Keith Cowing is a blogger on Space Ref, a science blog, and was surprised recently to receive a call from the White House. White House staffer Rick Weiss reportedly called to warn him that his inclusion of the seal of Executive Office of the President of the United States violated federal law because it could be viewed as a product endorsement. A review of the blog entry demonstrates the claim to be preposterous in my view and I am unsure why the White House is spending such much time searching for seal misuses rather than . . . let’s see . . . war crimes.
Cowing had simply posted a brief post on a meeting of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. He then received the call from Weiss and distorted the image of the seal to satisfy the White House. As noted by the EFF below, the FBI has been making similar demands under 18 U.S.C. sec. 701, which is aimed at use of government seals to deceive the public.
Now, the seal is shown with the words “OSTP Logo Pixelated Due to a Phone Call Complaint from the White House.”
We have previously seen objections on the use of the image of the First Lady in advertisements.
It does not appear that Rick Weiss’s own blogging is a concern in the use of multiple seals since the White House supports his blogging. One could view this as a bit of turf protection between two blogs following science issues in government.
Weiss is described on some sites as “co-editor of Science Next, former Washington Post reporter, and current director of communications at the Office of Science and Technology Policy at the White House.” He has his own active Twitter site with 246 followers. Perhaps the greatest defense for Cowing is that, at the low approval ratings of President Obama in the polls and growing anger from both liberals and conservatives over his performance, no one in their right mind would suggest an endorsement by the White House.
Besides as one of our regulars (Otteray Scribe) pointed out, we know someone who tosses around the seal all the time:
WARNING: THE INCLUSION OF THE PRESIDENTIAL SEAL ABOVE IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BLOG OR ITS IDEAS OR CLAIMS OR SUGGESTIONS OR HINTS OR ELUSIONS. FOR EXAMPLE, THE PRESIDENT IS NOT ENDORSING THE LINE OF HIGH QUALITY TURLEY PRODUCTS INCLUDING “PROFESSOR ON A ROPE” SOAP, TURLEY BUSTS (IN A VARIETY OF HEROIC IMAGES), TURLEY TEESHIRTS, TURLEY COFFEE MUGS ETC. THE PRESIDENT IS NOT NECESSARILY SAYING THAT ANY GOOD AMERICAN SHOULD READ THE TURLEY BLOG AT LEAST FIVE TIMES A DAY. HOWEVER THE WHITE HOUSE IS NOT DENYING THAT THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF READS THIS BLOG AND CONSULTS ITS DAILY ENTRIES LIKE A STAR CHART EVERY MORNING.
Source: EFF
OS,
Now I know why I keep hearing noises in my head!
do i see a new entry on the no-fly list
Bruce,,, good god man get control of yourself…this blog day in and day out covers really important material discussed by brilliant and thoughtful people…
It’s good to blow off a little steam once in a while after most of the things we see here on this blog.
I do believe sir u think too much of yourself.
I’m violating my own concept by wasting my time on this, but I’m hoping to see better self-editing on your blog, Prof. This is a trivial incident and you’ve bigger fish to fry… war crimes, anyone?
If Weiss had gone a step further and called in the FBI, that would be a serious threat to civil liberty. Cowing’s solution – pixillation and a snarky comment about the phone call from Weiss – is quite enough. And appropriate. I agree it’s pretty clear Cowing’s post misled no one and didn’t violate federal law, but as a matter of courtesy one shouldn’t use other people’s logos if they disapprove.
I follow your posts generally to keep aware of important matters. If time permits I read your humor, but appreciate it being labelled. This incident was so trivial it shouldn’t have made your email post.
No raff, the tinfoil is to deflect the radar and radio waves they use to steal thoughts out of our heads and implant nefarious and evil thoughts of their choosing. You do know the CIA and KGB have had those capabilities for years. They use GPS satellites to watch our every movement with the implants they put in while we are asleep.
Metro,
Prof. Turley just needs to wear his tin-foil hat to ward off the black helicopters, right?
Raff it depends on how black the helicopters are that “PICK U UP”
Metro,
I am not sure that Yemen or Saudi Arabia are high on anyone’s vacation list!
AT least if we don’t hear from il professorie after today we will know he is vacationing in sunny Yemen, or Saudi Arabia or some other constitutional fun spot picked out by constitutional lawyers
Ah, Professor Turley you taunt the vanities … you moth flitting about the flame. What reckless act is next? Perhaps using the icon of GWU on this blog? Wait! You’ve done that already. How about depicting dead presidents or politicians in your missives. Oh, that indignity has already transpired. Next you’ll be turning over the blog on weekends to bands of scoundrels who possess neither regard for propriety nor deference to authority. Oh, the humanity! [Oops, that’s copyrighted too I suppose. I shall expect a call from the Society of Hindenburg Re-enactments admonishing me.]
A picture of Viagra in a post could be product placement … but the POTUS seal? Really? Aren’t there more important things to worry about or is it just a really slooooooooooow day in D.C.?
OS,
Don’t ask, don’t tell!
Don’t ask. There are some things we are better off not knowing.
OS,
I wonder what happened to the guy in the back who was responsible for sticking the seal on there?!
Thanks, Professor. Thought you might get a kick out of it. His reaction is seriously funny.
OS,
I had not seen that video. It was hilarious!
He doesn’t really need it. He said so himself. We all know who he is.
Excellent point, OS, I added it to the blog with attribution of course.
Elaine,
I would think so.
rafflaw,
The seal is in the public domain, isn’t it?
Isn’t it legal for a citizen to use the Presidential Seal since we, as taxpayers, own it? As long as we are not using it to make money or to promote Republican causes!