BEN MASEL AND POLITICAL PROTEST

In its 150 years, Madison has had its share of outspoken political
activists, but none has been as enduring as Ben Masel.

Masel's tweaking of the establishment's nose goes back more than 30
years. His most infamous protest took place at the Dane County Airport
when the state of Washington's U.S. Sen. Henry "Scoop" Jackson arrived
to campaign for the Democratic nomination for president.

Jackson, a longtime supporter of the Vietnam War, was met by Masel,
who promptly spat in the senator's face, a scene that was captured by
Bruce Fritz of The Capital Times photo staff and transmitted worldwide
by The Associated Press.

Masel has been at the forefront of many protests since -- everything
from the legalization of marijuana to politicians who advocate going
to war.

He currently is running for the U.S. Senate seat held by Herb Kohl and
has been chased from public properties twice for gathering signatures
for that run. Masel has almost always proved in court that he has been
within his bounds of constitutionally protected protest and has won
judgments against everyone from the city of Chicago to Sauk County for
violating his rights.

Hear Ben Masel talk about his years of political protest throughout
the day Thursday on the Pulse, 1670, as part of the radio station's
and The Capital Times' salute to Madison on its 150th birthday.