Posted on 06/02/2004 4:40:41 AM PDT by Born Conservative
Kurt J. Shotko of the Green Party says he was only trying to talk to Army personnel when police were called.
By KEVIN OWEN KEARNEY kkearney@leader.net
HAZLE TWP. - A Green Party candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives was arrested Tuesday after a verbal altercation with officers at an Army recruiting station, police said.
But the candidate, Kurt J. Shotko, 37, of 506 N. Irving Ave. in Scranton, said he was the one who called state police because he had been "thrown to the ground" by a recruiter at the U.S. Army Recruiting Station on the Airport Beltway.
Police said Shotko walked into the station at 1:15 p.m. and told three recruiters they were cowards. He then asked them, "Why do you recruiters lie to kids?"
He also said U.S. military personnel were killing innocent babies and civilians in Iraq, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed by Trooper David E. Balliet of the state police barracks in Hazleton.
The affidavit states:
The recruiters, Pernell Bowersox, Russell Burnham and Timothy Paul, became "seriously annoyed and alarmed" by Shotko's remarks and conduct and told him numerous times to leave.
Shotko refused and said he wanted to stay to protest the war. He remained in front of the station for about 15 minutes before being arrested by Balliet, police said.
Shotko said he was not causing a disturbance.
"I was sitting in the waiting room reading a book," he said Tuesday night after being released on $5,000 bail. "(The trooper) didn't ask me what I had to say, he just arrested me."
Shotko doesn't dispute some of the claims. He said he called the recruiters cowards after they refused to talk to him because he had been wearing a "No War" pin.
"I went there as a candidate for Congress; I'm not just some guy off the street. I deserve the respect to at least ask a few questions," Shotko said.
Neither the recruiters nor Balliet could be reached for comment Tuesday night.
Shotko was arraigned before District Justice James Tupper in Trucksville on charges of disorderly conduct, criminal trespass and harassment.
As part of the bail agreement, he is ordered not to go within 2,000 feet of the Hazle Township recruiting station.
Message to the recruiters: I don't think you tossed this guy on his butt, but I wouldn't mind.
At least he already has the correct attitude to be in Congress.
It seems that 2,000 feet is a little excessive. Think how upset people would be if it were abortion protesters that were ordered to keep 2,000 feet from the clinic they were protesting, or if freepers were ordered to keep 2,000 feet from the people they were freeping.
Message to the recruiters:...attaboys
Anti-war-wacko-with-a-death-wish ping.
This guy must be ignorant if he's going to talk to recruiters about anything other than joining.
He IS just some guy off of the street to them and IS NOT worthy of anything more than common courtesy or, apparently, an ass whipping.
It's ok for a specific person who poses a threat, not for a group that has never been charged.
This guy went out of his way to be at this recruiting station. He is from the Scranton area, which is at least a 45 minute drive on the Interstate (81) from Hazleton. 2000 feet, which is less than 1/2 mile, shouldn't be a problem.
To the recruiters: "Oooo-Raaaaaah!"
http://shotkopa.tripod.com/kurtshotko10thdistrict/id6.html
Wouldn't that be this Saturday, the First Saturday of this month, that Kurt Shotko will be meeting with his comrades.
Memo to Shotko: Don't let your mouth write checks that your butt can't cash.
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
Well, I'm not sure if calling someone a liar and a baby killer is ACTUALLY asking a question, but hey what do I know, I'm just "some guy off the street".
What an a-hole!
YEAH!! GO ARMY!!
(oops!)
"Do you know who I almost am?"
He also said U.S. military personnel were killing innocent babies and civilians in Iraq, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed by Trooper David E. Balliet of the state police barracks in Hazleton.
If I understand the law correctly, calling someone a coward is considered "fighting words."
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