Has The Press Been PERMANENTLY BANISHED FROM THE WH????

[Beetwasher]

Growing Separation of Press and State

By Dana Milbank
Tuesday, August 15, 2006; Page A02

The White House press corps spent its first day in exile yesterday, banished from the White House compound for the first time since the John Adams presidency while the West Wing briefing room undergoes a renovation.

As if to deepen the isolation, press secretary Tony Snow, stepping over some plywood and into the new digs on Jackson Place NW for his daily briefing, adopted the Borscht Belt comics' practice of answering questions with questions.

--SNIP--

It was small consolation for the correspondents, who were, historians say, operating from the other side of Pennsylvania Avenue for the first time ever. "You can't even see the White House from the new press center," chief Associated Press correspondent Terry Hunt grumbled.

True, a rotating group of 18 correspondents and camera crews gets to stay in a trailer near the White House. But they have to share a single toilet as they worry that they will not be allowed to return after the promised nine months.

--SNIP--

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/14/AR2006081401000.html

DU LBN thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2456888&mesg_id=2456888

Who Wants To Be That The "Renovations" Will Never Be Finished? Or at least for the next two years. Why do I get the feeling this is the WH's way of (subtley or not) permanently getting rid of them?

"...as they worry that they will not be allowed to return after the promised nine months."

Gee, ya think?

Get the hint, dumbasses. You are not going to return. They've banished you from the WH.

[tridim]

1. If the press corps cared they could solve the problem today

Just say "No deal Tony". Helen can't do it by herself.

[bryant69]

5. They'd all have to do it

And the white house would squelch unity by promising a big scoop. Or chicken wings. Whatever the pampered press wants.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[izzie]

2. And what can they do about it?

Bush wants they away for sure.

[AndyA]

3. Maybe the press will get angry when they figure out they've been lied to

by The White House/Bush Adminstration/Republicans, (AGAIN), and they'll go on the attack. Nothing like some in-depth, honest, investigative reporting on past dirty deeds to get even with the crooks!

[MrCoffee]

6. LOL! Now that's comedy!

Whew, I needed a good laugh today.

[Orrex]

4. Why is the remodeling taking nine months?!?

A big Walgreens in my town went from groundbreaking to grand opening in about twelve weeks, but somehow it takes three quarters of a year to install an official narcissism viewscreen between Snowny's head?

:wtf:

[demnan]

8. To be fair

You have to realize that the White House briefing room needed upgrading - it didn't even have air conditioning for Chrissake! It's also being upgraded in an historic house which I'm sure has more stringent rules than the building of a Walmart in most places.

They recently did a 60 minutes on this. And if you had seen it you might agree.

There are plenty of things to blame on Bush. This isn't one of them.

[qanda]

49. But honestly....

Nine months? That's just a ridiculous amount of time for an upgrade.

[Iwasthere]

9. They have to install high tech monitoring systems

So that if Helen (or any press member) so much as whispers something it is immediatly piped to the podium. Perhaps all conversations could also be scrolled on a prompter. And video shots or close ups of press notes. Less surprises that way.

[Beetwasher]

11. A Year From Now There Will Be A Small, Buried Story

about how the renovations are taking longer than expected and that reporters are now used their new location and don't expect to return to the WH any time before the next admin., blah blah blah.

[leftofthedial]

7. The press (in the true sense of the word)

was banished from the entire United States of America beginning in the 1980's.

[Hosnon]

10. Just a renovation...no conspiracy here methinks. nt

[Beetwasher]

13. We'll See

A year from now there will be a small, buried story about how the renovations are taking longer than expected and that reporters are now used their new location and don't expect to return to the WH any time before the next admin., blah blah blah. Just watch.

Obviously the press corpse isn't as certain about that as you are.

"...as they worry that they will not be allowed to return after the promised nine months."

[Hosnon]

14. Haha I hope not. I'd make a wager but meh...I think it'll be alright. nt

[Beetwasher]

15. The Press Corpse Isn't As Confident as You Are

"...as they worry that they will not be allowed to return after the promised nine months."

[Hosnon]

17. I like the quick response time we have going here:) So say they don't get

to come back...they are just across the street. And I hope the next Democratic Prez will move them back in.

[Beetwasher]

19. It's A Frightening, Isolating Move Remiscent of Fascism

Not that most of the Press was doing any great job, but still, the stark symbolism of this is chilling, at least IMO.

[Hosnon]

20. I agree that its a symbolic move but functionally I don't think it would

change much.

I'd rather they be there but if their jobs can be performed just as well (or as poorly) as before I really don't mind.

[Beetwasher]

21. It's Dismissive and Arrogant

Functionally speaking, the reporters never have to leave their offices. There's a reason for them to be on the grounds of the WH, and symbolic as it may actually be, this does not bode well. Especially taken in context of the whole article, which makes it clear how the President is becoming less and less available to the press in general. These isolationist moves may be symbolic or they may be preparation to make the idea of a President and a WH that is NOT available to the press more acceptable.

[jbonkowski]

12. In the Clinton years...

...the WH press core got royally pissed when they were kicked out of the hallways. One of the things that permanently turned them against him.

I still can't believe how much better the press treat Bush, despite how much disdain this admin shows them.

jim

[Hosnon]

16. It's the same thing that makes women like such men and men follow them. nt

[lovuian]

18. Soon they will be out of their jobs or just stamp Propogandists

on their foreheads...

each Step closer to closing democracy as we know it...

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Beetwasher]

23. Why Take Your Whining About Randi Rhodes Mssg Board Into This Thread?

Do you have a point about the OP? Or just pointless whining where it doesn't belong and it's not welcome?

[AreJay]

36. Why so hostile?

I suppose I was fishing for some form of welcoming comment, like "We're a big tent here" or some such, but...

:wow:

[Beetwasher]

37. Why So Annoying?

I have no idea why you were banned, and I don't care, perhaps you deserved it? You're whining is irrelevant to the OP. If you want a "welcome" then may I suggest actually posting something constructive instead of whining about a ban on a totally different site in a thread that has nothing at all whatsoever to do w/ it.

[AreJay]

40. I wasn't banned there.

But many others were.

So I left to look for a more friendly environment.

Maybe this just isn't it.

[Beetwasher]

42. Maybe

:shrug:

I'm sure there are some others who might give you a nice warm welcome, but don't look for it from me. Whiners annoy me and I'm an asshole to begin with.

[CatWoman]

48. LOLOLOLOL

"Whiners annoy me and I'm an asshole to begin with."

:rofl:

[CatWoman]

27. and if it is?????

...........................?????

[tridim]

29. There are plenty of Randi haters and Randi hate threads on DU

This isn't one of them. Get a star and do a search.

[AreJay]

41. I love Randi.

It is the management of her message board that I could do without.

[w13rd0]

24. The same companies...

...doing the "rebuilding" in Iraq and New Orleans have been contracted to do the WH Press Room renovations. Completion is anticipated "in our grandchildrens lifetime...maybe".

[Marie26]

32. Is that true?

Do you know who the contractors are? I'd laugh (cry?) if it also turned out to be KBR, Bechtel, etc.

[CatWoman]

25. I'll never banish you, BW

:loveya:

:)

[Beetwasher]

26. Awwww!

:loveya:

Have you heard? Apparently Randi Rhodes Mssg board banned some people and somehow for some reason it needs my attention (see above). :freak:

:rofl:

[EFerrari]

28. How long did it take BushCo to set up a briefing room in IRAQ?

Anybody know? Or, was it in Kuwait? I've suppressed the memory.

[fooj]

30. A matter of days...

Your memory is working just fine.B-)

[senseandsensibility]

31. It'll be permanent if they don't fight back

So yeah, it's permanent.

[Rex]

33. I laughed at the M$M when Rove 'retired' the Press Room.

They really have no clue. Pity them, they will NEVER get access to Bush after this. Free press? :rofl:

[Beetwasher]

34. I Bet They Believe Rove When He Tells Them

That he won't cum in their mouths. :evilgrin:

[Rex]

38. HAHAHA

"Sir, may we have a moment of your time."

"Hell no, get back over to your building you banshees!"

SS escorts the M$M back to their 'Temporary HQ'.


:evilfrown:
Aww, they look like sad little puppies.

[earth mom]

35. I'd say it's permanent. * hates the press even though they kiss his

a$$ more often than not. But then, he only wants to be agreeded with 24/7 and the tiniest bit of difference in opinion WILL NOT be tolerated!

Isn't his Dictatorial aka King like behavior blatantly obvious to everyone by now?!

[ThomWV]

39. For All The Good They Have Done So Far They May As Well Be In Idaho

What difference would it make. Other than Helen and that guy who was picking his nose what good has the White House Press Corps done any one?

[elehhhhna]

43. WHEN THEY RENOVATED THE PENTAGON, a JET conveniently

hit that exact part! 5 years ago next month.


Golly. What if a planeish-type object hit THE Whitehouse (not Western, silly! The OTHER one!), ALMOST sort-of near missing the whole stinking WH press corp?!! Wouldn't THEY be scared? Worse maybe than after that old unsolved, highly focused and effective anthrax dustup.

Yeah. That would be HeavyGauge tinfoilly bad.

[Name removed]

44. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[elehhhhna]

47. Rumor is the contractor (based in Houston)

was contracted for a much longer period than the original plans, prints & schedule would possibly require.

Wonder why.

[Swamp Rat]

45. No need for the press anymore... Bushler has T-Tony S-SS-S-Snow

[Beetwasher]

46. LOL!

:thumbsup: