Reporter’s press pass ’snatched’ by Bush aide.

[Ian David]

Reporter's press pass revoked by Bush staff

Reporter Jarrod Holbrook had his White House press pass snatched today after he shouted “Mr. President” twice as President {sic} Bush greeted Air and Army National Guardsmen gathered on the tarmac at Quonset airport in North Kingstown.

A member of the president’s {sic} entourage pointed at Holbrook after he first tried to get Bush’s attention. The man then ripped the pass from Holbrook’s belt after he shouted to the president{sic}, who was less then 10 feet away, again.

Holbrook said afterward that he just wanted to ask Bush how he enjoyed his visit to Rhode Island. Members of the media were not told they could not ask the president {sic} questions.

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/06/28/reporters-press-pass-snatched-by-bush-aide/

[aquart]

1. They seem touchy.

[pinto]

6. Yeah, I think you call that right.

[truebrit71]

2. How dare that filthy reporter speak to the Chimperor?

Is it Fascism yet?

[depakid]

4. It pretty much is

There's no opposition party- and there's no longer much rule of law.

Bush and the far right seem to be able to do just about anything that they like without "gravely breaching" their authority

[Supersedeas]

3. he and his clothes are invisible

[peace13]

5. Six years and we haven't been allowed to sit in front of the king

and now it seems that we dare not speak in his direction. Pretty amazing stuff. I wonder if Jarrod got the speech about keeping his kids safe as well.

[napi21]

7. Damn, this is worse than the "Don't touch the Queen" protocal!

That damn SOB really DOES think he's the King!!!!!

[bluestateguy]

8. There is no constitutional right to a press pass

Print and say whatever you like, but the White House is not obligated to give you a seat in the press room.

The reason I point this out is because I very much hope that a Democratic president will do this to Fox News' reporters. Take away their White House press passes and cut off all correspondence with them. Propagate all you want on the air--I would oppose a Hugo Chavez style shut down of news outlets as anathema to free speech--but a White House press pass is a privilege, not a right.

[grasswire]

13. yeah?

That's why I've been advocating the return of credentialing of White House correspondents to the professional organization, as it was prior to the end of WW2. The notion that the WH has the authority to discipline members of the press is outrageous and has no place in a democracy. Authority belongs with the peer, professional entity, the WH Correspondents Association. If there is a breach of ethics or protocol, the peer association should handle things.

Incidentally, it is the press outlet that is credentialed, not the individual reporter. AP, UPI, WaPo, etc.

And also incidentally, reporters who cover Congress are protected by a law that authorizes their access. There is none of this whip snapping, game playing over there. The public's right to know WH doings should also be codified.

[jilln]

9. {sic} LOL!!!

[Ian David]

10. Credit for adding {sic} after President goes to Citizens for Legitimate Government

They also came up with calling Bush "pResident" instead of "President."

[Spinzonner]

11. OK, send Sam Donaldson back out in the field

[KatyaR]

12. They why the hell did they have reporters they in the first place?

If they wanted to control the story, the White House should have just issued their own press release.