Governor Sam Brownback verified yesterday that the First Amendment still exists in Kansas.
After Kansas high school student Emma Sullivan tweeted her negative opinion of the governor, his staff contacted her school and requested a written apology. Sullivan refused.
Sullivan’s original tweet was meant as an inside joke to just 65 followers. But in the days that followed, the 18-year-old’s Twitter following rose to 14,000, five times that of Governor Brownback’s twitter account.
Now, the Kansas governor not only rescinded his request for an apology but has extended an apology of his own.
“My staff over-reacted to this tweet, and for that I apologize,” Brownback said in a statement. “Freedom of speech is among our most treasured freedoms.” (Of course, it might have boosted his following if put that in form of a tweet.)
However, Brownback isn’t off the hook yet. With a 52-percent disapproval rating, the Kansas governor is one of the least popular in the nation. His adolescent Twitter spat only added fuel to his critics’ fires.
On Twitter, Brownback’s didn’t get any points for putting the overreaction on the part of his staff.
“Do we give @govsambrownback credit for apology when he blames staff & still whines about “civility & decorum”? Not me,” tweeted @stevebuttry.
Some of these critics pointed out that the original tweet would have gone away on its own had Brownback’s office not done anything.
“So Gov. Brownback’s staff “tells” on a teenager who tweeted negative comments to her 65 followers? That seems smart,” tweeted @debaser.
“This is how a politician should not act in response to criticism on Twitter. Original audience 65, now it’s millions,” tweeted @stuartbruce. While Sullivan’s audience hasn’t reached the millions, it has risen to tens of thousands.
Others noted the Big Brother-feel of a government office that pays people to scan social media for any dissenting opinion.
“Watch out what u tweet bc Kansas Governor Sam Brownback is monitoring Twitter,” tweeted @Deanofcomedy, who also wrote an editorial on CNN about the situation.
“Don’t mess with Gov. Brownback… (if I disappear, check the basement of the Kansas Governor’s Mansion),” tweeted @JonFMoss.
Sullivan’s victory over the governor has set a hopeful precedent for Kansas residents who enjoy exercising free speech. Now Brownback–and other governors–will think twice about restricting that right.
