TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Hernando Today

Alleged radio threats attract Secret Service's attention

ADVERTISEMENT

By KYLE MARTIN

Hernando Today

Published: August 4, 2009

Updated: 08/04/2009 07:19 pm

BROOKSVILLE - Folks who listen to Bob Haa in the morning on WWJB know that the radio talk show host doesn't flinch from giving his opinion.

But someone says he went too far on Friday and threatened President Barack Obama.

Barbara Manuel, who operates the AM station with her husband, Steve, confirmed Monday that the station had been contacted by the Secret Service.

John Joyce, special agent in charge of the Secret Service Tampa bureau, said Monday that an investigation was under way to determine "if something in fact was said that violates law."

He wouldn't comment further about an ongoing investigation that is "protective in nature."

A Hernando Today reporter was contacted by an anonymous caller on Friday saying that Haa had told his listeners to take up arms and shoot the president.

When Haa was told the complaint on Friday, he laughed.

"Why would I say something like that? That's stupid," he said.

Asked if there was something that could be taken out of context, Haa said the president came into a discussion about health care reform. But there was no talk of guns or ammo, Haa said, or even a Second Amendment debate.

A listen to a tape of Friday's show would immediately clear up the issue, but Manuel said there is no tape. Haa's shows are not regularly recorded, unless, for instance, a guest on the show wants a copy, Manuel said.

From this point forward, that will change and every show will be recorded.

It's unclear who's making the allegations, but Haa believes it's either someone "out to get him" or a misunderstanding. He suspects the former.

"There's a real nationwide effort to go after conservatives," Haa said.

Reporter Michael Bates contributed to this report. Reporter Kyle Martin can be reached at 352-544-5271 or kmartin@hernandotoday.com

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT