Why Does the Washoe GOP Try to Silence Independent Journalism?

Why is Bruce Parks and the leadership of the Washoe GOP so uncomfortable with independent reporting and journalists that aren't under their control?

The other morning, I received a message from Washoe GOP Chair Bruce Parks after he read one of my articles. Since he chose to question my credibility, my motives, and even my right to call myself a journalist, I think it’s worth putting the exchange on the record — not only for transparency, but also to illustrate a broader, long-running dysfunction within the Washoe GOP.

Here is what Parks wrote:

“I find it amusing that you do the exact things that you are upset about. You NEVER verified recent info you put out about the two DIFFERENT events on December 12th. among other errors you have made. I do not understand why you do not focus your vitriol on the people that are actually screwing up this country. News flash, it is NOT Republicans! You and the folks at Picon Press constantly attack the Republican Party and conservative candidates while completely ignoring the damage done by dems. Are you a dem operative disguised as a conservative? One can only wonder. The bottom line is you are NOT helping conservative Republicans to get elected when that should be your focus!”

After I explained that I’m an independent journalist and not part of their club, I got this reply:

“Accurate? Truth? Honest? Wow! By the way, I only recently became aware of your existence and did not bother to look at past articles to see where you have been critical of Democrats. I still think you are taking liberties by calling yourself a journalist. In my opinion there are three media types. First, journalists that report without bias. Second, reporters that do what their editors tell them to do. Third, propagandists who slant everything to fit an agenda. Which one are you? I have zero problem with constructive criticism of myself or the Party, but I will NEVER appreciate disparaging remarks made for the purpose of gaining more subscribers or furthering an agenda.”

Two Christmas Parties Reveal a Washoe GOP Party Split

This article really set them off. They tried to get me to promote their party, and after I explained that I’m not a member of their club and won’t do it, I got hate mail.

The question that is raised by Parks’ Message

Setting aside the irony of someone who has never read my work declaring it “propaganda,” Parks’ message raises an important question:

Why is the leadership of the Washoe GOP so uncomfortable with independent reporting that isn’t under their control?

Bruce Parks — a party chair who only learned I existed last week, but is fully confident in judging my entire body of work.

The unifying theme? The Washoe GOP cannot tolerate anyone independent, uncontrolled, or critical of their faction of the Republican Party.

Hell’s Angel, Business Owner and Candidate for Washoe District 3

I published this article about Troy Regas, who is running for Washoe District 3 Commissioner, which drew Bruce Parks’s attention, and he stated that the Washoe GOP won’t support Troy because of his association with the Hells Angels, as reported by Picon Peess.

Link, When Party Control Matters More Than Victory in Washoe County …

See this article from Picon Press for details on how Bruce Parks improperly categorized Hell’s Angels and stated that he won’t support Troy Regas in his run for Washoe County District 3. The number of views and interactions with my article indicates that people are interested in learning about Troy Regas.

“Journalist, reporter, propagandist,” Bruce asks. “Which one am I?” Here’s the answer.

Unlike the people trying to shout me down:

• I don’t work for a political party

• I don’t take money from candidates

• I don’t require anyone’s permission to publish facts

• I don’t ask whether a story is bad for Republicans or bad for Democrats

• I criticize Democrats and Republicans when they do things that deserve it

This is independent journalism — the thing political machines hate. If Bruce wants to find propagandists, he doesn’t need to look far. They tend to be the ones demanding loyalty oaths, controlling who can attend meetings, and insisting that criticism is betrayal. They call any reporting they disagree with “propaganda.” They accuse independent writers of ulterior motives because the idea of someone operating outside their hierarchy is unthinkable.

When Accusations Aren’t Anchored: A Problem for Mayoral Candidate Eddie Lorton

Instead of coaching Eddie after I sent them a preview of this article, I got more attacks from Washoe GOP leadership. They really don’t understand politics and messaging.

On his claim that I criticize Republicans more than Democrats

Bruce admits he hasn’t read my past coverage but still claims I don’t criticize Democrats. For the record, here are just a few examples:

• Reporting on Hillary Schieve’s Spooge LLC ethics issues

• Coverage of a Councilmember’s conflicts, donations, and outbursts

• Analysis of Nevada Democratic political machines

• Reporting on county failures on homelessness, CARES Campus, and budget shortfalls under Democratic leadership

• Articles critical of Washoe County’s political operations

I’m an equal opportunity journalist. I’ll write about anyone who is doing things that need to be revealed. If Bruce had spent even five minutes reading before accusing, he would have known this. But this isn’t about facts. It’s about control.

The underlying issue: the Washoe GOP wants cheerleaders, not independent media

The more the Washoe GOP leadership drifts into far-right insularity and purity tests, the more it attacks:

• Moderates

• Independents

• Anyone who doesn’t obey

• Anyone who questions incompetent leadership

• Anyone who refuses to be co-opted

They want messaging without accountability. They want the appearance of support without earning it. They want influence over people they don’t have the right to control.

This is why they reacted with anger when I declined to promote their Christmas party. They believed my platform was theirs to use. They believed that if I did not follow orders, I must be “against” them.

And now Bruce steps in to say the quiet part out loud:

I should not criticize the Party because it might hurt the Party

That is not journalism, not transparency, not how a healthy political organization behaves.

Eddie Lorton’s Facebook Problem: Patterns, Pressure, and Public Misrepresentation

Eddie doesn’t learn from his mistakes. He keeps posting falsehoods an unintelligable rants on Facebook and claims to be doing something while posturing for attention.

What my work is — and what it isn’t

I write about:

• City budgets, land deals, redevelopment, county mismanagement, candidate viability, policy failures, corruption, campaign finance, ethics complaints, and political machines.

I write about facts, not tribal demands for loyalty. If someone doesn’t want to be criticized, they can try something radical: Stop doing things that invite criticism.

The Party that cannot tolerate scrutiny cannot grow.

I’m not running for office. I’m not on anyone’s payroll. It’s not my problem. Bruce’s job is to grow the Party, not shrink it to a small circle of people who cannot handle public scrutiny.

The Washoe GOP leadership is losing moderates, business conservatives, independents, libertarians, and suburban voters faster than ever — not because of outside attacks, but because of internal arrogance and hostility.

Attacking independent media isn’t a strength. It’s insecurity. I’ll keep reporting. Bruce can keep sending angry emails.

One of us is helping the community understand what’s happening.

The other is proving why the GOP keeps losing ground in Washoe County.