Many of you know that I write for the River Current News. I do so as a volunteer and without being paid for it. It is one way I donate to the good of the city. Apparently Mr. Hansen thinks that not only is it unethical for me to encourage people to participate in the process of government but he also would like to assert whatever power he has over the editor of the paper. Here is another section from an email he sent to Bill, the papers editor.
"You will recall that my concern during our conversation was to the specific point of your regular City Council news reporter, Rob Millard, both involving himself in the political process by bringing forth a citizen/surrogate to present public comment in agreement with his own position on an issue and then reporting that citizen's comments in his story on the March 11th Council meeting. In my opinion, any reasonable person observing this would conclude that Mr. Millard had failed to meet an appropriate ethical standard for journalism."
"My e-mail to Council members broadens the concern I have that Mr. Millard lacks a factually appropriate perspective on Duvall's City Council to entitle him the role of reporting its proceedings in an unbiased manner. His own statements on his blog, Gone Right, substantiate my concerns."
"Bill, I understand that the bottom-line for you is the credibility of the River Current and the perspective of those in the community of your role as its publisher/editor. It is my request that you review the suitability of Mr. Millard continuing as the Duvall City Council News reporter with regard to these criteria.
As a courtesy, I will be forwarding a copy of this letter to each Council member.
Sincerely,
Skylar Hansen"
It is interesting to me that the approach is to 1. get government to silence me or 2. get my volunteer position taken away so I can't publish in the paper.
It appears that the preferred way of handling someone who disagrees with you is to silence them rather than allow them to exercise their constitutional rights.
It also shows a complete misunderstanding of the market based system that we have. If Mr. Hansen does not like what he is reading in the paper then he can cancel his subscription. In the USA this is how things are done. We do not attempt to silence people and take their jobs if we disagree with them politically...well those of us who understand the Constitution don't.
I didn't realize that this is how things were handled in Duvall. I am concerned that we are drifting away from the small town that we all love and we are now using Chicago as our model for political discussion. After reading the last two posts I half expected to see someone offer the newspaper protection from violence if they fired Rob.
ReplyDeleteI am worried about where our city is going if this is the type of people who are so entwined with some of the members of our city council. If it is true that he was working so hard for Elizabeth Walker then the vote I gave her last time is the last I will ever give to her.
We need reform and we need it asap.
Julie
Julie,
ReplyDeletePlease take the time to familiarize yourself with the candidates. You are right that those they choose to align themselves with tells us a great deal about them.
Thank you for being involved and caring about our town.
Skylar - seriously?!?!
ReplyDeleteAre you aware of how childish this sounds?
Just thought people should know how "the other side of the aisle" likes to operate.
ReplyDeleteSorry Thomas, I have to disagree with your last comment. This isn't the "other side of the aisle" this is one unelected man trying to control the city through threats, intimidation and lies. I think he was also the man who dropped off those hate fliers on my porch during the last election.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Wrong again Thomas. I'm on the "other side of the aisle" and this isn't how we operate. This is someone who is not elected who is trying to be a big man in a small town through intimidation. This needs to stop.
ReplyDeleteDave
Debbie,
ReplyDeleteYou are right on both accounts. My overgeneralization is inaccurate. Not everyone on the other side of the aisle acts that way.
Dave is also correct.
Thanks for keeping me on track on this.
Man, who needs tv? It sounds to me like he's worried you're going to take his job and so he's lashing out, childishly. But Thomas, how dare you "involve yourself in the political process." How dare any of us get involved and try to get others involved in the political process. And Thomas, how dare you write your own blog about whatever you want. How dare any of us write a blog about whatever we want. Good grief!
ReplyDeleteThis is the same guy involved with that flier last November?? Then you don't have to say anything more.
ReplyDeletethe one and only
ReplyDeleteI am glad to see that Debbie and Dave do not participate in the same mischief that Skylar does. I would like to see them be proactive on this issue. I would like to see them condemn this type of action and those that propogate it rather than just saying they don't do it.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that if we are to have a civil discussion we need to all work at it. That means we each need to police our own side of the aisle and make sure that those who say they are on our side really act appropriately and don't engage in the type of behavior that Skylar engages in.
If we don't want big time politics in Duvall then we should not associate with those who do.
Jamie
Actually, I'm not on the "other side" - I'm on the right side! It's just my husband, Dave, who's on the other side. Makes for an interesting marriage! But we'll definitely both condemn this type of behavior - next time we see Skylar on our property or our neighbors' property we will call the police.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Debbie,
ReplyDeleteI am glad to see that you are making this step. I really think it makes a big difference when people are willing to come together and disassociate from those who are harming your cause.
Thanks for standing up to stop this type of political bullying that Skylar is propagating.
Jamie
Just thought I would throw up a little quote from the real Thomas Paine.
ReplyDelete" I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death."
This quote brought to you with a grin on my face.
Paul,
ReplyDeleteKeep the comments on topic please.
Thanks
"The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty."
ReplyDelete--James Madison
I feel sorry for Mr Hansen and the negative energy he expends on his personal vendettas on some people and groups. And I feel sad that there are many who are persuaded by him. I appreciate the writing in The River Current News and the volunteers who provide it.
ReplyDeleteAs to the first comment by Julie, your concern about a candidate's association with Mr. Hansen is valid since it shows support for his negative tactics. Elizabeth Walker gave more than implied support. In the fall she was confronted with the smear campaign flyer against her opponent and told that the filed CAG paperwork disclosed that it was established by Mr. Hansen uniquely for the purpose of opposing John Durant and Anne Laughlin. She was then given the chance to deny a connection with Mr. Hansen and refused. She'd rather have him run her campaign in that way than loose the election. Where's the integrity?
Thanks, Rob, for keeping things positive.
- Carolyn Durant
So Thomas what is the worthy topic? That you are worried about this Skylar guy? I read what he wrote and it sounds like he just wants you to be an ethical reporter and not mix in your politics with your reporting. Seems reasonable to me. Seems to me that you are the only one trying to shut down opinion other than your own and intimidate those who challenge you. Paul
ReplyDeleteYou can't lie with the dogs without getting fleas. Walker (and Amy O. and Diane Brudnicki) should save face and drop Skylar.
ReplyDeleteRob, keep writing about tea parties, pinewood derby races, and city council meetings. If Skylar really cared about the town, he'd also pitch in to help out instead of just setting up road blocks for those who are.
It 'sounds like' Paul can't handle the truth. Or maybe he just doesn't want to see it.
ReplyDeletePaul, in what way is Thomas 'intimidating' those who 'challenge' him? And, by 'challenging' Thomas, do you mean posting emotionally defensive and factually baseless comments on this blog? Come up with some examples of how Thomas is shutting down opinion, as you say.
What's that? You can't?
Then quit whining. (Thanks, in advance)
Thomas - we support people who truly care about our city, open and accountable government and free speech. Your informative and objective reporting on the goings on of our town is appreciated. If you weren't getting info to the public, who would? Keep up the good work!
Thanks.
Paul,
ReplyDeleteMy reporting for the paper and my opinion are kept separate. I would encourage you to review the articles I have written and see for yourself.
On a separate note it is important for you to understand that Skylar has asked to government to do something about me expressing my opinion. This is a clear violation of my 1st Amendment rights. On the other hand I have repeatedly asked Skylar to come on to the blog and to explain his position. I have posted his comments and I have always left the door open to him.
The key difference here is that the 1st Amendment does not preclude a private citizen from ignoring or censoring comments on a private blog (like this). The Constitution and the bill of rights place limitations on governmental action. He should not attempt to use political connections to silence political foes.
And to answer your questions, I asked you to stay on topic because your comment about hookahs has nothing what so ever to do with the topic at hand and as a private blog I get to decide what is a worthy topic. Skylar asking government to take action against me and then trying to silence the press because he doesn’t agree with my opinion is a worthy topic.
Take note that he did not complain about what was written in the paper, he only complained that I was the one writing it.
Paul,
ReplyDeleteOne more thing. I am not at all scared of Skylar, worried about Skylar or bothered that his ideas differ from mine.
I am very concerned by his actions to silence those whom he does not agree with politically. This type of behavior does not provide productive solutions or discussions. It does lead to fear, retribution and tyranny and I will do all within my power to shine the spotlight on all those who act in this manner.
Paul,
ReplyDeleteHow is Rob intimidating Skylar? because he posts on his blog(which Skylar says he doesnt read) and offers to hear his side of the argument? This doesn't seem like it fits the definition of intimidation well. Perhaps another word would work better, discussion.
Jamie