At one time City Councilor Traci McGee held a live FB show called "Truthful Tuesdays" in which she would review what went on at previous city council meetings, which included criticing city council members for their votes or their positions on issues, or anything else.

As this was embarrassing to those city councilors, they passed an ordinance (8 to 1) on March 14, 2022, that said, among other things, "Members shall refrain from abusive conduct, personal charges or verbal attacks upon the character or motives of other members of the Council, boards and commissions, the staff or public."

To ensure that McGee would comply they added that," Intentional violation of this chapter by a City Council member shall be grounds for disciplinary action up to and including dismissal or removal from office . . ."

Sounds like retribution, huh? It is. But worse is stifles her free speech as guaranteed by the Oklahoma Constitution. Section I-22 reads, "Every person may freely speak, write, or publish his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that right, and no law shall be passed to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech or of the press." No person should have to give up their right to free speech in order to remain a public servant.

And the City Attorney stayed silent. In fact, the city attorney, now a special judge, wrote the ordinance. Our constitutional freedoms are in jeopardy in Muskogee, Oklahoma.