No, seriously. Via Anchorage Daily News tonight…
Tony Hopfinger was handcuffed by the guards and detained in a hallway at Central Middle School until Anchorage police came and told the guards to release him.
Hopfinger has not been charged but the owner of the Drop Zone, private security firm that’s been providing Miller’s security, accused Hopfinger of trespassing at the public event, a “town hall” meeting sponsored by the Miller campaign. The owner, William Fulton, also said Hopfinger assaulted a man by shoving him.
Josh Marshall of TPM’s brilliantly understated headline for his coverage: “Didn’t Know You Could Do That.”
Alaska blogger/radio host Shannyn Moore tweets late tonight: “The Drop Zone has a picture of Obama as the joker in their window.”
Miller’s Democratic opponent Scott McAdams tweets: “@JoeWMiller – in case you were unaware, the Constitution also applies to reporters.”
Alaska’s incumbent Senator, Republican Lisa Murkowski, is also running in the race as a write-in candidate this year after having lost to Miller in the GOP primary which, as we detailed some weeks ago, could seriously test the state’s lousy Diebold optical-scan voting system.
Finally, there’s Miller’s most famous endorser, celebrity organizer Sarah Palin who loves to shout “Do you love your freedom?!” at her rallies. Perhaps she means that as a threat at this point? Good lord.
UPDATE 10/18/10: Wow. Miller’s goons, thugs — apparently Secret Service wannabes — threatened to handcuff another reporter or two after the incident with Hopfinger, as seen in this rather dramatic video courtesy of Salon/Anchorage Daily News [hat-tip BRAD BLOG commenter AzDesertRat]. Amazing…
News reports have noted that the incident took place after Miller had left the building, leading Media Matters’ Eric Boehlert to ask via Twitter: “Why did Miller’s rent-a-cops ‘arrest’ blogger if Miller had left the building? Who were they protecting/what were they afraid of?” Good question.
C’mon, attorneys: Are these off duty cops who could face discipline? Is this kidnapping? Isn’t that federal? What chance will anybody be in trouble, given the party affiliation of the candidate and local officials? Will the DOJ get involved?
Stay tuned!
Good questions, Mr. Ed. I believe I can answer them for you.
Nothing will happen. There will be no accountability for anyone. Not for the so-called ‘security’ guards, not for the owner of the security firm, not for the candidate nor any of his staff. No one will be held accountable in any way.
And why not? Because IOKIYAR.
Now, if this same incident happened at a forum for a Democratic candidate, it would be all over the national news, including (and perhaps especially) the so-called “lib’ral” news like the NY Times. But since this candidate is a Republican, there shall be no accountability of any kind.
Because — didn’t you know? — Jesus is a rightwing Republican.
More along this same “no accountability!” theme:
Lawbreakers In The 2010 Elections May Go Unpunished By The FEC, IRS For Years
It’s the Reporters fault. Sharron Angle told them the Teabaggers wanted “The Press be our friend” and if they aren’t she’ll resort to Second Amendment Remedies…
Wait till Blackwater is cruising your neighbourhood…be scared be very scared …the “war dogs” will be coming home !
Tony Hopfinger, editor of Alaska Dispatch, gets arrested at event of AK Senate candidate Joe Miller
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL5mNUKpN1g&feature=player_embedded
Ted Stevens Don Seigleman
Tom DeLay bill clinton
gbush and his daddy
cheney
rumsfield
Only just a few names to prove that the justice dept. is not interested in prosecuting republicans who are working for the cause. How are we different from Germany 1933? Even the gay people are being targeted. Only group being left out is gypsies. Sarkozy in France just moved them out of the country.
http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/10/18/video_joe_miller_guards
@ #5 Mick: They already have, in New Orleans after Katrina
DropZone does not even have a current license.
http://www.thepoliticalcarnival.net/2010/10/does-joe-millers-private-security-company-have-an-expired-license/
Two of the security team are Army soldiers stationed at Ft. Richardson. According to a spokesperson neither of the soldiers had obtained permission for off-duty employment (adn.com)
It’s frightening to me that members of the military are arresting/detaining a journalist who is using 1st amendment rights
Raw Story reports the “security guards” were unlicensed. Basically owners of a local Army-Navy-Gun store.
Vee must obey orderss vhatever zey may bee! Iff I tell U zis izz a private event, zen it iss private! No qvestions esked!
http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2010/10/19/miller/index.html
aren’t these soldiers from the same brigade W Bush set up to kill posse comitatus?
http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2008/09/24/army