We understand it’s outside the established boundaries of the 24/680 but we wanted to take a moment to doff our fedora to our colleagues in Arlington County, VA this afternoon.
Nearly to the reporter and agency, every scribbler assigned to cover the Pentagon packed up their whiffle balls and succulents and headed for the exits en masse, refusing to bow to freshly issued press access rules put forth by the country’s Defense Secretary.
The rules caused widespread concern among reporters and media outlets, rubbing up against the First Amendment and, presumably, testing everything they were ever taught in J-school or the streets – requiring reporters to pledge not to obtain or use any “unauthorized” material, even if it was unclassified, and declaring that journalists who solicit unauthorized, non-public information from military personnel could be seen as “security risks.”
Only One American News Network (OAN) – whose very name has always troubled us – agreed to the new rules, making it the only holdout.
There is a lot more to this than we’re comfortable getting into here but we invite you to investigate events leading up to today’s action if interested. It is a course of action we have recommended for some time and we applaud those who exhibited solidarity and strength in doing so.
I applaud their integrity also. We need journalists to be free to write what they see, feel and hear…honestly, but without interference. Thank you also for sharing.
Yes, a well deserved tip of the fedora, showing more cojones than the big tech firms who bow to the 👑 and his court. But it’s also a sad time for the citizenry as it is so essential to have light shed on the Pentagon’s going’s on, no matter the administration. I hope this is temporary but I fear not.
Maybe posting from my phone works?
Yes! Yes! YES! (I’ll have what he’s having…”)
I guess the PC really IS dead.
May it rest in pieces…
It’s more than a little late, but any lesson in how solidarity against oppression works (and appeasement always fails) is useful. Elite law firms, universities, and corporations which have sought to “cut a deal” might want to take note of historical precedent from the 30’s and recent Russian history. Oligarchy is not the font of innovation and enlightenment.
Shirley your readers are not prepared for such a Harry met Sally adult inference. I must catch my breath…I do believe those liberal Meathead films will surpass Bitcoin in value in the very near future. If I could say that with a Texas drawl, you know I would. I was the Yellow Rose of Texas once before I became a sentient adult.
Ps your upgrade troubles continue so this exercise in expression may be just for practice.