

From:    MikeHurley@aol.com

Thanks for the concerned E-mail and phone calls.

So far I've had two TV interviews.  The first was conducted by Reed Black of
Channel 5 in Kansas City, and occured on the first day the news release went
out.  Their story leaned toward the inuendos and guilt by association
supplied by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.  They're spokesman called me a
"security risk" without giving any reason and suggested I had exercised "poor
judgement" in discussing my "militia connections."  No word on how keeping
quiet would have made me less of a risk.  Apparently my militia connections
are the Internet and Harold Sheil.  No word on why knowing someone engaged in
strictly legal activities with a purely legal organization makes me a
security risk.  Finally, they showed a spot from a crime scene with a
voice-over noting the MSHP has had Troopers killed by individuals with
"paramilitary connections" -- implying the militias are this type of
organization and could spawn such murderers.  Also in the spot was the
obligatory shot of an assault rifle.  The spot aired at the 5 P.M. broadcast
(preceding the CBS Eveneing News at 5:30 P.M.).  The spot "tied into" a very
short on the ATF hearings in Congress.  It opened with a pretty good
description of my story and shots of me in my home, but then passed on the
MSHP's spurious charges uncritically.

Today, the second day after the release began reaching local media outlets,
Glenn Pearson of Channel 4 came to my house for an interview.  By this time,
the Highway Patrol had gone completely dumn.  Only Captain Phillips, MSHP
Troop A commander was allowed to speak to Mr. Pearson, and he repeated the
same mantra word for word, refering each and every question to the National
Guard.  The Guard, previously silent, issued a very brief FAX statement to
Channel 4 restating the conclusion from the MSHP report (issued to the Guard
last week).  Mr. Pearson read this on the air: "That action came after the
Missouri Highway State Patrol told us of statements he had made regarding the
role of law enforcement, which, as a matter of good order and discipline,
where inconsistent with the attitude expected of someone voluntarily serving
in a position of trust in support of law enfocement."  When asked by the lady
anchor what I possibly could have said do get them upset with me, Glenn said
I had voiced my concerns with the conduct of the ATF and criticised the
handling of WACO, among other things.  

Interestingly, the second the story ended, Glenn was on the phone wanting to
know if I saw the story and if I thought it was fair.  I assured him I did
think it was fair and thanked him for his efforts.

Comments to TV5 and TV4:

KCTV, Channel 5
4500 Shawnee Mission Pkwy
Fairway, KS 6205
(913) 677-5555

WDAF, Channel 4
Signal Hill
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816) 753-4567

It might be helpful to communicate your concerns to the Governor of Missouri:
Mel Carnahan, State Capitol, Jefferson City, MO 65101 (314) 751-3222

I would also recommend contacting your U.S. Congress-folk to site this as
example of hysteria whipped-up by the "hate speech" coming from the
administration and others.




