| So, I hadn't heard from Christine in a few days, and I'm sitting here wondering if I can afford to bail her out of jail for whatever trumped-up charge her local sheriff might have cooked up for her, or if we should organize a search party or something, when out of the blue she sends word that the AP had picked up the censorin' sheriff piece first reported by the Argus-Press and spread it nationwide.
Here is a demonstration of the reach of the Associated Press. If anyone in power is thinking of "withholding information" from these guys anytime soon- think again. The press will stick up for its own.
Associated Press
Yahoo News
Mlive.com
Washington DC
Wisconsin
FoxNews.com
MassLive.com
OregonLive.com
Bellingham, WA
AOL News
DesMoines, IA
Toledo, OH
And for the second time in six months, a bully shoots himself in the foot and a blogger's story goes out across the country. By the way, I'm loving the emphasis on the word "blogger" here.
The Shiawassee County sheriff will stop releasing information to a newspaper after it published an article about a political blogger critical of the sheriff, the paper reported.
The Argus-Press of Owosso, located in the county, said in an article Thursday that it was told it would have to file Freedom of Information Act requests to receive information from the sheriff's department. Previously, the department issued press releases to the newspaper or would comment at the scene of a news event.
Sheriff Jon Wilson said Friday the article published last month about his department led to a feeling of mistrust, and he wants communication with the newspaper in writing to ensure accuracy.
"I'm not withholding information," Wilson told The Associated Press. "I just want the correspondence in writing."
The Argus-Press' article was about a political blogger in Caledonia Township selling bumper stickers which said "I Support Shiawassee Deputies, Why Doesn't The Sheriff?" The article reported "local blogs are filled with threads discussing alleged problems" of infighting at the department.
Wilson said there were no problems within the department and accused the paper of publishing rumors and gossip.
The newspaper reported then that Wilson had said his department would stop sending it information if the article was published.
It made the radio- a special shout-out of thanks goes to Walt Sorg and 1320 WILS, who rounded up Dick Campbell, editor and publisher of the Owosso Argus-Press, for the paper's side of the story. Sheriff Jon Wilson wouldn't comment.
Read the original story here.
So, if you have been wondering why Christine hasn't been commenting on the news lately, it's because she is too busy making it. Hats off to Christine, and to all those who have the guts to stand up to powerful bullies- it's an act of courage that is to be commended.
She will be back soon, or we will be holding a fundraiser, one of the two. Stay tuned. |
