SCOTT KENDALL VS THE FIRST AMENDMENT
Scott Kendall, Gov. Bill Walker’s chief of staff, knew he had done something wrong.
That’s why he changed his Facebook profile on Thursday and removed the reference to the Office of the Governor.
This author (Suzanne Downing) had told him the night before that he had abused the power of his office during one of his fits of pique, and upon reflection, and possible consultation with State attorneys, Kendall was trying to cover his tracks.
By mid-morning, his Facebook profile was just plain old “Scott Kendall.”
On Wednesday night, the chief to the governor was in high dudgeon. Kendall wrote a long a damning Facebook post about Must Read Alaska and the essay published earlier this week titled, “The War on Men.”
Kendall was incensed that Downing had the nerve to question the accusations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. He wrote that Downing diminished the stories and lives of victims.
And then encouraged his friends and followers in the Democratic circles he runs in to share his blistering criticism about Must Read Alaska. He did so as a top government official, attempting to silence a writer, and his progressive followers jumped at the opportunity.
OVER THE LINE
Kendall wrote how Downing had gone “over the line,” and he could no longer keep silent: “Despite my line of work, I try to avoid hard edged political posts. However, the Kavanaugh confirmation process has brought out behavior that makes silence start to feel like complicity,” he wrote.
By saying “Despite my line of work,” Kendall gave a dog whistle to readers that he is in a powerful position.
Of course, his silence is not the issue. Kendall has all the resources of the State behind him.
Kendall and his boss Walker are solidly on the side of not confirming Kavanaugh, and have sent a letter to the Senate delegation opposing his confirmation. This is part of the Walker campaign for re-election.
In that letter, Walker and Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott wrote that “violence against women in Alaska is an epidemic.” Referring to the sexual assault allegation against Kavanaugh, they said they could not condone his confirmation “while so many questions remain unanswered.”
Kendall’s Wednesday night rant was an attempt to silence the opposition. It was about taking down an Alaskan political writer and analyst whom readers know as a critic of the Walker administration.
Then he went after Must Read Alaska’s base of support — donors and advertisers:
“At this point it’s difficult to believe that the individuals or organizations involved will disavow these posts or cease supporting this kind of garbage,” he wrote.
This, coming from the door keeper to the Administration, tells readers he has super powers: He can hurt his political opponents –and he will.
Kendall didn’t stop there. Kendall strongly advised that Must Read Alaska unpublish the entire “War on Men” essay.
In First Amendment terms, this is called prior restraint, when the government tries to suppress a publication.
After that, he advised that the author apologize to all victims and to human decency itself. We never once heard him condemn either Rep. Zach Fansler or Rep. Dean Westlake for sexual misconduct.
KENDALL FORGETS ONE THING…
Scott Kendall doesn’t know the personal history of this writer, but let’s clear that up for him and put that one to rest.
The first time she was subjected to a sexual impropriety — assault, if you will — is when she was 10, a most typical age for such events.
The second time, when she was 12. After that, it wasn’t until she was roughly 22.
This author witnessed domestic violence in her own family. She has seen it, lived it, remembers it. Nearly every woman in Alaska has.
Kendall doesn’t care about that, or that someone who has experienced life might still want to uphold the constitutional “burden of proof.” He presumes only his views matter on the Supreme Court nominee. And only he gets to say who is to be believed in the world of he-said, she-said.
For Kendall, this is naked political ambition: He and his boss Walker are applying for a job. In 40 days, they’ll know whether or not they have passed the job interview. Things don’t look so good in that department, but Kendall is doing the cornered animal defense — hissing and snapping at anything he perceives is a threat.
Until then, dear reader, stay strong, keep the faith, and don’t let them beat you down.
Hey Scott, go to hell. And while you are at it, you might want to get familiar with the address of the unemployment office. You will need it November 7th
Walker’s administration has done more to undermine the protections for sexual assault victims than any of his predecessors. Look at the recent case involving a kidnapping and. strangulation, being pled out with no real consequences for the defendant. In a state where the prosector tells the defendant, “You got a pass” — the Govenor may want to refrain from making comments about assaults on women.
Walker/Mallot need to tend their own garden. One phone call could send Grannik packing and the voters can take care of Judge Corey but they want to blather on about new legislation. No friend to women these two and they obviously think we’re stupid as well. Charges should have been attempted murder.
Nicely written. Keep up the good work.
You just keep on doing what your doing Suzanne. Mr Kendall’s comments “don’t mean nuth’in”
I personally see any admonishment from Scott Kendall and his ilk as a sign that you are doing everything just right, Suzanne. Keep up the fantastic work!
Thank you!
I am the victor (not victim) of rape when I was 15 and I don’t “stand” with anyone. I Stand for Truth, and Due Process. And that puts me squarely in the camp of “Kavanaugh is innocent until proven guilty.” The man has led an impeccable life for as long as I’ve been alive.
Tired of the assumption that because I’m a “survivor” I must emphatically embrace the victims.
As someone who withstood a gang rape two months after my 13th birthday, I too am in the “Kavanaugh is innocent until proven guilty” camp.
Hey Murkowski – don’t wimp out – Confirm Kavanaugh!
Appreciate your tenacity and skillful investigative reporting. Keep up the fine work!
In Walker and Kendall we have dishonest, despicable people in charge of this huge state government – $100 billion in liquid assets, 30,000 state employees and contractor employees in the state with the smallest private sector in the nation, 128 million acres of state land, more union employees than the entire combined private sector, the most highly subsidized state university in the nation, the most complex state government enterprise system (missile launching, railroad, mortgage factoring, etc.) next to the federal government, etc. Their recruitment of Westlake and Fansler, and the disastrous results that came from that show the code of conduct within the Walker-Mallott government. One can only wonder what oversights and discrepancies a new administration will uncover. It’s a very safe bet that major state resources are being used right now in a mad scramble to hide what has gone on for the last 4 years.
Suzanne, you know you are over the target when you are taking the flak.
“Illegitimus Non Carborundum Est” Suzanne or however the proper Latin is written!
So sick of these folks being such hypocritical bullies abusing their positions to further their agenda’s.
I am sorry you were personally exposed to such behavior at the hands of someone you probably knew and trusted. As the father of two daughters 29 and 4.5 years old I am a firm believer that we need to look to places like Singapore and sadly Saudi Arabia and there laws and punishment methods for a way to efficiently exact retribution on such men and women. Our system and our State of Alaska is beyond ridiculous in the way of looking the other way when we need real laws in place and real followup. The latest Kotzebue tragedy lends stark witness to this truth.
I appreciate your work and look forward to every issue.
Suzanne, thank you for admitting your pain and the perspective that brings to this discussion. I was abused at the ripe old age of 1 1/2, and I remember every detail… “I’m a big boy now, I can let myself out” – as I reached up on my tip toes to grab a lever-type door handle… !! Dr. Ford is an amazing actress, but is NOT CREDIBLE in her accusation of Brett Kavanaugh – I’ve done lots of research on the effects of abuse in children of various ages and have books on it. Even drunk, she would remember in great detail, especially WHO. The memory would not have to be resurrected by a shrink.
Scott Kendall, you comments are antithetical to everything America and Alaska stand for. Walker, Mallot, and Scott Kendall are going down and good riddance.
Suzanne,
Thank you, for doing what you do best.
Keep up the great work.
Suzanne, I’m on the phone with his office. What a waste! Poor receptionist couldn’t pass on and sent me to the message line which is a waste since they “don’t have the funds for transcribing to the Governor.
Will be sooooo glad when this jerk is no longer Governor!
See there it is A DEMOCRAT
THREATING someone again!!!
This is not a communist country !!!
Keep up the great work!!!
I enjoy your Must Read Alaska remarks who are right on the mark We can’t wait for the day that we can wave goodbye to Bill Walker and his cohorts and welcome Dunleavy as the new Governor.
HEY FACIST,,, BULLY ME,,,,
Go Suzanne!
I’m including a $100 donation for standing up to these bullies!
wondering how mr. kendall or walker would stand up to an fbi investigation? count me in for a donation
Suzanne … You are our family’s go-to journalist for clear minded rational analysis of the news and pure and simple facts. Ignore the deranged goons on the left; they all seem to be living out their psycho/socio pathic diseases toward anyone of rational minds and good morals. Most of us understand why they just can’t help their pathetic selves and the driving force behind them. I’ve decided to double down on my contributions to your outstanding work … Thanks Kendall for reminding me.
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