"The founding fathers felt we needed freedom of the press so that regular citizens could check up on the government. Those people who are over there have Iraqi minders with them. How different are these minders from the military? These reporters went over there and are scared for their lives, and who wouldn't be? They are there for you, just like those soldiers, and I pray that they come home safe."
Now to your statements: The problem with Shep's argument is that in Iraq, the U.S. Constitution has no bearing
Shep was discussing the idea of press in general, and especially in the eyes of some people who felt the need to email him saying saying that journalist should have died for going to Iraq to report a war that we can watch on t.v. (then discuss on this political forum.)
These people were duly warned. They made the choice to go and now they must accept responsibility for their decision.
These reporters know what they are getting into. I don't agree with them bitching about the tank firing into the building. BUT, that still doesn't take away the fact that the context in which Shep was talking was in regards to emails from people saying that they deserved to die.
The United States government and military wants these reporters there. They (gov.)are using their footage as much as we are. By having embedded reporters with the troops going into Baghdad, we can use reporters in the building interviewing Baghdad Bob. His statements completely discredit the Iraqi government. This is not a bad thing that this fool is talking.
I heard what Shep said, but I have a problem with him treating it as if it has anything to do with our founding fathers and the rights they preserved for OUR nation. These people are not on American soil. They don't have the same rights over there as they do here.
BUT, that still doesn't take away the fact that the context in which Shep was talking was in regards to emails from people saying that they deserved to die.
It is indeed sad that some of them died and were injured, however that is war. If they weren't part of the media, they would be referred to as 'collateral damage' and there wouldn't be any talk about the Geneva convention.
As far as the emails go, right or wrong, these people are just expressing their first amendment rights which is something else our founding fathers rightly preserved for us.
The United States government and military wants these reporters there.
I disagree. I think they are doing more to help the other side by virtue of not being able to speak freely about what is going on over there. How is anything that Baghdad Bob is saying helping us?