ABC News should earn accolades for engaging in serious journalism in Denver: detailing how the party elite has been feted by an array of high-priced lobbyists at expensive parties. One of its reporters, however, was roughed up and arrested when he tried to take pictures of the democratic leaders and their donors. Producer Asa Eslocker was arrested outside the Brown Palace. In the meantime, Democratic leaders have said nothing in response to the complaints over the conspicuous consumption of lobbyist dollars at the convention.
Eslocker was arrested outside the Brown Palace while documenting a private breakfast held by a Democratic Party campaign committee, a meeting between Democratic senators and their donors.
For a video of the arrest, click here.
For additional stories, click here.
The array of lavish lobbyist parties once again shows how little commitment there is for serious ethics reforms in Congress. It would have been an easy thing for Democratic leaders to tell lobbyists that such parties were not welcomed and to ask members not to attend the parties. However, they know that voters will again forgive their little excesses in the red state-blue state fixation of American politics. Even with ABC’s effort, there has not been even a whimper of regret from the DNC or leadership over the issue.
This is a very disappointing development, but it is of course predictable. Whenever I hear a politician from either side of the aisle say “I’ll stop the special interests, and I won’t be a slave to the lobbyists,” I roll my eyes and think “yeah, right.”
I am (not) surprised there isn’t a single politician that was SO outspoken about FISA and invasion of privacy, American’s rights, et al now (not) coming to ABC’s rescue……
Not even Russ Feingold came to the rescue of ABC..
this isn’t really newsworthy
Where is the “leadership” in standing up for a free press? This is police state tactics. Standing on a sidewalk with a camera is not a crime. It is clear from the video that the officer did push the reporter into traffic and did put his hands around his neck. What the hell is that about?
I want Mr. Obama to stand up immediately and say these tactics are not part of a free America. Muzzling the press is how cheneybush work. It’s not just McCain running for that thrid term of the imperial presidency.
I watched some of the convention and it seems Orwellian. It is completely phony and uses all sort of psychological manipulation to cloud the mind and spirit of those watching. It reminds me a great deal of the Olympics.
Yes it would have been a small thing to refuse these types of lobbiest parties.
Another option would be offering complete transparency about them should they choose to go forward with “lobbiest love”.
Today on the 40th aniversery of Martin Luther King Jr.’s beautiful speech, we have a man claiming to represent the mantle of civil rights for all. Talk is cheap and well funded. Action would show a real committment to change. Action would be at minimum: 1. complete transparency in relation to lobbiests and 2. most importantly a complete rejection of repression of the press and civil rights.
Muzzling the press is how cheneybush work.
Jill, muzzling speech is how government works.
Gino,
I agree with you that govt. has many times suppressed speech. There is a degree of difference with cheneybush in both the amount of suppression and the draconian methods used in that suppression. As noted in other stories private companies also suppress speech. So it is important to resist the muzzling of free speech whenever and wherever it occurrs.
I’m just waiting for Nancy Pelosi to come out and try to say that nothing’s wrong with this picture. Move along… move along…
I vote Democratic because they are the better alternative, but I have little doubt that they suffer from many of the same ills as the Republicans. The fight to establish fairness in America doesn’t begin with the Constitution and it doesn’t end when Bush is gone and McCain is defeated. That fight though, may well be lost, if McCain gains office.
Mike,
I don’t vote Democratic or Republican, I vote for the candidate. I think if more people thought this way, rather than the team loyalty mentality that the two parties try and cultivate, there would be a little less corruption.
Mike,
Why can’t Obama come out stongly against what was done to this reporter? The fact that he remains silent about this (I don’t know if you had a chance to see the video but it’s really scary), is just one more thing that tells me he doesn’t give a crap about our Constitution.
He’s riding high on influence right now. Why doesn’t he use it to protect our rights? He could say something, he should say something. He is siding against the Constitution each and every time he has a choice to make. Why is he allowed to do this and still expect our support?
Gyges,
I understand where you’re coming from, I don’t know of any current Republican that I’d vote for, but I’m open to it. When I first started voting New York’s Senior Senator was Jacob Javitz, who was a liberal Republican. I might’ve voted for him but he supported the viet Nam War. Currently, there is Spector and Chuck Hagel who are somewhat reasonable, but each has fatal flaws. I would like to see a resurgence in Republicans of conscience because it would be good for my causes and I believe good for the country, I just can’t see it happening without a major upheaval in their way of thinking.
Actually, I think the emergence of a viable third, or even fourth, party would be a very good thing. The system isn’t set up that way yet and the various minor parties have not shown any organizational genius.
Jill,
Have you ever seen the Simpsons Episode where the two aliens take Bob Dole’s and President Clinton’s place in the election?
No, and I love those aliens! I will see if I can find it to watch!
Jill,
Both aliens are unmasked. One of them says “What are you going to do? You have to vote for one of us.” and someone in the crowd says “Well we could vote for a third party candidate” and the other alien says “Go ahead, Throw your vote away.”
Why is anyone surprised this happened. The Democrat party has always held the ends justifies the means attitude. That it is ok if they violate the constitution for they have a moral right to get their agenda across. Look at the convention itself. The voters did not choose their candidate. The final decision was made by party elites who have nullified the votes of the people and made the decision as to who is going to be the party’s representative in the general election. If they were the party of middle class America then why even have super delegates?
Jill,
You pose a good question, here’s my answer, but remember I’ve got no inside knowledge and if I were he I would have said something. The way I see it Obama’s problem all along has been: How does an African American man, with a funny (to America) name, run for President, without being marginalized as a “Militant” (i.e. Crazy Black Man) by a MSM controlled by a corporatocracy of older white males? There is also a punditocracy characterized by types like David Broder, Tom Friedman, David Brooks, Maureen Dowd, Charles Krauthammer, Robert Novak,et. al., who feel themselves an intellectual elite of opinion makers, The Washington “Village,” and work hand in glove to maintain the status quo for the corporatocracy/Military Industrial Complex, that pays them
The answer is to run as a moderate, urge bipartisanship, tone down one’s rhetoric, and appeal to the electorate via symbols of hope.
In Obama’s case it was to out organize everyone else and forge a smart and disciplined campaign staff. His and his cohorts actions are constantly taken out of context by the MSM and morphed into other meanings. i.e. the “bitter” remark, Michelle’s “proud of America” comment, Reverend Wright and scores of others. That he has weathered this campaign of lies and distortions is remarkable. I have seen the true context of those three examples, as anyone who can google can, and the distortions were dishonest, vicious and totally unfair. So yes he is ignoring this and not commenting on the “fat cats” in the interests of his campaign and to the dissatisfaction and distrust of people like you and me.
How then can I be so supportive of him you might well ask and that would be a totally valid and fair question. My answer is this, with the same caveats, that I recognize that I could be deluded:
1. I think that a McCain victory this time will bring total fascism to this country and destroy our fraying Constitution.
2. A McCain victory will destroy women’s rights to equality and I’m a father of daughters and have a new female grandchild.
3. A McCain victory this time will set back the rights of people of color and/or destroy them.
4. Being Magna Cum Laude and Editor of the Harvard law Review would have guaranteed Obama riches and he chose to be a community organizer, of the Saul Alinsky school and used that to become a respected and effective State Senator and US Senator. To me that indicates a sense of purpose to do good in the world.
5. His Columbia and Harvard experiences convince me that this is a very, very intelligent man. It would be nice to have an intelligent President again. John McCain was 894 out of 899 at Annapolis and his father was a Two Star Admiral.
6. He knows how to build and run an effective organization as shown by his winning campaign.
7. His communications skills are superb and can be used effectively, once President, to use the “Bully Pulpit” to get good things done.
8. Cynic that I am, having worked in a career that showed me the worst ways of the world and having experienced tragedy in my personal life, I do believe that this really is a genuine family man, with a brilliant wife (showing that he cherishes strong women).
No man who runs for President lack egotism, yet some of them use that egotism in service of their fellow humans, I think that he is such a man.
Having stated all that Jill, I’ve had my heart broken before, but I’m hoping that this time it won’t be.
Mike
No doubt, ethics reform and the money trail in politics is a bi-partisan debacle. That being said – this story is manufactured. A photo-journalist, delightfully aggressive – receives numerous requests to not block the side-walk.
This article and the underlying article that inspired it are about separate incidents but by confluence are made into one story. Hogwash.
Hotel complained – numerous requests – arrested.
If ABC has a good story about Democrats stuffing their pockets with cocktail weenies and doing anything illegal, I’ll anxiously await the story – but to simply link this all together with nothing more than reports of photographers filming lobbyists through windows and no real report of who, what, why or when – all we have is innuendo and the ‘when’.
There is the intimation here that somehow the DNC caused the arrest of the ABC producer – I personally feel to assert that without any proof is irresponsible.
I see this as an opportunity for Barack Obama to show real leadership.
While he was not involved directly, the convention after all is his, so to speak. And Joe Bidens. They are after all the ones running for President.
I think Obama making a few phone calls, and publiclly chastising those who made or instigated the arrest, would be a wise move.
This arrest REEKS of corruption. The same type of corruption we have lived under for the last 7 and a half years.
A good way to demonstrate change, is to actually change something.
Rick
1, August 28, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Why is anyone surprised this happened. The Democrat party has always held the ends justifies the means attitude.
Partisan statements like that Rick conceal the real issue.
Or are you ignorant of the literal cornucopia of arrests made of liberals and democrats at republican rallys, like the little old lady John McCains people had removed and arrested simply for carrying a sign saying “McCain=Bush”?
This is not a “Democrat” problem. It is not a republican problem. It is a GOVERNMENT problem.
Here’s an update on this story:
“Civil rights groups also reacted today saying Eslocker’s arrest is the latest in a series of incidents at the DNC that exemplify an assault on the First Amendment.
“Arresting a reporter for simply doing his job is both unconstitutional and un-American,” said Anthony Romero, Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union. “That free speech is curtailed during the Democratic National Convention underscores the need for continued protection of civil liberties, regardless of the party in power.”
Reporters Without Borders echoed calls for the charges to be dropped.
“The use of unnecessary force and the arrest of a journalist who was reporting an important political story is deeply troubling and unacceptable,” the group said.”
Mike,
I appreciate what you wrote. I really think you may get your heart broken. I hope very much I am wrong about that.
I am a big fan of the ACLU. They stand up for anyone who is treated illegally. NO matter who the victim is and no matter who the perpetrator is. This is a government problem, but I still think Obama is our best chance to protect our Constitutional freedoms and to repair what we have lost. The DNC is not immune from our criticism and they should be called out. Jill, I do think that Mike will not get his heart broken. Will everything be fixed? Not likely, but we have to start somewhere. Let’s walk before we run, but lets start walking towards the protection of the Constitution.
One more thing, Rick, it is the DEMOCRATIC PARTY. Stop listening to Fox News and the far right media and use your head.
For anyone interested, this week on Lewis Black’s “Root of All Evil” Patton Oswalt did a great take on the problems with “Blue States”
The “Red State” shtick was same old, same old, but Patton Oswalt was spot on in confessing the sins of the Blue States.
“I appreciate what you wrote. I really think you may get your heart broken. I hope very much I am wrong about that.”
Jill,
After last night’s speech, in the immortal words of the Monkees:”I’m a Believer.” It was the best political speech I’ve heard in my lifetime. Beyond the rhetoric, however, it showed a great intellect who understands the needs of the country and politics. My heart may yet be broken, even if he is elected, but I do right now believe that he has the makings of a wonderful President.
That it comes on the anniversary of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech makes it all much sweeter. Back then I was working my way through college and was told by my employer that I would be fired if I took the day off and went to Washington. I had to watch it on TV. It’s a decision I regretted and later made up for with personal activism.
If America can pull this off, I really think that life will substantially change for the US and the entire world. If McCain wins, then so will real fascism. This is what I feel. These are my emotions. My life experience and my analytical sense makes it less of a certainty and more of a decent probability. In the end I always try to go with my emotions and my hopes. They give me a purpose and so far have kept me alive. Nevertheless, your comments are as always well taken, prescient and may well be true.
Mike
I’m astonished that strongly partisan discussion continues in this thread that is so obviously about a ground-less arrest. What convention it occurs at matters just about as much as the party the reporter personally voted for in the last election. It’s about an improper police action – not about Chenney-Bush (unless they were designated as illegal enemy combatants, eh?!).
I’m surprised there was so little discussion about what really mattered, such as the alleged grounds for arrest, what was the original complaint (or order?), what law was supposedly violated, and what’s the current status of the lawsuit being brought against the police since they were released without having been charged? Were there certain areas the press was told to stay away from? If so, says who? Did the camera resemble a gun (I’m being sarcastic)? Etc., etc.
On the other hand, I liked the discussion of protective riot gear for rioters. That really should be developed more if police brutalities/injustices continue to occur. We certainly have the right to defend ourselves, and also peaceably assemble, and if the cops don’t like it, we’ll move right along into showing them what a not-so-peaceable assembly looks like – along with that other right – the one about bearing arms. The whole idea of guaranteeing the right to peacable assemble was to avoid all other far worse alternatives – duh!
Civil rights were invented to prevent abuses of government – to enumerate for its citizens things the government CANNOT do. If the government continues to not honor its contract, we have, ultimately, not only the right to seek damages in court – we may also take up the issue of REPLACING that government. Read the Declaration of Independence sometime. I don’t think we’re too far off from such a special time again if fundamental civil rights (basic due process in arrests, searches and seizures, etc.) continue to erode.
I’m really not an abolitonist – but if we’ve become a country where it’s OK for cops to go around brutalizing and arresting essentially peaceful and orderly citizens and charging THEM with committing the crime — I for say we can do better. I don’t have problem with authority – just with corrupt authority.
etc etc etc – niblet aka dundar aka martha aka martha h aka bartlebee aka zakimar aka cromag’non’man aka jim winchester
http://jonathanturley.org/2008/07/28/getting-right-with-god-church-shooter-allegedly-targeted-knoxville-church-due-to-its-liberal-views/
mespo727272 1, July 29, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Patty C:
Unless we see more, you’ve won with the “under” bet since he only went for 7 hysterical replies. I am guessing more is to come, but I am willing to concede defeat. I also think we should nominate Gyges for the Euphemism Award after our hero’s diatribe against him for something he didn’t say and in response to a question to someone other than our comical friend. “Wordy”, how’s that for avoiding the
real thing? Bravo Gyges! I haven’t wanted this to be competitive, but in my sport we do know victory is at hand when we get into the head of the opponent. We’re there and it’s vast, desolate, and scary. Yikes!
jonathanturley 1, July 30, 2008 at 8:01 am
BARTLEBEE:
I have removed three of your comments which included foul language directed at another person. This site is committed to civil discourse. I do not want to bar or censor anyone on a site that has free speech focus, but we need to maintain a minimal standard of civility in discourse. Also, I would appreciate it if you would try to combine some of your comments rather than have four or five one-line comments following in one after another. The problem is that there is a limit on the number of comments which appear on the opening page. We welcome continued exchanges and dialogues. However, having four comments in an uninterrupted line prevents other comments from being visible for the other readers on the home page comments column.
JT
BARTLEBEE 1, July 30, 2008 at 2:07 pm
No problem JT.
Since you permit bloggers like mespo and patty to attack new bloggers, unprovoked, and litteraly badger them until they finally retort with some uncivility of their own, and then penalize the blogger who dares respond to the non stop stalking attacks of your two favorite friends, I will do you one better.
I’ll leave your blog and never post in it again.
You guys spend your days damning the right for cronyism, yet clearly it is a dual standard when it comes to your own.
Notice not one word to mespo or patty, about their non stop attacks on me.
Not one word about how they follow me from thread to thread, insult me, harrass me, demonize me, and generally try and interfere with my comments to other bloggers.
Just let them piss me off enough to wear I might use some questionable language, and then walla. Here comes the teacher to chastize me for responding to these two GOONS you keep on hand to drive out anyone who won’t goosestep to the blog beat.
This isn’t a vehicle for free expression, nor does the free speech you so loudly proclaim on Countdown exist here.
What you have here, is an “ECHO CHAMBER”, where bully liberals like messpo and patty c, are permitted to drive out new bloggers by badgering them until they either leave, or react in a way that draws your rebuke.
Well, you can “say” you don’t like to censor all you want, but you just censored me, and without so much as an inkling of alluding to the bloggers, who harrassed me until I finaly let loose with some bad language, obviously to try and discourage them from talking to me.
I don’t talk that way, it should have been obvious to you that my intent was to make it unpleasent for them to keep harrassing me.
But apparently that was neither visible to you, or you just didn’t care. Either way, I won’t hang out in an ECHO CHAMBER, where left WINGNUTS like Patty and your pal messpo, are permitted to badger bloggers, but responses from those bloggers are censored and stifled.
I really thought you believed the stuff you say on Countdown, and who knows, maybe you do.
You just don’t practice it yourself.
So I will bid you good morning sir, and leave you to your ECHO CHAMBER, so you guys can “talk” about free speech.
Oh… and in case I don’t see you, good afternoon, good evening, and goodnight.
****************
When are you leaving-again? So we can mark our calendars in gleeful anticipation…