ABC’s Ross: Surveillance of Journalists ‘Makes Me Feel…As If We Are Drug Dealers or Terrorists’
ABC’s Ross: Surveillance of Journalists ‘Makes Me Feel…As If We Are Drug Dealers or Terrorists’
This morning on CNN’s Reliable Sources, ABC’s chief investigative correspondent Brian Ross — who this week learned he was the target of federal surveillance operations — described the effect that unchecked spying is having on journalists:
ROSS: [I]t makes me feel, in a way — and this is, I think, the disturbing part — as if we are drug dealers or terrorists trying to traffic in information, and should we be using bags full of quarters like old Mafia capos to avoid having our phone calls traced? I don’t think I’m doing anything wrong; I don’t think any other reporter is, either. We’re trying to cover these stories, which are difficult, but which are very important.
Ross also revealed that the surveillance has had a chilling effect on his sources, who now risk being exposed:
I’m working on a big story now with people who are confidential sources inside the Federal Air Marshal Service. They were all alarmed that they might be exposed as talking with me in violation of rules. So it’s of great concern.
Full transcript below:
KURTZ: How did you find out that the administration is tracking your phone calls and those of other journalists?
ROSS: Well, a confidential source and a leak, and a very good tip that was surprising to us. Someone told — a senior federal official told my colleague, Rich Esposito, that “We know who you are calling; you should get some new cell phones and quick.†That’s what we know, Howard. We don’t know how it is they know who we’re calling. We’ve been trying to figure that out. But this source is so good that we take it very seriously.
KURTZ: Just on a personal level, how did you — what was your reaction to learn that law enforcement officials, according to this source, are analyzing the numbers that you dial — presumably in an effort to track down your other confidential sources?
ROSS: You know, I guess as an abstract, we always thought that was likely or possible, but once I actually heard this specific information — and this person knew a couple of specific calls — it was truly alarming and made you think, well, my gosh — what are we going to do about this? It means a lot more in-person visits. I’m working on a big story now with people who are confidential sources inside the Federal Air Marshal Service. They were all alarmed that they might be exposed as talking with me in violation of rules. So it’s of great concern.
KURTZ: What other news organizations are being — having their phone calls tracked, according to your informant?
ROSS: We were told reporters at “The New York Times†and “The Washington Post,†and it seemed consistent with the information we know, that the CIA has made several criminal referrals to the Department of Justice, the FBI, based on stories that the “Post†and the “Times†have run about CIA secret prisons and the Jim Risen story at “The New York Times†about NSA wiretapping. In both cases, those agencies have confirmed that criminal investigations have begun. And when we checked with the FBI, they put out a statement that essentially said, We take logical investigative steps, starting with the phone records of the government agencies. And then you sort of read through and parse out what they say, it seems that if they go after reporters, they say they do it in a legal fashion.
KURTZ: Not exactly a hard denial. Were you given any names of journalists who might be on the receiving end of this?
ROSS: Other than Esposito and Ross, no. But I’m assuming your colleague, Dana Priest, and Rison and others at the “Times,†who have done a lot of important work that involved information that the CIA, I assume, presumes to be classified and they see that as a violation of the law. And that starts the process by which they essentially can use provisions of the Patriot Act if they chose, or just a grand jury, to pursue it. And it makes me feel, in a way — and this is, I think, the disturbing part — as if we are drug dealers or terrorists trying to traffic in information, and should we be using bags full of quarters like old Mafia capos to avoid having our phone calls traced? I don’t think I’m doing anything wrong; I don’t think any other reporter is, either. We’re trying to cover these stories, which are difficult, but which are very important.
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As far as this administration is concerned they (the Media) are worst than drug dealers or terrorists: they could be uncovering their lies. Exposing the truth is far more dangerous than being a terrorist in their eyes.
May 21st, 2006 at 11:55 amSo now we know what Bush really meant by “Mission Accomplished”.
Had nothing to do with Iraq. Or Terrorism.
May 21st, 2006 at 11:57 amFor the latest NSA scandal news, legal documents, statutes and other essential materials, see:
May 21st, 2006 at 11:58 am“The NSA Domestic Spying Scandal Resources.”
Bush and Rove are thrilled, I’m sure.
May 21st, 2006 at 12:00 pmTheir illegal spying is having the exact effect they wanted.
She’s baaaack !
May 21st, 2006 at 12:02 pmI don’t know, seems like much ado about nothing, seeing as how most of the mainstream news outlets fail to ask critical questions of this administration anyways.
May 21st, 2006 at 12:05 pmNot only that, but supressing it too. Seems like the bush administration already has it covered, this spying on journalists stuff is just icing on the cake.
Cloak, I agree in one sense, but Brian Ross has actually been doing some outstanding investigative work lately. He’s been standing up the administration, and giving voice to sources exposing their incompetence. This is a major issue if he can’t guarantee cover to his souurces.
May 21st, 2006 at 12:12 pmWe already have the CIA, FBI, NSA, NOAA, three tiers of local Police (city, county and state), The National Guard, and The Armed Services.
Now, Bush is adding the KGB, Big Brother and the Gestapo.
What’s next?
May 21st, 2006 at 12:16 pmThe media have been more than complicit in this administration’s efforts to feed candy-coated crap to the mindless masses since. Without MSM efforts, the meal of sweet, corny crunchiness could not have been prepared at all.
It now seems all they’ll receieve in payment for their services is an overdue ride on the throbbing knob they helped lubricate for the rest of us.
Enjoy the ride, assholes. Bleed.
May 21st, 2006 at 12:26 pmLet’s not forget the lengths Deepthroat went to conceal his identity. In part, the gov’t has likely been doing this sort of thing for awhile now. I’m not even convinced the press it’s getting is new.
I’m not justifying it at all – just saying I don’t think this is necessarily anything new.
May 21st, 2006 at 12:28 pmWhere is the liberal rage? If the discourse stays this polite, Bush is winning. Interview Joe Biden, not Hillory.
May 21st, 2006 at 12:30 pmOn Sunday, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales declared that journalists can and should be prosecuted for publishing stories involving classified national security information. “There are some statutes on the book which, if you read the language carefully, would seem to indicate that that is a possibility,” Gonzales said, referring to prosecutions. “We have an obligation to enforce those laws.” The Attorney General also made it clear that the Bush administration would not hesitate to track the phone calls of reporters as part of its campaign to crack down on leaks.
For the details, see:
May 21st, 2006 at 12:38 pm“Gonzales: Reporters Fair Game.”
Biden? Joe Biden? Joseph “Plugs” Biden? The guy’s a dooshbag. Go to your local hair-pluggin’ clinic. Talk to anyone there. All assholes. All you gotta know about Plugsy is HE HAS PLUGS. Nuff said.
May 21st, 2006 at 12:43 pmThat means “If we spin the law to our favor, we can arrest people for exposing the Fuehor”
May 21st, 2006 at 12:45 pmThis is SO F’d up…
May 21st, 2006 at 12:50 pmfrom the comments, raw story – ‘National security trumps free press’
May 21st, 2006 at 12:27:42 From: Krotos Hairetikos
Apparently our esteemed Attorney General has never heard of New York Times Co. v. United States (1971), also known as the “Pentagon Papers” case, in which the Supreme Court established the right of newspapers to publish leaked classified information without fear of prosecution.
apparently…
May 21st, 2006 at 12:53 pmkaty,
Why would the Attorney General of the United States be aware of important cases like that?
May 21st, 2006 at 12:58 pmWhen they rename the country to The Halliburton Empire, and install Chimpy as Emporer, none of the old United States stuff will apply. They’re just trying to get us used to it now. Kinda like converting to the metric system…
May 21st, 2006 at 12:58 pmSo, what are you going to do about it, Brian Ross? Are you just going to talk to Howie about it? Or are you going to do a STORY about it? Maybe expose this crap now that it’s hitting a little too close to home? Or are you just going to get your roll of quarters and slink away? Hmmmm?
May 21st, 2006 at 1:01 pmQueen George the Dumb uses the Baseball rule: Play ball with me or I will shove the bat up your ass. Why should Ross be any different than the rest of us 70 percenters?
See QGtD’s newest award! Click on Clyde.
May 21st, 2006 at 1:10 pmRide, baby, ride! Reap what you sow!
May 21st, 2006 at 1:11 pmLet’s see if we have the Republican “enemies list” complete.
*Democrats
*Moderate Republicans
*Liberals
*Athiests
*Muslims
*Bhuddists
*Agnostics
*Gays
*Bisexuals
*Lesbians
*Hollywood celebrities
*Print and press media
*Democrats in the military
*Those who disagree with George W. Bush
*France, Germany, Russia, China, Venezuela, Cuba, Syria, Iran, Italy, Canada, North Korea, Vietnam
*Anyone working in the governement who doesn’t swear loyality to George W. Bush
*Blacks
*Latinos
*People on welfare and public assistance
*College Academia
*Environmentalists
*Peace activists
I know I am missing a few enemies.
May 21st, 2006 at 1:21 pmGet on a Grand jury and indict the criminals. Then convict them.
May 21st, 2006 at 1:26 pmI know I am missing a few enemies.
Comment by GSD — May 21, 2006 @ 1:21 pm
Yesterday he personally added ‘teenagers’ to your list.
May 21st, 2006 at 1:30 pmOT, but what just happened to the newest post on Bush’s bike?
May 21st, 2006 at 1:46 pmWill the news reporters fight back…? Only one way to beat this bunch..start printing and telling the whole truth…expose them to the public..expose the “vote rigging” let the American people see exactly whats going on…let the people understand and see every dirty, back-handed trick or any law they have broken…in other words bring the rath of the people down on their ears..before it is to late to do anything…
May 21st, 2006 at 2:31 pmInhibiting freedom of the press can have the opposite effect of that intended, in that “conspiracy theories” (as called by those that give ‘their’ version of the news),flourish and in the end become more dangerous to those controlling the news than had they reported the news objectively in the first place.
May 21st, 2006 at 2:37 pm“Weapons should only be allowed in the hands of the government.”
Al-Maliki, New Iraqi President.
Hey Republicans, sounds like George W. Bush is teaching those Iraqis well.
May 21st, 2006 at 2:56 pm“I don’t know, seems like much ado about nothing, seeing as how most of the mainstream news outlets fail to ask critical questions of this administration anyways.”
“I’m not justifying it at all – just saying I don’t think this is necessarily anything new.”
These are defeatist statements. It’s a clear example of the type of thinking that will kill us all. What do you want us to do? Roll over and play dead? You are as much of the problem as the traitors that have brought us to this point. The lack of vigilance is what we are paying for now.
May 21st, 2006 at 2:58 pmHow did the NY Times possess classified information and retain it, securely, for a whole year?
May 21st, 2006 at 2:59 pm“Weapons should only be allowed in the hands of the government.â€
Al-Maliki, New Iraqi President.
So I suppose their constitution doesn’t include a Bill of Rights for things like the right to bear weapons, or freedom of speech, or those sorts of liberties then?
May 21st, 2006 at 3:00 pmI think President Al-Maliki forgot to add, TO SELL .
May 21st, 2006 at 3:08 pmImpeachment is the ONLY thing that will stop these crooks, and NOBODY so far has the guts to do it. America is being raped under the ABUSE OF WAR POWERS. Let’s declare UN-WAR and cut off the power and abuse.
May 21st, 2006 at 3:16 pmSomeone remove the break pads on chimp-face’s bicycle.
May 21st, 2006 at 3:18 pmThen hand him a pretzel and give him a good strong shove down the cut-bank.
Oh nonsense! Maybe ABC should just be nicey-nicey to Herr “Snowflake” Goebells. The whole MSM ’s asked for this one…well, you got it, now whatcha gonna do about? Kiss asses!
May 21st, 2006 at 3:36 pmI’ve been under surveillance and CoIntelPro’s since June of 2002 for having the audacity to do a webcast and criticize mainstream media’s role in the cover-ups of the crimes commited by this administration. I’ve gone through a great deal of culture shock and gotten over a great deal of denial about how this government treats dissenters – and it isn’t just Bush and it isn’t just Republican – silly me – I actually believed that I had freedom of speech.
May 21st, 2006 at 3:46 pmthe “Pentagon Papers†case, in which the Supreme Court established the right of newspapers to publish leaked classified information without fear of prosecution.
Not quite. The Pentagon Papers case allowed the newspapers to publish their stories by refusing to grant an injunction, a prior restraint on freedom of the press. However the opinion did leave the door open for criminal prosecutions after the publication.
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=US&vol=403&invol=713
MR. JUSTICE STEWART, with whom MR. JUSTICE WHITE joins, concurring.
With One-Party Rule, and especially if the One-Party gains a clear majority on the Supreme Court, there are no limits to the Government’s Power.
May 21st, 2006 at 3:49 pmThe Bush administration has stepped over the line this time with there March to Dictatorship. One of the news source’s they had in the whitehouse’s back pocket was ABC news. How stupit can they get! I am worried, very worried.
May 21st, 2006 at 4:15 pmDamn. Just when getting the truth out of government was as easy as a cell phone call or an email… journalists have to contact their sources via dead drops, safe houses, secret codes, etc.
All sounds rather ‘Cold War’ doesn’t it? Hmmmm. Whose playing the Soviet role now? Hmmmm.
There’s a Le Carre novel in here somewhere.
Cheers,
May 21st, 2006 at 4:27 pmClemsy
The bone head media helped in the trashing of this country. What’s their gripe?
Article I:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
What part of this still exists since the creation of free speech zones, a corporate owned press, and being tagged as a hater of America for asking for answers from those who are supposed to represent the people?
Freedom of $peech
Freedom of the Pre$$
Freedom of A$$embly
Petition government for redre$$ of grievances
They are ALL gone now.
9/11 did change everything. Instead of asking questions and demanding answers, the American people have become as much a bunch of stooges for corporate conglomerates and the new world order as the “leadership” of this nation on all levels.a Corporate predators are around because the people want it that way and are more than happy to vote against their own interests and not question those in authority when it is their right. The national association of manufacturers was the begining, but we now have CEO summits that call the shots on how America is to be driven. No tough questions will ever be asked by the corporate owned media.
The declaration of dependence
We, the sheeple, in order to form a better flock, will abide by the rules of the elite so that we should remain loyal to those with better judgement, who have written our history and will write our future. That we will not see, hear or speak evil of those who we owe our continuing existence too and like 9/11 will act as a sheep whose eyes are blinded by the light of our leaders. That it is better to listen and obey than to question the judgement of those who know so much more than us. Just as Able Danger never existed, we can always count on our overseers to tell us the truth.
The pledge need some work too.
I pledge allegiance to the government of the Secret State of America, and to the Elite for which it stands, one nation under surveillance, with liberty and justice for those that can afford it.
Perhaps the flag can be converted to a single grey star on a field of black too, with “Secret State of America” embroidered along the edges.
May 21st, 2006 at 4:44 pmThis latest development is absolutely chilling. Bush&Co will stifle the press, thereby the public will not be informed of the illegal (or controversial) activities of the government. They have effectively halted government oversight through their “ownership” of the House, Senate and Judiciary; the only thing left was the press – and they have sufficiently intimidated the ones they have not purchased.
May 21st, 2006 at 4:44 pmThreatening to prosecute reporters for reporting is another step toward totalitarianism.
This is fascism, folks, it must be stopped.
Ironically, it was the enabling of this administration by the press (in not questioning them, or challenging their claims) that has contributed to the state their reporters find themselves in today.
May 21st, 2006 at 4:47 pmIronically, it was the enabling of this administration by the press (in not questioning them, or challenging their claims) that has contributed to the state their reporters find themselves in today
You nailed it. Here is the classic example.
May 21st, 2006 at 5:28 pmThe fascist Nazi State, reproduced right here in the United States.
This fascist terrorist regime’s crimes against its own people is exactly what the old Soviet Union did.
What’s worse is that Democrat traitors are in full goose-step with these Republinazi traitors.
May 21st, 2006 at 5:34 pmIronically, it was the enabling of this administration by the press (in not questioning them, or challenging their claims) that has contributed to the state their reporters find themselves in today.
Comment by Marie
That’s not true at all. This President has been vilified more than any President in History (other than Lincoln) by the national press. CBS even went so far to publish the famous forgery and call it truth, something they’ve never to this day backed away from. What the press is doing now is giving Clinton era State Department people a forum to air their dirty laundry, hurt the Bush administration and sabotage the war effort as well as harm our ability to find Al Queda operatives.
These leakers need to be afraid and these “journalists” need to know that their sources are traitors and printing what they say is treason. It wasn’t so long ago we’d have summarily shot these people. I think it’s time we shoot a few to show the Leftist spies and saboteurs in our government that we mean business.
May 21st, 2006 at 5:35 pm#31: How did the NY Times possess classified information?
They didn’t. This fascist regime is claiming that all evidence of their crimes against humanity (torture and rape of innocent people) and of treason against America (mass espionage without warrants, subpoenas, or court orders) are some how “natual security issues.”
These fascist butchers are claiming that the evidence of their crimes can’t be entered into the prosecution’s case because they’re “national security issues.”
They’re not. It’s zero different than Nixon — another Republinazi traitor and terrorist — claiming the evidence of his crimes are “state secrets” and as such it’s illegal to expose them.
May 21st, 2006 at 6:02 pmDon’t feed the troll.
May 21st, 2006 at 6:44 pmThe CBS document was a forgery — but the information it contained was true.
May 21st, 2006 at 6:45 pmThis president is more vilified than any other because he is without a doubt the worst president in our history.
When the press is allowed only to report the propaganda from the government without question or challenge, there is no press — there is totalitarianism.
Torture X
Gulags X
Arrests without rights X
Spying on all citizens X
Threatening the free press X
Government secrecy X
Why don’t we just call it what it is?
“If this were a dictatorship, it would be a heck of a lot easier – just so long I’m the dictator.” December 18, 2000
http://www.newsgateway.ca/bush_dictator.htm
May 21st, 2006 at 6:46 pmClemsy, when the cold war ended, there were a lot of people in the Reagan and Bush government who lacked purpose for existence. It was imperative to them to invent another “cold war” to justify themselves.
May 21st, 2006 at 6:47 pmDamn straight, Marie. So if I were an investigative journalist, I’d be doin’ my investigatin’ person to person, or use dead drops. Gotta keep away from the electronics completely. If the feds want a source, make a courtroom spectacle of it for the world to see.
May 21st, 2006 at 6:50 pmWhen they took away the terrorists rights to a fair trial, we the press said nothing and the people scared went along with it,
When they lied into a optional war we the press carried their water and lied to the people..and the people scared went along with it
When individual people and groups protested this we the press distorted their views and called them unpatriotic, and the people scared went along with it,
Now we the press find that we are being treated the same as the terrorists, Iraqi’s and thjose we called unpatriotic, and we decry it but with all the people we have scared for this administration they will go along with it.
Sound familiar?
May 21st, 2006 at 7:23 pmCarter, that was a very compelling read. Was there ever any evidence that she “shared it where it counts” ?
May 21st, 2006 at 7:35 pm#53 Clif
May 21st, 2006 at 7:46 pmVery apt analogy. The press should take heed – if it’s not already too late.
Um…helloo-oo! If this fella were at all perceptive (and he doesn’t appear to be — a virtually criminal lapse in a journalist), he should have realized that Dubya has regarded and treated the press as a semi-hostile more or less from the moment he took office. Dubya may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but one thing that he appears to know very well is that the press is really not his friend. They’re not supposed to be — one of the purposes of a free press in the first place is to serve as a governmental watchdog and a potential check to the powers of the state if and when the government fails in its reponsibility towards the people, not that you’d know this from a lot of the folks we have at present who seem more interested in keeping their jobs that they are in reporting the facts. Dubya has shown time and time again that he simply cannot abide criticism or having anyone draw attention to his mistakes — why else does his administration rely so much on the “who are you going to believe, me or your lying brain?” routine. As the administration’s lies and misrepresentations mount higher and higher to the point that they become a house of cards, the more likely it is that the administration will crack down on journalists and attempt to muzzle them so that they can’t report what’s really going on without paying a penalty for it.
May 21st, 2006 at 7:50 pmSticks and stones. I’m still telling on all ya’ll.
May 21st, 2006 at 7:59 pm#52, Clemsy, better keep away from the telescreens!
May 21st, 2006 at 8:08 pmI cannot believe that so many of you are so smug and self-satisfied thinking that MSM is getting what it deserves. MSM has its faults, but we should WANT to maintain what is left of a free press in this country. Don’t you understand that?
Do you think it’s easy to get to the bottom of anything in this bushevikan administration? Do you know how difficult it is to “source” and verify a story before it is printed or aired? Do you know that there are many good journalists who want to be watchdogs for the public good?
Bush and his boyfriends would LOVE to totally eviscerate the media in this country — they would love to have total control over all “news” — STATE RUN NEWS.
Grow up! To be a free country, we need a free press.
May 21st, 2006 at 8:23 pm#58: “Clemsy, better keep away from the telescreens!”
Why? We’re living in the greatest novel that hasn’t been written yet! Actually, I would be surprised if journalists aren’t using spook tactics.
Imagine an NSA informant using a phone to contact the press? That would be pretty effin stupid!
May 21st, 2006 at 8:29 pmImagine an NSA informant using a phone to contact the press? That would be pretty effin stupid!
Comment by Clemsy — May 21, 2006 @ 8:29 pm
kinda like the bushies thinking that the terrists are using phones to contact each other…
May 21st, 2006 at 8:40 pmtho i don’t think they REALLY think that – just an excuse to check on US…
Damn clever terrists. Trickin the bushies into spying on us.
I can imagine Osama bin Forgotten and friends coming up with a new idea, testing it out, see another American liberty trashed, and laugh in their beards until they cry.
Oh where is Monty Python when you need them!
May 21st, 2006 at 8:50 pmThen the 4th Estate should stop succoring the 4th Reich.
May 21st, 2006 at 9:08 pmThere is a reason why the Bushinista Regime is threatening the free press, and that is because the worst of their transgressions have yet to be discovered and reported.
May 21st, 2006 at 9:10 pmThe press can still comunicate with sources, and there will always be true patriots working in the government willing to risk all to expose the criminality of the Bush administration. Like bin Laden, the press understands that electronic communications are not secure, and they will adapt.
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
May 21st, 2006 at 9:28 pmGood point, OxyConservative (#64)–someone needs to keep asking the administration, “So what are you so afraid of us finding out?” I really believe that this is the closest this country has ever become to a police state.
May 21st, 2006 at 10:22 pmThe Bush Regime doesn’t want there to be a real legitimate press in the United States! A dictatorship to survive must control the press, so Bush like any two-bit despot wants the press muzzled and castrated!
May 21st, 2006 at 10:37 pmROSS: [I]t makes me feel, in a way — and this is, I think, the disturbing part — as if we are drug dealers or terrorists trying to traffic in information
What did you expect, Ross. You’ve reported the Commander-in-Chief saying either you are for us, or you’re against us. And then you go and start reporting things critical of Him. Which means you’re against Him. And as Commander-in-Chief and a War-Time President He has unlimited powers under His interpretation of the Constitution.
He might even decide to label certain reporters “enemy combatants” for their role in exposing the operations of the NSA, secret renditions to foreign countries, torture in Guantannamo and Abu Gharib, pictures of flag-draped coffins….
Note: While Corporate Media supported His ascent to Power, it will be the line reporters who will be incarcerated.
May 21st, 2006 at 11:11 pmI perceive the invasion into the professional work of journalist of a free press by such a powerful and covert agency such as the NSA, without not only oversight but outrage by the public for their violations of the 4th amendment, to signify the onset of a new form of politics in the US, and it is called Tyranny.
Beth
May 22nd, 2006 at 3:52 amSan Diego
I perceive the invasion into the professional work of journalist of a free press by such a powerful and covert agency such as the NSA, without not only oversight but outrage by the public for their violations of the 4th amendment, to signify the onset of a new form of politics in the US, and it is called Tyranny.
Beth
May 22nd, 2006 at 3:52 amSan Diego
I have to disagree with those who call US governemt fascist, they are not they are commies in disguise.
May 22nd, 2006 at 5:14 am[...] Think Progress, The Democratic Daily, Pacific Views, and The New York Times [...]
May 22nd, 2006 at 7:45 amIt all began with the theft of the 2000 election. Remember when ABC first called Florida for Gore?…When you can’t trust that your vote is counted properly, you have no democracy. I still don’t trust that our election apparatus is tamper proof. Electronic voting machines (Diebold) with no paper trail is an absolute outrage and MSM and the public in general should have been SCREAMING for remedial action.
May 22nd, 2006 at 8:57 amMSM corporate owners: “mission accomplished”
Journalists have been pimping for the war. They are goose-stepping with the congress and the administration in spreading war across the entire middle east. The people watching the news only get propaganda anyway. The only real news is available from overseas and on independent media on the net. I suppose that the internet will soon be shut down from access to the outside world just as what China has done.
May 22nd, 2006 at 10:49 amWhen Brian Ross says to Kurtz, “…well, my gosh – what are we going to do about this? It means a lot more in-person visits.” How naive can Brian Ross be? They know who he is and there are many ways of monitoring a person’s activities. Big Brother is everywhere.
May 22nd, 2006 at 11:02 am[...] Think Progress has an interesting post where it quotes ABC’s Brian Ross saying the following about government surveillance operations targetting journalists: ROSS: [I]t makes me feel, in a way — and this is, I think, the disturbing part — as if we are drug dealers or terrorists trying to traffic in information, and should we be using bags full of quarters like old Mafia capos to avoid having our phone calls traced? I don’t think I’m doing anything wrong; I don’t think any other reporter is, either. We’re trying to cover these stories, which are difficult, but which are very important. [...]
May 22nd, 2006 at 12:21 pm[...] It’s the Twilight Zone: The fact that this country was, a scant 20 years ago, reporting on the horrors of the Soviet Union using the KGB to silence defectors of the communist party, and now appears to have allowed the our intelligence agencies to make threats to anyone who questions this administration’s policies can only be explained by Rod Sterling narrating to a TV audience that I can’t see. Thankfully, it appears that not everyone in the media has rolled over to accept being capitulation mokeys. ROSS: [I]t makes me feel, in a way — and this is, I think, the disturbing part — as if we are drug dealers or terrorists trying to traffic in information, and should we be using bags full of quarters like old Mafia capos to avoid having our phone calls traced? I don’t think I’m doing anything wrong; I don’t think any other reporter is, either. We’re trying to cover these stories, which are difficult, but which are very important. [...]
May 22nd, 2006 at 12:27 pm#73 – “It all began with the theft of the 2000 election.” – Oft repeated stupid statement by flappe
*****Dear Progs – I realize “personal responsibility” is not a progressive trait, but while you’re busy whining about a “stolen” election and a “selected” President, please take the time to thank the 95,000 leftists who cast their ballot for Ralph Nader. Those are the people responsible for “depriving” Al Roar the presidency.
#74 – “The only real news is available from overseas and on independent media on the net.” – Just Plain
May 22nd, 2006 at 1:19 pm*****Indymedia has a left wing tilt you should LOVE!! Nothing objective – but definitely left. I am amazed you forget the Dem boot licker Dan Rather and his ilk. Poor Dan – such a wonderful Dem suck up – undone by Microsoft Word. (It must have been a conspiracy of “evil”Corporate Powers.)
May 22nd, 2006 at 1:32 pmTo Be Monitored by the N.S.A., Press 1
To Be Monitored by the F.B.I., Press 2
….
If you are a member of the Press…
[...] http://thinkprogress.org/2006/05/21/ross-surveillance/ Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. –1st Amendment [...]
May 22nd, 2006 at 4:24 pmA comment was made that Bush is trying to “stifle” the press. The press stifled itself when the dolt took office and has been a fellow traveler with Bush throughout his administration. If the MSM views the current electronic surveillance as an invasion of privacy, then they have only themselves to blame for relinquishing their responsibillty as a watchdog of governmental operations in order to protect the public interest. If ignorance is bliss–’Tis folly to be wise.
May 22nd, 2006 at 4:51 pmAL G THE ATTY GEN CONTRADICTS HIMSELF
Al G said, ‘journalists can be prosecuted for publishing classified information, citing an obligation to national security…
“We have an obligation to enforce those laws. We have an obligation to ensure that our national security is protected.”‘
Please reread the last sentence.
Is it not a fact that our national security is best protected by first enforcing the laws of our nation?
Is that not our first priority, to uphold the law of the land?
If so, then how can anyone who breaks U.S. law have their illegal actions legally designated as classified information? I cannot understand how this would be possible?
If I am correct, then anyone who blows the whistle on illegal activity cannot by definition be revealing classified information.
Quite the contrary, that whistle blower is assisting in upholding U.S. law and thus is assisting in protecting our national security.
Therefore, either an error was made when the illegal behavior was designated as classified information, and that error is further compounded by Al G the Atty Gen.
The other possibility is the Executive Branch of the U.S. government no longer adheres to the rule of law.
If that is so, then we now live in a state of anarchy with fascists in the White House attempting an outright coup of the U.S.
May 22nd, 2006 at 11:45 pmthey have only themselves to blame for relinquishing their responsibillty as a watchdog of governmental operations in order to protect the public interest. If ignorance is bliss–’Tis folly to be wise.
Comment by Nova16 — May 22, 2006 @ 4:51 pm
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Nova16, you truly experience blissful ignorance.
It may be true that the press has been lax as the watchdogs of governmental operations, but the blame falls first on the Bush/Cheney administration, and second on everyone else combined, including you.
May 22nd, 2006 at 11:54 pmSchmidt–Just read your reply. First of all I did not vote for the dolt in the White House and have contributed time and money to end the worst presidency in the history of the country. Any one who supports The Bush regime and corrupt republican congress is aiding and abetting malfeasance and misfeasance in the high office of the president and congress. Blaming me for Bush’s incompetence is fine with me. I’ll admit that I could do more to help those that want him removed as I do. Hopefully a more rational and reasoned approach to governance is at hand in November. The majority of Americans now know they have been duped and deceived by the Bush cabal and want new direction for the country, Now, my question to you smart ass–Where do you stand on Mr. Bush and his mismanagement?
May 23rd, 2006 at 11:04 am“As If We Are Drug Dealers or Terrorists”
You are terrorists! amerika is the number one terrorist state on the planet. Your only competition is Israel, and they have been teaching you how to become even more effective at murdering people and then blaming your victims for their own murder.
May 23rd, 2006 at 2:59 pm[...] Exposed: The Carlyle Group,. . Exposed: The Carlyle Group Shocking documentary uncovers the subversion of Americas democracy. I defy you to watch this 48 minute documentary and not be outraged about the depth of corruption and deceit within the highest ranks of our government. Note: The first one minute forty seven seconds of this program is in broadcast in Dutch, The remainder is in English. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article3995.htm SOURCE FILE Other articles on this topic Translation of the first one minute forty seven seconds of this program. “The war in Iraq does not seem to be over al all, but in the meantime the rebuilding has already started. This has unleashed fiercecompetition for contracts, which are mainly awarded to American (ed: U.S.) companies. What is remarkable about these companies, is that they have people on their payroll from American politics and the military. Is this a conflict of interest, or is this the new global way of doing business? [text in the screen at this time reads: 'the iron triangle'] One of the companies that operates in this manner is the Carlyle Group.” On their payroll are people like : George Bush (Sr.), James Baker III and old premier John Major.The Carlyle Group is a private investment bank which doesn’t come to the publics attention very often but it is one of the biggest American (ed: USA) investors of the defense industry, telecom, property and financial services.What is the Carlyle Group? Who are the people behind the name? And how much power does Carlyle have? MORE: Fruit of the Poison Tree By Charles Sullivan Every aspect of American politics is enacted within the shell of Plutocratic corporate rule. Therefore, the Plutocratic tree will continue to bear the fruit of Plutocracy, regardless of which party is in power. During the past fifty years of the American experiment the difference between Democrat and Republican has become increasingly subtle. In essence there is only one party—that of wealth and privilege. Continue Paranoia, depression, or a world of hope:By Stephen SoldzThe country that proportionally consumes more of the world’s resources than any other is concerned that others want to steal from us, to take away the resources we stole fair and square. And every once in a while our defenses weaken and we glimpse the environmental destruction that awaits us if we do not change the path we are on. Continue Star Wars In IraqIs The U.S. using new experimental “Tactical High Energy Laser” weapons in Iraq? RAI – Italian TV Investigation” It was a very strange and horrible situation. In the roof of the car there were parts of the body: intestines, brains, all parts of the body. It was a very very very miserable situation.” Click here to view Robert Fisk: You’re talking nonsense, Mr Ambassador By Robert Fisk: All the while, new diplomatic archives are opening to reveal the smell of death – Armenian death Continue The Revolution Will Not Be TelevisedVideo Documentary: Their film records what was probably history’s shortest-lived coup d’état. It’s a unique document about political muscle and an extraordinary portrait of the man The Wall Street Journal credits with making Venezuela “Washington’s biggest Latin American headache after the old standby, Cuba.” Click here to watch: At least 22 killed in continuing violence: Thirteen people were killed and 18 wounded when a bomb exploded inside a Baghdad restaurant popular with police, police said. Iraq is Disintegrating: Across central Iraq, there is an exodus of people fleeing for their lives as sectarian assassins and death squads hunt them down. At ground level, Iraq is disintegrating as ethnic cleansing takes hold on a massive scale. Blair wants troops out of Iraq next year: The prime minister believes that his best chance of securing his place in the history books is with a legacy as a “peacemaker†after his reputation with the left was damaged by the Iraq war and power sharing in the province collapsed. Franks: GI Deaths Is the Cost of Security: Those who count the increasing number of American soldiers killed in Iraq are missing the bigger picture, retired Gen. Tommy Franks said Saturday night. Father’s Mission: Hours after he buried his soldier son, David Timmons Sr. said yesterday that people should ask questions about the war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. 9 Afghan soldiers killed in Taliban territory: Nine Afghan soldiers who were trapped in Taliban-held territory following an ambush were killed after holding out against the rebels for nearly a day, an army commander said yesterday. Car Bomb in Kabul Kills 3 More Afghan: A car bomb possibly targeting a convoy of coalition forces killed three people in the Afghan capital Sunday while officials added 12 Afghan troops and one coalition soldier to the toll of those killed in violence a day earlier. Four killed, including child, mother, grandmother, in Israeli airstrike in Gaza : Four Palestinians were killed in an Israeli ‘targeted assassination’ on Saturday, and four more seriously injured. Three of those killed were a child, his mother, and his grandmother, travelling in a car behind the ‘targeted’ vehicle, which was hit by two missiles fired from a helicopter by the Israeli airforce. Israeli occupation forces shoot 48 year old woman in head, killing her instantly: Israeli forces killed 48 year old Aisha Abu Muslim in eastern Nablus’ Balata Refugee Camp. Israeli forces have invaded and reinvaded the northern West Bank city almost daily for weeks, months, years on end since the beginning of the Intifada. War pimp alert: Olmert: Iran’s Atomic Bomb Not Far Off : Iran is just a few months away from acquiring the technological know-how that will allow it to build an atomic bomb, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said in an interview broadcast Sunday. West urged to halt Iran: Israeli general warns of proliferation: Time running out to stop Tehran’s plans Peretz approves expansion of four West Bank settlements : Defense Minister Amir Peretz has approved expansion of four West Bank settlements, the first such approvals under his tenure. Ohio County purchases $ 5 million in Israel Bonds: Rokakis’s investment may not be an outright political statement, but Guttman believes the purchase to be a “testament to the enduring strength of the state of Israel.†Who’s singling out Israel?: Supporters of the Palestinian cause are wrongly accused of anti-semitism. Inside story of the Guantanamo uprising : The camp commander’s claims of a co-ordinated revolt are challenged by new details of the violence. The New York Times Versus Chavez: You can tell that the US-led campaign against Hugo Chávez has reached a critical stage when the New York Times starts providing rhetorical cover for Condoleezza Rice’s and Donald Rumsfeld’s increasingly desperate efforts to isolate the Venezuelan president. Noam Chomsky : Venezuela’s oil and Massachusetts’ chimneys : “How Venezuela Is Keeping the Home Fires Burning in Massachusetts,” reads a recent full-page ad in major U.S. newspapers from PDVSA, Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, and CITGO, its Houston-based subsidiary. UK: Soldiers to get life in jail for refusing to act as occupiers: SOLDIERS who object to taking part in a military occupation of a foreign country will face life in prison under measures due to be rubber-stamped in the House of Commons on Monday. UK: Voters want Blair in the dock over loan scandal: Tony Blair should face criminal charges over the “cash for honours” scandal if Scotland Yard’s investigation finds that Labour broke the law, voters believe. UK: Cabinet’s golden pension pot : Ministers will enjoy multi-million packages – and retire at 60 – while telling others to work for longer Markets ‘are like 1987 crash’: CONDITIONS in the financial markets are eerily similar to those that precipitated the “Black Monday†stock market crash of October 1987, according to leading City analysts. FBI search of Jefferson’s office “outrageous”: Attorney: Jefferson. an eight-term congressman, is under investigation for his role in helping a Nigerian company with an Internet venture. He has maintained his innocence, but a Kentucky businessman pleaded guilty earlier this month to bribing Jefferson in the venture. Congress Faces Multiple Criminal Probes : “We have an entire generation who imagines their member of Congress in an orange jumpsuit,” said Paul Light, a New York University professor of public service, referring to the common prison uniform. “It‘s like members of Congress don‘t have any shame.” Ex-deputy secretary of state new figure in CIA leak probe : Armitage’s testimony could hurt Vice President Cheney’s indicted former chief aide Lewis (Scooter) Libby, or President Bush’s political guru, Karl Rove. US could prosecute reporters for leaks: Gonzales: The federal government appears to have the authority to prosecute journalists or newspapers for publishing classified information, U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said on Sunday. ABC’s Ross: Surveillance of Journalists ‘Makes Me Feel…As If We Are Drug Dealers or Terrorists’ Law-Enforcement Demands Information About Customers, Suppliers: Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, law enforcement efforts to secure corporate information about clients and suppliers have reached such levels that some companies have had to create special units that do nothing but deal with these demands, a process often called “subpoena management.” [...]
May 23rd, 2006 at 4:20 pmbig muscle bear…
So just what are some of these ingredients? Alpha-lactalbumin has a protein efficiency ratio of 4. Whey concentrate powders are quit…
December 1st, 2008 at 2:16 am