KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas teenager who wrote a disparaging tweet about Gov. Sam Brownback said Sunday that she is rejecting her high school principals demand for a written apology.
Emma Sullivan, 18, of the Kansas City suburb of Fairway, said she isnt sorry and doesnt think such a letter would be sincere.
The Shawnee Mission East senior was taking part in a Youth in Government program last week in Topeka, Kan., when she sent out a tweet from the back of a crowd of students listening to Brownbacks greeting. From her cellphone, she thumbed: Just made mean comments at gov. brownback, and then specified what the comments were.
She actually made no such comment and said she was just joking with friends. But Brownbacks office, which monitors social media for postings containing the governors name, saw Sullivans post and contacted the Youth in Government program.
Sullivan received a scolding at school and was ordered to send Brownback an apology letter. She said Prinicipal Karl R. Krawitz even suggested talking points for the letter she was supposed to turn in Monday.
The situation exploded after Sullivans older sister contacted the media. Since then, Sullivans following on Twitter has grown to about 3,000 people, up from about 65 before the tweet. She said she thinks the tweet has helped open up dialogue about free speech in social media..
Sullivan said she disagrees with Brownback politically, particularly his decision to veto the Kansas Arts Commissions entire budget, which eliminated the states arts funding. Brownback has argued arts programs can flourish with private dollars and that state funds should go to core government functions, such as education and social services.
I think it would be interesting to have a dialogue with him, she said. I dont know if he would do it or not though. And I dont know that he would listen to what I have to say.
Sherriene Jones-Sontag, the governors spokeswoman, told The Star previously that Sullivans message wasnt respectful and that it takes mutual respect to really have a constructive dialogue. Brownbacks office didnt return calls or emails Sunday from the AP.
Teen tweeter won't apologize to Sam Brownback - Associated Press - POLITICO.com
Emma Sullivan, 18, of the Kansas City suburb of Fairway, said she isnt sorry and doesnt think such a letter would be sincere.
The Shawnee Mission East senior was taking part in a Youth in Government program last week in Topeka, Kan., when she sent out a tweet from the back of a crowd of students listening to Brownbacks greeting. From her cellphone, she thumbed: Just made mean comments at gov. brownback, and then specified what the comments were.
She actually made no such comment and said she was just joking with friends. But Brownbacks office, which monitors social media for postings containing the governors name, saw Sullivans post and contacted the Youth in Government program.
Sullivan received a scolding at school and was ordered to send Brownback an apology letter. She said Prinicipal Karl R. Krawitz even suggested talking points for the letter she was supposed to turn in Monday.
The situation exploded after Sullivans older sister contacted the media. Since then, Sullivans following on Twitter has grown to about 3,000 people, up from about 65 before the tweet. She said she thinks the tweet has helped open up dialogue about free speech in social media..
Sullivan said she disagrees with Brownback politically, particularly his decision to veto the Kansas Arts Commissions entire budget, which eliminated the states arts funding. Brownback has argued arts programs can flourish with private dollars and that state funds should go to core government functions, such as education and social services.
I think it would be interesting to have a dialogue with him, she said. I dont know if he would do it or not though. And I dont know that he would listen to what I have to say.
Sherriene Jones-Sontag, the governors spokeswoman, told The Star previously that Sullivans message wasnt respectful and that it takes mutual respect to really have a constructive dialogue. Brownbacks office didnt return calls or emails Sunday from the AP.
Teen tweeter won't apologize to Sam Brownback - Associated Press - POLITICO.com
