[Bob Kuczewski]

On August 18th, 2025, the U.S. Hawks Advisory Board voted unanimously by phone to remove the abusive posts by "eagle" (Ernie Casco). The posts were determined to have been made to destroy a person's reputation (mine in this case), and had no place on the forum. These are the portions of eagle's text messages that made it clear that he was posting specifically for the purpose of causing harm:

... I will come after your reputation ...

... I'm coming after your reputation ...

... I will destroy you ...

... I am coming after your reputation ...

A number of temporary bans (1 hour, 6 hours, 1 day, 7 days, 14 days, 30 days) have also been instituted to give eagle some time to read and understand the consequences of his actions.

[Bob Kuczewski]

I recently discovered that a considerable portion of Ernie's rage (see my previous post) has been stoked by private messages to Ernie from the U.S. Hawks member known as "Craig Muhonen". My discovery of Craig's messages was serendipitous, and I don't yet know how long it had been going on. I also don't yet know the motivation behind Craig's actions.

But I do know that Craig's actions are clearly in violation of the U.S. Hawks mission statement "To Promote, Protect, and Serve Recreational Hang Gliding". And for that reason, and that reason alone, I have instituted a ban on the user "Craig Muhonen" for an indefinite period of time.

I have considered whether or not to take this matter before the Board, but I decided that I didn't want to burden them with the consequences of the banning. I didn't want any of them to be retaliated against through the kinds of back-door attacks that Craig has launched against me. However, if any Board members object to this action, please post in the Board of Directors section, and we will bring it to a vote.

For the benefit of Craig and in response to his complaints, the U.S. Hawks Board has been an Advisory Board from the very beginning. It was formed as an Advisory Board for a number of reasons, but one of the most important was to shield our volunteer Board members from any liability. In other words, I have taken full responsibility for my decisions here on the U.S. Hawks, as I do in this case. It is rare (maybe only once or twice in our 15 year history) that I take an action without approval from the Board, but I felt it was needed in this case. Again, we can put it to a vote if any Board members feel that a vote is needed.

I would also like to note that it saddens me very deeply to have to take this action. I had thought Craig was a friend of mine and a friend of the U.S. Hawks. Indeed, I had called on Craig to help heal the rift between Ernie and myself, and I put them in touch with one another. Sadly, Craig used that contact information to worsen the situation rather than make it better. Craig manipulated Ernie through a series of private email messages in order to divide us. I would not have known of any of this if some of the private email messages between Craig and Ernie hadn't been accidentally leaked to me.

The U.S. Hawks Hang Gliding Association is essentially an open book. Our history is here for everyone to read. Unfortunately, there will be those who will take advantage of that openness to harm our association and our members. I will do my best to keep that from happening.

[JoeF]

Prudent action; justified.

[Chris McKeon]

Think about it. We talk about being banned from hang Gliding Associations. It could be so much worse. We could be involved in Politics and have Shot Down like Charlie Kirk and Donald Trump.
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