Obama’s Interior Secretary Threatens Colorado Springs Reporter: ‘I’ll Punch You Out’

Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar answers a question while visiting the volunteers at the Obama for America office in downtown Harrisonburg, Va., Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 24, 2012. (Credit: AP)
Last week, during an Election Day event supporting President Barack Obama in Fountain, Colo., U.S. Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar threatened a local reporter following a seemingly routine interview.
“If you set me up like this again, I’ll punch you out,” Salazar told Colorado Springs Gazette reporter Dave Phillips.
In an email to TheBlaze, U.S. Department of Interior spokesman Blake Androff confirmed that the altercation occurred. “The secretary regrets the exchange,” he wrote. The official did not provide any additional details.
Salazar had just finished answering questions about his policies for managing America’s wild horse population when the alleged incident occurred. Ginger Kathrens, executive director of the Cloud Foundation, was standing just feet away from Phillips when Salazar lost his temper.
“I was standing 3 feet away from Dave,” Kathrens told TheBlaze. “And when I turned, he kind of spat that at him and I thought, ‘Oh my God’…It was unbelievable.”
She said Salazar was “very angry” when he threatened to “punch out” the reporter, shooting down the assertion that he made the comment in a joking or harmless manner.
Kathrens also said Salazar told her, “You know, you should never do that” after she reached out to shake his hand. She is uncertain what the secretary of the interior meant by that remark.
The video below cuts out just before Salazar threatened to “punch out” the Colorado Springs Gazette reporter, according to Kathrens:
“These threats would have been inappropriate coming from anyone, but the fact that it came out of the mouth of the Secretary of the Interior is alarming,” Kathrens stated in a press release. “I can’t believe that a top official in Obama’s cabinet could be so defensive.”
According to the Cloud Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to the preservation of wild horses on public lands, Phillips, the threatened Colorado Springs Gazzette reporter, was interviewing Salazar as part of a follow-up to a previous article he had written in September about the sale of wild horses to Tom Davis, a Colorado “killer buyer” who purchased over 1,700 wild horses from government owned facilities.
Salazar himself reportedly admitted that the buyer’s activity is being investigated. “It is believed [the horses] were trucked over the border to Mexican slaughterhouses,” the release states.
While it’s unclear exactly what set Salazar off, Kathrens told TheBlaze that she believes the mention of Davis during the questioning period initially flustered him. Then Phillips reportedly asked if the system regarding the protection of horses needs to change, which made the Obama administration official even more tense. It was shortly after this final question that Salazar marched towards Phillips and made the indiscreet comment.
She also claimed that the Davis family has worked for the Salazars, insinuating that the interior secretary and Tom Davis have ties.
Calls made to officials with the Colorado Springs Gazette were not returned in time for this report. However, additional information may be added as it becomes available.
Featured image via Getty
(H/T: Fox Nation)
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Comments (256)
kissmygritsextremists
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 5:01pmI keep calling it…The true colors are really starting to reveal themselves, from this administration. And soon they will all be eating cake, while the masses starve. Mark my words!
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michael48
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 5:11pmit was too late 11/04/08….this is just a continuation of the coup….you’re on your own…best be getting some trustworthy friends and have a plan…haven’t a clue what these twits will do next…
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MBA
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 5:21pmYep, too late. This has been an administration of thiefs, hoods, thugs, and criminals. There is no one who cares or is interested in this country in politics.
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Keatonc333
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 5:25pmHAHA! the Party you don’t like because they help the “moochers” You know the poor, the hungry, food stamps. Thats the administration that will be eating cake while others starve? hahaha
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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 5:25pmAbsolutely.
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Treaty
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 5:34pmI’d have said “Give me your best shot” then I would have vigorously defended myself.
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Rampart
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 5:36pmLove the “cowboy” hat…Lots of “cowboys” are named “SalaCzar” ya know…
What a putz…The reporter should’ve decked him on the spot.
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AZRACISTBIGOT
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 5:57pmSo, is this what an An*l Retentive Liberal looks like disguised as a cowboy?
Moo Moo Buckeroo, you couldn’t punch your way out of a wet paper bag.
The reporter should have punched his lights out
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TH30PH1LUS
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 6:13pmObama is surrounded by communists, liars, adulterers, cowards who turn their backs on our troops, globalists, and a myriad of radical totalitarian egomaniacs.
Coincidence?
“To avoid being mistaken for a sellout, I chose my friends carefully. The more politically active black students. The foreign students. The Chicanos. The Marxist professors and structural feminists.” – Obama
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Farmhand82
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 6:20pmYou stay classy, liberals
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ProbIemSoIver
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 6:21pmThe Department of the Interior is a PRIVATE COMPANY !!!!
They have NO authority over a Sovereign American
They only have authority over the U.S. Corporation’s “citizens”.
They only have authority over their “U.S.
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Gonzo
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 6:29pmRampart, the hat matches his assless chaps.
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ProbIemSoIver
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 6:32pm*Crappy ISP and bad edit
Here is the evidence to substantiate my claim:
“United States Department Of Interior in Washington, DC is a private company categorized under Land, Mineral, and Wildlife Conservation. Our records show it was established in 1849 and incorporated in District of Columbia. Register for free to see additional information such as annual revenue and employment figures.
Kenneth L Salazar
Secretary”
http://www.manta.com/c/mmcmlfl/united-states-department-of-interior
I bet the old man would love to punch me. lol. Good luck with that, clown.
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MIBUGNU2
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 7:05pmGot that Fredericka Wilson look, Niceeeee !!!
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NancyBee
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 7:09pmWow….involved in the slaughtering of horses….this man should be so proud of his self…he does not deserve to wear that cowboy hat!!
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Ghostrhymer6
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 7:09pmab
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DarkestbeforeDawn
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 7:24pm@KISSMY
Sounds more to me like we will be eating wild horses.
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AmericaMustBeFree
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 7:26pmPrepare my firends, its time we all prepare for the absolutely worst outcome! Glenn Beck is right!
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forthepeople
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 7:44pm( obozo ) Will go down in History at the ‘ Most corrupt Administration in History ‘ and in American that is saying something ? How do they ( amusement park vendors ) say it ‘keep your hands and feet in the car ( ride ) and hold on ‘ for this is just the start.
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forthepeople
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 7:48pmNANCYBEE
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 7:09pm
Wow…involved in the slaughtering of horses…this man should be so proud of his self
THATSNOTHING … Obozo admitted in his book to ‘ Eating Dogs ‘ and hold on the ride is going to get creeper !
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Reclaiming Our Nation
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 8:04pmConservatism is Calling, will you answer the call?
http://reclaimingournation.blogspot.com/2012/11/who-is-listening.html
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starview
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 8:23pmSo Salazr allowed his friend to buy American Mustangs who were then sent to Mexico to be slaughtered, since the US doesn’t allow horses slaughtered here anymore. These horses then were terrified even more as a Mexican slaughter house worker used a knife to sever their vertebrae. Look up Animal Angels North America, you will see what they filmed under cover. Also, US horses being shipped to Canada for slaughter are killed inhumanely too. The captive bolt gun used on cows doesn’t work on equines, they wake up after about 30 seconds.
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decendentof56
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 9:05pmAbsolutely, without question, the wild horses will be used to close more public land for the exclusive use of wild horses. “Environmentalist’s have used this tactic for decades now.
Most all of the California desert has been closed to off-road vehicles. Those environmental zealots are crafty….you’ve got to hand it to them.
They do this stuff progressively (pardon the pun).
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muffythetuffy
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 9:06pmGermany’s infamous Heinrick Himmler head of the Nazi SS use to threaten news reporters too. Himmler must have been let out of Hell so he can teach his technique to Obama’s people.
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SMOKIN
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 9:45pmNo, no, no…. Just twinkies. Gotta love the unions.
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SMOKIN
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 9:55pmComments that violate our policy will be removed. Gotta not want to hurt anyone’s fragile feelings. The Blaze, the Truth Lives Here. Yup.
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ProbIemSoIver
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 10:45pm“United States Department Of Interior in Washington, DC is a private company categorized under Land, Mineral, and Wildlife Conservation.”
Wildlife Conservation = 1700 slaughtered wild horses by a PRIVATE COMPANY for profit?
Haven’t we seen enough ???
Haven’t we had enough ???
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ONE-IFBYLAND
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 11:47pmMr. Salazar “misspoke”
What he really meant to say was “SHUT UP AND SIT DOWN”
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maverick4harlot
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 2:13am:supporting President Barack Obama” Doesn’t that say it all? Yes I am a conservative when it comes to government and I refuse to apologise for it. The smaller the government the better. Government was instilled to be our defense against attack from other nations, nothing more. Social Security, Food stamps, Unemployment insurance. GO GET A DAMN JOB. I dont want to hear your crying that you cant find a job. I pick TRASH. TRASH And I make over $600.00 per week. FROM TRASH. So dont even ever give me any BS that you cant make it without government. I say your just to damn LAZY. Oh I guarantee I could qualify for Social Security. I am an electrician with carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists. I was told by doctors to stop, After 4 years in college and 7 years in the field $22.00 per hr I stopped. I started my own contracting company, I blew my back out for the second time, Then I became an antique dealer. I have a heart condition but I support myself. . I ADAPT. I LIKE TO EAT AND I DONT WANT YOUR HELP. Only LAZY PEOPLE or the truly impared live on social security or welfare. If you can, DO, If you cant I understand and I have no problem helping you with my taxes. Lazy people however have no place in my world. They are worthless. I pray that GOD helps us to rid the world of these freeloaders.
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maverick4harlot
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 2:20amGiving an example. I read a story many months ago about a police officer that hit his funny bone. It cause him permanent nerve damage in his hand so that he has trouble trying to draw his weapon. Now he could have chosen a desk guty that helped all of us but instead he chose diability. He now will get paid for LIFE and regularly runs marathons. He has decided to live off of the back of YOUR work, YOU feed him, YOU cloth him, YOU pay his rent AND HE HAS A LIFE OF LUXURY COMPARED TO YOU AND I. Oh he COULD find a way to contribute to society but he has chosen for you to support him instead. Am I wrong? Am I? I dont want your money but somehow he deserves it. I have found a way top be productive but he chooses that YOU PAY ALL OF HIS BILLS. Is there something wrong with SOCIAL SECURITY??????
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maverick4harlot
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 2:53amSOCIAL Security. Those that have paid in deserve their return however I put this to you. SOCIAL security was put in place for one reason and one reason only. It gives government more control over your money.
IMAGINE if you will, MILLIONS have paid INTO social security. THE MONEY WAS never TOUCHED. NOT EVER. TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT HAVE NEVER BEEN TOUCHED. NOT EVER. AS IT WAS PROMOTED. Is it truly possible that Social Security is broke? Put ALL of that money in a simple bank account as if it was for a child. TRILLIONS of dollars and Social Security is broke. You really believe this? Really? There is always a time for everyone to wake up. You can choose to believe everything you are told or you can choose to listen to YOUR OWN MIND.
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maverick4harlot
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 3:03amI support EVERY state and EVERY person that chooses to succeed from the union. There is a time in which we all must make a decision. AND WE MUST MEAN IT.
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maverick4harlot
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 3:05amSecretary of Interior Ken Salazar , YOUR EITHER AN IDIOT OR YOU ARE A TRAITOR. Choose your poision.
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maverick4harlot
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 3:07amSecretary of Interior Ken Salazar…. You wear that hat as if you represent people. How about truly doing your job.
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NeilChapin
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 6:08amThe kind of class you’d expect from anyone in this administration. Read fresh political commentary at: http://smallcraftadvisorychronicles.blogspot.com/
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bannedfromCNN
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:30amre: Hat. Kenny boy was just on his way for a casting call for the upcoming sequel, Brokeback Mountain 2
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fair2light
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:42amYou can see the really crappy people the president surrounds himself with. We are in deep dooty. What set ken off was some peon was questioning his actions. How dare they. Im an obama hand in power, with a mandate. Just creepy
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old white guy
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:43ami would tell th ebumb basta-d to come on down. smack.
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G-WHIZ
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 10:32amHey you azzole-witha-hat…YOU WORK FOR US!!
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moreteaplease
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 5:01pmHe better hope his body can back up his big mouth because he looks like one good shot to the jaw would lay him out cold and leave him sipping thru wire for a few months.
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skippy6
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 5:52pmI was thinking the wind could blow this numbskull down WOOwooowooowooowoooo curly shufle….
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TerryJ2
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 5:59pmWith me his attempt would be over before it started, come talk to me “sally”.
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Gonzo
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 6:09pmIf a guy in Howdy Doody’s hat threatened me, I might die…laughing.
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Odyessy
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 6:52pmActually his riding skills are quite good. Years ago he was filmed in a TV commercial. It wasn’t widely broadcast but I found a copy on youtube. You should check it out. See for yourself:
http://youtu.be/BYNoQZ5djUA
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starview
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 8:52pmWho cares…… He is NO John Wayne!
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Odyessy
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 4:16pmDuh, of course he’s no John Wayne, he looks just like a dog riding monkey passing out tacos. You’d have known that if you’d checked out the video first.
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NHwinter
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 5:01pmMore Chicago style politicans that think they can threaten and bully everyone.
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Cavallo
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 5:05pmThey can, they are allowed. Welcome to the new North America.
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corbecket
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 9:15pmSigh……
We thought we’d gotten rid of Salazar in Colorado, but now he comes back and potties right in the middle of our state.
Make the bad man go away!!!!
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burnteye86
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 3:27amThee media isn’t stupid. They don’t want to accidentally fall from a 20 story building.
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Red Meat
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 5:00pmA proper GOP would be stating that Salazar hates woman and animals. I won’t hold my breath.
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AbrahamsSheepdog
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:57pmWWhat do you say to a journalist with 2 black eyes……..? Nuthin you told him twice.
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let us prey
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 5:07pmLol.
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rickc34
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 5:09pmOne of Obama’s low lifes. A girl scout could kick his behind.
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AbrahamsSheepdog
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 5:18pmWhat do you call a journalist with one black eye?
A quick learner.
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lainpa
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:57pmWelcome to Chicago! What a bunch of thugs! How dare you question me?!
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JUSTANOTHEROPINION
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:57pmThe proof is always in the pudding and the best way to show that Progressive Liberalism is a really bad idea is/was to re-elect President Obama with his Chicago minded administration. We are barely into his last term and it’s starting already, but, you better buckle up because it is just starting and this style of diplomacy is S.O.P. for these people.
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Dushman Kush
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 9:04pmYou’ll love our next President, Comrade Valerie Jarrett. Before you cast your ballot in 2016, acquaint yourself with your Comrades. At present, we have a real conservative in the White House; Madame Jarrett should follow. We are fortunate to be Americans, fortunate to have conservative Leaders.
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hauschild
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:53pmYet another unhinged leftists keeping it classy.
The destruction these types of brought on this country will never be quantified.
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Frodo RinosBane
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:53pmBring it, Sally!
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revitup
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:48pmKen Salazar should be angry with E.Sequoyah Simermeyer,his legal counsel under the Asst Director (BIA) he and James Simermeyer,Edward Simermeyer and John Simermeyer have taken our Indian History….Croatan Indians Of Sampson County NC.
Forget the horses and help us Mr Salazar.
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izzy1127
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 5:12pmSampson County, huh? You should be familiar with Autryville. Guess we are “BLAZE” neighbors…. I’ve been reading some of your previous posts. Will start clicking on some of your links and learn a little more about the Croatan Tribe. I thought they were further East around the New Bern area. Will do my homework.
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revitup
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:16amIZZY,I am in Godwin-Sampson County side.Yup I know Autryville well.
REVITUP
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smokeysmoke
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:48pmremember when mitt romneys kid was so upset by the media lying and lying, and said he wanted to fight one of them….
and SNL made a big joke out of it.. kinda like point and laugh at the stupid kid, whos family is the **** of the joke, who got so upset he acted out and wants to fight….. and the media treated it like it was hysterical
and then SALIZAR says he wants to fight people for asking questions about the administration, and im sure it will be ignored…
this is very dark in my opinion, that the media will bully the romneys, and make fun of them for gettinng upset
and the obama administration cannot even talk to journalists
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netmail
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:56pmIf I was that reporter, I would have done everything in my power to get Salazar to throw that punch. I’d take his best shot just to see how things went for him afterwards. Priceless…
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Cavallo
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 5:04pmHe is allowed to act this way. Leftists have permission to be sexist, racist, violent thugs. The media will ignore this, and defend him. Even if he had attacked the reporter physically, the MSM would still defend Kenny Boy the thug. Reporters should know better than to question or make members of the disciples of the One Obama the Messiah uncomfortable. That reporter should be ashamed of himself and be forced to do an article on the happiness of dogs in gay parent households.
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Michigander
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 5:11pmIt’s not just asking questions, it’s asking questions about ILLEGAL activity. It is illegal for the
BLM to sell mustangs for slaughter. ILLEGAL. Obama promised all kinds of things to the mustang advocates before he was elected. He has treated them like garbage for the last four years.
Thank you Blaze, for reporting this. Tip of the iceberg.
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Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:48pmHe is a racist and hates women and children….
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Chet Hempstead
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 6:28pmThat’s not how you spell Gandhi.
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Spyderco
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:48pmThis is from the party of peace and tolerance?
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Teaparty_Grammy
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 6:37pmYou betcha. They will peace ad tolerance all OVER your a$$ if you dare to question their illegal actions!
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1TrueOne55
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:47pmThis is how this administration does things and then says they are not killing horses outright. This is how intimidation works because what they are doing with these horses is a charade and costs more money since they have to transport them out of country whether its Mexico or Canada etc.
People voted to keep this lie in power and this is what you get…
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HKS
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:46pmSounds like a liberal bully to me, that’s what they do.
“Remember Benghazi”
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momrules
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:45pmSalazar ( keep our boot on their necks) is just another smart a$$ liberal. Little man with way too much power.
I also find it interesting that everyone in O’s administration is a bully.
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Tom K
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:43pmSalazar – - all hat and no cattle !
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FreeUsAll
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:42pmHe must be strongly opposed to defending horses.
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Tom K
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:42pmNow that the Obama Campaign / Administration has fully ” Used ” the media to gain Re-election, maybe they are throwing the media under the bus. Why are Obama’s high Government Officials so oversensative AND threatening ? What a nasty bunch – congratulations America.
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SquidVetOhio
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:40pmHonestly, would anyone feel intimidated if this candy-ass little punk threatened to punch them out? Trying not to laugh in his face would be the hardest part. Think I’ll move back to my birthplace of Colorado Springs, get a job as a reporter, and pray to the God of Abraham that this guy would threaten me.
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SocialistSlayer
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:40pmWelKome to Communist obama’s New Amerika – Where anything goes as long as they are part of the Communist obama’s Comrade team !
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truebluepatriot
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 1:37pmJust trying to spread the word: http://westernrifleshooters.wordpress.com/2012/10/30/bracken-did-obama-withhold-cross-border-authority/
Remember Benghazi!
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bckeegan
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:39pmI would love to beat that guy up. I am from Colorado. Don’t mess with us you clown!
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2MINUTESTOMIDNIGHT
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:39pmAnd I always thought those horses were sent to Sizzler Steak Houses.
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Tri-ox
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:35pmLike everyone in enemy-obama’s administration, Salazar is a typical commie thug.
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IndyGuy
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:35pmKen Sleazier….Er…Salazar…..You are a punk…
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