In a very short piece, in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, we learn that there are six prominent Republican office holders that have been threatened online. The threat appeared in a posting on Craigslist.

 “U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner of Menomonee Falls was among those threatened in an online posting. Sensenbrenner aide Tom Schreibel confirmed Friday that Sensenbrenner was included in the posting. As with other public officials, Sensenbrenner learned about the threat Wednesday from law enforcement, Schreibel said.”

So serious is the threat to the top Republicans including the Governor, Lt Governor and a Senator that the FBI is involved. In the paranoia about attacks on politicians since last Saturday you would expect this to be all over the news. Yet a quick search finds only that short blurb as the only report online about this serious threat.

Contrast that to the reports that four Republicans in Arizona have resigned over perceived threats from the tea party. Rawstory has a long piece on the resignations. It is one of many extensive pieces on the story.

“District Republican chairman: 'I don't want to take a bullet for anyone. Fearing violence from tea party activists, Arizona Legislative District 20 Republican Chairman Anthony Miller and several others tendered their resignation this week following mass shootings that left six dead and Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) in critical condition”

Think Progress covered the story, reporting that “in an email to the state’s GOP chair, Miller cited “constant verbal attacks” after his election last year “and Internet blog posts by some local members with Tea Party ties made him worry about his family’s safety.” Many of his Republican colleagues followed him out the door:”

Left of center outlets like The View and Alternet also wrote extensive pieces on the resignation.

Those who resigned in Arizona are merely Republican party operatives and not even elected officials.  Add to that the complete lack of evidence of any violence stemming from the tea party movement and the reporting on this story seems a bit over-wrought.

Is this merely an oversight by the media or merely an example of the double-standards on reporting? If this many prominent Democrats were threatened in one state would the coverage be equally sparse? Under siege tea party members and others on the right would like to the know the answer.