It seems I’ve upset Dustin Hurst from the Montana Watchdog. In a recent post, I criticized his work, pointing out its inaccuracies and ideological bias. The truth is that he’s not a journalist or a reporter, no matter what he calls himself. He’s somewhere between an unofficial spokesperson for the Montana Republican Party and and an ideological hack for rightwing ideology.
And that would be fine if Mr. Hurst wasn’t passing himself off as a reporter. He absolutely has the right to express his opinion. He has the right to author biased, inaccurate stories and try to make people believe they’re true. He just isn’t right to call what he does reporting.
And I have the right to call him out for his work. That Mr. Hurst, an employee of a secretly-funded “media” organization, would have the temerity to suggest that I am carrying water for a political candidate’s “threats” is as astonishing as his lack of objectivity and perspective about what a threat is. I’m a teacher who writes a blog in his spare time, without any promise of remuneration or help from anyone. In fact, I have received little of either in the seven years I have been writing.
Reporters are supposed to objectively examine stories and provide their audience with the information they need to make informed choices. Mr. Hurst, seemingly driven by an immense self-regard and affinity for conservative politics, offers slanted coverage designed to denigrate Democrats, public employees, and liberals, all while ignoring the obvious failures, hypocrisy and foibles of the right. He even distorts the truth to make his arguments.
In my mind, these corporately-funded pseudo-journalists are worse than the deluge of corporate advertisements that have proliferated in the wake of the Citizens United decision. It’s clear these organizations intend to set themselves up as alternative news sources designed to trick readers into believing they are receiving unbiased news. If the future of local news is Fox-style propaganda couched in journalistic terms, we’re all worse off.
That kind of dishonesty needs to be exposed. If it upsets Mr. Hurst to be called out for his practices, I suggest a simple remedy: fix them. Either become a journalist or admit you’re not one.
Highlighting some of the most interesting and provocative posts in the past week at
Montana blogs.
It’s hard not to love this story at the Button Valley Bugle about the efforts of the good legislators in Wyoming to protect the state in the event of a nuclear holocaust or zombie attack. Hell, they’re even willing to consider purchasing an aircraft carrier.
Pete Talbot makes the case for someone taking the responsibility to ensure that the Bakken boom is handled sustainably and responsibly as potential exploration sites across the state grow.
Montana Cowgirl took a look at the staggering incompetence of the TEA Party-led county commission “leading” Ravalli County.
D Gregory Smith wondered why Dennis Rehberg seems far to busy to meet with his constituents but has the time to cultivate secretive donations for his campaign. Perhaps he was too busy making jokes about drunks on the water.
Rob Natelson over at the Electric City weblog offered another example of what passes for conservative jurisprudence these days in his effort to defend the Citizens United decision. This passage is just too good to be believed. Natelson writes, “right now, citizens who use the corporate form have their First Amendment rights back.” I wonder if citizens using the canine form will soon have the right to express their rights as well.
The Montanafesto blog outed Yellowstone County Republican chair and sometimes TEA Party activist Jennifer Olsen as another anonymous online troll.
jhwygirl offered her own dissent to the Supreme Court’s decision in PPL v Montana, writing that now, “if you can’t float a boat, it’s up for sale to the highest bidder.”
Over here, we looked at Corey Stapleton’s shady campaign finance and Representative Rehberg’s inability to raise money from Montanans.
Have a great week everyone.
I’ve been meaning to highlight a new blog in Montana, run by professors of Political Science at Montana State University, Big Sky Political Analysis. It features writing from an academic perspective, with some especially good commentary about the Tester-Rehberg race.
Certainly worth adding to your Google Reader.
*New is hardly fair as the site has been active since 2008, but the site seems more active as the big races in Montana heat up.
Highlighting some of the most interesting and provocative posts in the past week at
Montana blogs.
jhwygirl has a great scoop up about Senator Hinkle’s (R-Spear Hunting) plan to bow out of his Senate race to get Mark French into the Montana Legislature. Putting aside how bizarre it is that these anti-government types are desperate to get in government and score some of that socialist health care, French is one scary guy. Hard to imagine someone less enlightened than Hinkle serving that district, but French might be the one.
Pete Talbot pointed out the stunning hypocrisy of “the less-government intrusion crowd dictating their moral imperatives to the rest of us, via government programs” when it comes to reproductive health and choice.
D Gregory Smith is keeping up his great work writing about health, heart, and horrible campaign strategies. If you’re not following his work, you’re missing out on great commentary and insight each week.
MT Cowgirl highlighted the Montana Republican Party’s insistence that its candidates be the worst possible. Can you imagine someone actually writing a check to the Sales campaign?
David from the Big Sky Blog reminded us of six things people might not know about Montana.
And Montana got itself a new podcast you political junkies will definitely enjoy. Check it out.
Over here, we floated the idea of a Louisiana-style primary system in Montana, critiqued Jim Lynch, got into a bit of a dustup over a Pam Bucy campaign event, and pointed out that Representative Rehberg let a Washington lawyer write his “Made in Montana” solution.
Have a great week, everyone!
