Breaking News: AR Governor Huckabee is a Dick

Okay, I feel bad. That's not exactly breaking news - it's been public knowledge for a long time.

But it's been recently brought to the fore yet again. This story, from DailyKos, proves the point.

The Arkansas Times is an alt weekly newspaper which, in the past, has been critical of the Governor. Now he's being punitive and retaliating, by cutting off their access to (taxpayer funded) press information!

From the DailyKos:

It's official. Gov. Mike Huckabee is refusing to provide routine media services to the Arkansas Times. The newspaper has been stricken from the e-mail lists for routine news releases, public scheduling and other items widely disseminated to members of the public and the media.

The Times then quotes Huckabee's spokeswoman, Alice Stewart, on the matter:

We don't consider the Arkansas Times a news organization. By your own definition, you are a journal of politics and culture. As you said, there are hundreds of news outlets in the state and we don't attempt to notify every one of them. The major news organizations are on our e-mail list and that's the way it will continue.

Well, la di da, Ms. Stewart. Petty putdown, well done.

The larger issue, of course, is not missed by the Arkansas Times, which notes: "The governor has decided to punish us for our opinions by withholding a publicly financed service." Yes, taxpayer money goes to fund a press office, which holds a responsibility to keep Arkansas residents informed of the governor's schedule, policy proposals and stands on legislative action. The burden is not on an outlet to "prove" its legitimacy; it's on the governor's office to make sure as many citizens as possible are aware of what their state government is up to.

We don't consider the Arkansas Times a news organization.

Guess what, dumbass, that's not your call to make. If you can decide that the AT isn't a real news organization, then guess what? I just decided Huckabee isn't a real governor.