Thread by @GMccathron

This is the tweet and reply that got me, a constituent of #LD16, blocked from my state rep's, @KellyTownsend11's, Twitter feed. This exchange came after a series of irresponsible (IMO) tweets attacking the constitutionality of COVID measures (1/thread)

My reply was critical, certainly, and questioned Rep. Townsend's political motives and rhetorical approach. But it was not inappropriate. There is no profanity, and the reply is limited to public, not personal concerns. This is not ad hominem, it is healthy public discussion (2/)

As an engaged voter in a suburban (rural in places) district, Twitter provides a unique platform to follow my legislators and provide public commentary--engaging with other voters and exploring important issues. I do this with many of my local officials. (3/)

I have often been critical of Rep. Townsend, but always appropriate. I have even praised her when she actually sends a positive message or makes a good policy decision. I try to review her statements on the merits and raise the questions important to me as a voter. (4/)

And for raising an alternative view, merely for questioning the position of authority, I'm blocked from what appears to be Rep. Townsend's primary means of communicating with voters, and from engaging with other voters on her public positions on this forum. (5/)

This is particularly troubling in the current media environment in general, and in #LD16 in particular. So many get their news from sources that merely parrot their own views. Silencing differing voices in one of few public forums for local issues makes this worse. (6/)

It may be easy to minimize this move because I don't have many followers (I don't), but that isn't the point. I used to be able to express my (very civil) views on Rep. Townsend's position to other voters, and see the views of those who agree and disagree. Now I can't. (7/)

This is a bigger problem in #LD16 than it may be elsewhere because @KellyTownsend11 is running completely unopposed for our state senate seat in November. I cannot make my voice heard at the ballot box. (8a/)

(As a side note, in my fuming state, I discovered an independent candidate in #LD16 has to gather twice the signatures as a D or R candidate to get on the ballot. How is that legal? (8b/))

So by unilaterally blocking me (NOT reporting me for inappropriate content or commentary), @KellyTownsend11 has silenced an important (if small) voice of dissent on one of the few forums available for that voice... Of course that seems to be her MO...
google.com/url?q=https://…

I do hope she reconsiders, and promise to remain civil (if critical) if she does. But this is a tragically undemocratic approach, particularly in an uncontested LD

@LaurieRoberts @GaydosKTAR @djrothkopf @soledadobrien @SenatorSinema @CaptMarkKelly @DaveFarnsworth_ (10/end)

@joangreeneaz @Nick_for_House @JonAzDistrict5

@ACLUaz @ACLU I think what @KellyTownsend11 is doing here may be unconstitutional (ironic, considering her recent posing as constitutional champion). How can I regain my voice and my right to comment on my Rep's public positions in a public forum?
aclu.org/blog/free-spee…