A Brief History of Politicians Body-Slamming Journalists
Greg Gianforte joins a pantheon of violent politicians who don't want to answer questions from journalists
In the twilight hours of a special election to replace Montana's lone congressman, Republican hopeful Greg Gianforte reportedly "body slammed" and punched a Guardian reporter after the journalist tried to ferret out an answer about GOP health care plans. In this video Reason TV imagines a world in which other, high profile politicians give into violent impulses when confronted by the press.
Polls opened in Montana less than twenty-four hours after Gianforte's confrontation with Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs, and his subsequent assault charge. In the event that Mr. Gianforte is elected to Congress there is a reasonable chance he will interact with more journalists in the future, and possibly even have to formulate responses to Republican legislation at some point.
Written by Andrew Heaton, Austin Bragg, and Meredith Bragg
Performed by Andrew Heaton and Austin Bragg
Produced by Meredith Bragg and Austin Bragg
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I find it hard to take Reason seriously with the Taboola ads that run below the stories.
Couldn't you guys find some "Reasonable" advertiser to run ads on your website?
+1
I understand you guys need ad revenue, but can you at least go with someone who doesn't plaster a close-up of someone popping a monster zit between your readers and the comment section?
This is nothing if not a serious post.
there is a reasonable chance he will interact with more journalists in the future
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAST4V8Amds
Everybody's always complaining about the press--finally somebody does something about it!
I still think it's hilarious.
He should have also given him a wedgie.
Should've given him the backhanded glove and challenged him to pistols at 20 paces like real gentlemen. Or broadswords, like Lincoln.
It was awesome. These assholes harass people with impunity, especially republicans, then scream like little bitches when one of their victims dares to push back.
Who was the dem congressman from NC who went apeshit when those college kids asked him some questions a few years back and caught the whole thing on tape? Its not exactly a new thing for politicians to express narcissistic rage-they are narcissists after all...
Bob Etheridge
Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), one of Gianforte's closest allies in Montana politics, called his actions "unacceptable" and agreed he should apologize. "I do not condone violence in any way," Daines said in a statement and a television interview.
Emphasis added. *** rising intonation *** What about against ISIS?
I would have more respect if he had just said, she mething along the lines of 'tough titties. What goes around, comes around'.
Team (L) is polling at 6% right now. Might end up derailing another Team Red candidate. Even with the tap out Gianforte still probably squeaks it out. Outside Missoula no one in Montana has heard of the Guardian and the guy has a very punchable looking face.
Had it coming. How dare he ask questions.
The guardian dbag barged in while Gianforte was being interviewed by local TV. A nut punch probably would have been enough, though.
Violence is the best response to rudeness.
Sorry snowflake, out here even the Democrats aren't pussies.....at least those that are native to the place.
MLC Sounds like a wonderful place. No wonder everyone wants to move there.
Violence is the best response to rudeness.
In more than one place and/or group of people I've been in and around, nut punches are a formal greeting. I've also been around more than one sales culture that could be summed up with 'come back with either a purchase order or a restraining order', which is kinda the reason why I've never done sales.
I wouldn't act like it was normal or reasonable adult behavior or that Jacobs just misunderstood Gianforte's intent, but glasses were broken, misdemeanor assault charges were filed. If Gianforte had really intended to silence Jacobs or the wider press in some manner he did a shitty job of it.
Things were a lot better when things were more violent. Weasley shitbags knew better than to push too hard against most folks. Anymore, people act like living trash and the law protects them.
go for the throat...or the soft under belly?
My former rep, Cynthia McKinney, had a posse to beat on journalists. It was her election night tradition. While I never cast a vote for her in the general I was proud to take a Dem primary ballot to vote for her over Sally Yates' husband, Comer.
Get him, Checkers!
I voted for Riven.
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Worst Nixon impression Ev-Er.
"Republican Greg Gianforte won a hotly contested House race in Montana, holding on to a GOP seat despite an 11th-hour charge of assaulting a reporter."
---WSJ
http://tinyurl.com/ydylsb5g
Again, when the press reports on itself, it seems to have a hard time considering the possibility that candidates win not just despite negative press--but because of it.
There are only two institutions with lower approval ratings than Trump. One of them is congress, and the other one is the press.
"WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Americans' trust and confidence in the mass media "to report the news fully, accurately and fairly" has dropped to its lowest level in Gallup polling history, with 32% saying they have a great deal or fair amount of trust in the media. This is down eight percentage points from last year."
----Gallup
http://tinyurl.com/hda5s4u
Maybe beating up a reporter didn't help Gianforte, but verbally beating up on the press hasn't hurt Trump any. I bet the White House press corps. has no inkling of how despised they are by average people. I'm sure their parents are proud of them.
I know someone else with a lower approval rating than Trump.
Looks like "Crusher" Gianforte prevailed. Team (L) 3rd with 5/6 %. Salty tears here in progville (Missoula).
Democrats here are funny. The only 2 state level D's try to hide any prog leanings they have, yet who do they nominate; a slow witted prog icon. Sheesh.
Furthermore, these schmucks were actually convincing themselves their progtard would win because he wears a cowboy hat and looks like Kinky Friedman. Their contempt for people is something.
It's good to know though that no amount of relentlessly pushed fake news is going to help those losers.
Q: What do cowboy hats and hemorrhoids have in common?
A: Sooner or later, every asshole gets one.
And being from Texas, I can testify that looking like Kinky ain't getting you a whole lotta votes.
a thought...all q&a sessions to be held in the squared circle, all participants (press, politicians etc.) to wear approved singlets...best 2 out of three falls...no biting allowed...have at it you stinking mongrels
Make them cage matches and I think you're on to something.
Thunderdome!
Trump has legit experience there. I think he could have taken Hill-Dawg, two outta three.
Just because some pansy-assed journo uses the term "body-slammed" doesnt mean he was actually body-slammed. I doubt very seriously that he would have gotten back up and without so much a losing a breath started whinning about it, if he was actually body slammed.
Being knocked down because you are being a bitch and impeding somebody that doesnt want to talk to you isnt being body-slammed.
Except, of course, the story from the other side (the right one) is that the "journalist" barged into the office and when asked to leave grabbed him by the wrist.
In which case, the reporter got off light.
It's easy to tell when the left "libertarians" write a Reason story. They never let facts bother them.
Ben Jacobs is not a journalist. He is a Democratic Party operative who donned the priestly mantle of the sacrosanct Fourth Estate so that he can confront Republicans and try to malign their public image by asking embarrassing questions they would rather avoid while he is pretending to be non-partisan.
In other words, he's your average journalist.
So you're saying Gianforte let him off too easy?
I was hoping for a history of politicians body shaming journalists. the only instance Im familiar with is that mediocre mr. show bit.
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