A Republican aide who sent a press release supporting the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act was shocked to receive an email back from the account of the specialty cheese editor of the Cheese Reporter newspaper about the possibility of her being raped.
Carly Atchison, press secretary for the National Republican Congressional Committee, said via Twitter: “I wrote a release advocating for legislation protecting babies surviving a botched abortion. This is how one associate editor chose to respond.” She then shared a screenshot of an email that appeared to be from Moira Crowley, specialty cheese editor of the Wisconsin-based Cheese Reporter.
The email said: “Hey, Carly – Hope you don’t get raped at a MAGA rally and have to carry that child to term,” Crowley wrote, according to a screenshot. “DON’T EVER CONTACT ME AGAIN.” “MAGA” stands for “Make America Great Again,” President Trump’s 2016 campaign slogan.
According to emails provided to the Washington Examiner, Atchison replied: “Moira – My personal story is none of your business, but suffice to say your comments are personally hurtful and disgusting. There is an unsubscribe button at the bottom of the email. I hope you learn to conduct yourself in a more professional manner and pray that the hatred you hold in your heart heals. -Carly.”
The reply from Crowley’s account was: “Oh, I unsubscribed Carly. And I just donated $50 to Planned Parenthood in your name.” The Cheese Reporter’s slogan is: “Serving the World’s Dairy Industry Weekly since 1876.”
Facing an immediate backlash when Atchison shared the first email, Crowley, 45, told the Washington Examiner, via the same email address: “Our email has been compromised and the message is fake.”
I wrote a release advocating for legislation protecting babies surviving a botched abortion. This is how one associate editor chose to respond: pic.twitter.com/ALKbMMldkQ
— Carly Atchison (@CarlyAtch) April 2, 2019
The @cheesereporter Twitter account sent out a message: “Recently, one of our employee’s email was hacked and deplorable messages were transmitted. Cheese Reporter and the employee ask for your understanding during this difficult time and in no way does Cheese Reporter or the employee condone or endorse any of these hacked messages.”
Another message from @cheesereporter said: “For those who recently began following us for the hacked comments, please unfollow our Twitter account as we do not want to be a messenger for your beliefs.”
Atchison’s original email called into question whether Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wis., would get on board with a petition to force a vote on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. The legislation requires doctors to provide medical care to infants that have survived abortions or else face criminal charges.
“Where does Ron Kind stand on leaving a newborn baby alone to die on the delivery room floor?” Atchison’s email asked.
“To force a vote, at least 218 members of Congress must sign the discharge petition,” the email continued. “Will Ron Kind be one of those 218.”
Republican leaders started the petition to override Democrats and bring the legislation to a vote. A simple majority is required to do so.
“You can’t say you’re pro-life unless you sign the discharge petition to bring this bill up for debate and for a vote on the House floor,” said Minority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., in a press conference Tuesday.
Cheese Reporter is a newspaper and website based in Madison, Wis. It bills itself as “the leading newspaper serving the world’s cheese manufacturing and milk processing industries every week.”
The publication’s previously most political communication appears to have been a tweet sent just after Trump’s inauguration saying: “Obama left office with a pretty noteworthy record when it comes to policy that will be difficult for Trump to top.”
