-of-22 shooting, including six 3-pointers.

This says it best when it comes to Curry and Davidson -

The nation got an idea of what Curry can do last weekend, when he scored 30 against Gonzaga and erupted for 40 — 30 in the second half alone — against Georgetown.

But big, brawny Wisconsin (31-5) was supposed to be different. Badgers defensive specialist Michael Flowers has made many a perimeter player ineffective, and Wisconsin was holding opponents to 53.9 points, best in the nation. Their 3-point defense was even stingier; in the second round last weekend, Kansas State didn’t manage a single bucket from long range.

Instead of being intimidated by the big stage — not to mention the monstrous Ford Field venue — Curry and Davidson played with such ease and attitude they may as well have been in their cozy little gym back home. The Wildcats shot 49 percent from the floor, and were 12-of-24 from 3-point range. Jason Richards had 11 points and 13 assists, and Lovedale added 12 points.

“Michael did a pretty good job of chasing Curry and trying to force some things,” Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan said. “He made some tough shots. But so did some of the other guys. I thought they got a lot of contributions when they needed them. And that’s how you get to keep playing in the NCAA tournament.”

Even LeBron James was amazed at Curry’s performance -

Curry scored 22 of his 33 points in the second half of Davidson’s 73-56 demolition of Wisconsin. It was his third straight NCAA tournament game with at least 30 points overall and 20 in the second half, and it put the Wildcats into the Elite Eight.

All of it is ridiculous, even to someone as sublime as LeBron James, who had been watching stoically until Curry detonated with 16 points in 6½ minutes midway through the second half. The sequence started with a pair of free throws, but then Curry began mixing in some degree-of-difficulty buckets.

He curled into the lane, caught a pass and kissed a moving 14-footer high off the glass. Davidson led 48-43. LeBron’s eyebrows went up.

Curry next did one of his abracadabra 3-pointers, catching the ball and getting rid of it in the same motion. Davidson led 51-45. LeBron started clapping.

After a Wisconsin turnover, Curry caught a pass in the corner, paused as defender Joe Krabbenhoft flew past, then drained another 3-pointer. Davidson led 54-45. LeBron looked around and mouthed the word, “Wow.”

Minutes later, with the shot clock winding down and two Badgers trying to prevent Curry from getting off a shot, he uncorked a vicious crossover dribble, stepped back and swished a 3-pointer. Davidson led 60-45. LeBron stood and raised both arms.

After a Wisconsin free throw, Curry attacked the rim, floated underneath, hung in the air as he was hit and spun a circus shot high off the glass. He added the free throw, giving him 16 of his team’s previous 18 points. Davidson led 63-46.

LeBron screamed “Oh s—!”

Stephan Curry and his teammates put on a show and Cinderella marches on going for 26 in a row on Sunday.  I know who I’ll be rooting for. It isn’t Kansas.

Publicity for Issues Etc.

(H/T – Bring Back Issues Etc. )

It appears that news of the cancellation of “Issues Etc.” has gone national -

My church denomination, the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, owns a radio station in St. Louis where the church is headquartered. Far and away the most popular thing on that radio station, KFUO, was a program they produced called “Issues, Etc.” The show was widely syndicated across the country and had a rabid podcast following.

Though the show held fast to its confessional Lutheran identity, it was really a show for the broader Christian community, covering a wide range of religious, cultural and political issues. Topics on the program in just the last month included everything from the story of St. Patrick, Sigmund Freud and guilt, tithing, the ethics of sex changes to the latest news of interest regarding abortion and stem cell research. Religious heavyweights such as Fr. Richard John Neuhaus of First Things, Dr. Alister McGrath, and Dr. Albert Mohler of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary could frequently be found as guests on the program. Guests on the program of interest around these parts include Edwin Meese, Robert George, Rod Dreher and our own Ramesh Ponnuru.

Earlier this week, the popular show was inexplicably canceled — during holy week no less — and no reason was given by the synod. Further, the two men who host and produce the show were given no warning whatsoever. The show’s website was completely removed, though the archives were restored due to public outcry. In the meantime, an online petition is circulating. Some 2600+ people have signed the petition to get the show back on the air in less than 48 hours.

If you’ve ever enjoyed listening to “Issues, Etc.” — and I know many of the readers here have — please go and sign the petition. I’m sure the the bureaucrats in St. Louis had no idea what they were doing and could be swayed by the public outcry.

The petition now has over 4800 signatures.  In addition you can put your name on this map to show how wide reaching the program has been.

No explanation

I hadn’t posted on this topic as of yet due to lack of knowledge.  Not about the situation, it’s all over the Lutheran Confessional blogsphere, but about the radio program “Issues Etc.”  I wasn’t a regular listener of either the local program or the national syndicated program.  However from what I’ve read the last week via Pastor Weedon’s blog and sites he’s linked to it’s an amazing program.  Also one of the top radio programs put out by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod as well.  Until Tuesday, March 18 that is when it was abruptly cancelled without ryhme or reason given.  Here’s the current statement on the Synod’s radio station, KFOU-AM -

For programmatic and stewardship reasons, the decision was made
  to discontinue the “Issues, Etc.” program on KFUO-AM.  We look
  forward to bringing you new programming in this time slot in the
  near future. Also, we thank “Issues” host Rev. Todd Wilken and
  producer Mr. Jeff Schwarz for their years of service on behalf of
  the station. Those interested may still download past “Issues,
  Program    Etc.” programs from the “Issues” archive on this website. Thank
  Archive     you sincerely for your continued support of KFUO’s radio ministry.

The supporters of this program are many and from the looks of things aren’t just accepting this profound decision. There is talk of a vigil/protest, as well as an online petition.  I would encourage one and all to sign this petition for a program that spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ like no other.  There is also a great site with updates on the situation, Bring Back Issues Etc.   Here’s a great site if you want to get program archives.

Finally this great injustice left two fine men, Mr. Jeff Schwarz and Rev. Todd Wilken, unemployed so please consider a making a donation of financial support if you are able. 

Let the Synod leadership know that you disagree with this horrible decision.  Here’s some contact information or just call 888-843-5267.  Of course as Pastor Weedon points out letters to the editor don’t hurt either.

Complete the Fence Now

A message from Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) - 

Here’s the website – http://www.completethefencenow.com

This about more than illegal immigration:

TERRORISM:

The Office of National Drug Control Policy released an unclassified counternarcotics strategy for the southwest border in 2007, stating: “Since the events of September 11, 2001, the Southwest Border has assumed even greater significance. The threat of terrorism looms large wherever criminals regularly exploit gaps in homeland security. Terrorists could conceivably attempt to enter the United States or smuggle weapons of mass destruction (WMD) across the Southwest Border by utilizing routes and methods established by drug and alien smugglers.”

DRUG SMUGGLING:

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), 65% of the cocaine smuggled into the U.S. comes through across the Mexican border. DEA also reports that large amounts of heroin, crystal meth and marijuana are routinely smuggled at the southern border.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING:

The U.S. State Department estimates “about 17,000 people are being “trafficked” from Mexico into the United States each year. That number includes migrant workers, and women and children brought into the United States for purposes of commercial and sexual exploitation.”

DRUG VIOLENCE AT THE BORDER:

More than 2,500 people were killed in drug violence in Mexico last year and more than 300 have died so far this year as cartels smuggling cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana fight each other for control of routes to the United States. -Rueters “Five killed in Mexico border city amid drug war” 3/5/2008

Since the beginning of the year, Juárez has suffered an onslaught of killings – 72 as of Wednesday – most of them tied to organized crime. They are the result of a bloody fight for control of drug distribution routes to U.S. cities, including Dallas. And U.S. and Mexican law enforcement officials say the worst is yet to come…The surge in violence is generating much concern across the border in El Paso – worries buttressed by a recent El Paso Times/News Channel 9 poll that showed 64 percent of El Paso residents fear that Juárez violence is spilling into the U.S. -Dallas Morning News “Many worried Ju�rez’s bloody drug war spilling into U.S.” 2/28/08

Contact your Senators and let them know you want the border fence completed NOW!

Slow to report

Apparently the FDL Reporter isn’t up on getting news to folks fast.  It took until YESTERDAY for there to be any mention of Tim Lakin planning to run for the 18th Senate District.  That’s 5 DAYS LATER than the Oshkosh Northwestern and the local radio stations.  One would think if you were going to report on something most people already heard that it would be a decent article with maybe some additional information.  Not the case.

Fond du Lac City Councilman Tim Lakin is running as a Republican for the 18th Senate District seat.

Lakin is a life-long resident of Fond du Lac and is the president of T.J.L. Inc., which owns and operates The Main Pub and Lakin’s Lawn Service.

“I have truly enjoyed the past three years serving the citizens of Fond du Lac on City Council and look forward to using the tools that I have learned to help the citizens of the 18th District along with the citizens of Wisconsin,” he said in a press release announcing his candidacy.

Lakin is also president of the Fond du Lac County Tavern League, board member of the Fond du Lac Athletic Booster Club, has served on the Fond du Lac Redevelopment Authority and is currently a member of the Advisory Parking and Traffic committee. He also serves as a member of the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership and is a board member of the Fond du Lac Convention and Visitors Bureau.

For additional information call Lakin at (920) 929-8580

Oh and a quick search shows no information on Petri possibly facing a primary challenge.  What’s the sense of having a newspaper in town if they can’t report such things in a timely manner?

Cool movie connection

The above photo is from the FDL Reporter.  It seems Johnny Depp’s movie “Public Enemies” will have a Fond du Lac connection.

In a jaunty cap, J.R. Julka looked the part.

The Fond du Lac man and his 1931 Ford Model A coupe were employed as extras last week during Universal Studios production of the film “Public Enemies” starring Johnny Depp as bank robber John Dillinger.

Scenes were shot in the small city of Columbus, about 40 miles from Fond du Lac, because of the abundance of century-old buildings along two streets that intersect, Julka explained.

“They transformed the entire downtown, put up all new (old) storefronts from the era, signage, stuff in windows, you name it,” he said.

Lounging in his car parked along fake cobblestone streets, Julka said he was part of a jailbreak scene in which Depp, as Dillinger, brandished a gun whittled out of wood. In the filming of a robbery scene, Julka is driving the Model A back and forth through an intersection.

“Amazing,” he called the experience. “Just to watch how comprehensive and involved all the planning is — everything from food to details of the background shots to the bum lying on the street. It all came together like clockwork.”

The movie describes the FBI’s transformation when confronted with crime sprees by bank robbers John Dillinger, Charles Arthur “Pretty Boy” Floyd and Lester “Baby Face Nelson” Gillis. Dillinger escaped the heavily guarded Crown Point, Ind., jail on March 3, 1934, while he awaited trial on charges that he killed a police officer during a Chicago bank robbery.

Dillinger then drove away in the sheriff’s new car, at one point using a Northwoods Wisconsin lodge as a hideout. A few months later, federal agents fatally shot him outside a Chicago theater.

A 5 a.m. call time brought Julka and the other drivers with vintage cars onto the set. An escort led them from a leased warehouse called the picture car garage.

His wardrobe was a cap, a shirt and overcoat.

Awesome man! Great reason to see the movie when it comes out.