White House Proposes Changes in Bill Protecting Reporters’ Confidentiality – W.P.
October 1, 2009 by Tom Barnes · 3 Comments
In today’s New York Times there is a story, almost routine, that outlines the greatest threat to American freedoms that I can remember in my almost 57 years of life. I owe my Republican friends a clear apology. I would have thought that the Bushites would have done this. Instead it was the party of my own political predilictions that have threatened our republic very clearly. This is extremely dangerous.
The Democratic Party Administration that I worked so hard to place into office wants reporters thrown into prison if they use classified sources. The Obamites want strict retributive enforcement and complete oversight of reporters’ sources if classified material is involved. There must be no mistake. This is a direct assault on American freedom. Period.
ALL governments classify whatever they find embarrassing and revealing. They do it because they can. If you cannot find out what your government is doing at all levels, you do not have a government. You have an overlord.
Revolutions break out over this kind of tyranny.
The ONLY way that the American people can be sure that the super wealthy and highly inter-connected oligarchs that run this country are not running away with the family treasures is to have unlimited access to their actions by the press. The Fourth Estate is the only thing that stands between us and absolute tyranny. Without a free press that has access to all levels of government tom-foolery we are nothing more than a sham government that exists for the delight and complete use of the robber barons.
The story is here. May God help us in this Dark Time.
CWO3 Tom Barnes, USCG (Ret.)
I often find fault with Sens. Charles E. Schumer [topics.nytimes.com] of New York and Arlen Specter [topics.nytimes.com] of Penn.
But their blasting of Pres. Obama is right-on in the matter.
National security. How about this is our government and there is a powerful presumption against any idiot in the executive branch deciding that we citizens cannot see information.
It’s likely this is mere political posturing by Obama to polish his tough-guy-protector image that strategist think he (or any pres. candidate) needs for reelection, but Obama is posturing by risking a reform that is critical to a democracy.
As you say: "This is a direct assault on American freedom. Period."
I’m ashamed to say I voted for Obama. He has been a disappointment from the get-go. I don’t know where we go from here as a nation. Its obvious our government is compromised beyond redemption and our msm is nearly the same. Theses are indeed dark times for our Republic.
Three more years and we can elect a new president. I am also VERY disappointed.