Arkansas Blog: A lonely dissent -- YES! MORE UPDATES

I'm in receipt of this letter from Micah Qualls, who says she lost her job today (Friday) at a business at the Little Rock airport for holding a Hillary Clinton sign in sight of where John McCain's plane landed. By her account, the sign drew the attention of Mike Huckabee, who complained to her boss. Huckabee, on Friday night, and the boss, in an interview Saturday, disputed her account.

Qualls waits tables at the restaurant in Central Flying Service. She said she was shocked to be fired for holding a sign behind the fence in the parking lot near the flight line. But she said she was particularly irked that her boss waited until after the lunch shift to let her go.

Qualls, who's completed work to become a teacher and whose vocal talents won the recent Little Rock Star talent contest, has a past with protests. She was among those present at a protest Valentine's Day, 2005 when Huck held his covenant marriage shindig at Alltel. There's also this MySpace page, which includes a Hillary endorsement. She said she was silent and merely held her sign and, though it was during her work shift, there was no business in the restaurant at the time and she was on break. She said her boss had indicated "they didn't need the drama." She's written Clinton to tell her she lost her job on account of her support for her.

I've called Dick Holbert, the boss at Central Flying, for a comment. Private businesses, of course, are exempt from First Amendment protection.

PS -- I'm reminded that I saw Qualls star as Reno Sweeney in a production of "Anythng Goes" at Christ Episcopal several years ago. The Sherwood gal has pipes. And a backbone.

UPDATE -- STOP THE PRESSES -- Got a call at home tonight (Friday) from former Gov. Mike Huckabee. Yes, really. I did. It was a cordial call. But he wanted to say 1) he had not seen the young woman with the sign at Central Flying 2) he'd made no complaint to anyone about her presence because he hadn't seen her 3) any suggestion otherwise was "absolutely unbelievable" (if I read my scrawled notes on a hotel notepad correctly). He said the McCain plane landed at a Central termnal not easily in view of where Micah says she stood. In short, a la Sgt. Schultz, he knows "no-thing."

He confirmed, by the way, that a 501-c4, in addition to a new PAC, is among his endeavors in the future. It was a very pleasant chat. If it hadn't been past my 9 p.m. bedtime -- and if I hadn't been in need of resuscitation after receiving a call from the former gov. -- I might have taken better notes and asked better questions.

SATURDAY UPDATE: Micah and friends have added to the account of events in the comments string. Very interesting. Micah has written me also to say Channel 11 filmed her and that film should show Huckabee within a few yards of her when McCain arrived. She said a co-worker had overheard Huckabee ask Taylor Holbert if Qualls was one of the restaurant workers. She also said Huckabee had acknowledged to a friend of his having been unhappy about the solo demonstration. Again, Huckabee specifically told me Friday night had not complained to anyone at Central about Qualls' presence.

ON THE JUMP: Another person steps forward to buttress Micah's account and dispute the former governor.

AND FINALLY: Dick Holbert of Central Flying Service called me Saturday afternoon.

He takes full responsibility for firing Qualls and said Mike Huckabee "didn't have anything to do with it."

AND YET MORE FINALLY: Somebody has asked my opinion about all this. I don't know. But I've had further intelligence from a source who is well-connected to the Huckabees. He says that he believes that Mike Huckabee himself didn't directly intercede. But what about Chip Saltsman, his former campaign manager, who does a fair amount of personal aviation business at Central Flying. That's one man's theory, in any case.

See Holbert's important full account on the jump.

Also, SUNDAY ADDITION, about another witness of events.

FROM A PHONE INTERVIEW WITH DICK HOLBERT, HEAD OF CENTRAL FLYING SERVICE:

He didn't witness Qualls' demonstration, but was told of it by his son, Taylor, director of flight line operations. After hearing the details, he said, "I told the Flight Deck manager to relieve her. She was not on a break, she was on my time. She was wearing my uniform. That she was holding a Clinton sign was beside the point. She spoke loudly and a lot of people noticed."

Holbert said his son had told him that Qualls demonstrated not only near the flight line, but also walked over to be seen at a gate through which motorcades pass with people from arriving flights.

"We get all the candidates," Holbert said. "They're our customers. To have someone in uniform carrying on is disrespectful to our customers. It just absolutely flew all over me. I said get rid of her."

Holbert said neither Huckabee nor anyone associated with the McCain campaign had talked to him about Qualls. He said he'd asked his son whether anyone had talked to him and he had said no one had. "I asked him specifically if Huckabee had said anything to him. He said absolutely not." Holbert said Huckabee had talked to his son in passing and asked that he say hello to the elder Holbert, but there was no reference to Qualls.

Holbert said he believed candidates were "immune" to opponents showing up at public events because it happened frequently. He said he couldn't imagine any candidate being surprised by it.

From Holbert's description of Qualls' effort to be seen, it seems unlikely that it would have been impossible for the McCain party not to have seen Qualls at some point. Holbert said he didn't know because he wasn't there.

OTHER SATURDAY UPDATES

I chatted Saturday morning with Wil Dunn, a desk clerk at the LaQuinta Inn in Otter Creek who sings on a church praise team with Micah Qualls. He said he told an acquaintance of his who was attending a conference at the hotel Friday about the firing. The man, who knows Huckabee well, promptly called Huckabee on a cell phone, speaking first to Janet Huckabee before the former governor got on the line. Dunn said he heard the conversation and that the man later recounted the conversation in a call to Qualls herself. (Dunn said the man did not want to be identified by name because of his long association with the former governor.)

The upshot: The man objected to Qualls' firing and Huckabee's role in it. Huckabee told the man that he had not complained to Central Flying management, but that someone from "his camp" had lodged the complaint. That gives Huckabee some wiggle room in support of his statement to me that he had not complained. But he made it clear to the caller, Dunn says, that he had seen Qualls and was unhappy about her silent demonstration. According to Dunn, Huckabee told the man he'd been surprised at being greeted by a McCain opponent and that he thought it "disrespectful" and "tasteless."

After further criticism from the caller, Huckabee reportedly told the man that he did regret Quall's loss of job and that he'd send an e-mail to Central Flying about it.

"If he didn't have anything to do with it, why would he send an e-mail?" Dunn said. Referring to Huckabee's interview with me, Dunn said, "I cannot believe he would lie like that."

SATURDAY EVENING UPDATE: A spokesman for the governor says no such call as described by Dunn occurred. They asked for the name of the caller. I don't have it, but have asked Qualls and Dunn to identify him.

I've sent a message to Channel 11 to see if there is video footage that puts Huckabee in proximity to Qualls when McCain arrived.

E-MAIL FROM MICAH QUALLS SATURDAY MORNING, BEFORE MY DISCUSSION WITH HOLBERT

One of the airplane line workers heard the governor ask the question to Taylor Holbert "isn't that one of the girls from the Flight Deck?"

I didn't know that people could lie this way.

But obviously he is worried, because he called you immediately.

I am totally in shock.

SUNDAY UPDATE

This is the account, retold by someone else, of the Central Flying employee who overheard Mike Huckabee make a remark to Taylor Holbert about Qualls. The employee is standing nearby when McCain arrives. Huckabee shakes his hand. McCain observes, "Looks like we already have protestors," or words to that effect. Huckabee turns to Holbert and asks, "Isn't that one of the girls from the restaurant?"

This account offers no indication of Huckabee's frame of mind about the incident. Indeed, the person who reported this encounter recounted it jokingly later.

This account would support Huckabee's account that he didn't complain to Taylor Holbert (though it does contradict his account of not having seen Qualls.) But it doesn't mean he didn't get on the phone shortly after to someone in his "camp" who did deliver a complaint later. And that the Holberts then reacted. But they say no one called them. As a business likely to have ongoing relations with political candidates, though, it's fair to observe that they are in a position where they'd want to fade any heat in this incident, particularly since an employee set it in motion.

Comments

Damn, even Herr Rove acting on Herr Bush's behalf allowed "free speech zones" until a federal judge threw out the cases and charges associated with being outside a Rove zone. So, if you think Herr Rove and Herr Bush are bad news for democracy, tremble a little before the Hilter of Hope ever gets a chance to wield a little power.

Posted by: L.Wood | April 25, 2008 05:40 PM

First Amendment says you can say whatever you want.

Doesn't say anything about how people can react to it.

I would even go as far as saying that the private business owner is exercising his first amendment right by letting her go.

Posted by: Arkansas Red | April 25, 2008 05:49 PM

Good old corporate America with more rights than individuals.. and Republicans who just love to abuse our rights.. A match made in K Street heaven.

Posted by: Eureka Springs, AR | April 25, 2008 06:01 PM

Was McCain's plane a paying customer of Central Flying Service?

Posted by: Arkansas Blogger | April 25, 2008 06:02 PM

"I would even go as far as saying that the private business owner is exercising his first amendment right by letting her go."

Dumb as a business decision though. There's a certain liquor store that no longer gets my patronage because I once heard the owner ranting against "them Democrats." But still, folks are welcome to dig their own graves here in the Land of the Free.

Posted by: Neuroglider | April 25, 2008 06:14 PM

Someone give that good american girl a job, quick!!!!!!!!!!!
RIGHT TO WORK STATE.........................YEAH!!!
If troops in Iraq think they are fighting and dying for freedom of speech and expression,
they had better throw down their arms and return home post haste.

Posted by: jazzy | April 25, 2008 06:14 PM

Guess they have lost my business for good.

Posted by: Any*Mouse | April 25, 2008 06:36 PM

Since when is anyone exempt from freedom of speech....! not private businesses!
Someone ought to punch Huck in the nose.
Sounds to me that business was doing business in a public place.

Posted by: chasv | April 25, 2008 06:37 PM

"...her boss waited until after the lunch shift to let her go."

Perfect. You don't expect somebody like that to actually do any work themselves when they have "the help" there to do it for them, do you?
That's the kind of guy I'd like to extend a helping hand to, just as he falls out of reach off a cliff.

Posted by: RickBaber | April 25, 2008 07:04 PM

Let me play devil's advocate for a moment here. She admits to being on the clock. Were any of her co-workers holding up McCain signs? I don't want my employees politicking or doing much of anything BUT work when they are on the clock.

Posted by: Wyle E. Coyote | April 25, 2008 07:17 PM

In response to Wyle E., she did say in her letter that she was on her break. Most waitresses get one or two fifteen minute breaks during a shift -- and why holding a sign is less permissable than smoking a cig or calling your mom or eating a Whopper is beyond me. As long as she isn't robbing banks or shooting drugs, it's her 15 minutes.

I think it's particularly ironic that this happened on McCain's "forgotten America" tour. I guess he forgot about the girl who worked for seven years a waitress to put herself through school to become a teacher, who just happened to have political beliefs different from his own. What a disgrace.

Posted by: MarthaB | April 25, 2008 07:27 PM

The real issue here is what a thin-skinned asshole Mike Huckabee is to even talk to the boss about it. Defends Jeremiah Wright with one breath, then throws a hissy over a Clinton sign with another. What sort of perspective does this man have? Judging by this action, the title Huckster is more and more befitting of this cretin who has bamboozled the country into thinking he's Christian presidential material. He appears to be neither very Christian nor presidential with this type of behavior.

I hope the talk show hosts tear him a new one over this, that the talking heads at the noise networks shine mega-wattage lamps on this idiocy, and that humorists and satirists have a field day with this. Micah needs to take this matter and make money off of it since the foolish former governor felt she didn't deserve to have her job and enjoy her break as she saw fit.

The next time, Micah, hold up a sign that says ASSHOLE. It'll be more appropriate for Huckabee.

Posted by: Jake da Snake | April 25, 2008 07:55 PM

Dammit Jake.
I wish I had said it like that.

Posted by: RickBaber | April 25, 2008 08:01 PM

I should have read the letter sooner. While I absolutely agree that she did nothing wrong, technically neither did her boss. Personally, I don't know that I would have chosen to exercise my right in this situation even though it's entirely legal. I do try to avoid placing myself in situations that could prove embarassing to my employer. To me, that was the ultimate issue here. She embarassed her employer and he addressed the issue by terminating her.

As to the Hucks filing of the complaint. that's unconscionable. Had he not bitched, I'm sure her employer probably never would have known or cared about it.

Posted by: Wyle E. Coyote | April 25, 2008 08:02 PM

She didn't do this on the employers property.. isn't an airport public property?

Posted by: Eureka Springs, AR | April 25, 2008 08:08 PM

Micah Qualls.....My Space

Micah Qualls is a veteran on the stage and in the pulpit. A minister's daughter, Micah grew up singing in churches all over the country. At an early age she was heralded for her ability to interpret music and touch the audience in a personal and profound way. Her voice can only be described as unique and powerful! Her fans say that she is "addictive," "captivating," "authentic," and "transparent." Her ability to relate to all kinds of people in a personal way, makes her performances a cut above the rest. People feel like they know her intimately after watching her shows. In addition to ministry, at an early age she developed a love for musical theater. She headlined many professional shows including Anita in West Side Story and Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes. She went to the University of Tulsa on a full-paid musical theater scholarship. She is a consummate trained singer in choral and traditional music, but prefers to sing with soul. She can sing WHATEVER the job requires, including jazz, standards, country, gospel, pop, alternative, and rock and roll. But her true love is for praise and worship! God has gifted Micah with a keen ability to minister through music. Some have called her the next "Darlene Zschech." She feels closest to God when she is in the heart of worship. She can most likely be seen with her friend and fellow music minister, Kyle Semmes. Kyle plays piano and sings along side Micah, which makes this ministry even more solid and meaningful....for the audience and themselves. God brought these two shining stars together to make beautiful music and change lives! Her primary song writer and fellow musician is Angelyn Jolly. They have been making music together for over 15 years. (check out her myspace for real.) In 2007, Micah won the Little Rock Star competition. This talent search was the biggest in Arkansas' history! She beat out 300 other performers for the grand prize of a 4 year recording contract and artist development deal with Windsong Studio Productions. Under the management of Eric Chesher of Nashville, Micah is working on her first professionally constructed demo and singing wherever she is asked. Be on the look out for the fruits of this labor. With God's guidance, there is magic on the horizon!

Posted by: Cato | April 25, 2008 08:45 PM

Central Flying Service will NO longer be a lunch spot for me. I guess Hillary supporters aren't welcome. My fellow democrats, it's time to stop eating at Central for lunch! Anyone know a new lunch spot where I can get a good burger?

Posted by: BestHope | April 25, 2008 08:48 PM

Write to Huckabee and let him know what an ass he is.

Posted by: BlueRidge | April 25, 2008 08:53 PM

This really just reinforces my perception of the Huckster as the little weasel beeotch who takes it upon himself to go tell the teacher who the kids were who talked while she was out of the classroom. What a dip.

Posted by: RickBaber | April 25, 2008 09:03 PM

I have eaten at the Central Flying Service once a week for six years - No more. I'm not a big fan of Hillary's. I'm not a big fan of Obama's. I have no problem with McCain. I have a big problem with Huckabee and Central Flying Service taking their political prejudices out on a hard working waitress who put herself through school and was always cheerful and efficient when serving up the daily special. This is un-American. Huckabee should be ashamed of himself. Central Flying doesn't deserve the patronage of anyone who believes in the first amendment and the constitution of the United States. John McCain better hope this outrageous attack on a working woman doesn't percolate into the national media. For shame, for shame.

Posted by: UncleEarl | April 25, 2008 09:03 PM

It may not rank as courageous as her action, but write a note to McCain about his un-American attitude toward free speech. It may have been Huck's fault, but Huck acted on McGrump's behalf. This may demonstrate why McGrump would be ill-advised to allow Huck near him, let alone a remote vp possibility. I'd hate to give McGrump any helpful hints, but he may want to consider a restraining order against Huck, say maybe 3,000 miles. link at the blue name ...

Posted by: Jim Lendall | April 25, 2008 09:03 PM

Thanks chasv and Rick and Earl and everybody,( 'cept, as usual, red like the. . . ) Don't waste your ones and zeros on McGrump, Jim, contact Keith Olberman, whether you "like" him or not--this crap is right up his alley. One way or another, this darkness 'got to end.

Posted by: ozarkrazo | April 25, 2008 09:17 PM

Good idea, Jim Lendall. Max, link this to all the major news sources and see if the story can take wings and fly.
I think it can.
Hope Micah won't accept when they beg and plead for her return. She's too good for Central Flying Service.

Posted by: BlueRidge | April 25, 2008 09:20 PM

So, does this update mean that Micah's boss is the asshole?! Has anyone checked with him to see what he says about the whole affair?

And to top it all off, Huck called Max!!! Must be a sign that the end days are near and Huckabee will soon be transported into the clutches of God and crew. Only us LeftBehinders remaining here to keep the beer cold and the sex hot.

BTW, when God meets Bro Mike, He'll take him aside and say with a glint in his steely eye, "Here's your sign."

Posted by: Jake da Snake | April 25, 2008 09:49 PM

The Bro. Guv.'s and Micah's stories don't add up. In my experience, I'd trust Micah.

Posted by: Buddy Cole | April 25, 2008 10:03 PM

You can see this one coming up main street. The aspiring singer sets up a stunt to get canned and then runs to the media. This has all the earmarks of a bizzare story that will land her on the national news by Tuesday. Then she can talk about her singing and who knows....the stunt helps the career. You folks really need to take a second look sometimes when you jump on some theme here.

I know everyone on this blog dislikes business, but think of it this way. You own a flying service/restaurant that caters to all manner of arriving and departing planes. If one of your employees really went out of the way to bring attention to herself like this, you get rid of her for the good of the business. It really isn't a constitutional issue at all. It's comon sense. It's your business. If Hillary visited the Arkansas Times newsroom and an employee jumped on a desk to wave a McCain sign...would it embarass the owner...sure it would.

Posted by: StrangeTimes | April 25, 2008 10:08 PM

Well, somebody reported her activity to Dick Holbert.
Micah, I'm sorry you lost your job, but the Lord works in mysterious ways,
and it looks like he decided you didn't need to be working there any more.
Dick, Mike and John will all get their reward one of these days, and I'm sure
they'll be reminded we were commanded to "do unto others..." and they just
totally missed that one! It will be a cold day in the bad place before I set foot
in Central Arkansas Flying Service again. Goodnight and good luck Dick!

Posted by: RYD | April 25, 2008 10:18 PM

Two words:

PUBLICICYT STUNT

I'm no fan of Huckabee, but I think
he's telling the truth on this one. I
think her boss acted on his own and
I think she's going to milk this for
all she can.

She has every right to do what she
wants on her break as long as she's
not on her employer's property.

Posted by: The Bold and The Blue | April 25, 2008 10:24 PM

Rock on, Micah!

- an Obama supporter

Posted by: Starguy7 | April 25, 2008 10:29 PM

She can come live with me.

Posted by: Deathbyinches | April 25, 2008 10:35 PM

Something is not right here. The Holbert's are strong Democrats. This must be a big misunderstanding.
But, LOL, you can still write and tell Huckabee he is an ass.

Posted by: BlueRidge | April 25, 2008 10:45 PM

I hope Huckabee will continue to be responsive to your questions. He probably got more negative publicity from stonewalling it.

Maybe he wants a job as a columnist?

Posted by: Arkansas Blogger | April 25, 2008 10:50 PM

Max and his blog is a mover of mountains. Huckabee responded to set the record straight, proving the blog's relevance.

But, I gotta agree with Strange on this. It was the owner's every right to remove her: Micah was holding the Hillary sign during her work shift!

Then, she writes the AT about the perceived slight. If I had an employee who waveed a McCain sign while Hillary was pulling up in her plane and it was the employee's work shift, I'd probably either reprimand him/her right away or fire him/her. You have to have a neutrality when your representing a business.

Posted by: JD | April 25, 2008 11:17 PM

Max and his blog are*

Posted by: JD | April 25, 2008 11:19 PM

Oh shut up JD. If she'd been
holding an Obama sign, you'd
be defending her like the rest.

Posted by: The Bold and The Blue | April 25, 2008 11:25 PM

If it is a publicity stunt as many of the best uninformed on here claim then the girl is going places. I give it 36 hours max before Oberman picks it up. He turned the world's largest corporation around in 3 days when he began his broadcast of WalMart taking an invalid's lawsuit settlement.

>>1) he had not seen the girl with the sign at Central Flying 2) he'd made no complaint to anyone about her presence because he hadn't seen her 3) any suggestion otherwise was "absolutely unbelievable" (if I read my scrawled notes on a hotel notepad correctly).<<

Once a lying politician, using Lava soap and a mother living on dirt floors, always a fibber. Note MB's report indicates that he, Huckabuck, did nothing. How many of Huck's servants were around?
.

Posted by: L.Wood | April 25, 2008 11:35 PM

"Oh shut up JD. If she'd been
holding an Obama sign, you'd
be defending her like the rest." - Bold

Mmk, hon. Yet another middle-school level post.

Posted by: JD | April 25, 2008 11:51 PM

*Didn't realize she was on her break.

The original blog post states: "She said she was silent and merely held her sign and, though it was during her work shift, there was no business in the restaurant at the time." Didn't say nothin' about no break.

So she as a) off property and b) on break. I retract my previous position.

Posted by: JD | April 26, 2008 12:00 AM

JD - if your employee is on break and conducting their life on public property.. it does not represent your company. And companies are among the worst offenders of manipulated lobbying for their political interests in America.

Go Micah... do you have a defense fund set up yet?

Posted by: Eureka Springs, AR | April 26, 2008 12:06 AM

ES, you're right. I revised my position (see post above yours).

Posted by: JD | April 26, 2008 12:30 AM

Someone needs to tell Micah she looks like a raccoon.

Posted by: Prouster | April 26, 2008 12:37 AM

Hey you guys, this is THE Micah of whom we are speaking about! First I want to say thanks to all of the support you guys are showing, and also I want to thank those of a differing view.

However, I must address one thing...this is NOT about any supposed aspirations for a music career. I graduated Cum Laude from UALR with a History/ Political Science degree. I'm 29 years old, and well past my prime in music. The Little Rock Star Competition was a boost of self-esteem, as I did not perform publicly for many years before I entered it. (Except for karaoke and church.)

Where as I LOVE to sing......and for that matter......be in the lime light, I have nothing to gain from what happened to me today.

That being said, the facts are the facts, and I have never been one to stop fighting for what is right and just.

In addition, the Holbert's ARE huge Democrats, but it doesn't change the fact that Mr. Holbert might have had a lapse in judgment, like many of you are accusing me of. I think he was responding to pressure from the "phone call," and over reacted. (This is all speculation, but I choose to be transparent.)

I stand by my integrity. The facts will come out in the coming days. Don't pass judgment until the whole story is brought to light. And trust me, it WILL.

When I woke up this morning, I watched an episode that I dvr'd of "Top Chef." I went to work with no political aspirations, or immediate battles to fight.

This whole incident happened in the blink of an eye. I held my sign because that's who I am as a person. I am a very passionate individual, who cares about the political process. This seemed completely normal to me.

It is a situation that became a complete scandal, period.

I have got to get up in the morning to take my PRAXIS II, forgive me for NOT plotting my rise to super stardom, like some have said.

Sincerely, Micah Qualls

Posted by: mxqualls | April 26, 2008 12:59 AM

A pleasant chat? Hummm. Well, You were pleasantly lied to Max. Your also sitting on a HUGE story that is about to break WIDE OPEN.

Micha is an honest and incredibly forthright person. She is a Christian and unlike the former Pastor she has no reason to lie. She is well like and very well known in the community. You absolutely picked the wrong person to get fired Mike. The story is the truth and Mike Huckabee admitted to his close friend on the phone with 2 witness' that he was upset with Ms. Qualls for having a Clinton sign. He found it "tasteless" and was infuriated by her sign. He spoke with her boss on the Tarmac and later on the phone and got her fired. He used his political power to get rid of someone he felt "threatened" by.. a young woman with a sign. How incredibly ridiculous and Unbelievable! The local news station channel 11 interviewed Ms. Qualls before she was fired. Now they know the whole story and so will the rest of the world in a few days. . They have it on video tape. So it's all documented and so is this entire story. It's all on audio and there will be video . There are witness' who over heard Mr. Huckabee complaining about Ms. Qualls to her boss. Be curious to see if her boss lies for Huckabee...what will they do deny firing her? Huckabee apparently recognized her from the restaurant. He called her supervisior very upset and insisted she be fired. Micah's boss was guided to his decision to fire her by a rather insecure bully aka Mike Huckabee. She was on her break and was not disruptive, she was simply holding the sign. Mr. Huckabee called the writer of this blog and denied even seeing her there. Mr. Mike Huckabee you are a liar and unfit for any office. If you will lie about this what else will you lie about ? This was a very unwise move and decision on your part and you will be held accountable! God is watching you and so are we. We know the truth and so do you. If you continue to lie you will bury yourself and may also affect McCain, he would be a fool to have you as a running mate. I bet he ends up distancing himself from you after all of this comes out. The shit is about to hit the fan and you know it. Which is why you are in spin mode...We are hoping you will wise up and Cease the spin and get honest and real. I would if I were you. .....We do not need more Politic's as usual. You have shown us your true colors and who you really are ...how you are choosing to handle this has exposed a major character flaw . Lying is not an admirable trait and one that most of us are not looking for in a President or Vice President. What Mr. Huckabee the bold face liar does not know is that his close friend spoke with Ms. Qualls right after he spoke with him who admited to his close friend that he had had a "bad" day and perhaps had over reacted admiting he saw her and was the one who caused her to lose her job. Ms. Qualls is a student getting ready to get her teaching credential and he has caused her to lose her only source of income because she excercised her 1st amendment right. This should really bother people. If he would do this to her what would he do to you. So much for protecting the little guys..he will always protect his own ass. His own close friend took him to task for getting Ms. Qualls fired. He reminded Huckabee that she had a first amendment right to have and display the sign. He got upset with Mike Huckabee and Huckabee accused his friend of getting "cocky" with him...the friend said he wasn't getting "cocky" he was just saying firmly that what Huckabee did was wrong. Because it was wrong and now he is choosing to lie about it. Huckabee brought all of this on himself. Micah was not looking for trouble or publicity...she didn't even know McCain was going to be there today. It was a total surprise and a last minute decision to get the sign from her car. Her co workers dared her to display the sign. She did it of her own free will and not in an obnoxious way. She stood there rather quietly. Huckabee agreed to contact Micah's boss while talking to his friend on the phone but he can't do that now since he denied even seeing her there today on this blog. What a tangled web we weave when first we practice o deceive. The other thing Mr. Huckabee does not know is the friend who called him tonight did so because a friend of Micah's was so upset about what had happened to her and shared it with ironically a man at his work who happened to be close friends with Huckabee and that man got on the phone and called him right there in front of Micah's friend..he heard the whole conversation. Huckabees wife picked up and identified the man calling and then got Huckabee on the phone. After that call Micahs friend called Micah and Huckabees friend spoke with her on the friends phone and told her what exactly was said during the conversation..Does any of this sound familiar Mike Huckabee? It does because it is exactly what happened. No one needs to spin this but you because you are the LIAR in this scenario! This story is going to hit the wire and wil go around the world rather quickly. You think you were having a bad day before you got Micah fired wait until tomorrow or the next several weeks. I really hope you learn an imporatant lesson from all of this...Politics and Jesus don't mix... you cannot serve two Masters. And everything comes to light eventually! the Truth will always win out Mr. Huckabee! You owe Micah an apology and you ought to pay for her tuition and get her a new job while your at it. What goes around comes around! G' night Mike.

Posted by: Lisa7 | April 26, 2008 02:19 AM

Yikes, am I one of the first witnesses to the second coming of a Huckabee-gift-registry type story? I think so.

If what has just been recounted is true (which I have no reason to believe it isn't), I wish all the best to Micah in getting this story out there and this wrong righted.

Posted by: JD | April 26, 2008 02:55 AM

The New York Times , The AP, CNN, Larry King, Nightline etc..., will all be aware of this story very soon. It's All true. And it could have happened to you. We really can't continue to put up with these kind's of abuse of power. Someone needs to put their foot down and say no to these people, it isn't ok. You should not be able to play God with someone's life or livelyhood.

Micah deserves justice and Mike Huckabee deserves to lose his job. Let's see how he likes it. You might have thought you were dealing with a little waitress who was going to go home and roll up into a little ball and disappear. Bad call. Now you are dealing with Micah and a lot of very loyal friends and brothers and sisters in the Lord. What you do to the least of these. Hey Mike...What if some incredibly entitled pompous ass came along and got your wonderful, kind, thoughtful , bright and talented daughter fired? Someone needs to give Mike a swift kick in the ass and a wake up call. You are not a nice person. Micah is wonderful. If McCain needs a running mate he ought to consider her. She would run circles around you!

That diner just lost someone very special. You don't deserve her. You stuck up for the wrong person...you should have told Huckabee to grow up, take it like a man and to get over it. Instead you caved and gave in to the bully. If he picks on girls what else is he capable of? He's not a man he's a mouse.

Posted by: Lisa7 | April 26, 2008 03:39 AM

Lisa,

Wow, I wasn't going to go there yet. But your words are very thoughtful and true.

Well, you heard it here first people! The Arkansas Times has the exclusive!

Max Brantley is completely relevant--SHARP man.

Lisa speaks correctly. This is what happened, and as much as you may not can believe it, I can't believe that Huck would make such a huge mistake, and lie DIRECTLY to a media outlet, when there are witnesses and video footage of me standing directly in front of him, about 20 feet to be exact. In addition, another hard working employee of Central, (a plane greeter and fueler) told me that they overheard Huckabee ask my boss on the tarmac in front of the plane "isn't that one of the girls from the restaurant?"

And let's not forget the act of kindness from a random stranger who called Huckabee WAY before the "after 9:00 phone call" to Max. I guess he didn't realize that his childhood friend, had more integrity than himself and called ME right after that...all while a good friend of mine was standing there....hearing Huckabees voice on this stranger's phone! (There will be MANY more details about this to come out.)

Oh the tangled web we weave!

But all of these things will be out soon enough, and as you know they will be cross checked and scrutinized, so I don't need to explain it all here.

I do want to respect the fact that Max had the kahunas to break the story. So I'm glad Lisa spilled the beans.

Please remember this first dialogue with me, as I will probably be completely attacked in the coming days by the SPIN of an evil regime. Please keep me in your thoughts, because I have to tell the truth and remain humble. But my integrity has been ATTACKED because Huckabee LIED to the media. This story has changed its focus for me....thanks for the fuel Huck! I tell the TRUTH, crazy concept right?

I'm actually feeling sorry for him in a way, but that's just the kind of person I am. "They" will obviously not reciprocate.

Thanks, Micah

Posted by: mxqualls | April 26, 2008 05:46 AM

Oh goodness. Is this a turning point Micah? Coming of age experience. As I wrote above (something about that late call to Max really stunk, I mean really):

>>Once a lying politician, using Lava soap and a mother living on dirt floors, always a fibber. Note MB's report indicates that he, Huckabuck, did nothing. How many of Huck's servants were around?<<
.

Posted by: L.Wood | April 26, 2008 06:15 AM

Go, Micah. I believe you, and lots of other folks will too. I hope you have a civics class someday to tell this story to.

Posted by: MarthaB | April 26, 2008 06:21 AM

First Admendment rights do not carry over to private business when you are on their time clock on their property. Even though you have a break, you are still on your employers clock. Central Flying service leases that terminal, so it isn't excatly public property. This sounds like a uber-liberial publicity stunt, as why would someone think it is a great idea to advertise another person running for office when you are on the company clock. I know what was going through the employers mind when he fired her, as alot of big time republicans fly their personal jets into that place. Just look at the stephens hanager and imagine what that would cost central flying service if those planes moved to a private landing strip. Huckabee flew into that strip a numerous amout of times, and spent alot of money at that place, as did a some democrats. As for the Lisa7 comments, without real names it doesn't hold water. You first say that Huckabee made direct comments to the boss at the terminal, and then you said that he called the boss. For you communists out there, I am democrat campaign consultant, and I will for sure be advising my canidates not to touch this with a 10 foot poll.

Posted by: wiggleroom | April 26, 2008 07:04 AM

Micah,

I'm very proud of your stand and patriotism. Keep up the fight for freedom.

Posted by: Ms_Haley_1965 | April 26, 2008 07:10 AM

Wow...talk about a fun way to start the weekend. Sorry for your job loss, Micah, but publicly catching Huck in one more lie is sweet justice. Plus having a hard-working waitress fired is such a fitting/telling way for McBush to end his poor-people tour...guess you'll have to eat cake, Micah.

Clearly, Huck ain't using Jesus to model his preacher behavior anymore or he wouldn't have vented on someone simply because they dared to crash his fund-raiser and he wouldn't have lied when caught. On the other hand, some divine force did bring his forked tongue to Max's doorstep. (I'm giving credit to my goddess, though...simply 'cause I can.)

And, of course, I'm blaming President Shit for Brains for every politician out there who thinks it's perfectly acceptable to use their power to eliminate dissent from their Holy eyesight.

Keep up the great anti-American stuff, Republicans...can all the working people who disagree with ya or who mess up your pretty pictures. Getting back to the Constitution after the last seven years is going to be tough work...good thing both our candidates are capable, hard working and unafraid of protesting waitresses.

Jazzy is, once again, right...someone give the woman a job...a great job!

Posted by: zelda | April 26, 2008 07:16 AM

"without real names it doesn't hold water...."

signed "wiggleroom"

Well, someone's story has holes in it and we'll learn more over the next few days. If Holbert is such a loyal Democrat, it seems he would be quick to reveal if there was a Rethuglican culprit behind this. The point still remains that some rat squealed and bitched about this. If Huck has any balls, he'll make sure Micah gets her job back or another one real soon. If he doesn't, he's tarred and soon to be feathered.

My name: Ho-zay Hee-mayonaise

Posted by: Jake da Snake | April 26, 2008 07:17 AM

Wiggleroom (7:04am),

I'm going to say it straight. You are an enabler of the right-wing. Just as much as Mark Pryor, Jack Critcher, Billy Gaskill and a host of other nominal DINO "democrats".

Just because the owner of CFS had a legal right(?) to fire Ms Qualls certainly does not give him the *MORAL* right to do so.

I think a boycott of the CFS Eatery is in perfect order.

Posted by: Ms_Haley_1965 | April 26, 2008 07:20 AM

Legal Rights/ Moral Rights will be debated until the day we die. I am a business owner, I work hard every day to try to make a buck. I don't have family money that my parents or grandparnets made from the sweat of their brow's for me to fall back on. I can't do what is considered right in the eyes of the liberials or conservatives with I need to pay bill's. The power company doesn't care if I am a good hillary supporter, love gays, live in a green house, or own surface to air missiles. If a major customer of mine tells me that they are upset about one of my employees doing something abnormal on the time clock, then I am going to go to great links to resolve the issue. Now if a LR cop was out protesting for lax guns laws while he was on his break, some of you on this blog would be raving mad, calling for them to lose there job. If that was Bill Clinton that had complained and a McCain supporter lost their job, some of you would be saying that Clinton had the right to complain. Come on people, put away your trust fund check books, your "My Sh*t don't stink attidutes" , and look at it from the person trying to run a business angle.

Posted by: wiggleroom | April 26, 2008 07:39 AM

Hmmm...believe a hard-working waitress who's working her way through college or believe Huck...not even close. I love watching justice unfold...thus I'm encouraging Huck to keep on with his version.

Posted by: zelda | April 26, 2008 07:43 AM

(I'm going to say it straight. You are an enabler of the right-wing. Just as much as Mark Pryor, Jack Critcher, Billy Gaskill and a host of other nominal DINO "democrats". )

Does the pandering with the arkansas republicans so that a little known democrat can control the state house need to end? Yes! Does Pryor lean right alot of times? Yes! However, in most of arkansas you are never going to get people anytime soon to vote for someone with the views, of Barney Frank, B. Boxer, Ted Kennedy, or the other far left leaners. The best you can hope for in the US Senate from arkansas is someone who is slightly left of status quo. If you want a super left democrat, then you are either going to need to move or elect someone who has a huge personal bank role (i.e. Bill Halter) that can stand up to blue dog democrat oppenets.

Posted by: wiggleroom | April 26, 2008 07:48 AM

Wiggleroom,

What kind of business do you operate?

Nearly all of us here are NOT "trust-fund" babies as your elitism seems to indicate.

You stated in an earlier post you also consult Democratic Candidates. Do you agree with the principles of the Democratic party or are just another "Yellow Dog/Blue Dog" "conservative democrat?

Posted by: Ms_Haley_1965 | April 26, 2008 07:48 AM

"...Now if a LR cop was out protesting for lax guns laws while he was on his break, some of you on this blog would be raving mad, calling for them to lose there job. If that was Bill Clinton that had complained and a McCain supporter lost their job, some of you would be saying that Clinton had the right to complain. Come on people, put away your trust fund check books, your "My Sh*t don't stink attidutes" , and look at it from the person trying to run a business angle...--wiggleroom

Clearly you haven't spent much time reading this blog or otherwise paying attention to what most liberals are all about...or you wouldn't make such statements. And...trust funds...ha. We'd support that policeman every bit as much as we're supporting Micah; and crap is crap whether it comes from McBush, Huck or a Clinton.

Posted by: zelda | April 26, 2008 08:02 AM

It's depressing...so many agree we have NO free-speech rights in the workplace. She has an agenda and can't be believed--(HA)--keep up the myth.
Thank you Union-busting, Republican (R. Reagan bastard), slave-wage, business-enabling pricks!

Posted by: bejeeus | April 26, 2008 08:05 AM

Lisa7: Next time please us a few paragraphs. Thanks.

Posted by: Cato | April 26, 2008 08:20 AM

Lisa7: Next time please use a few paragraphs. Thanks.

Ahh, cato...as usual, brevity and clarity from you.

Where's our weekend cartoon?

Posted by: zelda | April 26, 2008 08:26 AM

Looking at it from the angle of a business owner, I'd say Central Flying Service made a stupid decision and they're going to lose money because of it.

Huckabee isn't happy, the customers aren't happy, the other employees probably aren't happy, and all that is going to make the business owner unhappy.

Posted by: The Levee | April 26, 2008 08:59 AM

Many of you are commenting on the events on yesterday dealing with the firing of Micah Qualls. Let's take some things in perspective. This has been a young lady working for this company for almost 7 years. 7 long years...bringing in and serving many customers at this restaurant without any problems. If her work ethics were so bad, she would have been fired a long time ago. In the past, the restaurant has allowed employees to wear political propaganda supporting which ever candidate that they wanted. I could understand if the owner was to reprimand Micah for her actions (her freedom as an American citizen actions) because of the phone call they had received. But to fire her over this, over the top. This firing has nothing to do with which political party I support, if I am a business owner, if I am a waitress, or I am the president of Uganda (I had to think of another place rather than say the United States, this is what came to mind). This situation deals with the decision of the employers, the fairness of free speech and this lying spirit that Huckabee has that is coming to a head. Huck knows he had something to do with this situation. If he didn't, he would have had no reason to call his best friend in all of Arkansas, Max. Political pull should not be able to interfere with the livelihood of someone trying to make an honest living. All of you just watch how the story will unfold in the next coming days.

Posted by: wj | April 26, 2008 09:28 AM

Huckabee, is as usal, an ass.

This is a travesty and Micah should be given back her job with apologies.

Posted by: Arkhobbit | April 26, 2008 09:48 AM

Max:

Several times you have referred to Micah's actions as a "protest" and Micah as "protester," as in:

"She also said Huckabee had acknowledged to a friend of his having been unhappy about the protest."

and

"But he made it clear to the caller, Dunn says, that he had seen Qualls and was unhappy about her silent protest. According to Dunn, Huckabee told the man he'd been surprised at being greeted by a protestor and that he thought it "disrespectful" and "tasteless."

I can understand Huckabee describing Micah as a "protester" and her actions as a "protest" but I do not see why the Arkansas Times should use the same language unless it is a direct quote.

Why describe the act of holding a Hillary Clinton sign as a protest?

ARK. BLOG: Good point. Demonstrator is a better word. I'll change

Posted by: A. Hugh Mann | April 26, 2008 09:50 AM

Micah, do you remember Roby Brock? You oughta rip a page or two from his playbook. After Roby had the unmitigated gall to criticize the Huckster in a speech, the Huckster put pressure on AETN to cancel Roby's "Talk Business" show. Roby filed suit and dragged the Huck's sizable ass into district court. Eventually, Huckabuck settled with Brock and Roby's TV show resumed. Judicial Watch was on solid ground last year when it added Huckabee to its list of Washington's "Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians." He was on my personal list of such politicians long before that.

Posted by: durangokid | April 26, 2008 09:51 AM

Thin skinned politician aren't all red or blue.

I knew a family that lived on the golf course at Chenal. He had a Dole campaign sign in his back yard, facing the course.
One afternoon he found the sign lying flat on his patio. He replanted it in the ground. About 15 minutes later he heard something an looked out a window and saw a well dress man removing the sign (on 100% private property) and putting it back on the patio.

He rushed out and confronted the man who showed Secret Service credentials. "Bill Clinton is playing today and he doesn't want to see any Dole signs" "I don't really care waht Bill wants. This is my house, my sign, my freedom of speech" "Sir, I think there is a good chance you are right, but the fact is, if you put that sign back in the ground, I will arrest you for disobeying a Secret Service agent. I will take you to the LR jail and have you booked. You can argue your Freedom of Speech there and likely get out, but it is going to take you 6 to 12 hours. You decide."

Posted by: mudturtle | April 26, 2008 10:08 AM

"The real issue here is what a thin-skinned asshole Mike Huckabee is to even talk to the boss about it. Defends Jeremiah Wright with one breath, then throws a hissy over a Clinton sign with another. What sort of perspective does this man have? Judging by this action, the title Huckster is more and more befitting of this cretin who has bamboozled the country into thinking he's Christian presidential material. He appears to be neither very Christian nor presidential with this type of behavior.

The next time, Micah, hold up a sign that says ASSHOLE. It'll be more appropriate for Huckabee."

Wow...well said.

Posted by: Wellwood | April 26, 2008 10:08 AM

Lisa 7 - Nice comment for the most part. It will be interesting to find out via AR Times and other fact checkers if the Huckadog is up to his same old tricks. But for goodness sakes, what has being a Christian got to do with it? Not anything against Christians intended with that question.. It's about being a citizen... and whether or not a few documents from the constitution to a few obscure legal angles will protect Michah... Whether or not the ground she spoke freely upon was public or ground her employers control is probably the deciding issue.

If my employee took a break and went over to protest Choice in front of a clinic, I would be steamed, but firing them would never cross my mind.. and if some Goverator or Ex Governator asked me fire someone over something like this it would be real difficult for me to not laugh in his face. I hope the employer is very ashamed of him or herself right about now.

Ms Haley is right. thank you for saying it Ms H. and wiggle is what's wrong with to many of our fellow AR citizens... weakness and fear followed by submissive capitulation.

Odds are if this is resolved at all it will be in court. Micah ought to call the ACLU pronto.

Posted by: Eureka Springs, AR | April 26, 2008 10:29 AM

At most place "break" time is on the clock and you are still under the direction of management.

Posted by: Well | April 26, 2008 10:43 AM

Eureka,

Hopefully Lisa7 will speak to the "Christian" thing for herself. But I think it's noteworthy anytime someone like the Huckster, who exploits his "faith" to score political points (..."my faith defines who I am." --M. Huckabee) acts in such an antithetical way.

Posted by: hugh mann | April 26, 2008 10:45 AM

Dear Wiggleroom, et al.

First, I want to disclose that I am a p