You're right, Kern Valley Sun, it is okay to make threats

At first I thought wow, the Kern Valley Sun Newspaper, has something personal against me when they allowed a threat on their website with my name on it.

Then I realized these fine upstanding people are really just trying to teach me something about Freedom of Speech...

Boy, they sure put me in my place, showing me how a real newspaper should behave. I realize this is all about fairness and nothing personal to me.

I know they are really trying to protect free speech on their website. What an important issue, and it should rightly be undertaken by the intelligent individuals that they are.

Now, I realize that if someone were to make remarks on their website or maybe even in the paper itself, like "shut them up for good," to, say, Marsha Smith, the publisher, that they would welcome it on the site. Marsha and her husband, I'm sure enjoy even veiled threats.

Good for ratings. Good for freedom.

And even if the threat was against, editor, Cathy Perfect, and included a reference to say the issue of homosexuality, I know they would abide the constitutional rights of the author even if they were to make a suggestion that some sort of harm come to somebody.

Now there's some strength we can count on in this valley.

So, if these kids want to paint hate signs all over the valley: rather than buying spray paint and swastikas, just go on the Kern Valley Sun website and learn how far you can really go with freedom of speech.

Thanks, Marsha Smith, Cathy Perfect, and Susan Barr, you're teaching us a lot about what is important in this valley. I'm sure the three of you must be proud.

(You know I think I'm going to try out this freedom of speech thing. I wonder how it works?)

Small Clams case continued to Wed. Feb. 10th at 3 pm, "The media monopoly vs. the freelance writer"

Can Small "Clams" Court finally clam them up?

Our cases were to be heard on Feb. 3, but there were a lot of cases in the small claims courthouse in Lake Isabella yesterday, and our media "fest" was held back until next week.

Which actually worked out well.

The crowd was there, Sun publisher, Marsha Smith, a bag full of court goodies, and Editor Cathy Perfect, chattering away with her superior about some community member, or as they call it in the midwest, gossip.

Susan Barr, the Sun writer, known for her quips and jabs (in her emails to me anyway), wrote a heavenly story regarding the prayer I was given the task to do at the Kern Valley Healthcare District board meeting.

Barr found news in the fact that I pray, but described in her opinion, an uncomfortable audience, which is disputed by several people who attended.

Cheap shot? Very. Dollar store shot, not even a "Home Mart" shot.

Could it be you next whom the writer's and editors at the only local "news" paper don't like or disagree with and use their podium to answer back at you, with a population likely believing them since you have no outlet yourself from which to defend against a reporter's attack.

Yes, it could be you, and it has been too many people in this valley and that is why I'm doing this court case, as small as it is, but the only way I could get into our courts.

No, this isn't a big money maker

There's no real money to be had, I will not be a millionaire at the end of the case.

But I will be redeemed that I took my issues to what I expect to be a fair hearing, will tell my side of the story, stick to the truth, and allow a judge who seemed quite fair, to listen to my complaint.

I didn't have eight babies or a steaming hot cup of coffee land in my lap, but what did happen is that I watched in horror as two outlets which report news, not only attack in a sneaky way myself, but hid important news and safety facts regarding the hospital, to the community, employees at the hospital (who came to the newspaper for help), and this recklessness simply had to be stopped in whatever way possible.

And small claims turned out to be the most viable.

Who is so insecure that they would knowingly print or post as is the case of the threat on the Kern Valley Sun blog site, a threat against someone when they could easily have overlooked that? They do it all the time. They don't post every comment.

They could have listened when I told them I had a police report filed because of the gun toting punk, and then the filed another police report when the KV Sun refused to take down the threat, but they played games which would make anyone nervous.

Would you appreciate the KV Sun putting up a threat on their blog site against you while you're in the middle of an investigation of the healthcare district, had a gun pointed at you, or would you be a little nervous every time you turned your doorknob as you came home?

No class, no thought behind any of this. That is why I choose not to play evil games but instead try to use the system that has been given to us in this country to settle such matters.

The issue between the KV Sun and I started three years ago as I asked that they not spread rumors about me, that if there are inquiries as to my status working there, they can say what they wanted, but not ridiculous games.

I went to the manager with my complaints and found out through a few sources that nothing had ended, the nonsense was on.

And I've tried to deal with both QAB and the Sun, asking for some mercy, that they leave me alone to do what I have to do in regard to the hospital, but it seems there is no mercy. More on this.

Finally met owner of QAB

Anthony Bohn, listed as the owner of QAB media LLC, someone I have never met, but was glad to yesterday, as now I know what or I should say, who, I'm really up against.

Mr. Bohn, noticed me immediately as I came through the crowded courtroom waiting area, where people were lined up to be heard, including myself, KV Sun and QAB.

Bohn, posted close to the door, asked immediately if I was Laura Hart, which impressed me for a moment, he did his homework, and could recognize me.

Bob Jamison was on hand, his mood seemed dim, he didn't approach me, until waved to come over by "boss" (this seems to be a bit contentious as Jamison shared a different relationship about his boss in an email, claiming control over the station due to his expertise in the engineering).

As Marsha Smith, Anthony Bohn and Bob Jamison were instructed by the bailiff to exchange information, I noticed several things about each of the defendants.

Smith, was not much for gabbing to me, but handed me my folder, and said, "I've already seen all this." I guess she feels safe now.

Then Mr. Bohn asked questions about the contents of my packet of paperwork, pictures, and blogs by Mr. Jamison, and several sexual emails with overtones regarding my potential employment at the radio stations.

Bohn said Jamison doesn't do the hiring, he does. Well, would that not make my point even sharper? It was a game Jamison was playing then, Mr. Bohn?

But anyway, in some of the articles I have read on QAB, there have been erroneous news reported regarding the hospital.

When I mentioned this to Mr. Bohn, he said they are not investigative journalists, which was never in question, but again I told him, you are a news outlet whom people rely on for truth.

He was quite warm, when he told me, there are radio stations for sale up here, you just need a "big check." (Yeah, thanks, that helps)

Or you have options like the media taking their responsibilities seriously or even possibly caring that people are informed. (But this whole thing has given me an idea for a satire which might be quite funny.)

Bohn said he's in the advertising business, (which will be addressed in the KV Sun case as that directly relates to the coverage of the hospital) the answer is a "yes" but, you still have responsibility to those who listen are asked to take you seriously. I'm sure the ABC radio news feed doesn't consider their news portion of the programming to be taken lightly.

Nobody is saying Mr. Bohn or his employees have to work for free, but there has to be some balance, is it just money, or can it be for both? If you can't put out a decent product and make enough money, then maybe...?

A final note: Mr. Bohn made a point of saying to me that Bob Jamison, KVHD board member, and Bob Jamison, engineer, broadcaster, and radiojock, are not the same person. One does one thing and the other does another.

ABSOLUTELY!

Except, Mr. Jamison has been taking the agenda of the hospital to the radio station and spilling out over the airwaves, and here's the answer to your question Mr. Bohn, with the obvious permission of the owner of the station.

Otherwise, it would have been stopped long ago.

I told Mr. Bohn it was nice to meet him after all this time, as we have tried many times to get messages to him, and until it came in the form of a court service, we were never even looked at, no phone calls, no attempt at contract.

Others called too: and it's a week away, but I think we should make this stand together and end this once and for all.

The hospital has other problems which we will be discussing, and we need to get rid of the poison which is still killing the reputation of the hospital.

Reputation=money

Nobody goes to a hospital where the locals recommend you stay away from. And it's rare if you have bad food and salmonella, that you will get a big lunch crowd, even if it wasn't your fault, your business served the lettuce.

So, the players are lined up, and the case will hit the deck as first up to bat on Wed. Feb. 10th at 3 pm in lake Isabella is our case.

If you feel that QAB was remiss in allowing elder abuse charged, former CEO, Pam Ott, to spend an hour of airtime defending herself with what appear to be bold faced lies, then maybe you have a case as well.

Sometimes it's not about winning a bunch of money to make your case: sometimes it's just a willingness to believe in the truth and set an example for those who want to make changes, better ones, for your family, your community, your country and eventually the world.

Too Pollyanna for you? Or is everyone too weak to take on the difficult tasks?
http://www.kern.courts.ca.gov/

Kern Valley Sun case # K1502-cs-4620

QAB media LLC (AKA Bob Jamison's bully pit) case #K1502-cs-4621

The last word from Marsha Smith Kern Valley Sun, Lake Isabella CA, and an anonymous phone call...

Marsha, Marsha, Marsha...

(It appears I will have to post my own comments which were sent to the Kern Valley Sun Website in response to what I call a "threat" and many others who have read it do as well.)

But first, I need to tell everyone that I got a call today, from someone who obviously wants to remain anonymous and sound scary.
This person left a message on my voice mail from telephone number: 0001234. Right, that's not a regular telephone number and was done on a computer.
The voice was synthesized making the person's voice unrecognizable.
The caller said, try to trace this call and get my identity. Then some other garbled gibberish.
At the end of the call we could hear a button pushed on a computer. So, here's the deal, people can find a way to remain hidden and make threatening calls. Watch out for this yourselves, as grifters, (not just people threatening reporters), prey upon people using techniques just like this one. Never give out information over the phone, always ask for a number to call them back.

Now, I ask, did this caller, read the Kern Valley Sun website? Was this person inspired by the statement, "I think somebody should shut her up for good, " on the website in anyway?

These are questions asked in journalism classes as well as law schools all around the nation.

And websites, like the Kern Valley Sun, can choose to keep a veiled threat or any other offensive material up based on their own judgement because of the right to free speech.

Now we see what sort of judgement the Sun uses and likely no other person in this valley will see their name up their like mine.
If you look thru the site posts, you will notice that this type of comment is nowhere else to be found. And certainly, any reasonable person would agree it sounds like a threat.

But what they did on the website which makes things more like a power play, is they would not post any other posts I sent except the three where I give them a taste of their own medicine and copy/pasted the original threat with all three of their names on it to see what they would do. (Cathy Perfect, Marsha Smith, and Susan Barr)

But the Sun has chosen to end the string on their blog with a statement from Marsha Smith, the Publisher of the Kern Valley Sun, in regards to my comedic comeback:

hypocrisy fighter1 wrote on Jul 17, 2009 11:19 AM:
" It seems to me that Susan Barr, perhaps, misconscrewbulated her article on the new CEO's actual report. Therefore...and I think someone should "shut her up for good!" " "

Enigma wrote on Jul 17, 2009 11:16 AM:
" the editor of this article, did not correct the mistakes in spelling or content, Cathy Perfect, so...and I think someone should "shut her up for good!" " "

puerilism 1 wrote on Jul 17, 2009 11:13 AM:
" I think Marsha Smith has done a poor job allowing salamanderisms in the paper... and I think someone should "shut her up for good!" " "

Publisher wrote on Jul 17, 2009 3:25 PM:
" Sorry. Neither Cathy, Susan, nor I can 'shut up for good'. It is our job and commitment to publish a newspaper, doing so requires words. We fully intend to keep our commitment to the community. No one is forced to read or view any media. It's like TV - if you don't like it, change the channel. "

My response never posted:
Well, Marsha, that sounded strange, but I guess the game is to control your website, by leaving out my other explanatory posts. Mine was a joke about all of you. I can't shut up either. Nor will I as long as there is no support for the truth or integrity from your newspaper. You can only control your website and paper. You won't find threats on my blog. Just my schedule of events. But you can't control my blogs. Or the truth. Say hi to Barbara Casas for me. And watch the blog. Newspaper vs. blogger.

Coming up Next: But Marsha makes a point about the media I'm about to take up in two other articles, which should be up soon. She says if you don't like the channel change it.

Welcome to the Kern River Valley where there are only two channels which represent themselves as "news": The Kern Valley Sun Newspaper, and QAB, the only radio station in town.

And I will argue that there is no coverage in Bakersfield or Ridgecrest that could be construed as the news of the valley with the exception of car crashes and weather.

The Kern Valley Sun is welcome to respond to any of these posts, but then they have a whole newspaper and website of their own to use to cover this story. But feel free to write me, just don't make any threats. LOL
The original threat:

The Truth wrote on Jul 15, 2009 12:36 AM:
" Everything seems to be working well at the Healthcare District except one item: Laura Hart spends too much of the District's time re-hashing old news and making libellous remarks at Board Meetings, about Board Members. I think the community is getting tired of her gaining attention for telling lies and making inuendos about people, and I think someone should "shut her up for good!" "

What I would have done in the Sun's place, no matter what my personal issues with the person are, I would have pulled it and turned the name of the person over to the police. The end. And I would be doing my duty to "all of the community," not just the people whom I like or who advertise with me. Laura Hart

422. Any person who willfully threatens to commit a crime which will result in death or great bodily injury to another person, with the specific intent that the statement, made verbally, in writing, orby means of an electronic communication device, is to be taken as athreat, even if there is no intent of actually carrying it out,which, on its face and under the circumstances in which it is made,is so unequivocal, unconditional, immediate, and specific as to convey to the person threatened, a gravity of purpose and an immediate prospect of execution of the threat, and thereby causes that person reasonably to be in sustained fear for his or her own safety or for his or her immediate family's safety, shall be punishedby imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed one year, or by imprisonment in the state prison.

UPDATED:Asked Kern Valley Sun "newspaper" to trace IP of threat on their website

If you don't know already, the Kern Valley Sun, has some "issues" with me in it. Yes, we are old buddies, with a rich history of stories to tell.
As far as the threat goes, they have no intention of following their own rules on their website. Nor do they have the decency to just follow thru and find out who would say something to obvious to everyone but the Sun, that would be considered a threat.
But after I saw what the editor, Cathy Perfect, wrote to somehow justify her decision to leave in the threat, I made a few writing comparisons.
Indeed, Barbara Casas, former KVHD board member and "Sun writer" was the author.
For fun, I wrote several posts to see what the Sun would do with them. They only posted three, but left this last one out.

Re; the editor's post: It's funny how I asked a few regular people about the threat's ambiguity and none of them mentioned the two things you suggest. It sounds to me like you have spoken with this former KVHD board member, former writer for the Sun, and she told you these things. If I were to say anything about the Sun's pet agenda, like homosexuality, and add an ambiguous threat, it would never have gone up. Like the other two from today. Just like the truth about KVHD didn't get printed.

The Kern County Sheriff's department, Deputy Garcia, told me that the threat was not covered under penal code 422, a "terrorist" threat.
But the department had me contact another agency which handles this sort of matter.
The Sun could have done many things different here, but covering for people is what they have done in the past, and is what continues now.
So, this has been funny, but soon I'm going to tell you the story of the "setting sun" and how it directly relates to what happened to many people and patients at KVHD. Lives were changed, and a local publication calling themselves a "newspaper" turns their back as to not "step on any toes."
(I'm glad I'm wearing steel toe boots.)
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Here we go again, another threat, not really veiled either. The last threat was a gun pointed at me and I'm just not going to tolerate this anymore.
And the Kern Valley Sun allowed it to be posted, because they moderate their forum. So, I consider it a threat from both the Sun and the author of the threat.
The Sun knew what this was and they can't say they didn't. (Even the next person to post remarked about the threat)
mark wrote on Jul 15, 2009 7:35 AM:
" as for positive change, the time i have lived in this valley i have seen that place go from bad to worse. take that statement from McGlew with a "pound" of salt. and to the truth, if that remark doesn't sound like a threat, than i don't know what does. bit dramatic don't you think?"
The Truth wrote on Jul 15, 2009 12:36 AM:
" Everything seems to be working well at the Healthcare District except one item: Laura Hart spends too much of the District's time re-hashing old news and making libellous remarks at Board Meetings, about Board Members. I think the community is getting tired of her gaining attention for telling lies and making inuendos about people, and I think someone should "shut her up for good!"

Testing the Kern Valley Sun website blog: they know who made the threat...

So, far I've sent over five emails testing out the publisher and editor of the Kern Valley Sun and their claim that the "threat" was too ambiguous.

But Cathy Perfect said in a response from the paper, that it could be taken as two other specific things. Mind you, Cathy, and the paper were asked by me to turn over the IP address from this person.
Well, Freud, jump back in here and tell me if you don't think Ms. Perfect's response doesn't lead you to believe she not only knows who this is, has talked to hem, and it is most likely a board member...

Editor wrote on Jul 16, 2009 4:50 PM:
" As of now, the post will stand. The statement "shut her up for good" does not explicitly call for a person's death. It could also be interpreted as the district barring her from meetings and/or securing a restraining order. "

As I said in the other post, I would check out and see if I could copy and paste the same threat and add other names. They put these up, but there are two more pending.

hypocrisy fighter1 wrote on Jul 17, 2009 11:19 AM:
" It seems to me that Susan Barr, perhaps, misconscrewbulated her article on the new CEO's actual report. Therefore...and I think someone should "shut her up for good!" " "

Enigma wrote on Jul 17, 2009 11:16 AM:
" the editor of this article, did not correct the mistakes in spelling or content, Cathy Perfect, so...and I think someone should "shut her up for good!" " "

puerilism 1 wrote on Jul 17, 2009 11:13 AM:
" I think Marsha Smith has done a poor job allowing salamanderisms in the paper... and I think someone should "shut her up for good!" "

Let me just tell you the other two posts are different regarding freedom of speech and paper policies. The final post asks if there are people "afraid" of me. I said I just use words and pictures to fight, but apparently my imagination is not as vivid as theirs is.

See what you can write on the Kern Valley Sun blog. Apparently its all about pushing the limits. I'll let you know if the other two go up. If they don't I'll just show you what they wouldn't post...