by Mark A. Cohen
Originally posted on May 30, 2013
I’m now active on Twitter. Please follow me there at @markacohen
If a government uses strong-arm tactics to silence opposing viewpoints, repression comes to mind. People must be allowed to voice their opinions. This is considered healthy and vital for freedom and democracy, and has been a hallmark of the “American way.” Recent generations have feared the overreach of bureaucrats, especially concerning wiretapped telephone conversations, the collection of private information, and spying on individuals.
The media has been known as the fourth estate for a long time, meaning that it is a counter-balance to the three branches of government. When the media questions an administration and its officials and probes deeply, this stems the chance for tyranny, otherwise known as oppression of the people by its government. Even my father, a self-avowed Communist, hailed freedom of the press as a landmark of democracy. “Without a free press you have dictatorships,” he said. “Reporters must be free to obtain information and publish it.” When regimes harass the media, information can’t flow freely.
Eric Holder, testifying.
The Obama Administration’s Department of Justice (DOJ) suspected Associated Press (AP) reporters of leaking classified information, so it targeted the call logs of more than 20 AP phone lines. The DOJ, amidst suspicions that James Rosen, a FOX News reporter, blogging about classified information so the DOJ seized his phone records and e-mails. They appeared ready to charge Rosen as a “co-conspirator” for leaking such information, although Rosen may not have known its’ classification. Eric Holder, the U.S. Attorney General (AG), appeared before a Congressional hearing last week to answer related questions. He testified, using similar phrases, such as, “I did not know… I am not familiar…” He also said, “In regard to potential prosecution of the press for the disclosure of material... This is not something I’ve ever been involved in, heard of, or would think would be wise policy.” It turned out that Holder did sign the warrant ordering the seizure of Rosen’s e-mails. Hmmm.
The oddest thing about this scandal, no matter how you might feel about it, is that President Obama, instead of assigning an independent counsel to get to the bottom of it all, has assigned Eric Holder to investigate the matter. So we have Holder investigating… himself. How would that work, and does it make sense?
Holder Investigating himself.
Here are my observations and opinions: Republicans in a pickle generally resign in embarrassment among a hailstorm of accusations and/or innuendo in the media (Bush’s AG, John Ashcroft, Sen. Trent Lott, Sen. Larry Craig). Democrats in the same situation usually don’t admit wrongdoing until there is an avalanche of proof (President Clinton, Sen. Menendez, Anthony Weiner, presidential candidate John Edwards). The mainstream media will support them by either ignoring the stories or covering them lightly until they can’t be ignored. (Are there exceptions? Yes, of course.) Most of us can’t predict the future with accuracy, but I think it will take a ton of evidence for Eric Holder to step down.
SUGGESTED VIDEOS
Obamacare explained in one long sentence
Jon Stewart finds intolerance at the DNC
Scroll down: Rosa Koire explains Agenda 21
SUGGESTED TV SHOW - for your DVR
BLOG ROLL (Political):
BLOG ROLL (Writers):
BLOG ROLL (Open Source Hacking):
BLOG-PING SITES:
Keywords: Conservative blog, Mark A. Cohen, From the Left to the Right, President Obama, AP Scandal, Obama Scandal, James Rosen, Eric Holder, Freedom of the Press
Keywords: "Conservatism", "Conservative blog", "Mark A. Cohen", "From The Left to the Right", “President Obama”, “AP Scandal”, “Obama Scandal”, “James Rosen”, “Eric Holder”, “Freedom of the Press”
Mark A. Cohen is currently seeking representation for his memoir, From The Left to the Right.
Mark A. Cohen is a member of and helps run the Parker Writers Group (Check out their Facebook page here)
Or, see the Parker Writers Group Web page here
Mark A. Cohen’s web site, http://www.mark-cohen.com, is now under construction.
Mark A. Cohen is a member of the Castle Rock Writers (Check out their Facebook page here) Their web page, www.castlerockwriters.com, will also take you to the Facebook page until the web page is completed.
Mark A. Cohen currently sits on the committee which hosted the Castle Rock Writers Conference on October 13, 2012. He is currently their Vice-Treasurer. The group, whose motto is Rock Solid Writing, is seeking their 501c3.
Please save the date: Castle Rock Writers will hold the Castle Rock Writers Conference on Saturday, November 23, 2013, at the Douglas County Events Center in Castle Rock, Colorado. Please stay tuned for further information.
Mark A. Cohen will soon be a published author, as the Castle Rock Writers are under contract to write and publish The Chronicles of Douglas County, Colorado on November 5, 2013.
Mark A. Cohen spoke for about 20 minutes at the Coffee4Conservatives meeting at the Firehouse on State Road 83, in Franktown, CO, on Oct. 21, 2012.
Mark A. Cohen spoke for about 30 minutes at the Douglas County Republicans’ First Friday Breakfast in Parker, CO, held at The War Horse Inn, on Dec. 2, 2011.
Click on the logo below to get to the main CBC site:
From the Left to the Right - Follow this link to Facebook and please click “Like” !
I highly recommend Dr. Anna Geving, my dentist in Parker, CO
No comments:
Post a Comment