A glaring, sinister and vengeful omission from Mark Finchem's 'Treason Watch List'
I am not a believer in wacky, unproven conspiracy theories, but facts are facts, and the fact is, Mark Finchem, the Republican candidate for Arizona secretary of state, is out to get me.
I can think of no other explanation.
It appears from what I’ve gathered in news reports that Finchem wants to ruin my reputation, ruin my career, ruin my life.
Don’t get me wrong, I understand his ire.
A while back I said that Finchem, along with U.S. Reps. Andy Biggs and Paul Gosar should be barred from running for office for violating Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, commonly known as the disqualification clause, for providing aid and comfort to the insurrectionists of Jan. 6.
A Big Lie spreader and Oath Keeper
The matter went to the Gov. Doug Ducey-stacked Arizona Supreme Court, which said enforcing the 14th Amendment was up to Congress, not them.
I’ve pointed out Finchem’s participation in conspiracy-driven Stop the Steal rallies leading up to in the Jan. 6 insurrection, which he attended (though he claims he never entered the Capitol).
A 'frivolous' suit? Maricopa County seeks sanctions against Finchem
I have written about his long membership in the radically dangerous Oath Keepers, of which 11 members, including founder Stewart Rhodes, have been charged with seditious conspiracy and other crimes for allegedly plotting to use force to prevent Congress’ Jan. 6 certification of President Biden’s election win.
I’ve noted that Finchem is a longtime election denier who continues to spread the Big Lie about the 2020 presidential election, and who now wants to oversee Arizona elections.
More reasons for him to dislike me
I’ve written about how Maricopa County has asked a judge to require Finchem and Republican Arizona governor candidate Kari Lake to pay legal fees and to be assessed financial sanctions for their “frivolous” federal lawsuit to ban ballot-counting machines. And how I hope that happens.
I’ve noted in columns how the select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol issued subpoenas to Finchem and Arizona Republican Party Chair Kelli Ward.
It goes on.
Another view: Finchem kept a 'Treason Watch List.' That's no shocker
So, yeah, Finchem (like many other politicians) has reason to dislike like me, to go after me.
And it looks like, maybe, he has.
The proof lies in what CNN first reported as a Pinterest account used by Finchem that contained in it what Finchem called his “Treason Watch List.”
A nasty, nauseating horror is unveiled
Among those on the list are civil rights icon Jesse Jackson, former Arizona governor and former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, former Secretary of State John Kerry and others.
From what I can tell, however, there is one cleverly sinister, glaringly obvious omission from the list, an exclusion Finchem could have done on purpose.
Why, you’re wondering?
Why would a man seeking revenge leave off from his “Treason Watch List” one of his harshest critics, someone who would consider being in such company a badge of honor, a crowning achievement?
A person, for example, like ME.
Perhaps he would do so in order to create the appalling, nightmarish impression that the individual whose name does not appear on his enemies list may not be an adversary after all, but an admirer, perhaps even a friend.
Ohhhhh what a nasty, nauseating horror that would be.
Like I said, I am not a believer in wacky, unproven conspiracy theories but … well played, Finchem.
Well played.
Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mark Finchem's Treason Watch List has a glaring omission
