Bush Administration Tries to Hide the Truth (Again)

Now trying to prevent the media from taking pictures of the results of their criminal incompetence in New Orleans.

Exemplary article here. Key quote:

"But on Tuesday, FEMA refused to take reporters and photographers along on boats seeking victims in flooded areas, saying they would take up valuable space need in the recovery effort and asked them not to take pictures of the dead.

In an e-mail explaining the decision, a FEMA spokeswoman wrote: "The recovery of victims is being treated with dignity and the utmost respect and we have requested that no photographs of the deceased by made by the media.""

Yeah, right.

[vulturesrow]

What the hell is your problem? Do you not think it might be bad that the first time someone sees their missing relative or friend is when they are pulled out of the flood waters on television? What exactly dont you get about photographers and their equipment taking up space on the boats? Keep stretching.

[CCovington]

How would you feel if you were stuck on a rooftop, awaiting help, and some reporter cruised by in a boat taking pictures?

[touchfaith]

[ QUOTE ]
How would you feel if you were stuck on a rooftop, awaiting help, and some reporter cruised by in a boat taking pictures?

[/ QUOTE ]

How would you feel if you were stuck on a rooftop, the government didn't come to save you in time and there were no reporters to tell anyone?

[STLantny]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
How would you feel if you were stuck on a rooftop, awaiting help, and some reporter cruised by in a boat taking pictures?

[/ QUOTE ]

How would you feel if you were stuck on a rooftop, the government didn't come to save you in time and there were no reporters to tell anyone?

[/ QUOTE ]

The original argument is flawed. The article said nothing to little abotu someone stuck on a rooftop. Its a totally different situatino between taking a picture of the deceased and someone that is still alive. Not being able to take pictures of someone on a rooftop is blatant censorship, not being able to take pictures of the deceased is respect for families, and the deceased.

[ QUOTE ]
What the hell is your problem? Do you not think it might be bad that the first time someone sees their missing relative or friend is when they are pulled out of the flood waters on television? What exactly dont you get about photographers and their equipment taking up space on the boats? Keep stretching.

[/ QUOTE ]

Your ability to unquestioningly accept the proffered party line may serve you well in the military, but it ill suits an informed citizen. Faces of the dead -- to the extent they are even still recognizable -- can be blurred. And the "room on the boats" excuse is no excuse at all for keeping reporters out of the area altogether.

[Wes ManTooth]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
What the hell is your problem? Do you not think it might be bad that the first time someone sees their missing relative or friend is when they are pulled out of the flood waters on television? What exactly dont you get about photographers and their equipment taking up space on the boats? Keep stretching.

[/ QUOTE ]

Your ability to unquestioningly accept the proffered party line may serve you well in the military....

[/ QUOTE ]

accepting party lines has nothing to do with it. It was his "ability" to use common sense to understand that it this action was taken to be respectful to those that pasted away.

[Sifmole]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
What the hell is your problem? Do you not think it might be bad that the first time someone sees their missing relative or friend is when they are pulled out of the flood waters on television? What exactly dont you get about photographers and their equipment taking up space on the boats? Keep stretching.

[/ QUOTE ]

Your ability to unquestioningly accept the proffered party line may serve you well in the military, but it ill suits an informed citizen. Faces of the dead -- to the extent they are even still recognizable -- can be blurred. And the "room on the boats" excuse is no excuse at all for keeping reporters out of the area altogether.

[/ QUOTE ]

Where, in this article, do you see any mention of keeping the reporters out altogether? I see two items of note:

1) FEMA refused ride-alongs in rescue boats. Their reasoning is so that maximum space is available for rescue. You say this is no reason at all? Why? These boats probably hold 6 passengers max. There will like be two crew, so that leaves 4 slots for victims. A photo ride along will thus reduce the efficiency of this rescue operation by 25%! Why can't the reporters get their own boats and go? Nowhere in this article says they can't.

2) FEMA requested that they not take pictures of the bodies. This is a REQUEST, not some federal dictate! There is no jail time, no fine, not nothing related -- just a request. They are still perfectly free to take pictures, the newspapers and new shows are still free to print them.

Be logical. There is soooo much wrong with our ruling class, and our government. But being reactionary and dumb won't help fix it.

They can ride with Sean Penn and get all the nasty footage they want.

Then they can clearly blame it on Bush... and/or whichever Republican is highest on the food chain.

[pankwindu]

It was much more than an inocuous request, according to Brian Williams. Weapons aimed at media members armed only with notepads.

The good news is that it appears word is getting out not to deny the press.