Subdeacon Joe Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 PD Editorial: Trampling on press rights in phone case The secret search reportedly was in connection with a Department of Justice inquiry into leaked information about cyber-attacks on Iran and about an al-Qaida-hatched plot to place an explosive device aboard a U.S.-bound flight. But as yet, Justice officials have not explained why so many records were needed, what came of the investigation and why no attempt was made to notify or work with the Associated Press before obtaining the subpoenas. The potential negative effects of this witch hunt on the media's ability to serve its watchdog function are extensive. The knowledge that phone records could clandestinely be examined by the government will have a chilling effect on the willingness of whistleblowers to approach the media in confidence. This just underscores, once again, the need for a federal shield law. At the moment, 49 states and the District of Columbia all have legal provisions that allow journalists to protect sources who provide information anonymously. Because there is no such federal shield law, a journalist's ability to protect sources in federal matters is at constant risk. Congress came close to passing such a law four years ago after a number of high-profile cases left journalists jailed for refusing to disclose confidential sources. But that effort eventually failed. My comment on the whining of the Press Democrat editorial staph (sic) Now, now...you are just being paranoid and alarmist! No one wants to take away your presses! But isn't it time for some reasonable control of the press? I bet the editors don't see the irony of their position. They are all in favor of trampling on other civil rights, but go bawling like castrated calves when the government intrudes on their rights. News flash for you - once you give the government the power to take away one civil right - as the editors of the PD have been advocating, and as we see happening now - it becomes a whole lot easier for the government to take away other civil rights. If you don't protect ALL of the enumerated rights, they will all fall "for the good of the people." Or the children. Or some other knee-jerk, emotional pablum. They just.. don't understand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harvey Mushman Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 +1, but I think you were too subtle for them (and many of their readers) to connect the dots to the Second Amendment. As the press (AP in particular) has licked the boots of the administration for the most part till now, they have earned it's lack of respect in return. That IS TRUE Irony, but to be expected with this particular ideology. Power can corrupt, especially if the sunlight is not shown upon it over time. That is the key role of the press - no matter the party, ideology, individual or group in the position of power. Our Founders are spinning in their graves and profoundly concerned with what we have done with their grand gift and experiment in self governance. I hope WE are awakening nationally, time will tell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mean Matt McCord, SASS #24683 Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 I have no sympathy for them whatsoever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Four-Eyed Buck,SASS #14795 Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 No sympathy here either. They helped put that Admin. in office, now they can reap the benefits...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loophole LaRue, SASS #51438 Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 I do have sympathy If we truly believe in the inviolable integrity of the Bill of Rights, we need to stand together against any abuse of power by this government LL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apache Hawk 60642 Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 No sympathy here either. They helped put that Admin. in office, now they can reap the benefits...... Same here ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted May 17, 2013 Author Share Posted May 17, 2013 I do have sympathy If we truly believe in the inviolable integrity of the Bill of Rights, we need to stand together against any abuse of power by this government LL My intent was to point out their double standard - whining about wire taps and taking records, which don't really infringe upon or abridge their 1st amendment rights at all - while at the same time (although not in the same editorial) calling for the elimination of the 2nd amendment. Yes, we all need to to stand together to protect ALL of our rights. Make that ALL of our rights. Not, as the press does, pick and choose. Or try to pretend that "the people" in one of the amendments really means "the state." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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