"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.