Posted on 11/19/2009 11:46:53 AM PST by kristinn
Army officials plan to prevent media from covering Sarah Palin's appearance at Fort Bragg on Monday, saying they fear the event will turn into political grandstanding against President Barack Obama.
Fort Bragg spokesman Tom McCollum told The Associated Press on Thursday that Army officials had decided to keep media away from Palin's book promotion at the North Carolina base.
SNIP
McCollum said the Army did not want the event to become a platform for Palin supporters to express political opinions "directed against the commander in chief."
I saw what was happening to America when I first saw this schmuck back in January 2008, I said please God don’t allow this idiot to become President..Obama using saul alinsky tactics to scare the Army into not allowing the media in, not a surprise. They would rather protect a terrorist like Hassan and protect his damn rights then allow a wonderful woman the time to spend with our brave men and women
Nice way to treat the mom of a soldier.
The PR people should take the event off base to a nearby public venue.
Pretty simple - that’s the only model for sale at the PX.
That’s the only explanation that photo of the troops suggests.
BTTT
I agree that ANY control of free speech or the press in a public place is wrong.
I wonder if there are security procedures in place at the moment in reaction to the attack at Ft. Hood, and if that plays any role in this.
As I said, I might be wrong, and your point IS well taken with me. I agree with what you are saying in your post.
I, too, am surprised the media aren’t complaining... Then again, the media might not WANT to be there as they would have to show the positive reception, and it would be very hard to spin it...
I guess what it comes down to is that we really DON’T know the motive behind this decision - or where the decision originated. I see good points and bad points in this decision.
Please don’t take this as my not supporting the First Amendment, or Freedom of the Press. I’m one of the most outspoken people you could probably meet, and I highly value these rights (I was also going to become a journalist before I got pregnant and put that on hold to raise my family - so I am very familiar with issues regarding the press as well). I just think that when we’re dealing with a military base things would work a little bit differently than if this were off-base in a purely public place.
Then again, there are times and places where the media would NOT be welcome, and private businesses and such can prevent the media from being on the premises.
I am not personally familiar with going ON any base as a civilian or otherwise. I am not familiar with how different parts are designated (public access vs. military only), either. So, again, I could be misunderstanding the problem as you are seeing it.
Is the reason you are concerned about this because the armed forces are a branch of our government, and you are seeing this as a form of government censorship?
Back when that photo was taken it was stated by someone that the cameras were GIVEN to the soldiers by Obama’s staff. I don’t know if that’s true or not. I remember discussion on the thread here at FR wondering if tax payer dollars were used to purchase the cameras.
I do remember that they ORDERED the soldiers to be there, and then separated the supporters from the non-supporters, placing the soldiers who supported Obama up front... This last speech Obama gave (can’t remember where) maybe a month ago(?) they were also ordered to be there — although this time there were no cameras, and the soldiers were ALL stone-faced throughout the speech (it was the one discussing Afghanistan).
While I would LOVE to be able to point to and compare the reception that Sarah receives vs. Obama’s reception by these troops, are we sure that this isn’t protecting the soldiers by allowing them to express themselves MORE freely during her visit? Wouldn’t this protect the soldiers in a way by preventing the media from quoting these soldiers out of context, or even Sarah out of context and trying to push this AS a political event???
Please also remember this is NOT a “Campaign” event. This is a publisher sponsored book tour... That probably plays into this decision as well.
I guess I’m not understanding how you are all seeing this...
Sarah was even going to cancel her trip to Ft. Hood after the attack, but the Commanders there called Harper Collins and REQUESTED that she still show up. SO, I guess I’m not understanding why people are thinking these commanders are doing this with a malicious intent.
[If you read some of my other posts on this thread I think you could get more of a feel of my take on this - I’ve just written a ton on this thread and my feelings on this so repeating it on THIS post would be kind of silly...]
Are we SURE this came down from Obama? And, they are NOT disallowing Sarah from speaking to the troops. I would think keeping the media off-base would allow MORE freedom for Sarah AND the soldiers to speak freely with her.
In fact, in regards to Ft. Hood Sarah was unsure if they would still want her to show up in light of the attack. The commanders on THAT base called Harper Collins to REQUEST that she DID keep them on her schedule. So, I guess I’m not understanding why people are thinking this is a bad thing...
[My other posts on this thread explain how I’m viewing this more in-depth]
Do you seriously think that the Ft. Bragg brass came up with this all on their own? You do realize who sits on the top of their chain of command, don't you?
I dont mind that the press is not allowed in, especially at an army base, but from what that guy said, it was because he did not want “Palin supporters going after Obama” what the hell is that all about. Sarah has NOT said anything about Obama during these book tours, she hasn’t even mentioned his name. As far as Ft. Hood goes, I dont want the media in there anyway, it will be solemn get together, and Sarah has already said she is giving all the money she makes to the victims families which I think is a wonderful thing.
They all probably rushed out and bought the same camera at the PX since they found out Obama was coming.
It's no big deal.
Are we even sure that they are ‘troops?’
I am currently stationed at Fort Bragg. You can all rest assured that this is totally being blown out of proportion.
No one’s freedoms are being violated here. Here are some facts to help clear things up.
1. The PX is located ON POST within the boundries of Fort Bragg. To get to the PX, one must drive through a security checkpoint at the gate. Anyone entering the PX must have a current military ID or an escort with a current military ID.
2. Sarah Palin is visiting Fort Bragg under an agreement between AAFES (Army Air Force Exchance Services) and her publishing company. This agreement is very specific on certain provisions. She is visiting as an Author, not a former VP candidate.
3. Soldiers are prohibited from campaigning or taking political sides while in uniform since the Soldier is considered a representative of the Army while in uniform. Hundreds of uniformed Soldiers are expected to attend the book signing. Get it?
4. The media is not prohibited from interviewing Mrs. Palin or her supporters, there is plenty of space right off post for this. Fort Bragg is an active military base with a mission. Any time the media visits Fort Bragg, it is as a courtesy to the media. The Army retains the right to bestow or revoke this courtesy.
5. Mrs. Palin will only be at the PX for a short period of time. As per her agreement, she will not be participating in interviews, posing for individual photos, or providing personalized autographs.
I am keeping a close eye on this, everyone. I plan on attending this event and getting my copy of her book signed. I promise to post some photos of the event right here when I get back.
Feel free to drop me a line if you have any questions.
Thank you so much for your information. Please keep me posted. God Bless and thank you for serving our country.
Thank you for serving. I hope you get to meet Sarah Palin.
SO In other words Sarah wasn’t ban at ALL it was just AP wire now I rethinking whole situation NEVER MIND
Political correctness kills.
THANK YOU! I had thought this was the situation. I really appreciate hearing it first-hand though. Have a WONDERFUL time visiting Ms. Palin, and I’ll be looking forward to seeing some of those photos! :)
Not sure if that’s a good or bad thing, in my personal opinion, Kristinn. I’m sure you can read through my posts on the thread to see how I’m viewing this.
Did this really come straight from the Pentagon, or was this a base commander’s decision?
If the press is there the soldiers will NOT be able to speak freely with her as they will NOT be able to discuss Obama at ALL in front of the media. That’s the only problem I’m seeing with the press being allowed on base during this event. [Why is the press there at ALL? She is there as an author and NOT a candidate... they are there to watch what she says and to politicize this event themselves in an effort to make Palin look bad. I’ve known many authors and they don’t have a press corps following them on their book tours... It’s only because of politics that they (the media) will be there in the first place.]
All, JMHO.
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