Should the Press be held accountable?

[DawnCt1]

Apparently, at least two protesters, who have gotton inside of the RNC convention; Medea Benjamen, (Pink) and Yale Student Thomas Frampton, gained access with press passes given to them by the sympathetic press. Those members of the press, who contribute to breaches in security should be arrested as well. I also think that their employers should take a closer look at their HR policies and consider whether they are the kind of men and women they want to work for them.

 

[Abracadabra]

Yes, let's throw out the First Amendment, especially when someone dares commit such a heinous crime as to question King George 43.

 

[AirForceRocks]

Originally posted by Abracadabra
Yes, let's throw out the First Amendment, especially when someone dares commit such a heinous crime as to question King George 43.

I don't see where the First Amendment comes into this at all. It is a given that large gatherings, such as political conventions, have a right to determine who will and won't be permitted to attend. Security passes were issued for a reason, and if the someone in the press gave those passes to someone that wasn't authorized to have them, then of course that person should have their pass revoked.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Who is saying they aren't allowed to question the President or anyone?

Next time someone yells "fire" in a crowded theatre, should they claim freedom of speech even though they may have created a panic?

And if someone comes to a party at your house and brings a friend of theirs that you did not invite, and said friend insults you, are you going to let them stay because of their first amendment rights?

I think the issue is security. In an event like a political convention or rally, I believe the party in question, be it the GOP, the Dems, the Libertarians, or whomever, has the right to restrict access to the facility. Especially in this day and age when any ordinary joe schmoe could be a Mohammad Atta.

Again, who is saying the protestors aren't allowed to question the President? They may not be able to question them at MSG at the convention, which is a private event, despite the media coverage, but they are more than welcome to do so in other venues.

 

[Abracadabra]

Originally posted by AirForceRocks
I don't see where the First Amendment comes into this at all. It is a given that large gatherings, such as political conventions, have a right to determine who will and won't be permitted to attend. Security passes were issued for a reason, and if the someone in the press gave those passes to someone that wasn't authorized to have them, then of course that person should have their pass revoked.

Having trouble understanding sarcasm?

I have no problem with the RNC having security, but I also have no problem with protesters using a creative loophole in the tight security net -- which, after all, is designed to keep the convention completely scripted and a complete adoration/coronation for King George 43 -- to exercise their right to free speech.

The RNC is entitled to their lovefest/coronation, but to get bent out of shape over 2 protesters in a crowd of thousands... well, that's making a mountain out of a molehill. But then it seems this is something the Party that Used to be the Party of Abraham Lincoln is able to perform with gusto these days.

This barely qualifies as a college prank, but it is very entertaining to watch conservatives get their panties in a wad over it.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Originally posted by AirForceRocks
Security passes were issued for a reason, and if the someone in the press gave those passes to someone that wasn't authorized to have them, then of course that person should have their pass revoked.

ITA

Going as far as arresting people and firing people is going too far, IMO, assuming the people they gave the passes to did nothing illegal.

 

[AirForceRocks]

Having trouble understanding sarcasm?

Uh-oh, someone has on their cranky pants this morning...

I have no problem with the RNC having security, but I also have no problem with protesters using a creative loophole in the tight security net

It doesn't seem that it was a loophole at all, but rather a press member abusing the press pass that was issued for his use. As such, that press pass should be revoked and that person should be denied further entry into the convention.

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by Bob Slydell
ITA

Going as far as arresting people and firing people is going too far, IMO, assuming the people they gave the passes to did nothing illegal.

Would it become "illegal" if a protester turned terrorist" attacked someone within the convention halls? Security passes are issues for a reason. Just as it would be illegal for me to give an underage drinker my driver's license to purchase alcohol, it should be illegal to transfer a security to pass to another to gain access to where they aren't invited. Before anyone says that the protesters are "peaceful", consider the NYPD officer who was kicked into unconsciousness.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I would think press credentials, passes of any type, for a gathering such as this, if only from a security perspective, are not transferable. If they can be prosecuted, so be it.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Originally posted by DawnCt1
Would it become "illegal" if a protester turned terrorist" attacked someone within the convention halls?

Yes. That would be illegal. Did one of those two people do that?

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by Bob Slydell
Yes. That would be illegal. Did one of those two people do that?

Could the person who "owned" the press pass know what would happen when he handed his pass over? When you give someone access to something that was issued to you, you take that risk. It could have turned out badly.

 

[Abracadabra]

Originally posted by AirForceRocks
Uh-oh, someone has on their cranky pants this morning...

That's the best comeback you can come up with? Better pour yourself another cup of joe.

 

[LoraJ]

Originally posted by Obi-Wan Pinobi
Who is saying they aren't allowed to question the President or anyone?

Have you been reading the news that you can't get into any of Bush's campaign road stops unless you sign a paper saying you will vote for him. Wow, that sounds like the American Spirit.

All Bush's press conference and interview questions must be pre-screened. What kind of poopdidoop is that?

 

[Abracadabra]

Originally posted by DawnCt1
Could the person who "owned" the press pass know what would happen when he handed his pass over? When you give someone access to something that was issued to you, you take that risk. It could have turned out badly.

Ah, the old "coulda" game.

OTOH, the press corps could have known these people and they could have known what they planned to do. The press corps could have seen the protest signs. They could have talked to them.

See how easy it is to play the "Coulda" game?

Yeah, it could have turned out badly, but the reality is it didn't. Once again what starts as a molehill is being elevated to the size of the Rocky Mtns. One mustn't mess with the great and mighty coronation ceremony. *SIGH*

 

[Bob Slydell]

Originally posted by DawnCt1
Could the person who "owned" the press pass know what would happen when he handed his pass over? When you give someone access to something that was issued to you, you take that risk. It could have turned out badly.

I'll take that as a no. Thanks.

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by Abracadabra
Ah, the old "coulda" game.

OTOH, the press corps could have known these people and they could have known what they planned to do. The press corps could have seen the protest signs. They could have talked to them.

See how easy it is to play the "Coulda" game?

Yeah, it could have turned out badly, but the reality is it didn't. Once again what starts as a molehill is being elevated to the size of the Rocky Mtns. One mustn't mess with the great and mighty coronation ceremony. *SIGH*

I don't see how circumventing security for whatever reason is a molehill. Security exists for a reason. If these little two bit protesters can gain access so easily, what does it say to someone intent on doing harm. If those reporters worked for me, that wouldn't anymore. I would consider that they violated company policy.

 

[Abracadabra]

Originally posted by DawnCt1
I don't see how circumventing security for whatever reason is a molehill. Security exists for a reason. If these little two bit protesters can gain access so easily, what does it say to someone intent on doing harm. If those reporters worked for me, that wouldn't anymore. I would consider that they violated company policy.

Oh, d-d-d-dear! A couple of "two bit protesters" gain access because they happen to find a couple of sympathetic individuals from the press corps.

I find it laughable that anyone would seriously think that a political convention of all places would qualify as a major terrorist target. It's hard enough these days to get most broadcast or cable networks to pay attention without dozing off. About the only reason most networks cover what they do is because they couldn't sell enough ad time during those slots to make it profitable to put on a re-run. The cable networks run what they do to fill the time. Even Chris Matthews has to take a potty break once in a while.

But please do keep working that bulldozer, Dawn. You've got a nice little mound going. With some more effort you might actually get a 5% grade going soon. I doubt this will ever reach "mountain" proportions though ... sorry to disappoint you.

 

[spearenb]

Originally posted by Abracadabra

I find it laughable that anyone would seriously think that a political convention of all places would qualify as a major terrorist target.

Lets see, MSG holds 15-18K, there are major politicians there (both parties I might add), and it is a major event in the United States in the largest city in the United States... Yep! No terrorist target there...

 

[Fizban257]

Abracadabra's bitter tirades aside, and back to original question at hand, should the press be held accountable? I think yes. Al Queda has announced their intention to hit the U.S. again before the election and security at both conventions has been very tight because of this threat. Members of the press are issued credentials after careful screening and to pass credentials along to anyone who has not be subjected to similar screening is just plain dangerous. These may have been two-bit protesters, but most of the 19 hi-jackers on 9/11 were not on the watch lists. What these reporters did was wrong and a violation of public's trust in a responsible press--not to mention the amunition it gives to those arguing the press's liberal bias.

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by Abracadabra
I find it laughable that anyone would seriously think that a political convention of all places would qualify as a major terrorist target. .

You can't be serious?? The VP has been there all week. His family was their two nights ago. The president will be there tonight, not to mention the former president, other statesmen, and the thousands of delegates. Get a grip!!