Ernie, I have consulted with the U.S. Hawks Board, and there was a unanimous decision to take these actions. Our decision is easily summed up by Joe's earlier post:
JoeF wrote:Many healthy forums have learned that moderation is not censorship. It’s curating a space for productive conversation. Abusive posts erode free exchange rather than protect it.
You (Ernie) have made it clear that you are not posting about hang gliding or posting to promote hang gliding. You have clearly stated that your motives for posting are to "destroy" people and their reputations. You revealed this spontaneously through your many text messages to me. Here are some recent examples:
Ernie Casco text message July 17th, 2025 at 9:28am wrote:
I will come after your reputation
Ernie Casco text message July 17th, 2025 at 9:37am wrote:
I'll fu**ing do everything I can to put you out of business you and Frank and your little gang of fu**ers
Ernie Casco text message July 17th, 2025 at 11:13pm wrote:
so fu** you I'm coming after your reputation you piece of s***
Ernie Casco text message July 17th, 2025 at 11:24pm wrote:
Your reputation in La Jolla is dirt it's going to be fu** you when I'm done with you I will destroy you
Ernie Casco text message July 17th, 2025 at 11:26pm wrote:
so fu** you Bob and I am coming after your reputation
The U.S. Hawks Board has voted that these statements by you (Ernie) reveal a motivation behind your posts that is inconsistent with the goals and purposes of the U.S. Hawks forum. As a result of this finding, temporary bans have been instituted and all of your related posts have been removed. I have given you copies of your posts as you have requested. Any abusive future posts will also be removed, so keep your own copies. Note that I reserve the right to take legal action against you. It is not something that I want to do, but I will do so if needed.
UPDATE September 5, 2025: Based on Ernie's additional statements in conjunction with his previously stated goal to detroy a person or their reputation, the temporary ban has been extended for another 7 days.
UPDATE November 12, 2025: The the ban has been extended for another week. Also note that Craig Muhonen has been included in the ban for similar abuses of the forum. Craig's messages were not as overtly hostile as Ernie's but they conveyed the same intention to harm rather than seek honest discussion or resolution of a problem.