Reporter restrained after Panetta hearing (Police state begins)

The Politico ^ | 2/6/09 | Michael Calderone

[Crazieman]

Following Leon Panetta’s confirmation hearing Thursday, several reporters approached the CIA director-designate in the hallway outside room G-50 in the Dirksen Building.

There, CongressDaily reporter Chris Strohm — upon asking a question — was physically restrained by a man who accompanied Panetta at hearings both days.

Strohm, when reached by phone Friday, said he was unsure of the man’s role.

“I felt this hand grab my right arm and push me aside,” Strohm said.

By his account, Strohm told the man, “Please don’t touch me” more than once. Eventually, the man let him go.

Tim Starks, a reporter for Congressional Quarterly, said he witnessed Strohm approach Panetta and ask a question, just before the man began “grabbing him by the arm and moving him away.”

“I said to the guy, ‘That’s not the way you do it,’” recalled Starks.

Starks said that he’s covered the CIA for years and had never seen a reporter strong-armed that way before, adding that the agency is typically respectful of journalists.

Reflecting on the incident, Strohm played it down somewhat, saying that he’s “had worse happen” while reporting.

A staff assistant at The Panetta Institute said they are not addressing any media inquiries before Panetta’s confirmation. The White House declined to comment.

After today’s hearing, there was no similar incident: Panetta briefly answered questions from reporters.

[Doogle]

and had never seen a reporter strong-armed that way before, adding that the agency is typically respectful of journalists.

CHANGE

[hinckley buzzard]

Let the games begin. Clintonoids got away with this crap back in the day but now these a-holes need to know they can't get away with this sh*t.

[randomhero97]

Probably a hired bodyguard. One quick jab to the adam’s apple and he would of let go pretty quick.

[The Anti-One]

Sorry. I can't get my mind around feeling sorry for a "journalist." They rank right down there with lawyers on my "scum of the Earth" list.
I do however agree that we are headed head on into a police state. Waco and Ruby Ridge were just rehearsals. Obombanation is going to show the Clinton's how it really should have been done.

[JRandomFreeper]

I can't blame someone for playing tickle/slap with a reporter. Everyone wants to smack most journalists around.

/johnny

[FlingWingFlyer]

Geheime Staatspolizei.

[maggief]

Ping.

Here’s another.

[Evil Slayer]

That wouldn't be the first time. The 0 himself doing some strong arming of a reporter

[DoughtyOne]

As much as I don’t like them, we can’t throw them under that bus. If they can be treated that way, imagine what we can be treated like. You draw the line and enforce it.

[Syncro]

You do NOT ask embarrassing questions of a former Clinton goon.

He's the guy that emasculated the CIA, FBI and the cooperation between U.S security agencies in general.

Then along came 911.

[A_Former_Democrat]

“They rank right down there with lawyers on my “scum of the Earth” list.”

HEY!!!

[BenLurkin]

What was the question?

[dforest]

They will get away with it because no one is going to do anything about it.

Thats what happened in Nazi Germany.

[Syncro]

Reflecting on the incident, Strohm played it down somewhat, saying that he’s “had worse happen” while reporting.

So he has OK'd that tactic and can keep his job. The velvet chains are becoming metallic mighty quickly.

[bboop]

hahah, funny tagline. And I agree, ‘first they came for the journalists’ -— it is not ok to strong-arm the journalists. We must let the thugs know that We the People are watching.

Has a President ever been tarred and feathered? Run out of town?...

[Prole]

Arm yourselves, America.

The damn communists have only begun to let us know their plans for us.

[G Larry]

“Sir, if you’re not arresting me, this must be an assault.”

[girlangler]

Ping.

[Evil Slayer]

Waiting for the Colosseum to be built and stocked with the lions for the crowned one’s entertainment.