STONEking's Island

Howland, Ohio gets Spooked!

Posted: 07/03/2008

On Friday, June 27th in Howland, Ohio I was engaging in conversation with readers at my Borders book signing location. My precise words to each of them was "the industry is overdue for an incident." On May 16th a portable swing ride collapsed inexplicably at a fair in Sacramento. That same day Cedar Point’s Wildcat injured nine when the single car, after disengaging from the lift’s anti-rollback feature, went backwards, by-passing the drive motors which propel the vehicle’s forwards motion, slamming into a parked one in the loading area. Theme Park Safety Failure$ discusses "A Cursed Name" of a comic book superhero, Superman. Rides bearing the ‘S’-word have a freakish history of graphic and horrific accidents. Adding to the thought, "Look at the actors," referencing Superman’s Christopher Reeves’ paralyzing form and George Reeves’ bizarre death shooting. A grotesque Batman-related ride tragedy involving a decapitation occurred Saturday, June 28th in Atlanta. With an upcoming Batman film release featuring the recently-deceased actor Heath Ledger’s Joker portrayal, and the Batman ride tragedy, one must question the paranormal remarks in discussion. Especially those hailing from the community of Howland, Ohio. The manager of the Borders store made an announcement involving graphic depictions relating to the tone of Theme Park Safety Failure$, "Thrill rides are becoming kill rides." Two giggling teen girls were presented a copy of the book. Quickly thumbing to the chapter index, they were squealing in delightful unison, "A Cursed Name", then "A Ticket To Die" fueling their maniacal hysteria. They burst into even more unbridling wide-eyed remarks when learning of a cable breakage severing both feet from a teen rider aboard a Superman ride last summer. Each then reminded the other of a horror film where a cable cuts through an entire crowd without hesitation. I had to tell them the title of the film despite my never seeing it, only hearing about it in a discussion with children entirely too young to be exposed to such a hideous misfortune. "We’re witches!!" the two managed to giggle in stereo, then showing me a thick vampire book they were purchasing. I wonder how much The Witches of Howland are howling now with a Batman-related decapitation the day after an engaging, yet terrifying little chat? Others from Howland, Ohio with personalized copies are also in elevated concern about the timing. Without question.

RochesterHills, MI Borders ROCKS!

Posted: 06/20/2008

There is not enough I can say to sufficiently thank the staff of the Borders in Rochester Hills, MI.  The book signing introduced me to a number of interesting individuals, some of whom were quite terrified about the topic of Theme Park Safety Failure$, particularly when I presented a track spike from a wooden rollercoaster track. It was a night of signing I will not forget. The silver Equinox pulling into a space beside my vehicle was also a sight to behold despite the wrong driver. Jeffrey P. Stoneking Theme Park Safety Failure$

The Truth About The Media

Posted: 06/20/2008

ANTIOCH WORKSHOPS HIT HOME During the fall 2007 quarter, two AUM workshops exploited the news media, Jim Malarkey’s Palestine: Behind the Media Mirage and John Boucuvalas’ Critical Analysis of the News Media. Each workshop presented news coverage in an effort to provide the participants an unbiased, but comparative examination of how corporate dollars dictate the topics ‘they’ want the general public--read "sheep"--to know, or rather not to. For the Palestine workshop, Malarkey presented a 2004 film documentary entitled "Peace, Propaganda, and the Promised Land" produced by American Jews who are dissatisfied with the present circumstances occurring in Israel, including the Intifada. Ambassador Hassan Halta, a former resident of Tulcar, West Bank, was a guest speaker for the class announcing his agenda, ‘Seeds of Peace’, in support of the Palestine population who are being interrogated by the Israelis in the near-capacity of how Nazis inflicted torment and abuse upon Jews during WWII. Another guest was Antioch College’s Joanna Maier who dared the occupancy and, on a solo mission, went through numerous checkpoints recording the circumstances Halta discussed and the documentary detailed. The amount of American dollars being channeled to the region in an effort to support Israel is staggering, upwards of several hundred million dollars. Lists of contributors were included in the documentary, the majority of whom were christian-based (intentionally uncapitalized). No U.S. media outlet would dare exhibit the truth about the monies or the matter. I couldn’t resist comment during class in my dismay at the church groups channeling tithing dollars in their quest for doing what I refer to as "Jumping Jacks for Jesus". Continuing in the exploitation of deception was Boucuvalas’ workshop, Critical Analysis of the News Media, where news story topics were shown side-by-side only to showcase the constant alteration of details. Only BBC America’s broadcast was the more reliable source of information. The need to fill 24 hours’ worth of air-time with multiple network outlets continues daily. Yet how much of what the consuming masses are being fed is truth? Furthermore, what decides the topic to be disclosed? Despite my broadcasting background from a couple decades back, I’ve always been aware of railroading certain stories lest the truth be definitively told. More recently, when my book Theme Park Safety Failure$ was initially released, I received a call from Laura Borchers, a reporter from WLWT Channel 5 in Cincinnati. She responded to a bulk e-mail containing my press release and contact information. That very day, May 5th, she phoned wanting to interview me in front of Kings Island near the Great Wolf Lodge. Prior to our recorded conversation she inquired as to whether I wished to meet with Kings Island officials immediately following my taped conversation, which I sensibly declined telling her, "That’s on your head." When asked if there was anything I wished for Kings Island officials to know, I remarked, "No more minors at the control panels, and no more volunteers of non-profit organizations anywhere near a ride’s platform. I’d also like to know why there’s high voltage overhead power lines running down the center of the water park?" The interview went on for several minutes in an effort to provide Borchers enough to cut and paste into her story which she indicated would either air that night, or the following. Suffice it to say, the interview and the related story has been indefinitely postponed, and Borchers no longer remembers how to reply to e-mails. This is just a mere, but local example of how the media is influenced by corporate dollars, the very topics both workshops, Palestine: Behind The Media Mirage and Critical Analysis of the News Media, addresses. WLWT, however, is not alone in their holding off on reporting the truth about the theme park industry. There are others, as well. Why? No corporate entity wants to lose any advertising dollars a place like Kings Island carts in, especially when I come along with the truthful statement, "Thrill rides are becoming kill rides." Plus, some little media worker might lose out on the admission passes theme parks provide in exchange for air-time. Let this be a wise lesson to my fellow Ants of Antioch University McGregor. Our workshops and the individuals who are heading them are taking huge risks by making sensitive topics known. Topics laced with extreme bouts of Truth. While I may suffer the consequences of pitiful news media people who lack a spine and a couple of contents housed in a scrotum, it is my encouragement to you, and whoever else reads this, to know that relying upon a solo source of news is destroying your ability to judge accordingly. Read as much as you can, from everywhere imaginable, and still question everything. The Truth is, indeed, out there. Discovering it may take a challenging effort, but it is well worth your time. It may even mean your life. Jeffrey P. Stoneking

Defending Truth and Integrity

Posted: 06/06/2008

OPEN LETTER RE: RANDY LASSITER’S UNFOUNDED REMARKS There clearly is nothing more disparaging than to be insulted and lied about by another. My new book, Theme Park Safety Failure$, discloses ride-related accidents in the industry. Upon its release, and my admitting to brief and mostly uncompensated contributions to the Lassiter v. Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom case, Randy Lassiter, the father of the victim whose feet were severed, lashed out at me on a rollercoaster-related message board, http://forums.xtremecoasters.com, where he lurks about incognito under the identity "613". Without any means by which to contact Lassiter, I discovered his presence on the boards on January 13th, 2008. The dialogue from those transmissions are posted below:   Mr. STONEking RE: Sharing Your Bandwagon, Jan 13 2008, 06:54 PM Dear Mr. Lasitter; I've done some work with Larry Franklin on your case and, while my minute portion is complete, I am seeking to converse with you about my writing project that is slated for release at the end of March. Unlike the respondents to your circumstances on this website, I agree with you that there is a vast loop that needs to be filled to further prevent these tragedies from occurring again. In doing so, I will be utilizing your case's information along with others and presenting them to the decision makers and would like to invite you to contact me. My office/home phone number is 937-291-9972. I can also be reached toll-free if necessary. Know that in my theme park career with both The Walt Disney Company and Kings Entertainment I have been witness to hideous, inexcusable circumstances which explains my pursuit to have all things changed for the better. What I presented to Larry will hopefully come to light in your case, though the outcome certainly could never erase what transpired. Apologies are never enough, but with similar incidents in my own relations, though not theme park related, I do share your pain and wish sincerely to speak with you and begin the trek to making that change. Respectfully, Jeffrey P. Stoneking     613 Re: Sharing Your Bandwagon, Jan 14 2008, 09:01 AM Going to Nashville today, but I will talk to Larry and then phone you after we are home. Randy   The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are Evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it. Albert Einstein     Mr. STONEking Re: Sharing Your Bandwagon, Jan 14 2008, 09:37 AM Mr. Lasitter; Very well. Know that the materials I am utilizing from your case is merely that which can be obtained through press releases and public records. The writings I am involved are slated to be utilized in Senate and Congressional hearings later this year. Again, I do not wish to drudge up any unwarranted or unresolved circumstances which could jeopardize your case. This project is solely upon my own platter and at my risk. I look forward to hearing from you. Respectfully, Jeffrey P. Stoneking     Mr. STONEking RE: Contact, Apr 25 2008, 11:54 AM Dear Mr. Lassiter; Beneath this message is the press release for my new book, Theme Park Safety Failure$. The work I did for your case is detailed. Unfortunately Larry Franklin has not paid me for the additional work I performed. Were it not for my involvement, Larry would not know how to spell the name of the manufacturer, where they are located, who their president is, or that a ride maintenance manual exists. I was quite pleased to learn of your supplying the press with what you're managed to obtain. Charlie White just phoned and informed me of your going to D.C. on May 20th, or thereabouts, for a meeting with Markey's office and a hearing. I'm forwarding a copy of my book to his attention which will likely encourage the legislation you are in support of. Know that you're not alone. Very likely our paths will cross, and I look forward to that moment. Please don't hesitate to contact me. Respectfully, Jeffrey P. Stoneking www.stonekingsisland.com   Shortly thereafter that post, a call came to my cell phone which I could not answer. There was no message left, so I returned the call and was met with Lassiter’s angry, confrontational, and aggressive tone which I commented on in a previous Open Letter. In response, Lassiter posted the following remarks: http://forums.xtremecoasters.com/index.php?s=394a150ede1c3bc3973d4c6de9743c7f&showtopic=4504&pid=65556&st=0&#entry65556 613 Apr 25 2008, 04:41 PM Post #4 This guy is representing himself as a consultant in our case Which Is Not True! He has been trying to involve himself with us from the beginning, so we asked him to come to the lawyers office early on to see if what he said was true and should we hire him, but decided that he didn't offer anything of an Expert opinion so was not hired but was compensated for his time that day and that day only as were alot of other people in this case. He has been getting in touch with our media contacts and trying to get them to involve him and promote his book. I don't know everything about this guy, but I don't like the way he is mis-representing himself in an association with my family.     613 Apr 26 2008, 05:58 AM Post #6 I know, I'm not saying this guy necessarily isn't legit, just don't like the fact he is talking to people and making false claims about his involvement with my family. So he has taking any validity out of his work as far as we are concerened.   613 Apr 30 2008, 02:54 PM Post #2 What a Vampire! Does this person really believe a lawyer belonging to th Inner Circle of lawyers in America two months into a case would not know how to spell. Again the only reason this persons persistent phone calls were returned was to show this person some respect, but after meeting this Vampire of a Human it was decided he had Nothing. But in actuality what he was doing was creating an ability to use his brief converstion to tag it in his book... Whatever...Get a real life..   Contrary to Lassiter’s remarks, there were never any "persistent phone calls" as I never had his phone number. The follow-up correspondence with his attorney’s office two months after his case was retained totals six e-mails, one overnight parcel with documents that were eventually returned with an unpaid invoice, and my attorney’s unanswered letter. Aside from the hostile phone call on April 25th where Lassiter accused me of billing his attorney $6k, which is nowhere near the actual amount, I’ve never communciated with him outside of the message board’s e-mail, all of which is included in this missive. Deception as a means to glorify onesself is a vile nature. Lassiter was not present at my meeting with his attorney, nor has he ever met me. Additionally, he never heard the initial conversation I had with his attorney where I had to spell the name of the manufacturer of the ride which impaired his daughter, the president’s name, or the Switzerland and Maryland address. While I am supportive of Lassiter’s agenda, despite other remaining loop holes in the Congressional Bill, H.R. 2320, I’ve never once belittled him or claimed to represent his family. His daughter’s incident is relatively nothing in my book, two pages at most. Sadly, the industry now has a poster child for ride accidents with an enraging, hostile father in the background. Lassiter is also unclear as to how the media actually operates. Given my previous background in broadcasting, no one ‘owns’ a contact person, though corporate America governs all disclosures on daily broadcasts. Any questions regarding that I encourage you to contact Jim Malarkey of Antioch University McGregor whose autumn quarter course, Palestine: Behind The Media Mirage, is an eye-opener beyond definition. Hopefully the Lassiter family will win judgment in their case, but a judgment never means that compensation will be received. A case in my book against Six Flags involving death took three years to resolve. The Lassiter case is barely one year old. As for his attorney being in the Inner Circle of Lawyers in America doesn’t make him a god (intentionally uncapitalized). I court my own circle of judges, magistrates, and attorneys on a personal level. Same difference, really. It’s all about who you know. My informal affiliation, however, doesn’t win me status, provide for substantial court rewards, or require me to pay annual dues to pucker up to the self-proclaimed elite brotherhood. For Lassiter to call me a "Vampire", however, is clearly going beyond. He doesn’t know me, has never read my books, nor seen my live performances. In keeping with his vampire vein, I boldly suggest that Lassiter go suck himself. Jeffrey P. Stoneking Theme Park Safety Failure$ "Thrill rides are becoming kill rides." www.themeparksafetyfailures.com

Borders Rochester Hills, MI	Posted: 05/20/2008
A huge round of thunderous applause to Sandy, the GM of the Rochester Hills, MI Borders for stocking Theme Park Safety Failure$ before anyone. See everyone there on June 12th. Jeffrey P. Stoneking

Near-death weekend

Posted: 05/20/2008

A galloping deer crossed my path en route to Antioch University early Saturday morning on north-bound 675.  Its ass and my headlight missed one another by less than 3 feet.  If you're driving that direction in the center lane near the large, eastward turn by WPAFB, the 1/2" thick skid mark is from yours truly.  When I was laying it the smoke was just like the cable on Cedar Point's Top Thrill Dragster. Glad to be unscathed and alive. Jeffrey P. Stoneking

Postponed WLWT interview	Posted: 05/20/2008
The Laura Borchers WLWT interview of May 5th, 2008 still has not aired.  I've got my speculations as to why.  Truth is often difficult to cope with. Jeffrey P. Stoneking

Borders Dayton Mall book signing, May 17th, 2008	Posted: 05/20/2008
Many thanks to the staff of the Dayton Mall Borders for making me feel extremely welcomed, though I was hesitant at first to disrupt readers in the area where I was positioned. I enjoyed meeting the people I did, especially Danny of Lebanon, Ohio who shared his being witness to theme park ride operator's unsafe practices. Jeffrey P. Stoneking

News Interview

Posted: 05/06/2008

Out of the blue, WLWT reporter, Laura Borchers, phoned and scheduled an interview with me outside Kings Island amusement park. I declined the invitation to go with her to speak with Kings Island officials, understandably. My guess is I'm not one of their favorite people right now. Feelings mutual. Once the interview clip airs I will post a link so all can see me defend my honor while the park defends their safety issues. I wonder how that translates to the woman who received a cracked sternum aboard Son Of Beast in 2006, or the others aboard that same train who returned to the station bleeding from their mouths with spinal and neck complications? More interviews are being scheduled as are book signings so stay tuned! Rock 'n Roll.

OPEN LETTER RE: SIX FLAGS KENTUCKY KINGDOM COURT CASE

Posted: 04/30/2008

OPEN LETTER RE: SIX FLAGS KENTUCKY KINGDOM COURT CASE On Friday, April 25th, because of the press release announcement of my new book, Theme Park Safety Failure$, I received a phone call from Randy Lassiter, the father of the victim whose feet were severed off last summer aboard Superman: Tower of Power. Mr. Lassiter’s uninterrupted aggressive and confrontational tone caught me off-guard. I was choking back responses that echo my Blood Brother, Ted Nugent, but at best I could only respond with the word "wow" several times before his disconnection of the call. Two months after the Six Flags accident, my theme park-related business organization provided Lassiter’s attorney, Larry Franklin, with 22 hours of consulting work, 17 of which remains unpaid. Much of that work has been utilized in the court room according to reports in the Courier-Journal. Lassiter believes that I’m not due any additional payment because of the Internet’s research involvement where anyone could have retrieved that information. I must then inquire as to why Larry Franklin scheduled a meeting and utilized my provisions while requesting more information and assignments. When the follow-up documents were returned to me months later with an unpaid invoice, they were misconstrued and marked upon by members of his office. As I mention in my book, Larry Franklin, already two months into the case, didn’t know how to spell the manufacturer’s name, where they were located, or who their president was. If Larry Franklin didn't want to involve myself or my research he should not have phoned, scheduled to meet with him, or made an intial payment, and then reporting it to the IRS. Lassiter also balked at my fourteen years’ worth of massage therapy as a determining factor to not compenstate the remaining balance, nor have me appear in the courtroom as an expert witness. Unbeknownst to him the 500-plus client roster I manage includes individuals whose physical limitations are equivalent, if not worst, than his daughter’s. Some cases involve the absence of all extremities. I remain unclear as to why Lassiter’s ignorant lashing I was subject to compared the consulting and massage as they are entirely unrelated both in topic and in business registration. Shortly after Lassiter’s call, an attorney with Larry Franklin’s office phoned. Jennifer Barbour was pleading with me to understand and be more empathetic to Mr. Lassiter, insisting that I cannot imagine his pain and suffering. Her belittling remark was quickly interrupted and set straight when I enlightened her to my parents and family members surviving a plane crash in the mountains of southern Utah. Barbour is concerned that under Kentucky Law 2602 any knowledge of the case is subject to my being required to testify and cross-examination. Given that everything I relayed to Larry Franklin is already public knowledge there is no reason for such to occur. She also expressed my need to remain anonymous to the attorneys representing Six Flags. My identity was immediately made known to the legal community of Louisville after the Larry Franklin meeting on August 21st, 2007 by Fred Hatmaker, a prominent attorney in the area whose family members are close, personal friends of mine for many years. If Barbour is so deeply concerned about the case and its outcome, then she and her counsel should have taken better control of the Lassiter family for providing the Courier-Journal with Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom’s ride maintenance manager’s deposition and ride manual before they were entered in the court file. The emotionally-charged Lassiter’s are on a rampage, though not without understandable cause. The passing of Kentucky Senate Bill 203 in March is a major win for their case in their seeking to protect others from a repeat performance. A note of thanks should be sent from the Lassiter’s to Senator Dan Kelly, who by coincidence is also a friend of the Stoneking family and former bishop of their church. Where Larry Franklin and his cast are concerned, I learned through a reliable source that there are others who remain unpaid for their work on the case. An article in the December edition of the Courier-Journal spotlighted Franklin and his substantial monthly salary, an average of $100k per month. Franklin is quoted as stating the old adage, "money is like manure; it has no use until you spread it around." Then start spreading. His ignoring my attorney’s letters are indicative that unreasonable arrogance is at play. The conversation he engaged in the hallway outside the conference room shortly after we met provided a different perspective of his persona. In front of a painting he relayed a tale about a defendant in a case who was sodomized at a gloryhole in a downtown Louisville adult arcade. I still do not conceive why I was told this, nor do I know how the painting and the act relate. Regardless, the phone calls on Friday set the tone for what is to come. I am flattered that my book, Theme Park Safety Failure$, is already stirring a round of backlash barely a week into its release--and without anyone except myself having a copy! The ambulance-chasing, tart attorney’s plea for me to halt its release is because their legal case is for the best interest of the Lassiter’s. Actually, the interest lies in the wallets and pockets of the attorneys who are milking every conceivable dime. Another Six Flags trial I showcase in my book involving one death and ten injuries took three years to resolve. It has nothing to do with the victim(s), nor will it ever. No one in the legal community has testicles as large as mine to admit to that truth. Should there be a need for me to produce exhibit for that remark in a courtroom, I’m more than willing to comply and compare. Jeffrey P. Stoneking