AL Pol Who Threatened Reporter Defends His Actions

If you will recall, I wrote yesterday about an Alabama Legislator, Rep. A.J. McCampbell (D-Gallion), who threatened a reporter who was asking him questions that he didn't want to answer.
http://politicsalabama.blogspot.com/2010/10/al-legilators-party-with-lobbyists.html

When questioned by one of the journalists, Representative A.J. McCampbell (D–Demopolis) threatened him! McCampbell is caught on video responding to a question by hefting a golf club and saying “If you don’t want me to take this to you, gentleman, leave!”

Today, we have reports that Rep McCampbell is defending himself from the incriminating video.
http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20101022/NEWS02/10220320/1009

An Alabama state legislator is defending himself after he was captured on video threaten­ing a news photographer with a golf club.

Rep. A.J. McCampbell, D-Gallion, told The Tuscaloosa News in a story published Thursday that he told a news crew "no comment" several times when approached at a golf course during a legislative conference in Kentucky in July. McCampbell said the pho­tographer should have left him alone.

Okay, thanks for clearing that up. Now we know the rules... according to YOU. If a news reporter is persistent then that is grounds for a state legislator to threaten him or her. One question... if the reporter doesn't stop when you say "no comment," is that justification to actually beat them to a pulp using that golf club? Just how many laws does he think his lofty position as a state legislator allows him to violate?


That video shows Rep McCampbell issuing a verbal treat, backed by him hefting the weapon he intended to use when carrying it out. This threat is actionable. The reporter could file criminal charges against McCampbell.

McCampbell's "defense" merely says he didn't want to answer the questions. According to his statement, this justifies threatening and, presumably, beating the presumptuous and persistent reporter.

Except it doesn't. McCampbell's actions as shown on the videotape were violent and criminal, and the reporter in question should file criminal charges against him. His office and his desire NOT to answer those questions do NOT give him a pass from abiding by the laws of this State.