D.C. Chapter to Hold Demonstration in Support of Jeff Gannon and the First Amendment, 2/18/05

Friday, February 18, 2005 | Kristinn

[kristinn]

All FReepers and lurkers in good standing are invited to join the D.C. Chapter in our demonstration this evening. Details in the following press release:

DEMONSTRATION IN SUPPORT OF JEFF GANNON
&
THE FIRST AMENDMENT

WHEN: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2005, 6 P.M. TO 8 P.M.
WHERE: THE SIDEWALK BY MONICA’S GATE,
AKA THE NORTHWEST VISITORS ENTRANCE
THE WHITE HOUSE, 1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVE., NW, WASHINGTON, D.C.

(Washington) The D.C. Chapter of Free Republic, an independent grassroots organization, will be holding a demonstration at the White House this evening in support of former Talon News White House Correspondent Jeff Gannon and the rights of other reporters to do their jobs without fear of being destroyed by the political establishment.

The group will also be bringing attention to several First Amendment-related issues pertaining to the current imbroglio. Among them are the unconstitutional efforts of Democratic congressmen to determine who is a reporter and efforts by the establishment media to shut out Internet-based news sites from having access to government press conferences.

Kristinn Taylor, Co-Leader of the D.C. Chapter of Free Republic, issued the following statement: “It is common knowledge that Jeff Gannon was singled out for personal destruction for the crime of asking a question of the President of the United States at a press conference that was insulting to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

“The Clintonista slime machine, led by former Clinton White House Chief of Staff John Podesta’s Media Matters for America, went into high gear and made an example of Mr. Gannon to any reporter who might dare to challenge Sen. Clinton’s credibility in her anticipated 2008 presidential candidacy.

“What was done to Mr. Gannon was the Clinton impeachement era Ellen Romesch strategy played out for all concerned parties to see. The D.C. Chapter of Free Republic will be out demonstrating for the rights of Mr. Gannon and all other reporters to exercise their rights without fear of personal destruction.”

[Stultis]

Second, this has nothing to do with the First Amendment. No one in the government is denying him the right to speak.

People in the government DID try to deny him the right to "speak" as a journalist. Some 'Rats in congress demanded that he be investigated and/or that his credentials be pulled summarily. This O.K. with you as a general principle?

[Stultis]

If the journalist imposter had come from a source at the other end of the political spectrum this site would be raging at the audacity and arrogance of the conduct.

Yes, but I warrant we would not countenance the step of elected officials dictating to the press who qualifies as a journalist, or dictating to other branches of government who they can credential at press conferences. Unless you think that we've grown past the principle of a free press, and that smear campaigns against targeted reporters, managed or abetted by elected officials, are acceptable.

[Stultis]

Aloha Troll (we hardly knew ya).

[tgslTakoma]

Gannon said he made mistakes in his past.

And in an earlier interview he said his Christian faith has enabled him to receive forgiveness for the sins of his past.

Who wants to be first?

John 8:2-11 (New International Version)

2At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

9At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

11“No one, sir,” she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

[ClintonBeGone]

And in an earlier interview he said his Christian faith has enabled him to receive forgiveness for the sins of his past.

I guess even God would be interested in knowing if his past means before he got caught.

[Indy4w]

"I have a suggestion, you could all stand outside of a Whitehouse press briefing and hand out red or blue cards for the reporters to raise to be called on to answer a question so that the public would be aware of their party affiliation..."

Actually, I think this would be a great idea. Take the same number of questions from both the red and blue carded reporters.

[tgslTakoma]

God already knows the answer to that.

[Eva]

The rainbow is an important part, just to make the point that the attacks on Gannon's private life were despicable.

[OregonRepublican]

Why support this guy? I would make sure more info comes out he seems like he has some loose screws.

[Mudboy Slim]

"Slimey stuff."

Maybe once I get a more secure connection, but it ain't worth it these days...MUD

[Mudboy Slim]

"They're a stupid lot over there."

There's certainly a lotta inanity over there, but I've also noted some wisdom as well...MUD

[bmwcyle]

I have heard many flame wars on this site but today was the biggest bunch of bull yet. We won the election in 2004 but too many have shut down their minds. The election is over but the war has begun. The DEMS and Hillary have lost and they are planning a return fight. Gannon was an easy target but an example of how the fight will go. Our sites power may not be enough and the petty fighting on the site will leave our backs open. Tonight I went to the White House with Kristinn. As always the DC Chapter has the advantage to go into the streets and learn. We learned tonight the war is on and it is time to draw the wagons and keep an open mind. Kristinn will post the after action. Pull your heads our of your butt and listen.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

BTW, for all that Gannon's accused of, he's qualified to represent Massachusetts in the House or Senate, given the standards of liberals.

Are you saying Gannon's an alcoholic and meets with our enemies, as well as being an operator of risque web sites?

[BillF]

ClintonBeGone said: Isn't what this guy is accused of doing kinda creepy? Why would you want to be involved with that?

In response, kevkrom said, among other things: Focus on the issue (persecution because he doesn't toe the "party line" jouralists expect from each other), not the sideshow.

Kevkrom has said it well.

ClintonBeGone, please keep in mind that no one is defending alleged conduct that may or may not have occurred and that really has nothing to do with what has transpired here.

Media Matters (MM), run by David Brock and set up by John Podesta, ran a hit on Gannon, not because of anything that may or may not have occurred in his past. Recalling that Podesta is a Hillary person and that the hit on Gannon came AFTER he asked a very anti-Hillary question, it will be apparent that the Clintonites have simply purged an anti-Hillary person from the press corps.

Surely, protesting a hit on a member of the press by Hillary is not an endorsement of any alleged conduct that the victim may or may not have engaged in the past?

Hillary and her minions do NOY deserve a free shot this time because of any past conduct by the first victim of this gutter strategy of hers.

[ClintonBeGone]

Surely, protesting a hit on a member of the press by Hillary is not an endorsement of any alleged conduct that the victim may or may not have engaged in the past?

Bill, the Clintons have gone after a lot of people in their time. Some outstanding people. Real heros to the conservative movement. Ken Starr, Linda Tripp, Dolly Kyle Brown, Gennifer Flowers, Katherine Willey, Juanita Broaddrick, Gary Aldrich.

Call me misguided, but I'm just not feeling the same level of sympathy from the public for a "conservative" male hooker-for-hire who posts on the Internet naked pictures of himself pissing in a toilet.

[Doctor Raoul]

Anything Olbermann is against I have to be for...

[Doctor Raoul]

Thank you, that's my point!! They are now on Rush, claiming he is gay.

Liberals, go figure. The DUmmies love to do the "Drudge/Rush is gay" thing. Guess it's all part of being a liberal, like Gore trying to smear Nader in the final innings of the 2000 election, "Who's gonna be his 'first lady'" type whispers.

If you're liberal and gay, there's "understanding and tolerance". Funny how that goes out the window if it's a conservative.

Liberals claim to be looking out for gays and minorities, yet the most racist things I've heard, especially at DUmmieland, has been said by liberals about conservative minorities. The misspelling of Niger Innis' first name on an MSNBC resulted in an all time DUmmmieland low where the post was, "I don't know what was funnier, calling him a Republican consultant or a [insert racist obsenity here]."