It’s been just over a week since the abrupt and mysterious resignation of 49th legislative district representative Jim Jacks, citing “personal reason he did not wish discussed publicly.” We in the 49th, now sitting without adequate representation in Olympia, continue to hear nothing but silence in why the man elected just in November so suddenly abandoned his constituents and quit.

From the first mention of his Friday March 25 resignation there appears to be a “cone of silence” lowered throughout the media allegedly covering the story. Warnings were posted in comments on the Columbian of against any speculation of why the resignation came about so abruptly even though Sen. Craig Pridemore told KOMO News they had been discussing the resignation with Jacks for a couple of days.

Unlike former Governor Sarah Palin, who publicly announced her resignation in July 2009 and coming out giving solid reasons for doing so, or hounding former 19th legislative district representative Richard Curtis who had 14 articles written on him by the Columbian in a 5 day period, all that is heard from the Columbian on Jacks quitting his constituents is “zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.”

Even though I did not vote for him, the majority in the 49th legislative district did, as well as donated funds to return him to Olympia just months ago and supported his reelection. And now, he abruptly quits and walks away and receives a pass for it.

Mrs. Palin was hounded by the media before and after she resigned. Jacks? “zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.”

Richard Curtis was hounded too with someone at the Columbian seeking a copy of a Police report after he denied any wrong doing. Jacks? “zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.”

Mark Foley too was hounded by the media for his alleged liaisons with younger males. Jacks? “zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.”

Larry Craig, another Republican caught in sting in an airport restroom to catch gays was also hounded and ridiculed in the media. Jacks? “zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.”

Is it only newsworthy when a Republican is suspected of scandal, but Democrats slip under the “cone of silence?”

Even the Clark County Democrat Party webpage initially made no mention of his resignation, but jumped ahead to an announcement of selecting a replacement for him.

In an all too obvious double standard, beginning with the Columbian and added to by every single newspaper and media source up & down the I-5 corridor, a Democrat rumored to be embroiled in scandalous activity receives a pass and whose “right to privacy” must be maintained.

Republican elected officials, not so lucky. All it takes a slight rumor and the digging begins until their rotation is sullied, rightfully or not.

The Columbian claims to an “un-biased news Source,” but obviously they have become a source of protecting members of the Democrat Party first.

The public has a right to know why the person they just elected bailed on them.

Who will break the silence and speak truthfully?

Apparently, no one in the media.

If Jacks were a Republican, it would be entirely different.

Just ask Richard Curtis.