By PAM MELIN
On Friday, the Alaska House of Representatives did something almost unheard of: They denied a ceremonial citation. It was not for someone controversial by action, criminality, or disgrace, but for a conservative Alaska journalist who’s dared to tell the truth too clearly, too often, and to the wrong people.
Suzanne Downing is no stranger to Alaska politics. She’s a force. A truth-teller. A thorn in the side of the establishment who’ve gotten far too comfortable operating in the dark. Through Must Read Alaska, she’s pulled back the curtain on political games, exposed backroom deals, and given a platform to the silent conservative majority in this state.
And for that, the Legislature denied her a routine nod of recognition, something they’ve freely handed out to sports mascots, pet goats, and tomato growers.
Why? Because her words hurt feelings, specifically, the fragile ego of Rep. Zack Fields, who openly admitted his problem with Downing was personal.
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t about journalistic ethics. It was political retaliation dressed up in moralizing hypocrisy. Fields has never objected to a citation before, even when he disagreed ideologically. But when someone dares call him out? Suddenly, citations must pass a purity test.
Even more disappointing were the spineless, so-called Republicans who caved to the pressure and voted to table it instead of standing up for one of the few conservative voices brave enough to take the fight to the public square.
Let’s be blunt: Suzanne Downing has done more to shape public opinion in Alaska than half the Legislature combined. It’s apparent that Downing is informed, unrelenting, and most terrifying voice of all to the political class, because she is independent of their control.
Alaska’s mainstream media is MSNBC on crack, pushing spin, not facts. Suzanne built a platform that bypassed them and gave the people a voice. That’s what this petty stunt was about. The establishment couldn’t handle the truth, so they tried to silence it.
The grassroots doesn’t forget moves like this. While lawmakers play political dodgeball with ceremonial resolutions, real people are watching. This wasn’t just an insult to Suzanne … it was a slap in the face to every Alaskan who’s ever dared speak out, ask questions, or hold their elected officials accountable.
Legislators who supported this move should ask themselves: What are they so afraid of? The truth? Or the people who are waking up to it?
Grow a spine.
Pam Melin is a resident of the MatSu Valley.
I’m going to take a guess, that I and others will have to take a number in response to the actions of the legislature. This presentation by Pam is outstanding and on point. I am a recent acquaintance of Suzanne soon following, a fan of total admiration for the reporting that requires great depth of truth before ever being put to print.
Thank you Pam, it is thought from this corner, that no better defense of Suzanne could be formulated than your epistle.
Cheers,
Johnson-Ketchikan
Loser Chuck Kopp didn’t disappoint again. Eternally indebted to socialists like Zack Fields, he couldn’t help but be another yes vote to dishonor Suzanne Downing.
Thanks for this writing and contributing this piece. And for making us aware of the votes cast by Costello, Saddler, Vance and Tilton. Good to know those that can’t be benevolent, respecting the work of others.
13 Republicans including Costello, Saddler, Vance and Tilton did support Suzanne. An additional two Republicans Nelson and Allard were excused on Friday.
The four that joined most Democrats, Louise Stutes and Chuck Kopp in voting against this ceremonial citation are Stapp – Fairbanks, Ruffridge – Kenai, Elam – Kenai and Coulombe – Anchorage.
What part of real coverage offended these four? Tabling fails 18-20 with these four votes.
You do understand a no vote was supporting Suzanne? The motion was to table (kill) the citation.
The Alaska Capitol building doesn’t have a dome. 😉
It’s obvious.
They hate women. Especially successful women.
It is painfully obvious that the lot of them are weak, spineless misogynists.
While Alaska’s News Source spins propaganda, Must Read Alaska provides information that is necessary to be well-informed. Thanks to Suzanne!
Suzanne is where I get the truth of what is going on. We appreciate her journalistic values. The ones that do not are the ones that need to be voted out; they are the ones that are destroying Alaska!
Fields is a pos
I voted for Ceezar
SD has been consistently ‘on-target’ and accurately dropping … TRUTHBOMBS!
Excellent Job & Keep Up the Great Work!
Folks, Alaska doesn’t have a functioning GOP, it has leaders that do media functions but little else. We can’t expect any support from the democrats (R) party.
Yundt?
Perhaps readers of Must Read Alaska should share this post by Pam Melin. Not too sure the nay voters, especially Fields, can withstand the bright light exposure of recent activities.
Folks who ask WHY?, with a bit of research, should become informed. And an informed voter makes informed decisions.
Bright lights make cockroaches scatter.
Well said! Get rid of the commie democrats and spineless “republicans”, elect people who are more about caring for Alaska than self-aggrandizement.
Suzanne Downing is our Winston Churchill without the cigars and whiskey! (?)
Julie Coulombe needs to explain this vote the next time she “blathers” on and on about her unrelenting representation of those who reside in “her” district on the radio.
Get a clue, Julie! You were very wrong with this vote.
And voters … we let’s work to replace her. This is not Julie’s only recent wrong vote.
What is a ceremonial citation? I gotten citations for speeding, really wouldn’t want another. Who cares, Suzanne and everyone who visits this site knows what see does and appreciates her efforts. Awards these days mean nothing…just look at the Grammys, Oscars, even the Pulitzer, they just choose box checkers.
Zack Fields, former comms director for the Alaska Democrats, has only one thing in mind: Total takeover of the state by the Democrats. One person stands in his way: Suzanne Downing
Hot golly‼️ The picture of the vote board would be blown up and framed and hung on the living room wall if I was Suzanne…
Just knowing that she’s living rent free in so many legislators heads, is the greatest award you could ever receive 💯😊