In Solidarity With Jim Risen

<p>The Justice Department is <a id="q54s" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/01/washington/01inquire.html?_r=1&ref=washington&oref=slogin" title="going after">going after</a> New York Times reporter Jim Risen for the non-crime of <a id="o6:k" href="http://www.amazon.com/State-War-Secret-History-Administration/dp/0743270665" title="revealing President Bush’s illegal domestic surveillance program">revealing President Bush’s illegal domestic surveillance program</a>. It’s pathetic and unsurprising — a fixture of Bush Justice — that the activity DOJ pursues isn’t the blatant illegality of Bush violating the <a id="ldj1" href="http://www.fas.org/irp/agency/doj/fisa/" title="Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act">Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act</a>, but instead the fact that government sources blew the whistle to a great investigative reporter. The right response from the press, and the public, is to put one arm around Risen and, with the other arm, extend a single finger in the direction of the Justice Department.</p>

hawaiianswimmer

As obviously dangerous it is to Jim Risen, the motivation of Herr Bush and his Department of Press Supression goes much further. This is really a message to all who write that they are in danger of prosecution for exercising their "freedom of the press". Be careful, bloggers, journalists, commentators throughout the country, you may be hauled before the courts at your danger. It is a classic tactic of creeping fascism first documented by Mussolini and later perfected by the likes of Hitler, Stalin, and Mao. Prosecute one or two high profile journalists and the rest will retreat. Jim Risen is not their target, we are.

jimbeauxlc

Here is something to think about!

Quote:

Without general elections, without unrestricted freedom of press and assembly, without a free struggle of opinion, life dies out in every public institution, becomes a mere semblance of life, in which only the bureaucracy remains as the active element. Public life gradually falls asleep, a few dozen party leaders of inexhaustible energy and boundless experience direct and rule.... Such conditions must inevitably cause a brutalization of public life: attempted assassinations, shootings of hostages, etc.

Author:Rosa Luxemburg

(1870

ignatov

"Chuck Schumer should be ashamed"

Don't forget Feinstein. She and Schumer, both of them "Democrats," voted to confirm the thug. Free Risen!

oscar

Is this another example of how Mukasey continues his master's work? Chuck Schumer should be ashamed of himself for advocating for this tool.

tektonister

Thank you for, hopefully, starting a trend of supporting a free press by using what little power we still have, the power of the pen. A trend that true journalists had better follow. This move by Bush 'Justice' is possibly the scariest yet for the future of our country and the rights and liberties we took for granted-by-the-Constitution and Bill of Rights, pre-Bush/Cheney.

guapodog

I applaud you for showing solidarity with Mr. Risen. I wonder if other media will follow suit or be cowed by this action.

slipper

Judy Miller is laughing at you hack.

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