Campaign updates
I have been so busy with my campaign, family and work that I haven't really had a chance to update this blog. However, I'm taking a short break from it all to post an update on the status of my race. First things first. As most of you know, Saturday, 9/16/2006 was a black day in my life. To make a long story short, my campaigning was stopped by force at a public festival. My two opponents were allowed to remain in the festival because they paid for booths. Bear in mind, all of this was on public property, and was open to the public free of charge. I have since learned that a single city council woman was behind this entire event.
I don't like to admit this, but that night I actually cried. Friends, this doesn't happen often. But when I looked back upon my life, and how readily I offered myself to the cause of liberty and my country, I felt like someone had punched me in the gut. I enlisted in the Army National Guard at the age of 17; taking an oath to protect and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies; both foreign and domestic. Since the time that I decided the US Constitution was worth my life, and as any vet can tell you, it has taken a special place in my heart.
Later, I offered my service as a volunteer firefighter / EMT. I was an active FF / EMT on 9/11/2001, when I watched my brothers and sisters sacrifice their lives without hesitation. Once again, I faced my own mortality, and deemed my community and country worth it. Time and time again, I, like my brothers and sisters in the fire service, risked my life to save lives and property of people we often didn't even know. More recently, I accepted the offer to run for State Representative on the Libertarian ticket.
This was not a decision I took lightly. To represent an entire house district is an awesome responsibility, and a sacrifice on top of that. But again, I deemed my community and country worth it. And after all this, I was slapped in the face with a brazen, obviously partisan attack on not only my campaign, but freedom itself. Friends, I was not urinating on a crucifix. I was not burning an American flag. I was not supporting nazis or ku-klux-klan members. I was walking the streets, shaking hands and handing out flyers. At that point I was asked to either cease campaigning, pay the $100.00 booth fee, or leave the fair. I opted for none of the above, and claimed first amendment protection.
At one point, I had 5 uniformed officers surronding me. I repeated my claim to them all, that I would not stop campaigning, nor would I leave. It was at that point that they decided I was leaving one way or another. I chose not to partake in their mace and tazers, and, feeling that my point was made, chose to have them escort me off the premises.
I filed a complaint with the city PD, and asked to be put on the next city council meeting's agenda. I stated at that time to both the city and the PD what happened, and that I required a written apology. Honestly, I didn't expect one.
I was surprised, and elated when I received a personal, written, and public apology from the Mayor of Mission, KS. Furthermore, the PD has demonstrated the highest degree of professionalism and courtesy in their investigation of this matter. I am relieved, excited, and invigorated by the city's significant efforts to right this situation. It has, once again, restored my belief in my community, and my country.
There is, however, one bit of unfinished business. I have yet to receive an apology from the city council woman behind this entire ordeal. Councilwoman Gibbs, I await your apology. You will not treat me, nor anyone else in this country as a second class citizen. I will defend this freedom for myself, my political opponents, and yes, even you, until my heart pumps air. In the meantime, I hearby call for not only your apology, but your resignation.
I don't like to admit this, but that night I actually cried. Friends, this doesn't happen often. But when I looked back upon my life, and how readily I offered myself to the cause of liberty and my country, I felt like someone had punched me in the gut. I enlisted in the Army National Guard at the age of 17; taking an oath to protect and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies; both foreign and domestic. Since the time that I decided the US Constitution was worth my life, and as any vet can tell you, it has taken a special place in my heart.
Later, I offered my service as a volunteer firefighter / EMT. I was an active FF / EMT on 9/11/2001, when I watched my brothers and sisters sacrifice their lives without hesitation. Once again, I faced my own mortality, and deemed my community and country worth it. Time and time again, I, like my brothers and sisters in the fire service, risked my life to save lives and property of people we often didn't even know. More recently, I accepted the offer to run for State Representative on the Libertarian ticket.
This was not a decision I took lightly. To represent an entire house district is an awesome responsibility, and a sacrifice on top of that. But again, I deemed my community and country worth it. And after all this, I was slapped in the face with a brazen, obviously partisan attack on not only my campaign, but freedom itself. Friends, I was not urinating on a crucifix. I was not burning an American flag. I was not supporting nazis or ku-klux-klan members. I was walking the streets, shaking hands and handing out flyers. At that point I was asked to either cease campaigning, pay the $100.00 booth fee, or leave the fair. I opted for none of the above, and claimed first amendment protection.
At one point, I had 5 uniformed officers surronding me. I repeated my claim to them all, that I would not stop campaigning, nor would I leave. It was at that point that they decided I was leaving one way or another. I chose not to partake in their mace and tazers, and, feeling that my point was made, chose to have them escort me off the premises.
I filed a complaint with the city PD, and asked to be put on the next city council meeting's agenda. I stated at that time to both the city and the PD what happened, and that I required a written apology. Honestly, I didn't expect one.
I was surprised, and elated when I received a personal, written, and public apology from the Mayor of Mission, KS. Furthermore, the PD has demonstrated the highest degree of professionalism and courtesy in their investigation of this matter. I am relieved, excited, and invigorated by the city's significant efforts to right this situation. It has, once again, restored my belief in my community, and my country.
There is, however, one bit of unfinished business. I have yet to receive an apology from the city council woman behind this entire ordeal. Councilwoman Gibbs, I await your apology. You will not treat me, nor anyone else in this country as a second class citizen. I will defend this freedom for myself, my political opponents, and yes, even you, until my heart pumps air. In the meantime, I hearby call for not only your apology, but your resignation.
posted by Jason E. Peck at 8:10 PM
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