Free-speech fanatic

For three hours a night, anyone with a radio dial or an Internet

connection can get a glimpse into the mind of John Ziegler.

Weeknights from 7 to 10 p.m., he hosts a no-nonsense talk radio show

on KFI-AM (640).

Those who think Ziegler’s biting sarcasm and straightforwardness

on air is an act need only listen to his answering machine for

evidence to the contrary.

“Hi, you have reached the voicemail of John Ziegler from KFI,” the

message says. “Please leave a message. And keep in mind that anything

you say can be used on the air.”

Ziegler is a perfect fit for talk radio and its free-flowing

format. Listeners are familiar with his political positions -- he is

a self-described Libertarian -- and thoughts on current events.

“He doesn’t read Republican talking points,” said Jason Nathanson,

Ziegler’s producer at KFI. “He thinks for himself and isn’t afraid to

challenge the talking heads. His audience appreciates that.”

Now there is another way to get inside Ziegler’s head. In July, he

released his second book, “The Death of Free Speech: How Our Broken

National Dialogue Has Killed the Truth and Divided America”

(Cumberland House Publishing, $24.95), which outlines his thesis that

society’s infatuation with political correctness is damaging the

national discourse.

His problems aren’t just with the Federal Communications

Commission. He is also critical of the media for what he describes as

self-imposed censorship.

“I kept getting fired from jobs for saying things I didn’t think

were inappropriate,” Ziegler said. “It has impacted my life in a

major way. It restricted me from getting married and having a family.

I didn’t want to drag other people through this.”

Ziegler, 38, said the problem goes beyond his own experiences. He

will explain the book’s arguments as he signs copies Saturday from 2

to 4 p.m. at a Barnes & Noble in Costa Mesa.

One passage in the book is dedicated to John Rocker, the

controversial baseball pitcher who was accused of being a racist for

comments he made about New York subway riders.

Ziegler is familiar with the sports world. He began his career as

a sportscaster for a small-market television station in Ohio, and he

wrote his first book on high school football.

While on the air at a television station in Raleigh, N.C., Ziegler

made a comment about former NFL star O.J. Simpson that eventually led

to his firing.

So he went into talk radio, moving around the country to look for

the right fit. In another high-profile incident, Ziegler was fired

after speaking candidly about a Louisville television personality

with whom he had had a relationship.

Ziegler has been sued, confronted and given the pink slip more

times than he’d like to remember. Still, he stands behind his words.

“I never say anything without thinking about it,” Ziegler said. “I

don’t think I’ve ever said things I regretted saying afterward.”

In recent years, Ziegler has tried his hand as a columnist and as

a contributor to television specials. But talk radio remains his

primary focus.

In January 2004 he was signed to a three-year contract by KFI.

Ziegler said he is finally at a stable point in his career.

“Talk radio and the Internet are the last bastions of free

speech,” he said.

IF YOU GO

* WHAT: John Ziegler book signing

* WHEN: 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday

* WHERE: Barnes & Noble, 901 B South Coast Drive, Costa Mesa

* COST: Free

* CONTACT: (714) 444-0226