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A blue-furred stuffed doll playing a Manatee County Commission candidate appears in a satirical video posted by an online account named “Kevin-Kyle Kaczynski von Oswald XVII” ahead of the heated 2024 election. It has angered local officials and candidates who have condemned the video and content.
Since creating her online persona in April, von Oswald has been harassing political executives and candidates, with her attacks circulating on social media.
No one seems to know who is behind the account.
Kevin-Kyle Kaczynski von Oswald XVII said in an email to the Herald-Tribune that he was nothing more than a “puppet.” He declined to reveal his actual identity.
“Who is Kevin Kyle? That’s a very philosophical question,” von Oswald said in an email. “I’m a puppet just like all my competitors. I raise my hand a lot (descriptively) just like my competitors. The only difference is that my raised hand is for the benefit of the community. That’s it.”
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The puppet character, who calls himself the nickname “The Real KVO” as a jab at Secretary Kevin Van Ostenbridge, has been poking fun at the local political establishment in videos and memes on YouTube, his website and social media accounts. He also runs a merchandise store.
Some people who appear in his videos and memes say the account crosses the line.
Keith Greene, who is running for the at-large seat currently held by Secretary of State George Kruse, put his face on the comedian’s body next to an image of Von Oswald challenging him to a rap battle on a TV show. The superimposed illustrations were considered problematic. Mortal Kombat video game stage.
“It’s become a very racist development,” he said. “To me, that’s a dog whistle for hidden racists in our community… There’s no place for that in our political arena. I didn’t run for attention. “I decided to run because I want to be noticed.” “I serve my community, which is why I take photos every day.” If I win this election, I will be the first person in Manatee County history to do so.” It’s going to be an African American sitting in a large seat. This is important. This is a game-changer in so many ways. ”
Beef in the Holmes Beach parking lot
Von Oswald is a primary opponent of Manatee County’s efforts to build a parking lot in Holmes Beach, despite opposition from local government officials and many island residents.
Van Ostenbridge and local state legislators have been pushing the effort, moving last year to introduce a measure in the state Legislature to avoid city hurdles. This effort has also generated another debate about the benefits of integrating the three island cities.
more:Manatee County legislators consider consolidation of three Anna Maria Island cities and Bradenton
Mr. von Oswald’s website states that he supports community efforts to stop the widening of 59th Street, opposes changes at New College in Florida, and supports efforts to ban library books and censor content. It has also been shown that he is against it, stating, “Just because our politicians can’t read doesn’t mean our politicians can’t read.” Children shouldn’t do that. ”
“The causes that concern me most are the abolition of domestic governance, the destruction of wildlife, and the weaponization of government,” von Oswald said.
Green said von Oswald posted a meme with a depiction of himself on Facebook after publicly supporting the construction of a controversial parking garage. He feels targeted because he is an African-American man running as a far-right Republican.
“I never said I was against this garage,” Green said. “So when I finally publicly stated my position, people completely lost their minds.”
“To me, I feel that racism is one of the original sins of this country,” he said. “That’s not going to change in my lifetime. Being an African American Republican has some challenges.”
shades of gray
Several other candidates and officials appearing in the video declined to comment when asked about Van Oswald.
Van Ostenbridge, who is a central figure in the animated video series titled “The Real KVO,” said he took particular issue with the portrayal of Greene and the portrayal of female commissioners.
Videos on the YouTube channel include content that appears to include images of former Secretary Vanessa Baugh’s face superimposed on KKK costumes. Another skit depicted Chief Amanda Ballard as a stripper dancing on a pole. Content related to her often mentions her genitals.
“We’re a fun bunch, right?” Van Ostenbridge said.
“Although most people engage in respectful political discussions online, there are always bad apples in every barrel,” he says. “Some of it was disgusting, some of it was appalling, some of it was very vulgar and, unfortunately, some of it was racist.”
Ballard said she would like to ignore von Oswald’s content, but she can’t turn a blind eye to the content that comes across her social media feeds.
“It’s totally irrelevant and it gets in the way of my important job of representing my district,” Ballard said. “The content borders on defamation. I’m a conservative, so I’m expected to sit back and accept the blatant misogyny from the inclusive and intersectional crowd who would be hailing me as a trailblazer.” “If I were a Democrat.”
But von Oswald’s content continues to resonate with many, including his more than 1,500 friends on Facebook. He said his content gives a voice to people in the community who feel ignored by local authorities on some of the country’s most controversial issues. He denied the posts were racist or discriminatory.
“The true measure of freedom in a society is whether the people can criticize those in power,” von Oswald said. “When you restrict free speech through cancel culture, you ignore the words of the disenfranchised.”
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