by Travis Mateer
It was a different world when I started contributing blog posts to 4&20 Blackbirds under the pseudonym “lizard” 15 years ago, but, looking back, some things don’t seem to change all that much, and one of those things is the disdain narrative controllers have for ANYONE who challenges their control.
When Missoula’s lead County Attorney, Kirsten Pabst, lashed out at local media 13 years ago, it was because she had already lost significant control over the rape scandal narrative that engulfed our community, a scandal brought to the attention of a national audience thanks to a book written by Jon Krakauer.
For an example of the important blogging work that was being done back then (which Krakauer credited in his book), this post is worth checking out, especially the comments, where Pabst decided to weigh in.
Before highlighting Pabst’s comment I’ll note that the specific issue Pabst was using at the time–anonymity–was being used as a deflection strategy, which was serving her larger effort to attack ANY messenger criticizing her actions in both the private sector, defending alleged rapists, and as a long-time County attorney working during the time Krakauer and other members of conventional media were exposing.
With that in mind, here’s the shot at “jhwygirl” taken by Kirsten Pabst, targeting the anonymity we correctly claimed we needed back then in order to expose these craven fuckers who despise REAL transparency.
Like a fine wine, this comment deepens and matures its aroma as the years go by. I’m particularly delighted at the specific list of RESPONSIBLE reporters, since I worked closely with Michael Moore in his role as narrative controller for homelessness at United Way.
One of my FAVORITE stories about Michael Moore is how he ran down the stairs with a little wooden bat ready to fight when a VERY mentally disturbed homeless man came into their building and began yelling and throwing papers around. I was already inside, getting physically threatened with bodily harm by this homeless man because a United Way staff member called ME instead of the police, putting me at great risk.
It’s kinda funny, looking back, that one of my program’s main funders (I was the Homeless Outreach Coordinator at the time) didn’t know that I only responded to NUISANCE issues, not SAFETY issues, a distinction I worked hard to make when promoting my main service, which was a daytime response via calls to my HOT line.
Going back to Missoula County’s Attorney, Kirsten Pabst, she was told in the 2012 comment thread that anonymity has a worthy history to consider. Here are two of the comments:
During that time period I also got shit for anonymously writing about local issues, even from the woman who turned what she knew about a certain state legislator into a cushy job with significant influence over local housing policies. But things get VERY serious, I have learned, when one drops anonymity for a brazen, full-frontal assault on the narrative controllers ability to provide cover for their actions and, sometimes, non-actions.
While I link to this post frequently, since it has over 40 links to articles I’ve written about the Sean Stevenson case over the years, there’s another case from 2020 I’d like to remind readers about, and that’s the case of Ben Mousso.
BREAKING: Missoula County Attorney’s Office Reviews Drug Dealer’s Right To Stab His Customer To Death (June 30th, 2020)
Pabst Hides Behind Reasonable Person Standard To Explain Not Prosecuting Budding Psychopath Josh Paniagua (July 6th, 2020)
Nine Months Later, Questions Persist Around The Violent Deaths (Murders?) Of Sean Stevenson And Ben Mousso (September 22nd, 2020)
What Is Joshua Paniagua Being Sentenced For? Because He Was Never Charged With Murder, Thanks To County Attorney Kirsten Pabst (December 10th, 2021)
There’s more I’d like to say, but for now the better option for me is to say less. There’s no pseudonym to cover me anymore, or significant resources for me to fall back on, but I know plenty of you out there DO appreciate what bloggers have done locally to question the decision makers grip on narratives as they get shaped, manipulated, and sold to you by floundering corporations like Lee Enterprises.
If you appreciate the work I’ve done, and continue doing, Travis’ Impact Fund (TIF) is one way to help me out. Another way is to buy a copy of my upcoming zine, THE ART OF MOVING ON, which I’ve printed a few free copies of for supporters, so stay tuned.
And, as always, thanks for reading.