On January 27, 2025, I visited the headquarters of The Oregonian in Portland hoping to speak with their public editor, who I later learned was Laura Gunderson. I was prevented from speaking to her by an employee of the private security firm Securitas.

20250127-xxx5 Oregonian Building in Portland

Logan M Isaac: [00:00:00] Um, I've tried email, and they haven't emailed back, and there's a public interest in getting news to be truthful, and locking themselves behind doors and, like, cutting off contact with the public seems to work against that. So, um-

Private Security Contractor: Unfortunately, I don't work for The Oregonian. I work for the-

Logan M Isaac: I know, you're a private security firm.

That's how they get around public accountability, right? I guess so. No, I, I mean, unless you know otherwise. I can't speak for The Oregonian. That's why. That's exactly... You're making my point for me. Um-

Private Security Contractor: I have no liability or connection to The Oregonian at all, so I can't say anything about them.

Logan M Isaac: No, you're misunderstanding me. I'm saying they know that. I know that. Whether or not you know that is another thing, but you're correct. You're not liable for them. If you see Therese Bottomly, Betsy Hammond, Lizzy Acker, or Aimee Green, I have until tomorrow at thirteen hundred when I'm supposed to be before the Oregon State Legislature.

They have defamed an Iraq veteran. They accused that [00:01:00] person of hate crimes when that did not occur. Okay, this- Wait, wait. Just let me finish saying my piece- I appreciate you- And I'll leave. Because otherwise, then you do incur liability. 'Cause I don't think Securitas would tell you to kick me out unless there's some actual cause.

Private Security Contractor: I'm not kicking you out. Okay. So- I'm telling you I'm not interested in this story 'cause it doesn't affect me one way or the other.

Logan M Isaac: Right. You're right. You don't have to be interested.

Private Security Contractor: So you telling me all of this pulls at my heartstrings? Yes, I don't read the paper 'cause it's, it's, it's slanted in one direction I don't agree with.

Logan M Isaac: Yeah. But- You're caught in the middle. I understand.

Private Security Contractor: Just The Oregonian posts-

Logan M Isaac: Right, right, right, right, right. You're not gonna go down for anything. Securitas might be, or The Oregonian might be, but the fact is-

Private Security Contractor: Then why you direct security at me?

Logan M Isaac: Well, I, I could finish if you like. Would you like me to finish?

Okay, I'll reframe the question

Private Security Contractor: Knowing their injustices doesn't change anything 'cause I, I'm s- I'm literally stuck by policy.

Logan M Isaac: Correct. But- Correct. But-

Let me reframe the question. Would you cease from interrupting me?

Private Security Contractor: I'm telling you [00:02:00] that I don't... I'm gonna be very frank with you. You're-

Logan M Isaac: I know. That's– I am too.Good ...

Private Security Contractor: you're wasting your time talking to me because it's not you.

Logan M Isaac: I don't see it the same way.

Private Security Contractor: It's somebody else.

Logan M Isaac: Right. It is somebody else.

Private Security Contractor: This phone number is published on the inside of the newspaper, and she just printed this in the paper three days ago saying-

Logan M Isaac: Okay ...

Private Security Contractor: that you could call this number-

Logan M Isaac: Oh, okay

Private Security Contractor: and you would be reaching the public editor line-

Logan M Isaac: Okay ...

Private Security Contractor: which is basically her desk or her, her admin person.

Logan M Isaac: So I'll finish- That's me ... part of what I was saying. You're correct, you're not liable. But because you're an employee of an entity that is, I don't know what they would do, but you're correct, you're, you're the entity.

So the point I was making was the fact that The Oregonian is employing people to keep them out of public contact might raise some red flags. I have to be before the legislature. I don't care what your name is. I don't want to know what your name is. But Securitas would be involved because they are taking on-

Private Security Contractor: Well, and you do whatever you want because literally I've had people come in here and threaten my life.

Logan M Isaac: That sucks, man.

Private Security Contractor: And I don't care if you're the governor. She came in and tried to strong-arm [00:03:00] me once, and I'm like, "I'm sorry, I can't help you." It's the, it's the rules that I'm bound by, and Securitas will not fault me. You can name them- Good ... in the lawsuit, whatever you want.

Logan M Isaac: But it's important because I'll provide evidence that I was here and that I tried to get there, and the only thing was Securitas saying, "I'm bound by XYZ."

That's the point I'm making. I'm not... I need to provide evidence.

Private Security Contractor: Now you're, now you're involving me and my company in, in your-

Logan M Isaac: Your company, yes ...

Private Security Contractor: in your issue.

Logan M Isaac: Yeah. I mean, you are involved. That's, that's the problematic part. But, uh, and the public editor probably-

Private Security Contractor: So do you want me to stand and listen to you tell me what the thing is? Because I'm probably gonna forget.

Logan M Isaac: No, that, that, that's right. You don't need to remember. Um-

Private Security Contractor: I don't mean to be rude, but I've, I've literally had groups of activists come in here and yell at me and threaten me-

Logan M Isaac: That sucks ...

Private Security Contractor: bring weapons. I've had people threaten my life. I've had people try to seduce me.

I've tried-- people try to bribe me.

Logan M Isaac: I hope you get paid for this .

Private Security Contractor: I'm like a nobody. I'm the ensign that gets shot before the, before the credits. So I- Yes, yes ... there's no reason for anyone to come after me to do anything. I'm just-

Logan M Isaac: [00:04:00] I agree ...

Private Security Contractor: a guy sitting in a chair.

Logan M Isaac: We have more in common than you think.

That's my point. The Oregonian is hiding behind power just like Securitas will hide behind power.

Private Security Contractor: Everyone does, and cool. It's on TV.

Logan M Isaac: That's not okay with me. Why? I saw buddies die for democracy, and democracy is important to me.

Private Security Contractor: Yeah, I know. I, I know many people who were killed by crazy [writers?] on January Sixth and nobody is pardoning them or giving them a medal of honor.

Logan M Isaac: ...Public editor. Yeah. Okay, thank you.

Private Security Contractor: I'm sorry about that.

Logan M Isaac: No, don't, don't apologize. It's not you, man. It's Securitas