Press secretary purges most of the free press from the WH
- Thread starter Cuddles
- Start date
I get it exactly. Journalists are similar to contractors working on a job site. When I worked as a contrator, yes, that contractor paid my salary and assigned my work location. When I was on the actaul job the owner of that site, say BP, it was BP that made all the rules on that site and I mean every single rule. Those that did not comply were sent to the gate. Too many violations and that entire group of contractors would be sent to the gate and replaced by a different contractor. The press doesn't own the WH or the surrounding property. They have no say as to rules and regulations on that property and neither do their employers.
Except the White House is a public building not a private employer's work site. Funny how this is not an issue because FOX News and other conservative news sites were not blocked. You guiys realize that precedent works both ways. This is wrong even if Obama did it to the entire Fox News Channel reporters.
The problem with many of you here is you justify the behavior based solely on the outcome. You don't look at the behavior legally as applied to all. WaPost gets kicked out so you don't give a shit. Biden wins in 2020 or another Dem and FOX gets kicked out and its too late to bitch and moan.
That is why the law is not based on results but application and intent. The White House was not undergoing some nice housekeeping to clean up records, it was specifically targeting organizations it does not like.
Don't worry, if that door works for you, remember it swings both ways and that is when rights get trampled on. It is not the WH job to manage the biases in media, they have existed since George Washington.
Don't like CNN or FoX? Too fucking bad, go wipe your tears with the Constitution.
That is why the law is not based on results but application and intent. The White House was not undergoing some nice housekeeping to clean up records, it was specifically targeting organizations it does not like.
Don't worry, if that door works for you, remember it swings both ways and that is when rights get trampled on. It is not the WH job to manage the biases in media, they have existed since George Washington.
Don't like CNN or FoX? Too fucking bad, go wipe your tears with the Constitution.
I assumed the "exceptions" were hard passes that would be handed out to reporters that didn't fit the criteria, and anyone else could still apply for access on a daily basis. You could be right though.
Why does that matter? Being publicly owned does not automatically mean "open to the public."
A public building doe not immediately ensure a right to access if those in charge of the function in that building have not authorized it and it is not a public hearing, forum, open space etc.
The Pentagon is a public building, so is a federal court room, so on and so forth. But you gain or do not gain access based on rules and approval of those in charge.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/life...828f5389013_story.html?utm_term=.45401c6f4888
Post columnist Dana Milbank wrote that he was denied a hard pass, although the paper’s reporters who cover the White House were all granted exemptions.
Based off the wording of this article, it looks like the "exemptions" are essentially hard passes that are granted to reporters that don't meet the criteria. Anyone that's denied a hard pass should still be able to apply for a pass on a day to day basis.
Journalists are not contractors. A Public building means the analogy given above about BP is irrelevant. BP has the right to deny anyone it wants off the premises even if they have done nothing wrong.
A public building means you cannot exclude people arbitrarily and capriciously. You cannot be denied access to a court house unless you violate a rule that is applied equally to all who come. Pentagon is part of the military and they have much higher standards and security clearances.
The White House is specifically targetting journalists from the left. I find it funny that supposedly conservatives who value the Constitution have no problem with this. Again, it does not bother you because the results suit you.
In 2 years if a Dem wins and Fox is kicked you, many here will cry foul and Tucker Carlson will sob about the 1st Amendment like hypocrites. You should object to anything that runs afoul of the Constitution whether it suits your party or not.
Oh pooh.
A public building means that common areas and other designated areas may be open to the public, but it does not automatically give you access to all meetings and functions occurring in that building. You cannot be denied access to the common areas and agencies in a federal building but that does not mean you can walk into a meeting which is comprised of pre-approved, invited, or authorized participants.
If you think a white house press conference is analogous to the common areas in federal building then try just walking into the press conference in the white house under and administration. Wave for the camera so that we will know that it is you. Go for it.