In the Gulf, the Government's Muzzling the Media
James Poulos, Ed. ·
Jul 13, 2010 at 6:17am
Think this rule didn’t come directly from the White House? Getting within 65 feet of essential gulf recovery efforts is now a Class D felony with a $40,000 fine. Reporters have been thwarted again and again trying to bring us reportage on the Gulf situation.
"That makes it very easy," Anderson Cooper explains, "to hide failure and hide incompetence." Res ipsa loquitur.
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Jul '10
Re: In the Gulf, the Government's Muzzling the Media
If Obama has lost Anderson Cooper he has lost a good percentage of the oddly-named mainstream media. But what could be more natural than for an administration to want to hide what failures it can? With the helpful connivance of his media allies, Obama has managed to keep the lid on such stories as Van Jones, Black Panther voter intimidation, the wealth redistributer who heads Medicare, Climategate, NASA's outreach to Muslims, the true cost of ObamaCare and how your health care will suffer, and so many more. But somebody made the mistake of setting up a live camera to watch the ongoing spill, so that story couldn't go away from MSM neglect. But the administration can still try to suppress it at the margins, hence Cooper's huffiness. But he will be back in the fold before you know it.
May '10
Re: In the Gulf, the Government's Muzzling the Media
I wouldn't think that 65 feet (strange number?) is much of a hindrance given the technology available off the shelf for remotely looking and listening at things. My teenage daughter, who is enamored with all things photographic, just purchased with her own funds a lens that can clearly show an insect at 100 feet.
I suspect this more the work of an over-zealous bureaucrat than an attempt at secrecy. Oil is, after all, flammable and considered a hazardous material. The safety wingnuts worry about us using our cell phones at the gas pump!
May '10
Re: In the Gulf, the Government's Muzzling the Media
65 feet sounds like a lot, but it's not. Go out to your local HS baseball diamond and stand 5 feet behind the plate. If you can't see what's going on at the pitcher's mound you need some serious eyewear.
The average ENG camera has an 18:1 lens. At that distance you can find navel lint.
May '10
Re: In the Gulf, the Government's Muzzling the Media
tomjedrz: I wouldn't think that 65 feet (strange number?) is much of a hindrance given the technology available off the shelf for remotely looking and listening at things. My teenage daughter, who is enamored with all things photographic, just purchased with her own funds a lens that can clearly show an insect at 100 feet.
I suspect this more the work of an over-zealous bureaucrat than an attempt at secrecy. Oil is, after all, flammable and considered a hazardous material. The safety wingnuts worry about us using our cell phones at the gas pump! · Jul 13 at 7:32am
OK .. I stand corrected. They are using safety and security as an excuse, but apparently paranoia and secrecy are also concerns.
Re: In the Gulf, the Government's Muzzling the Media
Remember that huge outcry that erupted when Bush did the same thing after Katrina?
Oh, wait.
Re: In the Gulf, the Government's Muzzling the Media
Not even lunchtime, and here's your Ricochet Quote of the Day.
May '10
Re: In the Gulf, the Government's Muzzling the Media
Not exactly like losing Uncle Walter.
Axelrod: Oh my God! We've lost the Metrosexual viewers of CNN!
Gibbs: Both of them?
Jun '10
Re: In the Gulf, the Government's Muzzling the Media
What's magic about 65 feet, is that it's impossible to have a private conversation with anyone, and exceptionally awkward to have a public one.
May '10
Re: In the Gulf, the Government's Muzzling the Media
65 feet is close to 20 meters. Those fools are using the metric system.
May '10
Re: In the Gulf, the Government's Muzzling the Media
“I don’t give a care about their rule. We’re going to fix the boom. We’re going to suck up oil. We’re going to do our job and let the media have access.”...Billy Nungesser, Plaquemines Parish President.
That's the America Obama is afraid of.
May '10
Re: In the Gulf, the Government's Muzzling the Media
What? How can the government just up and do this? Did they pass a law to this effect? Can the White House just up and make things a felony?
How long will the Media keep carrying water for Obama? They love the guy. Will CNN stick with this, or will they just report on it an let it drop?
May '10
Re: In the Gulf, the Government's Muzzling the Media
It's not a law. It's a regulation. (There is a difference!) The logic is that is for both the workers and the media's safety. Once you place the government in charge of your safety (and your health) you are federalized and all bets are off.
May '10
Re: In the Gulf, the Government's Muzzling the Media
EJHill
It's not a law. It's a regulation. (There is a difference!) The logic is that is for both the workers and the media's safety. Once you place the government in charge of your safety (and your health) you are federalized and all bets are off. · Jul 13 at 3:00pm
Right. Regulations. Congress giving its power away to the Executive to just do as it pleases. I hate those. Congress should have to approve every one, line by line.
Re: In the Gulf, the Government's Muzzling the Media
And now, Mother Jones interviews ex-BP contractor, whistleblower, and former Army special ops soldier Adam Dillon on what you and the press aren't allowed to see: