The Story of THE RAG!

by Ken Rossignol

St. Mary's Weekly:
Black and White and Dread All Over
To spend an evening with Rossignol is to turn the clock back to the down-and-dirty days of police beat reporting when "legmen" chased ambulances to accidents and fires and police cruisers to the scenes of crimes. --- The Washington Post, April 8, 1991

In the short course of less than one year, a small-town newspaper which was run on a shoe-string was featured on the front page of two major newspapers and on network news, all due to covering the news with loud flashy headlines that 'shouted' the news rather than boring its readers to tears. In short, the news made news.
That was just the beginning, before long the newspaper would be the target of an organized effort by a county sheriff and his deputies and a candidate for states attorney to clean the paper off newsstands the night before an election and result in a landmark First Amendment case which is now the law of the land.

"The incident in this case may have taken place in America, but it belongs to a society much different and more oppressive than our own. If we were to sanction this conduct, we would point the way for other state officials to stifle public criticism of their policies and their performance. And we would leave particularly vulnerable this kind of paper in this kind of community.
Alternative weeklies such as St. Mary's Today may stir deep ire in the objects of their irreverence, but we can hardly say on that account that they play no useful part in the political dialogue. No doubt the public has formed over time its opinion of the paper's responsibility and reputation. If defendants believed its attacks to be scurrilous, their remedy was either to undertake their own response or to initiate a defamation action. It was not for law enforcement to summon the organized force of the sheriff's office to the cause of censorship
and dispatch deputies on the errands of suppression in the dead of night."
---Fourth Circuit, United States Court of Appeals - Rossignol v. Voorhaar Should police officers be allowed to round up newspapers that are critical of their actions to prevent the public from reading them?
The Fourth Circuit, United States Court of Appeals had this to say:
The whole purpose of the Ku Klux Klan Act was to prevent public authorities from violating constitutional rights through the use of nominally private means. Whether the rights be those of small papers and their readers or those of freedmen is not dispositive. The unlawfulness of private infringement of those rights under color of state law remains the same.
We would thus lose sight of the entire purpose of § 1983 if we held that defendants were not acting under color of state law. Here, a local sheriff, joined by a candidate for State's Attorney, actively encouraged and sanctioned the organized censorship of his political opponents by his subordinates, contributed money to support that censorship, and placed the blanket of his protection over the perpetrators. Sheriffs who removed their uniforms and acted as members of the Klan were not immune from § 1983; the conduct here, while different, also cannot be absolved by the simple expedient of removing the badge.
I believe St. Mary's Today brought more transparency to Southern MD law enforcement. I never had a problem with citizens learning what their law enforcement tax dollars were purchasing. I believe the more they knew about police work, the more support they would give us, and for the most part, I found that to be true. Any embarrassment caused by exposing our mistakes only served to make us stronger and more efficient, and to avoid those mistakes in the future.
To anyone on the job who argued that you were just out to bash us, I firmly pointed out that your dad was a police officer, and your son is now one. Doing what you did in "The Rag", was good, "in the trenches" journalism, which differed from merely printing the press releases written by the officers. The addition of pictures taken from the scenes gave everyone a better insight of crime, criminals, and what it was like on our streets.
I was a loyal subscriber for many years. I miss the paper, and wish it was still in operation.
Patrick A. Murphy - Retired Chief of Police, Berwyn Heights Police Dept.; Retired Commander, Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy; Charles County Sheriff's Dept. 1st. Lieutenant; United States Marine Corps

Travel along with the most feared man in Southern Maryland. So notorious even the mob backed down. Cops who went after him found themselves in federal court on the losing side. His name is Ken Rossignol and he packs a fully loaded Smith & Corona (or at least the digital equivalent).
Ken's ammo: words. He's a champion of the First Amendment and an old fashioned pain in the ass.
The story of St. Mary's Today is one about advocacy journalism coming to a community where the press wasn't known for acting this way. No more go-along to get-al...

Genres: Nonfiction, History

438 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 11, 2011

About the author

Writing in true crime, maritime history and cruise thrillers occupies most of Ken Rossignol's time.
As a maritime history speaker, Rossignol enjoys meeting audiences around the world and discussing the original news stories of the sinking of the RMS Titanic and other maritime history topics.
In recent years Rossignol has appeared on dozens of ships in the Pacific, Atlantic, Mediterranean and Caribbean discussing the stories of the heroes of the Titanic, the explorations of the new world voyagers, the Bermuda Triangle and the history of piracy.
Rossignol appears at the Titanic Museum Attractions in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and Branson, Missouri for book signings and to talk with visitors about the RMS Titanic.
He has appeared on Good Morning America, ABC 20/20; ABC World News Tonight and in a 2012 production of Discovery Channel Investigation Motives & Murders Series, A Body in the Bay.
News coverage of Rossignol’s landmark civil rights case, represented by Levine Sullivan Koch & Schulz re: United States Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals Rossignol v Voorhaar, 2003, included articles in most major news outlets, as well as a column by syndicated columnists James J. Kilpatrick.
The story of the St. Mary's Today newspaper is now available in ebook and paperback: The Story of THE RAG! The book includes nearly 200 editorial cartoons that appeared over the years.
A strong highway safety advocate, Rossignol also publishes the DWIHitParade.com which focuses on impaired driving and the monthly publication, The Chesapeake.
News coverage of Rossignol’s DWIHitParade won an Emmy in 2012 for WJLA reporter Jay Korff and coverage of the St. Mary’s Today newspaper by WUSA reporter Bruce Leshan was awarded an Emmy in 2000.

Reviews

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was so much going in this small beach community and the newspapers were right in the middle of the action. That newspaper was able to aide in FBI investigations, court cases, murders and corruption. This was a fascinating read. It is nice to see an editor that believed in bringing the truth to light.

This was full of facts and information about people that lived in that community. I enjoyed the cartoons from the past and the stories behind the headlines.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was a time when journalists were true newsmen and newswomen. When names like Royko, Mencken, Wicker, Reston and Frank Reynolds symbolized the true mission and art of journalism. They were not pretty but true journalism is not pretty and each felt the public had "a right to know".
Today, Journalists have become another type of performer or entertainer, complete with agents and make up artists. The sad state of the "media" makes Ken Rossignol's new book THE RAG so very enjoyable and compelling. It is a salve to those of us who value true newspeople and journalism, and proof that it still exists, albeit, not nearly as common as it used to be.

The Story of THE RAG is a brilliant and cutting story of the newspaper ST. MARY'S TODAY...as the blurb sums up "In the short course of less than one year, a small-town newspaper which was run on a shoe-string was featured on the front page of two major newspapers and on network news, all due to covering the news with loud flashy headlines that ‘shouted’ the news rather than boring its readers to tears. In short, the news made news.
That was just the beginning, before long the newspaper would be the target of an organized effort by a county sheriff and his deputies and a candidate for states attorney to clean the paper off newsstands the night before an election and result in a landmark First Amendment case which is now the law of the land."

To call The Story of THE RAG just an other "underdog" tale is to do this superb book a great injustice. In addition to being utterly engrossing, Ken Rossignal has perfected the art of producing a cautionary tale on freedom of the press as well as dedication to the reported word.

A JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ

RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently re-read this book again and enjoyed it as much as the 1st time I read it. I lived in So. Md. working as a Police Officer of the Charles County Sheriff's Office for 25 years retiring as a Lt. During that time I watched "St. Mary's Today" (known locally as "THE RAG") started from scratch as a once a week newspaper printed in the tabloid style, which is so easy to hold and read. It's owner, publisher, editor, reporter, photographer, layout man and distributor, Ken Rossignol did it all as he slowly build his sales and adding other reporters, photographers and office help that were all dedicated to making this newspaper the "people's newspaper of So. Md., which they accomplished and even to a twice a week edition. Few self respecting law enforcement officers of any of the So. Md. agencies would admit to reading this paper because it so often, writing in brutal honestly and the common words that awaken most citizens (as Mr. Trump has done today) and exposing poor investigations, reports and actions of US (the police)! But those, hated stories, made each of us better, more professional police officers and that produced cases that stood up in courts and their appeal process, though many didn't recognize that. But "The Rag" was fair and also pointed out the good things we did and was actually pro police and pro every thing that is good for the citizen and their government. The paper was tenacious and dug far deeper behind the scenes exposing the "Good Ole Boys" back room deals so often found down in the Mother County of Maryland in those days. Though denying reading, much less purchasing, "The Rag", on the days it was published I never saw an officer who couldn't discuss in detail most of the articles exposing the "back room deals", crooked politicians, bad or poor policing in the squad room at shift change. Those who didn't covertly purchase a copy, acquired one by watching the trash cans around headquarters and extracting a discarded copy to read. It was a MUST read paper for all the power figures and government employees of the 3 So.Md. counties, even if to just make sure your name wasn't mentioned in a story!

Through those years I got to slowly know it's "Chief Cook and Bottle Washer" Ken Rossignol. Often he showed up on serious injury motor vehicle accidents, especially those with deaths and early on, in all honestly, I treated him as an adversary and ordered him to stand far away from "my scene"! Never once did he complain. So over time, with confidence in my own actions, I loosened up and gave him the normal freedoms extended to the press. No formal discussion, just a mutual understanding of boundaries that had to be respected. This eventually led to a tentative friendship and on to one that has stood the test of time.

The "Story of The Rag" is a compilation of who was who, who did what, the back room deals and politics of old time So. Md. that are so entertainingly revealed in this book. They really did happen, just as they happened across our nation at various times and ways. But the single most story in the book was an event that is enshrined in the teaching of News Media courses of every major college and university in our nation as well as every reporter, editor, publisher and attorney's of every publication in our great country. It resulted in a landmark decision by our US Supreme Court! A Sheriff and States Attorney running re-election got wind of a story exposing and old criminal sex charge with statements by the victim about the, then young, States Attorney that had been concealed and sealed from the public for years. The Sheriff was to heavily committed in this election running as a team with this States Attorney, and both had strong opponents running against them. Such a story had the very strong potential to turn the razor close race against them to defeat of both. So a plan was hatched between them, with a group of off duty deputies doing the leg work, to buy up every edition in the wee hours of that election morning so no one could read the story. So off duty, in civilian clothes (though several forgot to hide their badges and all were recognized as local Deputies) they spread out going into every convenience store, or place where "The Rag" was sold. Using money provided by the Sheriff and States Attorney, they literally brought every single edition at each story. When some cashiers objected they quickly were intimidated into allowing the sale to be completed. Every newspaper sales box was also emptied (though payment was made for each paper, all to suppress the political story that would have, most likely, have turned the election from victory to defeat. The Sheriff and States Attorney were re-elected and the group celebrated their coup!

But "The Rag" quickly discovered what had happened, who had did what and in it's next edition exposed the whole story for all to read. AND they filed suit in court. The plaintiff's, the Sheriff and States Attorney chuckled privately and laughed publicly but as this case wound it's way into the Federal Courts and a series of defeats with an occasional win they grew more worried. Ben Bradlee the internatiolly known, and respected, editor of the Washington Post, and friend and mentor of Ken, introduced a reknown defender of issues of the press. This powerful attorney took up the case of the Rag in the Federal Courts and, in an earth shattering final victory at the US Supreme Court, established Land Mark decision as to the "FREEDOM OF THE PRESS" and "DISTRIBUTION OF THE NEWS!" A decision that, though few know or recognize, protects every citizen's "right to know" what their elected officials or other figures of government (huge or tiny) do, how they do it and who benefits from it.

The book is a true story of a modern day David fighting the Giant simply for the right to write, publish and distribute the news! I re-read the book and rewrote my review as today I see a news media that is heavily biased. A news media that prints story's not as news, but attempts to mold the story to favor who "they like" and attack those "they don't like"! No matter your party one need only look in a dispassionate manner at our current presidential campaigns and how they are being reported to see it happening. Where are the Ben Bradlee's and Ken Rossignol's now? Where is the news media (TV or Print) with the courage to stand up and tell the truth? And YES! This book disproves the famous movie line delivered by Jack Nicholson "YOU CAN'T STAND THE TRUTH!" WE CAN!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

“THE RAG” by Kenneth Rossingol is a great read for anyone who has ever lived in small towns, or ever wondered what it was like to live in one. It is the story of a small start up from scratch newspaper and it’s editor (Mr. Rossingol, also the author of the book) who brought honesty and enlightenment to the long established news of sleepy Souther Maryland. Southern Maryland is comprised of St. Mary’s County, Calvert County and Charles County. St. Mary’s County is the “Mother County” of the State where the first settlers landed on 25 March 1634, which also makes it one of the oldest counties in the entire United States. Calvert was founded in 1658 as was Charles County. The old families of these 3 counties trace their linage back to the first landing in St. Mary’s by the good ships The Ark and The Dove and it was from these 3 counties that the State of Maryland grew. Up until the end of the 20th century Southern Maryland was still slumbering between the good ole days and becoming a thriving participant in the Greater Washington, D.C. area. News within these counties was pretty much kept within the counties themselves through their small home town local newspapers and a couple of local radio stations. Sheriff’s Duty Officers in all 3 counties were called every day by the Washington Post, Washington Evening Star and the Baltimore Sun and asked if anything was happening. The standard reply in all 3 Sheriff’s Offices was, “Nope! Nothing going on down here.” Only major disasters or sensational crimes were ever reported outside the counties. Then arrived Ken Rossingol and his new newspaper “ST. MARY’S TODAY”! Southern Maryland was never the same again.

I moved into Charles County while still in the Marines in 1969 and joined the Charles County Sheriff’s Office in 1974, retiring in 1999. So I had a very unique ring side seat from which to watch Ken and his newspaper quickly become the paper to read if you wanted to know who did what in Southern Maryland. With absolute impartiality the newspaper exposed for everybody to see all the drunk drivers who had been arrested that week, often when their unflattering actual pictures as the officers were arresting them appearing. On the day of every publication of “ST. MARY’S TODAY” some officer would storm into the squad room, throwing the newspaper on the squad table and angrily commenting about some story that was couched in words that were inflammatory or derisive about some police action. I’m sure that this also happened in the other two counties. Of course all the officers showed total surprise about the story, though some who had not yet either purchased the paper or read it would quickly try to grab “THE RAG” to read it. The newspaper was printer in the same format as tabloids are and it’s front page rivaled them for screaming “READ ME!” Often we learned things about people we thought we knew that they certainly didn’t want us to know. It was not uncommon for the paper to be sold out which then meant we had to search around to find a copy to purchase.
Local government officials quickly learned to hate “THE RAG” as did many members of the local Sheriff’s Offices as well as the Maryland State Police. To the best of my knowledge I was never one of Ken’s sources though I never once lied to him when asked a question and came to regard him as a friend. We both understood our place in the scheme of news and acted accordingly. After I retired I was a source for Ken on a few occasions but above that our friendship exists to this day.

Even after all these years since I retired and moved out of the State in reading Ken’s book, “THE RAG” I learned a great deal that I had never known at the time about people that I did know, or remembered. When I was an instructor at our Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy (and later its Director) I always saw several copies of it circulating amongst the student officers as well as the staff. No one ever confessed to having purchased the St. Mary’s Today newspaper and most denied ever having read it yet stores were quoted almost verbatim from it by nearly any student officer, staff instructor or any regular officer when asked about a particular story. Yet in spite of all these non-readers “THE RAG” prospered and grew. Every newly elected official made an effort to gain the support of “THE RAG” and it’s editor, but the first time they strayed “THE RAG” told everybody the whole story and the budding friendship became hatred of “THE RAG” and it’s editor. There were a few elected officials who never feared the paper or it’s editor because they did their best for the people and when they did do something that was written up in “THE RAG” they met with the editor and gave him the whole story which appeared in a favorable light in the next edition of “THE RAG.”

So if you are looking for a very entertaining book and would like to learn a little about small town America then this is the book for you. It is very entertaining and informative as to how newspapers used to really work, shoe leather, a note pad and pencil with a camera hanging around your neck. It is rare to find in our country today in the age of electronics and it is even sadder that “THE RAG” no longer exists even in Southern Maryland. And that is very sad!

[Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by the owner/editor of a small tabloid newspaper in Maryland, it is a very insightful look into the corruption and politics of this part of our country. It is loaded with editorial cartoons lampooning the events in the story.

[Walter Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Story of The Rag” is much like the newspaper, the “St. Mary’s Today,” that is the subject of the book. You will either love it or hate it. You will love it, if you appreciate the true life story of a local newspaper and its editor that dared to confront powerful people and institutions with the truth and to inform the public of what the powerful did not want them to know. The newspaper’s effect on public opinion was truly amazing. In a very short period of time the Democratic Party’s lock-grip control of politics and the government in St. Mary’s County was broken in 1994 with the first-time election of an all Republican Party board of county commissioners. Thereafter, “The Rag” was no longer dismissed as a tabloid nuisance and a joke, but was considered by the powerful to be a legitimate threat to their interests. This led to repeated attempts to drive it out of business. However, its editor would not succumb to harassment, threats, vandalism, and overt actions to censure the newspaper.

“The Story of The Rag,” is much more than a very colorful recounting of a time, place and persons in Southern Maryland history. Rather, it is a story that uniquely illustrates the importance of citizens not taking for granted the First Amendment’s guarantee of rights to freedom of speech and freedom of the press in everyday life. It is in this context that the book should be read.

[Tarissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating read on how a small-town newspaper came to be!

I have to say, although I knew nothing of this paper ("The Rag") and had no connection to it, the story was gripping nonetheless; I found myself eager to learn more about it. Ken Rossignol has, and willingly shares, an abundance of interesting stories about his newspaper.

Definitely the reader will find some funny incidents and some somber ones to connect to. On occasion I was genuinely concerned for the welfare of the people Ken told about! There were some pretty scary situations, actually. We're talking about dealing with gritty events and shady people; drugs, murders, abuse, and more "dark side" matter.

NOTE to the discerning reader: In addition to some of the topics mentioned above, there is on occasion some vulgar words, or references to them.

I actually had both the audiobook and ebook version of The Story of the Rag. I decided to listen to the book as audio, but then I would flip through the ebook later for all the pictures and newspaper "toons" -- which really help to tie the whole book together. Both the audiobook and ebook make for a great-quality read -- no matter which YOU pick!

Overall? Ken told about it ALL in a compelling way. He got me entangled in The Rag by the end, that's for sure.

[Geri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through Goodreads First Reads. I was worried I might not be able to connect with this book since I live on the west coast and this is about a newspaper in Maryland. They were needless worries as I found the book to be quite fasinating. Its about a little newspaper that packed a big wallop and seemed to piss-off just about everyone except its loyal readers. Writing stories with banner headlines about local government corruption, police ineptitude, murders, robberies, drugs, and drunk drivers. Sometimes to the detriment of the authors own safety. Sadly the newspaper no longer exists.

[Aerial · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a page turner

It was very exciting. I learned how hard it we to be working for a newspaper. A lot of times your life will be threatened while you are practicing the first amendment. It put light on the corrupt society where St. Mary' s today was located. The gay cop who was killed, the drug dealers who were not afraid to admit it and Fritz who was part of a gang raped and almost got away. It showed how so many political officials really felt that they were above the law and the incompetent cops behind them .

[Carlleen Cairns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having lived in Southern Maryland during the reign of The St. Mary’s Today, this read is a walk down memory lane. Ken really knew how to shake things up in a sleepy little tri-county area, yet this paper was really about any small town in America. I always loved the fact that everyone referred to the newspaper as “the rag,” but they could quote to you every last word written each week. Thanks for the memories

[Cynthia Fischer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read because I live in Maryland, and I had no idea this went on in St. Mary's County. I've only been there once. I am glad he fought and won the 1st Amendment fight, especially now that the 1st Amendment rights are slowly evaporating. I did find this book difficult at times -- lots of repeats.

[Bryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually quite a fun read, even though I knew little about the paper before reading this. I would probably give it more stars if I were a resident of the area where the paper was published. Still well worth reading.

[Crystal Toller · Rating 5 out of 5]

St. Marys Today

This is the story of a newspaper published in Southern Maryland from 1989 to 2010 when it was sold by Ken Rossignol. This was a fascinating read. The corruption in southern Maryland was really wants interesting to read about and unknown to me before reading the book. The landmark case about the newspaper raid was very interesting reading and I am heartily glad the newspaper won that case. A very good book. I highly recommend this book.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The truth may be told, but the words are used to get your attention. If they upset you, stop and ask yourself why!!! 0I enjoy news that is news and doesn't tell me what it means. Thank you, Ken, for telling it like it is!!! I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.

[Jan Stanton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written and a good story!!

[Angie Seay · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well

I wanted to be intrigued. I wanted an investigative journalistic review. This isn't it. It's a good old boy telling about a good o!d boy rag. I just couldn't finish it.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Great book! The story of a small town newspaper and the crimes and politics that made it worthy to stay in business in this internet era.

[Beryl Fishbone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truth hurts

It's a story of a gentleman with guts. Sadly we have fewer editors, writers and papers that investigate before they print.

[Susan Slacky Faatz · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE WAY NEWSPAPERS SHOULD BE
By S. Faatz on September 30, 2016

The Story of The Rag is a cutting and brilliant story of the newspaper St. Mary's Today.....the blurb tells us "In the short course of less then one year, a small-town newspaper which was run on a shoe-string was featured on the front page of two major newspapers and on network news, all due to covering the news with loud flashy headlines that "shouted" the news rather than boring its readers to tears. In short the news made news. That was just the beginning, before long the newspaper would be the target of an organized effort by a county sheriff and his deputies ad a candidate for states attorney to clean the newspaper off the newsstands the night before an election and results in a landmark First Amendment case which is now the law of the land."

We can see this story is a story of a dying breed of newspapermen and women. There are newspapermen and then there are those who do not candy coat the news. This is when a newspaper took a side and the editorial staff didn't worry about the fallout. They called it like they saw it and showed the public what was wrong with the system, be it with drug dealers, unsavory politicians or corrupt businessmen. They were exposed and brought to justice. Ken Rossignal did a great job of showing it like it is and how newspapers should be run.

[Angie Boyter]

With some polishing, this could have been a really good book, but it was too frustrating, especially for someone who was not familiar with the story already, so I gave up very early, given that there are LOTS of books out there to read! A big frustration, for example, is lack of dates for events so that I could not put them into context, e.g., when did the big NY City chain buy up several local newspapers? And exactly when was this book written, since the copyright has a range of dates (It refers to things happening just before or as the book was written)?
I think it could have done without what I call "cheap shot" verbiage, such as saying that after Ben Bradlee retired the Post became "a daily collection of front page issues apparently preapproved by the left wingers of the elite in DC," although I am not surprised given the kind of paper the author ran.
I am not rating it only because I quit pretty early, but if I had to I would only give it one or two stars.

[Joyce A. Wendeln · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too Close To Reality

I grew up in a small town of 700 people. I had to give up reading after the 4th chapter because it was just as boring as our weekly newspaper.

[Sara Avrams · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a bit of a rag.

The book starts out well but after a while, it just seems to drone on. The author jumps far too many times from one year to the next and back again until all continuity is lost. He also interweaves his stories and Estella them far too often to the point where this reader would stop and think, " not that story, character, issue, year, incident, again? "