“The NewsGuild-CWA criticized Maine’s Gov. Paul LePage on Friday after “he joked that he would ‘like to shoot’ a Maine political cartoonist,” the Guild said in a press release. LePage made the comment about Bangor Daily News cartoonist George Danby.”
The NewsGuild-CWA and our Maine local are sickened and appalled that any public official would make such a “joke” in any context. To do so at a time when the nation is mourning a mass shooting, and in a year that began with the murder of cartoonists and other journalists at the satirical “Charlie Hebdo” shows the worst possible judgment.
We call on Gov. LePage to make a swift and sincere apology to Mr. Danby and his son. Further, he owes an apology to all journalists for suggesting that violence is the solution to unfavorable news converage. Lastly, he should apologize to his state for once again embarrassing Maine on a national stage.
Read more: http://www.poynter.org/news/mediawire/353495/news-guild-to-maines-governor-your-joke-about-shooting-a-cartoonist-wasnt-funny/
My name is Keith Michaud and this is “Letters From Away,” a blog written by a Mainer living outside the comfortable and sane confines of New England. The blog is intended for Mainers, whether they live in the Pine Tree State or beyond, and for anyone who has loved ’em, been baffled by ’em or both. Ayuh, I am “from away.” Worse still, I live on the Left Coast – in California. Enjoy! Or not. Your choice.
Letters From Away 