Our Message Board & Response to the Washington Post Article of March 23, 2006

For about the past five years we have maintained a message forum as a feature of this web site. Our forum was unmonitored and uncensored.  A single password was issued to all members and as recently as about 18 months ago, we were alerted to security breaches in our password system. 

On Wednesday, March 15, Washington Post reporter Ernesto Londoño called President Walter E. Bader about the FOP 35 message board. Mr. Londoño wanted to know about the purpose of the board and asked general questions. He then asked about racial remarks on the board. President Bader then asked Mr. Londoño to disclose the alleged  racist remarks to which he referred. Mr. Londoño's reply was "use of the [term] 'ghetto'".  Bader told Mr. Londoño that he did not consider that word alone to be racist.  

Mr. Londoño offered no other examples. He never mentioned sexist or other inappropriate comments from the message board. It was in response to an apparent absence of racist or bigoted remarks that Bader informed the reporter that while he did not approve of some of the posts, the board was a relatively new technology and that police officers have the right to free speech. Bader also informed Mr. Londoño that the board was not secure enough to keep out unauthorized users. (Bader never used the words "hack" or "hackers.") 

On Friday, March 17, President Bader called Mr. Londoño to see if he needed more information or had any other questions about the FOP message board.  Bader referred Mr. Londoño to the messages prominently displayed on the board, including the following:

Montgomery County Lodge 35 Forum

This Forum is provided as a private service to Members Only. Trespass and Unauthorized access are strictly prohibited and may be prosecuted to the extent permitted by law. As stated on the password page, Users Are Responsible For The  Content Of Their Own Messages.  FOP 35 assumes no responsibility for posts made on this board and cannot verify the accuracy of any post, writing, link, or comment. 

While private and protected, it is known that posts could improperly be made by unauthorized persons (non-Members) that are fraudulent, defamatory, biased, and offensive; or for the purpose of discrediting FOP 35 or member(s). Some unauthorized individuals might post messages to defame themselves in order to promote an agenda. Please be aware of this when reading posts. Posters are responsible for the content of each message posted. FOP 35 does not censor messages and assumes no responsibility for the content and nature of any post or reply. Please be considerate of your Brother and Sister Members when posting comments. Please contact us with any and all concerns (301-948-4286).

Thank you for your consideration.                               

Reporter Londoño said he had seen the messages.

Before departing the country on Sunday morning, Bader had called Lodge Attorney Margo Pave and informed her that the issue of our Web Board was of interest to the press. She was given background and other relevant information to comment should we receive any calls.  The issue of racist, sexist, and bigoted comments was not discussed with Pave because it was neither known  by Bader raised by the reporter.

When contacted, Attorney Pave condemned racist and bigoted messages while asserting members' rights as well as those of Lodge 35.  On March 25, the Post reported that she, "sent a letter [on Friday, March 24] to County Executive Douglas M. Duncan (D) saying the union 'condemns the racist and sexist' postings on the board ...."  This after Pave communicated by e-mail with Bader who asked her to offer County Executive Doug Duncan an opportunity to meet with him upon his return to the country on the following Monday to discuss the matter. Duncan's response was to cut off county access to the Web board without first meeting. He later agreed to meet and County Chief Administrative Officer Bruce Romer called to identify the issues in advance of that meeting.

Even before his return to the United States on Sunday, Bader had worked on the issue. Meetings were scheduled with several County Council Members for Monday and a draft Message Board Policy, previously started, was finalized. 

Reporter Londoño called Bader on Monday.  Bader called him back and told him that he was not forthcoming when first interviewed about the message board. Londoño admitted that he did not disclose any racist, sexist, or other inappropriate comments and that he only asked about the word "ghetto."   Londoño's reply was that he "assumed [Bader] knew."  This despite the fact that Bader specifically asked him to disclose any racist remarks on the board.

On Monday, Bader did meet with the County Council President and other Council Members, including all three members of the Council Public Safety Committee.

On Monday evening, a regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting was held and a policy was adopted for recommendation to the membership.

On Tuesday, the Washington Post reported that on Monday "Bader condemned the vitriolic messages" and said he takes "full responsibility for this Web board."   

On Friday, along with Attorney Lanny Davis, former Counsel to President Clinton, Bader held a press conference and answered all reporters' questions.