to do anything about it, I was locked in a room with 30 other kids and told I would stay there until I learned what is now commonly dismissed as "that Thomas Jefferson, John Adams crap," which now I'm told I must forget or face being locked in a much smaller room, by myself, until I do. I didn't like it then, and I don't like it now.
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Here is the list of the radio shows I've hosted at KSCO radio — a 10,000 watt AM station in Santa Cruz, California. These United States Freedom Fighter Forum shows normally followed the Mid-day News at Noon on Thursdays, and ran approximately 40 minutes. 2002
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Silenced by Santa Cruz County Sheriff Mark Tracy December 2003 During the week of December 8th, 2003, I was informed that Santa Cruz County Sheriff Sheriff Mark Tracy had sent someone from his department to deliver a message from Tracy to KSCO management and owners, explaining that Tracy wanted the "United States Freedom Fighter Forum" removed from their program schedule. Although I cannot relay the details of the exact language of the threat (except to say it was not of a physical nature), Tracy apparently wanted the impression left with them that KSCO would indeed suffer some sort of negative ramifications if they did not follow his wishes. When I confirmed Tracy's actions on Monday, December 15th, I made the decision that I would file suit — in defense of the 1st Amendment of the United States Constitution — against Tracy (and the County that allowed such abuse of power) in Federal Court. Suit was filed on December 18th, 2003. A copy of the suit is available by clicking here. As a result of these events, I was forced to take a leave of absence, suspending my ability to bring the issues of my program to the KSCO audience. My voice, at least until this matter is settled, has been silenced. As the suit states, there is more at issue than just the violation of the 1st Amendment. These recent events have forced me to deal with a multitude of acts by Tracy, and those under him willing to answer his call, which are the seeming result of Tracy's inability to deal maturely with my having run against him for Sheriff in 1994. (One story, the beating and arrest of my girlfriend at the time, Laurie, can be read about, and heard, by clicking here.) On December 20th, 2003, the Santa Cruz Sentinel ran a story on my finally filing suit against Tracy and the County that you can read by clicking here. (NOTE: The one glaring error in the story is their reference to my being a Vietnam Vet. I did not tell them that, because it is not true. I did not serve in Vietnam. Also, in fairness to KSCO, I did not say I was not paid for hosting the show. My compensation package is nobody's business but mine and KSCO's, but suffice it to say I consider I was generously compensated for my time.) In closing, I would like to say thanks to all those people who have contacted me with words of encouragement since these events transpired. Mostly, I would again like to go on record as thanking Michael Zwerling, and the Zwerling family, for affording me the opportunity to try to help make Santa Cruz a better place to live . . . for allowing me to share the United States Freedom Fighter perspective with the KSCO listening audience — ergo, my out line, "Thank you Michael," at the end of each show. SUIT AGAINST SHERIFF SETTLES . . . ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL Once Tracy was gone, the only thing left was to cover the expense of the suit and compensate myself and my attorney Kate Wells for the time required to get the desired result. I chose to absorb all the damage to my reputation and the inturruption of my broadcast career and minimally cover the loss of time. The point of the suit never was to punish the county. In fact, to do so would have been contrary to the purpose of my criticism of the sheriff's department in the first place. I set out to help my fellow citizens, not additionally punish them for their choice of sheriff. In May, 2005, the suit settled for a mere $47,500.00 — as fair and honorable a demand as I felt was justified by the circumstances. (btw: If Tracy had not had level after level of personal immunity, that would have been a different story. But he did. Something's got to be done about providing so much immunity to public servants.) So that's it. I'm back on the air now, albeit on occasion; but free speech is preserved, at least relative to me and KSCO, for some time to come. quig |
| Copyright 2003 |  | All Rights Reserved. |
| Last updated: December 2003 |