Stupid move. Stupid. This kind of idiocy results in retaliation across the ticket, up and down.

It sends the wrong message. Why would Dino fear the camera? The excuse is far too weak, since the left wing clowns will make an "attack video" anyway.

Lopez is looking better by the second.

Seattle cops support the candidate who will legalize cop-killer bullets and handguns. They bully their opponent's photographers. They ride their motorcycles to Sturgis to get in drunken brawls with Hell's Angels, then pull their guns & start shooting.

Seems like there's a bit of an attitude problem here...

If a political event is on private property (like this one was), then there is no public ''right'' by members, employees, or operatives from an opposition party to be present. By refusing to leave when asked, Akers was acting like a typical (D) in this state:
Showing his contempt for private property rights.

Pandering Press

There are issues here, but unfortunately this piece does not rise to Postman's usual standards of articulating them.

It's private property - they have the right to remove him, and it sounds like, from a partisan perspective - a smart move.

Videotaping in public is another matter, as is harrassment of an individual for taping in front of the Police Guild.

Those are issues that need to be talked about and hopefully the individuals involved will continue to act responsibly, and with memory and not get caught up in this effort to incite.

-Douglas Tooley
My Blog

To Hinton:
You're wrong: This has nothing to do with Dino ''fearing'' the camera.
And the private property ''excuse'' is NOT ''too weak''; it is precisely the key issue, and one on which we should rightly and greatly fear what the (D)s want to do with it (make it so that the ''public'' or the government effectively owns everything in common).
WRT Lopez: You were sarcastically kidding (I hope), right ?? Doing anything that might subtract a vote from Dino's column is inexcusible.

And to the moonbat ''guest'':
Here's a news flash for you:
Handguns are ALREADY LEGAL in this state; and those of us who have concealed carry permits can already carry them in WA; except in a few special locations.
And; yeah: You do point out a HUGE attitude problem: YOURS; for denigrating Seattle police officers and gratuitously distorting beyond recognition what happened in Sturgis when an off-duty Seattle police officer was attacked.

What else would you expect from Seattle cops? They are arrogant and use their power to intimate whenever possible. Whatever happened to cops being a positive force in the community who served and protected the public, rather than roughing people up whenever they get the chance?

Postman, did you display similar interest when Darcy Burner did the same thing to a Cameraman in the last election? You can still find it on You Tube.

yo methow 'goebbels' ken --

SPD speaks by their actions. doesn't take a moonbat to figure that out...

The camera man is the kind of smart-azz you love to hate.
He should have left the building immediately upon being informed he was not welcome on the guild's private property. Period.

However from that moment on we see Seattle Police at their worst (the initial contact with the arriving officer not with standing) by man-handling him out of the building, grabbing his camera once he was outside on public property, responding to his protest with an attitude intended to escalate the confrontation... and generally breaking every human-relations rule in the book for dealing with the public.

If this is these officer's best behavior in broad daylight with cameras rolling, I can only imagine what a real "rough-up" is like in a less public setting.
I hope Alers realizes the fire he's playing with if he pizzes-off bullies and hot-heads protected by their shield of authority in a more private setting.

I have great admiration for the SPD and the very tough work they do.
But this tape is a humiliation to their reputation, and should be an embarrassment for the Rossi campaign (including the uncomfortable moment of silence when Rossi invites applause for his campaign at the beginning of the tape - the kind of thing Rossi doesn't want recorded)

After watching the video, its clear to me that Kelly was assaulted. While he was likely trespassing, the off-duty officers do NOT have the right to assault a trespasser, especially because he was not posing a threat. It seems to me that they can ask him to leave, tell him to leave, and order him to leave. But the minute they laid a hand on him, rather than call on-duty, uniformed officers, they broke the law, and may well be guilty of assault.

Property rights are real, but they are not unlimited.

Evidently AARON,
Your a bit confused about the criminal laws of Washington State.
Trespassing in my house would have landed Kelly with a bullit between his eyes, no questions asked, just keep that camera rolling!

I believe a private property owner or their agent isn't committing assault by removing a trespasser IF they don't injure them.
Hence, the interest in Aker's bruised arm.

When I owned a retail business, it was my understanding I had to be very careful in forcibly removing unruly customers for that very reason.
Even if the customer posed an imminent danger to property or someone else, my attorney advised that I faced the possibly of criminal or (more likely civil liability if I injured him in any way.
Simply touching them - holding their arm as you lead them to the door for example - was not criminal assault or a violation of their civil rights.
We always left the rough stuff to uniformed police officers since they're licensed and authorized to use force if necessary.

And RCW 9A.52.070 Criminal Trespass?

Written VERY CLEARLY!

1. A person is guilty of criminal trespass in the 1st degree if he knowingly enteres or remains unlawfully in a building.

GUILTY, as per his tape recording also shows clearly!

“We don’t allow them in to collect attack video,”

Boy, how stupid can Rossi's posse be? And Rossi comes out and just ignores the whole thing as he gets in his SUV.

He'll be lucky to get McGavick's numbers after this dumb, dumb move!

As I said Daniel K , Just like your girl did the last time around. Remember the Senior Center Video?
So is Rossi as Stupid as Burner?

I don't feel bad for Akers at all! Like most Democrats, he doesn't seem to understand the concept of private property. If I were the police, I would have written him a citation for trespassing.
Maybe a trip to juvenille hall would have done that snot-nosed kid a little good!

Seriously dumb move from Rossi and his posse.

Turbine... that's a load of bull. Some volunteer or junior staffer intentionally got in the way of the video camera at one Darcy Burner event. One. And nobody was touched or dragged off the premises, and no police were called. But you know, if you repeat your lies often enough, I suppose you'll convince some people that's true.

And way to go all you Rossi supporters who cheer the use of force as a first resort. Tells us a lot about what you expect from your candidate.

David, David, David...Shannon over at The Olympian is going to be real hurt that you obviously don't read his blog! Since you've apparently taken the Dems talking points hook, line, and sinker--let's just copy and paste what Mr. Shannon wrote recently:

"I wasn’t allowed to go in and listen to Gregoire talk about this or other issues she wanted to share with the labor movement. That’s because she delivered the news to the Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council’s convention in Olympia, and the council’s policy is to run a “closed convention.”

[...]

The governor said later she had no idea the labor group had excluded the press, which her staff considered a public venue. Her staff had announced her appearance with a press release, and I dropped by only because I’d seen the governor make so few public appearances in Olympia over the past four months."

It's one thing for a Dem operative to get turned away from an event on private property, to an event that's open to the media, but otherwise closed to the public.

It's an entirely different thing for a bona fide reporter to be denied access to what they've been told by the Gov was a public event.

Excuse the bubble-bursting. Now back to the earlier programming: making the tresspassing Dem cameraman into a profile in courage.

Profile in Courage?

No wonder our prisons are overcrowed!

Cry me a river there Goldy locks, Darcy saw her staffer behaving badly and she did...NOTHING. So she must have approved of her staffers behavior. If she was a LEADER and she saw her staff doing something that she did not approve of she would have taken a moment to correct the behavior. Which she did not. Why don't you crawl back to drinking liberally and give Sandeep some of those liberal values you are so proud of. What was it again Sandeep said to you and Dwight on your podcast? Liberal Values are "Drinking and F&*$ing"
I guess you guys are Edwards supporters as well as being Darcy fans.

Exceptionally dumb move by Rossi and his posse.

Yea, night-sticking kids for trying to watch your press conference is bad policy. Does Rossi think when he says the N-word KOMO's camera won't pick it up?

But I think we can all agree that even if the kid gets popped it will be worth the pregnant silence at :29 when Rossi's money line falls flat on it's face.

I guess Daniel K would know dumb moves when he see them, he is an Exceptional Darcy Fan.

Keep spinning any justification you can Turbine for Rossi's handling of that situation. His cop boys roughed up a citizen reporting on a political event and got caught on film doing it. Rossi got exactly what he invited.

Serves this Akers guy right. The police are doing the job they are paid to do which includes enforcing no trespassing laws. I hope they follow this action up by enforcing the "no protest without a permit" for the Critical mass Democrats on their next Friday ride.

legalize handguns, guest? those are already legal. you've heard of the second amendment?

interesting that the times didn't id the cop who was pushing him off the property. he's easily recognizable and id'able. check in with your cop reporters.

and for those of you who protest video dude's removal, private property is private property.

I hope some Republicans show up at the Democrat offices (private property) and demand to just stand around with video cameras "doing nothing" (except videotaping).

We'll see how long the Democrats believe it's okay to do whatever you want on private property with a video camera.

I love how that kid kept saying "I'm not doing anything!" I guess if that were true, it wouldn't be a problem. He was obviously doing something. Videotaping for Gregoire's gutter politics campaign. But as long as he insists he's "not doing anything" then go home and take a nap. Because you're "not doing anything" anymore on private property because you've been asked to vacate. :)

I hope some Republicans show up at the Democrat offices (private property) and demand to just stand around with video cameras "not doing anything" (except videotaping).

We'll see how long the Democrats believe it's okay to do whatever you want on private property with a video camera.

I love how that kid kept saying "I'm not doing anything!" I guess if that were true, it wouldn't be a problem. He was obviously doing something. Videotaping for Gregoire's gutter politics campaign. But as long as he insists he's "not doing anything" then go home and take a nap. Because you're "not doing anything" anymore on private property because you've been asked to vacate. :)

AD:
"...I love how that kid kept saying "I'm not doing anything!"..."

Well, once they got him on the sidewalk, he WASN'T doing anything except occupying a public place where he has every right to stand with his video camera.
Cooler, more professional off-duty cops would have left him there and went back inside since they'd accomplished their goal - removing him from private property.
What happened afterward is overkill by any standard.
"...investigating suspicious behavior."...?
Give me a break....

SPD has been handcuffed from performing as a normal police department for years under Democrat Party control. There is nothing else to this story. Private property, we don't want you here, leave.

"We'll see how long the Democrats believe it's okay to do whatever you want on private property with a video camera."

AD, I seriously doubt a whole cadre of limp-wristed, city-dwelling Democrats could remove a grown man from a Queen Chrissie event. But then, why would any sane person want to waste their time at such in the first place?

If it had been anyone other than Kelly the Democrat Camera-Stalker, they would have been arrested for obstructive behavior. He got off easy. Bunch of whiners!

"Postman, did you display similar interest when Darcy Burner did the same thing to a Cameraman in the last election? You can still find it on You Tube."

Of course not. David Postman's job is to get Democrat elected.

Has anyone actually watched the video? Kelly behaved like any juvenile with an authority problem. Get off our property means exactly that. Do Democrats just not get the concept?

Comments from "guest" and "too bad" that attempt to demean one of the most noble professions further demonstrate a miserable, out of the mainstream attitude towards law enforcement. Do all the Democrats on this blog agree with these statements?

I think the best defense for the guild is having more people watch the video in question that shows Kelly the intern behaving like a buffoon and obstructing justice.

It was the guild that asked him to leave their property... not Dino. It's about time the disingenuous Democrat staffer and his boss learn a little lesson called respect. This video does nothing but stir up the anarchists and pinheads that live off of a desire to constantly undermine authority.

Thank you Democrat Party for fostering a despicable level of arrogance and hostility toward the very people that live and die to protect us! Shame on you!

All campaigns do this, Republican and Democrat, after the Sen Allen incident in Virginia. This is just the usual Rossi bashing that we have seen since the beginning of the campaign, making outrages claims against him and pray that you can distract the public from the issues. The D's are embarrassed that they are losing to a an R when everything says they should be crushing him.

To all you cop bashers out there, next time a crime is committed against you or your family watch who the first people on the scene are......just think about that the next time you chose to make unsubstantiated claim against a police officer. When was the last time you were just walking around and HONESTLY were not drawing attention to yourself and a cop just came up and beat the hell out of you. Never has.... so look first at who is making the claim before you bash the police.

He should have left the building immediately upon being informed he was not welcome on the guild's private property. Period. - jimd

Agreed. End of story.

They should have used the non emergency SPD number to report the incident. 911 is for emergency only.

This isn't a result of anything Dino Rossi or his campaign did wrong, this is a direct result of CG's slimy campaign tactics. This guy obviously doesn't have any respect for police officers or their authority, he sounds like a defiant teenager, especially since he was told IN ADVANCE that he could not attend this private function. If the tables were turned I would say the exact same thing. Why does CG need to stoop to this level of campaign tactics, oh, I guess I know the answer, she can't run on her record because it sucks so bad.

so is this why seattle police officers are the highest paid in the nation? so they can harass people for no reason? i'm glad my tax dollars aren't wasted on this!

I'm more than a little uncomfortable with the strong arm tactics being used by Rossi and his buddies. I'm not in a union, I don't particularlu like Gregoire, but Rossi is not earning any points with me by this behavior. Maybe he really is just a small time real estate crook like some long time residents still say about him. That'd explain why he has to hide behind off duty cops and seems afraid to have anyone but his chosen few really hear his words in public.

What's Rossi going to do when 200 people show up at his next event with cameras?

Umm, there was a press conference being held on this "private property" . It is not like some cameraman popped out of the toilet in Dino's bathroom to videotape him in the shower. These guys are a bunch of thugs. From the BIAW at the top to Dino to the SPD.

"Of course not. David Postman's job is to get Democrat elected. "

Hey, OfCourse, your paranoia is showing. Postman is a pro, who conducts himself responsibly. You, on the other hand, have exposed yourself to be an idiot.

It's a good thing for you that you can hide behind your screen name. You obviously spend too much time worrying about your manhood. Is your Viagra wearing off?

Look - I'm not defending the little brat, but;
1- There was local broadcast TV set-up taping the same thing he was.
2- He left the building.
3- But THEN they started hassling him on public property. Can anyone tell me why they needed to do that - rise to his bait and escalate the confrontation after they'd got him out of the building?
They already knew who he was and why he was there - the reason they asked him to leave.
So why take his ID and "conduct an investigation of suspicious behavior"...and basically give him what he wanted - a recording of cops acting as childish as he was?
I'm sure it must be difficult to turn away from some azzhole kid you'd like to punch in the stomach, but these are professional peace officers trained in the art of human behavior and off-duty at their own political event, no less.
If the video stopped with him babbling to himself on the sidewalk, we'd only be talking about why they kicked him out, not what they did after they got him outside.

I am by no means a Dino Rossi fan and do not understand his policy of not allowing the opposition to videotape him. That being said, it is clear to me that Mr. Akers accomplished what he set out to do -- he knowingly exploited the Rossi campaign policy to create a scene that he could then videotape and use to attempt to undermine the Rossi campaign. As a registered Democrat, I abhor these types of tactics and sincerely hope that Mr. Akers finds himself in need of a new job. Everyone, regardless of party affiliation, should expect better from our public officials and their hired staff.

If we focus on the issues that are important to each of us when deciding who gets our vote then these incidents of low-budget theatre would be meaningless and not deemed newsworthy.

Pay attention, liberals! Rossi did not have the stupid Dem cameraman evicted, the police guild did.

Spin it any way you want, but the cameraman was in the wrong-all the way.

Rossi did nothing to promote his eviction. So why are you liberals berating him? Could it be you wanted Rossi in a compromising situation, and now come to find out there was none to be found?

It has to be so sad for you losers...

"You are not a member of the official press, so you are not invited."

Dear Republicons: There is no such thing.

Republicans can never seriously say they uphold the Constitution again. They uphold a completely different set of rights (and more importantly, restrictions) that they *think* is the Constitution. They don't believe in rights of others, only rights of themselves, particularly when used to restrict the rights of others.

"Official press" my ass. King George III tried that "official press" crap, too. We don't play that in America. No one, not even the police, gets to decide who is press and who isn't.

I was there as a jornalist and there is no question force was used. Both of Akers feet were off the ground. The SPD Guild members were way out of line and they did manhandle Akers. While they had the right to kick him out of a private event on private property they needed to do it legally. Call in uniformed law enforcement and escort him out that way. not the rogue way it was done.

P,
You're not helping the SPD by putting more blame on them than they deserve for denying this specific photographer the same pictures all the other protographers were allowed to stay and collect.
Get real - it's the Rossi campaign that didn't want him there and put the SPD in the compromising position of evicting him in the middle of Rossi's speech while all the other cameras were allowed to stay.
Not saying they didn't have a right to do it, but it was Rossi's petty demand Akers be removed that caused the flap, since the SPD typically goes out of their way at one of their press conferences to avoid even the appearance of such petty nonsense - as they should, working for ALL of us, not just Rossi supporters.

JimD- This was an SPD GUILD event, which is entirely different then an event the SPD would hold in regards to normal police activity. I know you guys are upset a union had the audacity to think for themselves and not endorse Gregoire but come on, this was a private event.

"it's the Rossi campaign that didn't want him there and put the SPD in the compromising position of evicting him in the middle of Rossi's speech while all the other cameras were allowed to stay"

JimD, there you go again, stating facts that are NOT in evidence, please show me where those facts are, I watched the tape, I didn't here Dino say anything of the sort. This kid was told he COULDN'T be there before it started and he decided not to listen.

Jimmy D,

What??? Are you doping again? What part of my previous post did you not understand?

The police guild, not the Rossi campaign, "manhandled" the moron. Nice try, loser, but even you have to understand the reality; you dems wanted a "situation" and are p.o.d you didn't get it. Pretty sad, really, how transparent you've become, JimmyD. Did you forget what you posted before I posted?

In your post you said you thought the Dem's cameraman was out-of-line. Now, you seem to have flip-flopped, like your hero continuously does.

LMAO!

JR,

What's wrong with defending your private property? I see no reason why they shouldn't have removed him. It appears they did call the police, a uniformed on duty officer showed up, tried to interview the witnesses and Akers refused to obey them, he's a punk, CG should fire his ass, there's no reason he can't act like an adult, aside the fact that he's probably a liberal......

Wow, I cannot believe all of the fuss over this. It is really pretty simple.

1. He was told before the event started: “no press pass, no entry, no video”
2. He went in anyway and started taping.
3. His motive obviously was not to document the event; he knew his presence would stir up controversy.
4. If you are asked to leave private property, you must leave.
5. The on duty cops were called to the scene, so they must file a report. This report shall include the video guy’s identification.

If anyone wants to dispute this, go into your local Elks lodge and try to video tape their meetings. You will notice how they will ask you to leave, as you have no business taking video of their PRIVATE gathering. If they call the cops, the cops will ask you for your ID as part of their investigation.

This really isn’t news. It is, as Akers wanted in the first place, being blown out of proportion.

Bothsides,

He didn't have a gun it was a camera... defend against what?

Let the uniformed officers that are "on duty" yeah I know a cop can always be on duty...

I watched Akers on the street with the cops did he give a little verbal resistance - yes. But If I followed everything SPD or other officers told me I wouldn't give you the news you deserve. Before everyone jumps on that one... I know we don't always do the best we can but your street level journalist really do try hard... OK most of us there are always bad apples... journalist and cops alike. These Guild members did not need to rough the guy up... and they did. Doesn't really matter if you think he deserved it... higher standards for cops...

I too was there as a journalist and what Mr Akers is not showing the public is that he was already warned multiple times to leave long before the clip he chose to put out for public consumption. He repeatedly ignored the warnings.

And No JR, his feet were not off the ground. Perhaps JR missed when the Mr Akers decided to swing an arm at on of the guild members trying to get him to leave. He made contact with one member's head which given the circumstances could have resulted in a large fight, which is probably what the Gregoire campaign wanted all along.

I personally was leaning toward Gregoire myself, but honestly if this is the best she can do, sending thugs like Akers over to disrupt her opponents campaign events, she is in more trouble that I realized.

well, i learned one thing from this video...

...the cops show up a hell of a lot faster to calls from their guild hall than to my residence, or the city park, or the local school, the grocery store, etc...

stupid ass cops, doesn't really rank quite as bad as arresting bikers who fight back after getting run over by cars, or medical marijuana patients for seeking legal (as per wa state and seattle laws)medical relief for their ailments, but it still is showing.

should i request a protest permit for this post??? is the seattle times blog a free speech zone??? right wing nut jobs are f#@*ing up our country!!!!

P,
I sincerely have no idea what flip flop or whatever you're referring to...?

Look - Akers was asked to leave and he obviously should have left immediately - everyone agrees to that.
But the officers in attendance were off-duty and obviously should have waited for uniformed officers instead of manhandling him themselves when he refused to leave.
They continued handling the situation poorly by matching his emotionally-charged behavior once he was outside and finally in compliance with their demand.
I just think Rossi's campaign (I never said Rossi personally) thought this would be a good opportunity to have a room full of burly police officers deal with Akers for a change.
And that compromised the integrity of the off-duty officers who tried to comply.
Even SPD spokesperson Whitcomb acknowledged that on-duty officers were the ones that should have handled it - "Having on-duty resources there to de-escalate the situation and resolve the conflict was prudent,”
Damn right, since the off-duty ones were acting like a bunch of thugs.

Moreover, it was a PRESS EVENT staged for the media to publicize Rossi accepting the guild's endorsement, not a "private meeting".
Sure - Rossi's campaign (or the guild for that matter) can deny access to photographers or others they don't want there.
But the only apparent reason Akers was asked to leave and then removed was - as the first off-duty officer confronting him clearly says on the tape - "you're with the Gregoire campaign."
Sorry, but that's the campaign calling the shots, not the guild -- unless the guild is enforcing its own code of discrimination against Gregoire supporters - a scary thought indeed.

Everyone came out looking bad on this one.
And it's all because the Rossi campaign is so small and petty they don't want Akers taping the same thing everyone else was taping because he SAYS he's associated with the Gregoire campaign (which is probably more in his head than the reality anyway), again demonstrating Rossi's contempt for the spirit of open access and forthright disclosure.
The guy needs to loosen up a bit and quit acting like he's got to hide everything he can from the public.
But then again, I suppose he can't...

Bottom line for me -- this does not reflect well on either Mr. Akers or Mr. Rossi. Hopefully, both will grow up some day. At this point, neither has earned my vote for governor. Difference is, only Mr. Rossi claims to want it.

Gee JimD, maybe Christine could act like an ethical Governor and quit using slime ball campaign tactics. The only reason for him to be videotaping is to try and take something Rossi has said, twist it out of context and then bash him over the head with it, I'm sick of this kind of politics, but hey, slime wins elections.

TJ

A real journalist would leave this to a journalism comment and not go political about who they support or do not support. If you are a real journalist you will leave it to the facts. Maybe I missed the hit on the face and you missed the feet off the ground.

JR

JimmyD,

How pathetic can one get? In your first post you say the cameraman, hired by the Democrats, was in the wrong.

Then, I post the obvious, that the only reason the Dem's cameraman was there was to incite something to use on Rossi's campaign.

Then, you post the most pathetic flip-flop when you try to pin the whole flap on the one person who had absolutely nothing to do with it, Soon-to-be-governor Rossi.

I always know I've got you, JimmyD, when you ramble on and on trying desperately to twist the facts to fit your pathetic worldview.

Let's all see if we can figure out what JimmyD's pathetic worldview is, could it be:

Dems good, GOP bad.

LMAO!

Bothsides:
"Gee JimD, maybe Christine could act like an ethical Governor and quit using slime ball campaign tactics. The only reason for him to be videotaping is to try and take something Rossi has said, twist it out of context and then bash him over the head with it, I'm sick of this kind of politics, but hey, slime wins elections."

Name one thing she's twisted out of Rossi's context?
have you seen any commercials that use Aker's video?

Even if Gregoire was misrepresenting his positions, that's a political fact of life.
If Rossi wants to play with the big guys, he should man-up and get used to being accountable for what he says - or in his case most of the time, what he refuses to say.

If he's that threatened over some dumb kid with a video camera, imagine how he'll fold under the daily attacks a governor has to put up with.
What's he going to do - erect billboard complaining about how unfairly he's being treated?

YOU are tired of slime-ball politics? LOL
May I quote you (accurately) on that in the future?

P,
Ah...no.
Broad brushed good-guys, bad-guys stuff is a little too comic book for me.
life's realities are complex and nuanced, P.
Read my firs post again.
I said the kid was wrong AND the police acted improperly.

As for who didn't want Akers at a press event otherwise open to the media, the officer who first confronted Akers on the tape said it was because he was "...with the Gregoire campaign."
Are you seriously suggesting the SPD decided on their own to regulate who takes picture at their press conferences depending on their political affiliation?
Really?
Because that's a serious charge of political impropriety against one of the best (on average) police forces in the country.

No one disputes it's the Rossi campaign who doesn't want Akers following them around with his video camera.
The guild was clearly implementing the will of the campaign by throwing him out.
And it's a shame the off-duty officers bent to that will by manhandling him instead of waiting for uniformed officers - the proper procedure acknowledged by the SPD spokesperson to remove a trespasser.

First let me make it clear that I am non-partisan, as the current bi-partisan system is a sad failure and a bad joke, and partisan politics seems to only achieve division.
Putting aside the private property issue for a moment, Rossi is running for PUBLIC office, which opens his actions to public scrutiny. This applies to anybody else running for public office.
In my opinion, those who would ask us to place our trust in them and their actions as a public servant in public office shouldn't be limiting public access to anything they do in regard to the public office they seek or hold. I guess Rossi is following Cheney's model of public service. What is Rossi hiding?
And what is 'the official press?' State sponsored? Government approved? Where are we, Soviet era East Germany? Somehow, I doubt that an uninvited republican press-person ('official' or otherwise) with a camera would have been given the same treatment.
By the way, while I have no problem with properly applied law enforcement, I always thought that police officers are first and foremost public servants, not private goons for candidates they support.

skttqj,

So, you'll have that same view when they support the Democratic candidate, which is 90% of the time? These people were assembled at a PRIVATE function, this guy was NOT part of the press and he was told BEFORE HAND that he was not welcome, what part of this is so hard to understand?

Sure JimD, I'm tired of slime ball politics, on either side. I want a candidate to tell me what he/she is for, not what the opponent has done or will do. In this race, I think it's very clear who started the mud slinging, it was CG's first commercial that set the tone, pretty desperate for an incumbent in a left leaning state. The facts are, we wouldn't be discussing this if it weren't for CG's slime ball tactics, it's a well know fact that this was done in 2004 to collect mud on her opponent, how you can defend that is beyond me. Asking the question about if she's used anything from the video's is pointless, I'm sure she has, as far as what she's twisted out of context, you name it, everything she says is twisted.

After watching that video I think it is obvious that Akers was there for no other reason than to cause trouble. He resisted a request that he leave the premises, then openly attempted to obstruct the officers in their investigation of the incident.

Not difficult to believe after watching numerous YouTube videos of democrats throwing food at conservative speakers. Bunch of babies.

Hi JimD,

You said “Name one thing she's twisted out of Rossi's context?”

How about this?

Rossi said "there's no doubt the planet is warming but people will continue to argue about the cause.” – Seattle PI, May 27, 2008

Chrissy’s twist? “Dino is in denial about global warming. Just like George Bush”

JimmyD:

LOL, you're so funny! Only a liberal could contort themselves into a pretzel the way you have done.

The Dems lacky videocameraman was there to do damage to the soon-to-be-governor. You admit as much yourself. The SPD didn't do anything, the guild security did. Unless you're psychic, there is no way you can determine who ordered what and why. You're making your assumptions and believing they're facts!

That is why you're a liberal. Liberals have to make up facts, since their worldview isn't supported by reality.

Dems tried desperately to disrupt a guild function and got caught at it. Now, you losers try desperately to reshape the real world with their made-up one.

LMAO!

skttqj:

What a bold-faced liar you are! You're as about non-partisan as Hillary Rodham Clinton is.

Give me a break! The Dems' videocameraman wasn't there to report the news, he was there to make up the news; very similar to your new-found non-partisanship - it had nothing to do with reality!

LMAO!

Wiz posted:
"Hi JimD,
You said “Name one thing she's twisted out of Rossi's context?”
How about this?
Rossi said "there's no doubt the planet is warming but people will continue to argue about the cause.” – Seattle PI, May 27, 2008
Chrissy’s twist? “Dino is in denial about global warming. Just like George Bush”

Hi Wiz,
I don't think so.
Sure, Rossi made the above comment.
But he's also denied - absolutely DENIED us - his personal opinion or even speculate about what contributes to global warming despite overwhelming evidence that carbon emissions play a role.
(The transcription of that interview was posted here by Postman a few months ago and was discussed at length.)
By refusing to acknowledge that carbon emissions contribute to warming, Rossi is in denial by default "about" global warming - the context of Gregoire's statement.
There's no twist there.
He DOES deny what's known about global warming.
------------------------
Bothsides posted:
"...These people were assembled at a PRIVATE function, this guy was NOT part of the press and he was told BEFORE HAND that he was not welcome, what part of this is so hard to understand?..."

EVERYONE understands that, Bothsides (although "private" is a bit of a stretch at a press event, but I'll give you that for the sake of making my point)
But that does not give off-duty officers the right to manhandle him off the property.
"...it's very important that when we're involved in a political function that we have a clear distinction between on duty and off duty," Elster (guild VP) said."
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/video.html
What part of that distinction and the alleged misconduct by the off-duty officers in attendance do YOU not understand?
They were obligated to call on-duty police to remove the trespasser, just like everyone else.
Even Elster, the guild VP said so.
The implication that they should be allowed to violate their own code of conduct for their preferred political candidate is quite disturbing - and no, I obviously wouldn't want them to do that for any candidate of any party.

OK, JimD I get it. You will defend your point to no end. I don’t want to turn this into a Global Warming argument, but I will say this:

For every scientist that concludes carbon emissions are creating global warming, there is one who says they don’t. For every “Inconvenient Truth” there is a “Great Global Warming Swindle”. The only fact is that there is no scientific consensus.

Who is in denial? As of today, nobody knows for sure.

Why all the hoopla the Democrat was acting normally.
Our off duty police told him to leave when he refused they escorted him off private property.
Dino is not on the public tax rolls as CG has been all her adult life. This means he has more rights then she has until he’s our Governor.

It is hard talking to Democrats about private functions and property rights they just do not get it and never will.

It is funny watching these liberals here try to make a mountain out of a mole hill. But, with their track record of lies, distortions and completely made-up "facts", it is no wonder they're all so upset the Dems' plan to disrupt Dino's meeting, in a private place, was sidetracked. Too bad, losers! LMAO!

Bothsides,

If by 'they' you mean police officers, then yes, I will, would, and do have the same view, regardless of the party affiliation of the person they support. That's what I meant when I stated that I was non-partisan - I disavow any partisan affiliation (ie. Republican, Democrat, Independent, Republicrat, Demoplican, Libertarian, Corporatist, Green, Socialist, Nationalist, Communist, Anarchist, whatever) - seems pretty simple to understand to me. Are you saying that 90% of the time, law enforcement personnel support democratic candidates? That hasn't been my experience, but I don't know where you live, so I suppose it's possible in your neighborhood.
I don't see where I stated that I approved of or even addressed the actions the free-lance journalist that was ejected. I was making the point that when somebody is running for public office, their actions are open to public scrutiny. If somebody running for public office consistently sequesters themselves from the public and repeatedly holds 'private' functions that exclude a part of the public that, if elected, they will serve, how can the public seriously believe that the person actually desires to work for the public interest - which is what those elected to public office are supposed to do, but all to often don't.
Please define 'the press.' I thought this nation had a free press. Just because a journalist is employed by a newsertainment corporation doesn't make that journalist any more an official 'part of the press' than an independent journalist working for nothing but the truth. As far as I am aware (and I'll be the first to say that there's an awful lot I'm not aware of - who can be aware of everything?) there is no journalist or press 'license' that one must acquire before being permitted to report on events.

P,

I am not a liar (btw, it's 'bald-faced liar' not 'bold-faced liar'). You don't know me. I've been a non-partisan for almost thirty years. Perhaps you should look up the definition of 'non-partisan' in a dictionary. As for the rest of your comment, read my reply to Bothsides above. You have demonstrated your level of intelligence by your statements.

Well stated Wiz......

The alarmists like JimD will tell you otherwise and call you a fool, but I am not so inclined to think that we humans no so much about this planet, especially given the age of the earth vs. the age of modern science.

Of course they were overstepping JimD, I don't deny that, the point is, they wouldn't have had to do ANYTHING if CG wasn't resorting to slime ball campaign tactics. It's pretty tought to defend I know, especially given the poll numbers that aren't so favorable for the incumbent in a democratic strong hold, there's no wonder she's attacking like a rabid dog.

"...Our off duty police told him to leave when he refused they escorted him off private property..."
Yeah, well that's the job of ON-DUTY police, not off duty police, or you or anybody else.
The guild vice president himself said you "call 911".
The off-duty officers - regular citizens when not on duty - had no business manhandling him and removing him with force. Period.

"...Dino is not on the public tax rolls as CG has been all her adult life. This means he has more rights then she has until he’s our Governor..."
Ahhh...ok. Don't think the law, the courts or anyone with more than a sixth-grade education believes Rossi has more "rights' than Gregoire.... but if you have that kind of contempt for our constitution and the founding principles of this country, I guess Rossi's your guy.

Bothsides wrote:
"...the point is, they wouldn't have had to do ANYTHING if CG wasn't resorting to slime ball campaign tactics...."

Aside from blaming the governor for Rossi's bad behavior (love those republican principles!), exactly what slime ball tactics are you talking about?
Sounds like you're actually starting to believe that lame excuse.
So - name a couple?
Heck - give it your best shot and name just one?

JimD,

Aside from you blaming Rossi for something guild members did (love those Democrat principles), the "exact" slime ball tactics I'm talking about are: Our Governor, who should be held at the highest ethical standards, is sending a spy to videotape every word than comes from Mr. Rossi's mouth in an attempt to smear him in this campaign, those are slime ball tactics, nothing we shouldn't expect from the "we'll do anything it takes to gain and hold power" from the leberal leftist Dems though, it's just par for the course since there is no new ideas coming from the Dem party, just the same old tax and spend policies, which she has perfected. Guess it's hard to say what you're for, when you don't stand for anything, must be why she came out on the attack, had to go figure out what she might actually tell people she'll do in a second term, besides continuing to run the deficit through the roof, letting child molesters go free, making side deals with the tribes etc.!

Bothsides:
"... the "exact" slime ball tactics I'm talking about are: Our Governor, who should be held at the highest ethical standards, is sending a spy to videotape every word than comes from Mr. Rossi's mouth in an attempt to smear him in this campaign..."

I guess that makes Rossi a slime-ball to, since he also sends videographers to Gregoire events - which Gregoire has no problem with.

"Mr Rossi" wants to convince you he's the VICTIM of some slime ball tactics, when in fact the videographers simply record what the opposition has said so their candidate may evaluate or challenge it - stand procedure in political campaigns.
"Mr Rossi" apparently believe's he's entitled to an extraordinary privilege of secrecy not afforded or demanded by other politicians - certainly not by Gregoire.
There's been no misuse of this tape (doctoring or otherwise changing it to misrepresent the candidate's comments) or anything else that would justify the "slime-ball" label - just the presumption that it COULD - slander before the event.

"Mr Rossi" displays yet another example of his contempt for disclosure and transparency by insisting that the public he wants to employ him is not entitled to hear "every word" that comes out of his mouth when representing himself to his potential constituency.
Then he blames the Gregoire campaign with the lame excuse they'd use his OWN WORDS against him - a virtual admission that those words are contradictory and duplicitous, or represent secret arrangements he doesn't want made public.

Amazingly, some folks actually believe the absurd notion that Gregoire is responsibly for Rossi's lack of honest disclosure and personal responsibility.

Dino was obviously hiding something with KOMO and KING rolling cameras there...LOL

This stunt is nothing more than an attack on the Rossi campaign. Nice work Gregoire campaign, you demonstrate how you operate your campaign.

"...Dino was obviously hiding something with KOMO and KING rolling cameras there...LOL..."

Exactly - the cameraman represented no threat to Rossi's campaign what-so-ever, rendering the "slime ball" and "attack" accusation ridiculous.
The cameraman was denied access because of his political affiliation - a petty vendetta he USED the guild members to enforce against proper police procedure, as if might makes right.

I wish Rossi's motive was as clear-cut when he simply refuses to answer relevant policy questions or disclose his personal financial associations with his primary backers..

His candidacy represents an unprecedented level of contempt for forthright disclosure that would obviously carry-over into a similarly dishonest and contemptuous administration.

If Rossi doesn't have anything to hide, his Nixonian paranoia sure says otherwise.
Who would want to elect a candidate so clearly unfit for the governorship of Washington?

And now, as Paul Harvey would say, it's time you knew the rest of the story.

hmmm... where's the "rest of the story"?
That's exactly the same story as everyone else is reporting.
Again - it fails to mention why Akers presence wasn't resolved before Rossi started speaking, why the off-duty instead of on-duty officers forcibly removed Akers, and perhaps most important -- on what grounds is Aker's use of his video justification for removal in the first place?
Is that Rossi's view of constitutional free speech?
if someone doesn't agree with you, throw them out for fear they might actually report what you say?
The end doesn't justify this means, and everyone knows it.hmmm... where's the "rest of the story"?
That's exactly the same story as everyone else is reporting.
Again - it fails to mention why Akers presence wasn't resolved before Rossi started speaking, why the off-duty instead of on-duty officers forcibly removed Akers, and perhaps most important -- on what grounds is Aker's use of his video justification for removal in the first place?
Is that Rossi's view of constitutional free speech?
if someone doesn't agree with you, throw them out for fear they might actually report what you say?
The end doesn't justify this means, and everyone knows it.
If he's afraid his words will be used against him, he should work on fixing his words, not punishing the person who records them - just like Gregoire or any other responsible, adult politician takes responsibility for what comes out of their mouth...
Rossi needs to man-up his campaign and at least ACT like he's got nothing to hide, instead of hiding behind the skirt of his disturbingly Machiavellian paranoia.

Did you read the story on the link provided Jim D.

Akers arrived with Tom Pilliow head of the Washington State Troopers Association ( That supports Gregorie) In a car with a Gregoire banner on the side of it. He was told it was a private event on private property and he was specifically not invitied. Akers then bulled ( forced ) his way in anyway. He was asked several times to leave and he started making a commotion during a moment of silence for a fallen Firefighter.

And yet you ask why they didn't just let him stay and interupt the announcement? Are you SLOW?

I'm not arguing that the Rossi campaign decided to invoke their legal right to deny him attendance at the event.
Regardless of how ridiculously petty and un-called for that decision was, it was their call to prohibit him from the event and that's what they chose to do.
Yet his camera clearly shows that he was not confronted for physical removal until Rossi began his little speech.
Any "commotion" was due to the guild's and campaign's failure to remove him prior to the commencement of festivities, as if to place the inevitable squabble in the middle of Rossi's tribute to a fallen hero or whatever he was doing...
It was a cheap stunt in reaction to another cheap stunt.
Interesting that the Patrol feels strongly enough about Rossi's false entitlement to privacy at a police endorsement function, that they personally escorted Akers to the event.
Glad to know the state's most prestigious and professional police agency isn't buying Rossi's nonsense anymore than the majority of its citizens are.
Don't know what Rossi has promised the SPD's guild in the secret atmosphere he prefers, but if he's so afraid the public may find out via a loose camcorder, the reason for the guild's endorsement probably isn't the best interest of the citizens he wants to work for.
For God's sake, Rossi - quit acting like such a ninny and let anybody who wants to, record what you have to say.
What are you afraid of?
What are you trying to hide?

You are SLOW, thanks for the confirmation.

LOL...if "slow" means coming to a deliberately thoughtful conclusion regarding the objective facts, instead of a defensively partisan, knee-jerk tissy fit --- I'll take "slow" as a high compliment, thank you!

Read the referenced articla again and take some time to think it through this time, Turbine.

Given your pasrsing, you can take SLOW anyway you want to JimD. If in your thoughtful consideration of the facts you feel that an employee of the Governors Campaign is justified in tresspassing into a Private event on Private property after being told specifically and in person he was not welcome, you are SLOW. If you don't think that Akers editied or did not video the actions he took in violation of the law to gain entry to the meeting as reported by witnesses, you are SLOW.

But I guess that is what makes you a supporter of the Governor. Why don't you try to think logically for once?

You just don't get it, Turbine.
You apparently think Aker's violation of the law (only by virtue of Rossi's petty decision to DECIDE it was trespassing) justifies off-duty officers manhandling him out of the building?
Against the "distinction between on-duty and off-duty" described by the Guild's VP?
Against policy against off-duty officers performing a function only authorized to on-duty officers?
Against common sense that would have removed him prior to the event and media cameras rolling?
Really...?

Sorry, but I'm not that stupid or slow.
And neither are those who similarly realize you doth protest too much.
Again - Mr Rossi, will you please grow-up and let anyone who wants to tape you at a gathering be allowed to do so?
Because you're acting like a crooked politician who wants an inappropriate cloak of secrecy -- and you haven't even won the election yet!

So now Rossi decides its trespassing ? Did Rossi write the Trespassing laws ? Did the Law Enforcement personnel their know what Trespassing is? They certain told your BOY and his State Patrol Lacky driver they were not welcome at the event ? It was within their rights to remove him after they had warned him not to enter.

If he thinks he has a case let him file it, otherwise he was just another whiney little minion of the Governor. Not unlike yourself. All bluster no substance.

Turbine -- They "decided" it was trespassing by deciding they didn't want him there.
Otherwise, he would have not been in violation of the law, and properly allowed to record the presentations like the other cameramen.

And by the way - where are these videos where Akers misrepresents what Rossi says?
Where is there any evidence what-so-ever that Akers uses his video for anything other than transcribing what Rossi actually says, the same way Rossi's folks tape Gregoire?
Where is the logical justification for making the extraordinary decision to deny ANY photographer the opportunity to record Rossi at his events - including his attempts to remove videographers from events that ARE on public property? (see story above)
Does he not understand he has an obligation to open, transparent disclosure of what comes out of his own mouth, or does he think he's Britney Spears?

If you did not read the link provided, I cannot help you. The witnesses all agree, the only one who does not agree is Akers. Your BOY was wrong. He decided to violate the law. He decided to trespass againt the express instructions of the private property owners. who told him he was not welcome. The video has obviously been editied, your contiunued slavish devotion to anything Gregoire, including this idiot, is laughable. What if the GOP had sent camera people to Gregorie's wedding ceremony at the mansion under the theory that "Well there are other camera people there , why can't I go in?" Why can't I take pictures for the opposition at the wedding? What does the Governor have to hide? Did her Big Union and Tribal Donors give lavish Wedding gifts to the couple? Do you see how stupid your argument is ? Probably not, becasue you are really SLOW, just like Akers.

.."He decided to violate the law. He decided to trespass againt the express instructions of the private property owners who told him he was not welcome."

No question, that is correct.
Despite Rossi's unwarranted decision to declare Akers a trespasser, Akers should have left immediately, as I posted on my first comment and since.
What you're slow to acknowledge is Rossi's co-liability for the controversy by declaring him a trespasser in the first place.

"..What if the GOP had sent camera people to Gregorie's wedding ceremony at the mansion under the theory that "Well there are other camera people there , why can't I go in?" Why can't I take pictures for the opposition at the wedding?..."

A wedding?
Running for public office couldn't me more different than a personal event like a wedding.
It's amazing that you'd make the comparison, as if his campaign activities on behalf of the PUBLIC should be afforded the same privacy as a wedding. A wedding?

Rossi's acceptance of the guild's endorsement isn't a personal affair.
It's a campaign activity between a group of PUBLIC employees and a man who wants to be employed by the PUBLIC.

As I've posted above - there's plenty of blame to go around and Akers obviously deserves his fair share.
Do you understand co-liability, Turbine?
Rossi's share - what started the controversy in the first place - was his demand that Akers not be permitted to tape Rossi's acceptance of the Guild's endorsement.

If he let Akers and others simply record what he has to say during his campaign appearances with the same spirit of openness and PUBLIC interest every other politician understands the PUBLIC expects from those they employ, there'd be no controversy to discuss here.

His unwillingness to run his campaign in that spirit of PUBLIC openness is yet another example of his contempt for openness, (duh!) not to mention a petty and vindictive attitude - not just to the opposing campaign but - to the citizens it represents....all of which further disqualifies him for the very PUBLIC responsibility of chief executive.

You're trying to assign white and black hats to the parties involved, when again, there's plenty of blame to go around.

Aker's refusal to leave the premises does not negate yet another example of Rossi's failure to conduct his campaign in a conventional spirit of PUBLIC openness - refusing Akers the right to videotape the guild endorsement in the first place.

(A wedding?)

"LOL...if "slow" means coming to a deliberately thoughtful conclusion regarding the objective facts, instead of a defensively partisan, knee-jerk tissy fit --- I'll take "slow" as a high compliment, thank you!"

I can't believe the sniveling and whining, whaah, CG's video guy was told to leave, that's what this is all about, you can't stand the fact that your candidates guy wasn't able to be at a PRIVATE event. Your comment above is the height of hypocrisy, you are the most "partisan" poster on this blog, you interject Rossi's name in every post when you have absolutely NO PROOF he had anything to do with Akers being removed, you would argue that the sky is Purple if a Democrat said it. If he was strong armed by the guild, that was wrong, if he was removed, nothing wrong with that, but to continually say it was Rossi or his campaign, is an out and out bold faced lie, but who would expect anything else from the left, just check out CG's ads for more of the same.

Bothsides,
Please pay attention and read carefully:
"...“We don’t allow them in to collect attack video,” Rossi spokeswoman Jill Strait said of the practice of having Akers escorted from campaign events..."
If not for this policy - unique to the Rossi campaign - Akers would NOT have been declared a trespasser.
The guild had no gripe with Akers.
It's the Rossi campaign that didn't want him in attendance, at which point he was declared trespasser because he's on private property (paid for indirectly with our tax dollars, but ok - "private").

We spend a lot of our daily time on someone else's private property - at work, shopping, etc.
It only becomes "trespassing" when we're declared unwelcome.
If you come to my house and I let you stay, it's not trespassing.
If you come to my house and refuse to leave, then it IS trespassing.
The distinction is the extent to which the visitor is welcome by the host.
We spend a lot of our daily time on someone else's private property - at work, shopping, etc.
It only becomes "trespassing" when we're declared unwelcome.
Do you understand?

You want to give the Rossi campaign's policy of excluding Akers some legitimate authority by portraying the conflict as between Akers and the guild alone, as if the Guild was the party not wanting him there.
But in fact, the only reason they didn't want him there was because the campaign didn't want him there, according to both the campaign and guild.

Any visitor that day could have been declared a trespasser.
The privilege was reserved for Akers alone.
And why?
Because the Rossi campaign has some phobia about Akers using the footage to put "attack videos" on U-Tube (although there's no evidence he does, since no one can find any) for the Gregoire campaign.

I'd even suspect that the timing of Aker's removal, after Rossi started speaking, was Machiavellian choreography to maximize the appearance of Aker's disrespect, but that's just the cynical speculation of a crusty old man who's seen a lot of politicians pull a lot of stupid stunts to portray themselves a victim - a role Rossi seems to relish.

Partisan?
Not much.
Rossi's earned my disrespect and lack of trust independent from his party affiliation.

JimD,

Watch and listen to the video, guild members told Akers BEFORE the event he was not welcome, so he was trespassing as soon as he stepped foot into the building. They had every right to have him removed, and really, it doesn't matter to me who did it, you on the other hand, have to find fault in someone other than the guilty party, that's a nice liberal trait, stomping around and saying "but it just isn't fair"....I know, when the left doesn't get their way that's what happens.