Perhaps you’ve heard by now about the fuss going on in Missoula’s House District 94 race.
The Missoulian reported on October 11 that incumbent HD94 Representative Kimberly Dudik was not using the correct Democratic donkey symbol on her political mailers, but a knock-off donkey symbol, one that would confuse voters as to her party and perceived political loyalties.
The charges were brought by Dudik’s opponent in the race, Independent and former-Republican, Gary Marbut. Many will also remember Marbut as one often labeled as a crazy gun-nut that was responsible for the Castle Doctrine being passed, a law which has brought a lot of ills to many, and which is most likely going to be directly challenged by Missoula’s Rep. Ellie Hill next session.
Already there are now 35 comments on the original article bringing these serious charges forth, and I was the first to comment upon it, which you can see here:
The Missoulian reported on October 11 that incumbent HD94 Representative Kimberly Dudik was not using the correct Democratic donkey symbol on her political mailers, but a knock-off donkey symbol, one that would confuse voters as to her party and perceived political loyalties.
The charges were brought by Dudik’s opponent in the race, Independent and former-Republican, Gary Marbut. Many will also remember Marbut as one often labeled as a crazy gun-nut that was responsible for the Castle Doctrine being passed, a law which has brought a lot of ills to many, and which is most likely going to be directly challenged by Missoula’s Rep. Ellie Hill next session.
Already there are now 35 comments on the original article bringing these serious charges forth, and I was the first to comment upon it, which you can see here:
This is what I would ball a 'bullshit comment,' one designed to make people look stupid.
Thankfully people in high places were listening and investigations began. The issue was again brought up on October 20, this time to say that Montana Commissioner of Political Practices Jonathan Motl had decided on the case.
So what the hell happened, what was the outcome, and what does this mean for the future of our democracy?
Let’s get to the bottom of it, shall we?
So what the hell happened, what was the outcome, and what does this mean for the future of our democracy?
Let’s get to the bottom of it, shall we?
Straight from the Donkey’s Ass
Besides that initial report, I made a comment on the October 20 article and that got me an email from Gary Marbut. Why? Well, I mentioned that I’d like to see both sides of these mailings by Kim Dudik to see how bad they really are. Thankfully he complied, and here are both sides:
Kimberly Dudik in Missoula
Kim Dudik Missoula
Alright, they look pretty straightforward to me, a lot like the old mailers I used to have. But of course the real problem is that logo down there, that kind of weird-looking donkey. Let’s zoom in:
I can see where a lot of the confusion lies, mainly in three areas:
- First, this seems to be not a donkey at all, but some kind of otherworldly creature, one that doesn’t require it’s head to be attached to its torso;
- Next, it appears capable of standing on but two legs…unless you assume the bottom is really the top. In that case, it looks awfully like a crocodile mouth sprouting from…I’m just not sure, but not a donkey;
- Finally, there’s a strange comet or star shooting straight out of the donkey’s ass or stomach or something. It really is hard to describe what that is.
Another point of contention is that there are two separate donkey’s, the one we just saw and this second one that’s a slightly different color and doesn’t have the star shooting from its ass.
So how common are these creatures, and are other Democrats using them?
I did a quick search of Democratic donkey’s on Google and found the following:
So how common are these creatures, and are other Democrats using them?
I did a quick search of Democratic donkey’s on Google and found the following:
As you can see, there’s no image like the one Kimberly Dudik is using here in Missoula. So I took it a step further and check out the image search feature, giving me this:
Ah, there it is…right there on the top row, fifth from the right. That looks awfully similar, and after hovering over it I discover it’s actually on Wikipedia! Let’s take a look at that page:
Well lo and behold, it’s the Democratic Party’s page! But where’s that image? Let’s scroll down:
Ah, there it is…right there under the regular donkey…and what’s that caption say? Oh yeah, “the Democratic donkey party logo in a mondernized ‘kicking donkey’ form.”
Shit, it looks like that’s that, folks – this donkey is just modern and newfangled and everything else that goes with modernity and the problems it brings. Candidates like Kim Dudik might try to push us into the future instead of keeping us clinging to old ideas and beliefs. Is that what you want?
I’m not sure this issue will die. Since the donkey is on Wikipedia we know it could have been tampered with. That could have been added after October 11 in anticipation of Motl’s investigation.
No, I don’t think we’ve heard the last of this issue, or seen the last lame attempt of a candidate to get free media. So if you’re voting on November 4 in House District 94, I’d advise you to vote for the common-sense party, the Democrats and Kimberly Dudik.
Shit, it looks like that’s that, folks – this donkey is just modern and newfangled and everything else that goes with modernity and the problems it brings. Candidates like Kim Dudik might try to push us into the future instead of keeping us clinging to old ideas and beliefs. Is that what you want?
I’m not sure this issue will die. Since the donkey is on Wikipedia we know it could have been tampered with. That could have been added after October 11 in anticipation of Motl’s investigation.
No, I don’t think we’ve heard the last of this issue, or seen the last lame attempt of a candidate to get free media. So if you’re voting on November 4 in House District 94, I’d advise you to vote for the common-sense party, the Democrats and Kimberly Dudik.
