posted by Cenk
The fact that our reporter was led away in handcuffs is deeply disturbing. He should be accorded the same rights and courtesies of any member of the press. Imagine the outcry if Sam Donaldson was led away in handcuffs for asking tough questions. Or imagine if every member of the press who rushed to get to the right spot to ask a question was arrested for every person they made casual contact with. There might be three reporters or cameramen left in the country.
Why won't the Senator simply answer the questions? Whether the questions are about Senator Allen's past quotes about violence against his opponents or about his arrest record, they should be met with a simple response.
The Senator's proxies claim Allen's arrests were for fishing violations and parking tickets. I don't know anyone who would be embarrassed to admit something so ordinary. If that is the case, releasing his bar admittance application or directly answering the question resolves the matter easily and expeditiously.
But what is more frightening today is how average citizens and the press are treated by our government. Citizens were removed from a public book signing in Delaware because the authorities thought they might not be supporters of Republican Senator Rick Santorum. What were the charges? Being United States citizens exercising their rights?
A woman was ticketed in Georgia for having a bumper sticker speaking out against the administration. What were the charges? Being a United States citizen exercising her rights?
Three people attending a political rally for George Bush in Denver were removed for having "liberal" bumper stickers on their cars. What were the charges? Being a United States citizen exercising their rights?
A man was arrested a couple of months ago in Colorado for telling the Vice President he disagrees with him. What were the charges? Being a United States citizen exercising his rights?
Peace groups have been infiltrated and tracked. Average citizens have been wiretapped without warrants. National security letters have opened up average citizen's business, health, and other personal records without a court order. Even the Quakers have been targeted and tracked as a threat.
Over the last week, Mike Stark has asked questions first as a private citizen exercising his freedom of speech rights -- and he was tackled for it. Today he attempted to ask questions as a correspondent exercising his rights under a free press - and he was led away in handcuffs. When will this end?
If the Republican Senate won't hold the President accountable and the press won't hold the Republican Senators accountable. Who is left as a check on a runaway government? Today they handcuff and detain Mike Stark. And if the rest of the press doesn't stand up for his right to ask a question, who will it be tomorrow?
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