Alaska Dispatch News reporter Nat Herz was the topic on everyone’s tongue yesterday. News travelled quickly around the Capitol building; some legislator slapped Nat across the face.
Politicians not liking reporters is nothing new. Senator Pete Kelly was quoted by Herz himself as saying, “your reporting is bullshit.” But actual violence towards a reporter is considered off-limits.
Senator David Wilson, it’s alleged, in response to Nat asking him he thought the story Herz had recently written about Wilson was fair, responded with an open-handed slap across Herz’ face. Then walked off. Wilson, when asked by other reporters if he had slapped Herz, replied “no comment.” Which pretty much means he did it.
At the Midnight Sun, we have drawn our own conclusions: 1) If Wilson had slapped Casey Reynolds, both would still be at bottom of the stairwell where the assault happened. Casey just wouldn’t take that. 2) What sort of privilege does Wilson think he possesses that he can slap someone for doing his job as a reporter? 3)A slap? Really? Why didn’t Wilson hit him with his purse? and Finally 4) Wilson should grow-up and publicly apologize.
Imagine if it were tiny Liz Raines of KTVA that got assaulted–Wilson would be in jail. Wilson is 100 pounds heavier than Nat Herz. It’s probably best that Herz didn’t respond in-kind, but the Alaska Senate should censure David Wilson, at the very least.
This is absolute BS. Tim Kelley should have the balls to censure David Wilson this very second! As written, if “tough guy” Wilson had slapped a woman reporter he (Wilson) would be arrested, THEN WHY is Wilson not arrested because he hit another man? bullying is bullying. And this seems like a US constitutional matter.
Your editor may have omitted a few points of perspective in their piece:
“pretty much means he did it?” …. Your evidentiary standard is
what? the middle school standard of: “I just know…”?
Wilson was projecting “privilege”? If privilege happens in the hall
and no one is there to protest it did it really get made up by a SJW?
“if tiny Liz Raines … got assaulted”… Sure, Liz Raines…., but what about if
puppies got assaulted? or mom? or apple pie? or some other protected class of
conjecture? That would be bad! right? (After reaffirming the presumption of the
assault – straw man up the imagery!)
Your masthead has been striking some familiare themes since Casey R left: you
seem to be supporting movements and political positions that exalt nation
(state) above the individual, and that stand for a centralized autocratic
government, and seek severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible
suppression of opposition….
I can not see a defensible reason to be a Shrill Shill for that type of
group…
“Cet animal est très méchant:
Quand on l’attaque, il se défend.”
Is he really 100 lbs. heavier, or just ALLEGEDLY 100 lbs. heavier, and if so, how do you know how much everybody weighs? Is it those machines that we walk through at the airport? Has the TSA been hacked?
Also, when did Casey Reynolds leave, and where is he?