Buddy, thank you for this exquisite photograph. The reflection on the water and the lively sky seem to dance together at the start of day. HCR, your stronger than ever focus in the last few weeks has spelled the edge upon which our democracy has moved. My gratitude to you.
Freedom of the press stood out in your Letter today.
Buddy, thank you for this exquisite photograph. The reflection on the water and the lively sky seem to dance together at the start of day. HCR, your stronger than ever focus in the last few weeks has spelled the edge upon which our democracy has moved. My gratitude to you.
Freedom of the press stood out in your Letter today.
'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. First Amendment to the United States Constitution (1791).'
July 19, 2023
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the House Judiciary Committee unanimously voted to pass Representatives Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Kevin Kiley’s (R-CA) Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying (PRESS) Act. The PRESS Act would establish a federal statutory privilege to protect journalists from being compelled to reveal their sources and prevent federal law enforcement from abusing subpoena power. The legislation would be the first federal press shield law of its kind.
“In a giant step forward for press freedom in America, the House Judiciary Committee passed our PRESS Act with unanimous bipartisan support,” said Rep. Raskin. “The Constitution promises that no law shall abridge the freedom of the press and instructs us to protect journalists from government overreach and abuse of power, and today this committee has made good on that promise. I’m thankful to my colleagues on the Judiciary Committee for unanimously supporting the PRESS Act, and I look forward to seizing this momentum to pass it into law.” (JamieRaskin, Serving Maryland’s Eighth District) See link below.
***
Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech.
Benjamin Franklin
The people shall not be deprived or abridged of their right to speak, or to publish their sentiments; and the freedom of the press, as one of the great bulwarks of liberty, shall be inviolable.
James Madison
Freedom of conscience, of education, of speech, of assembly are among the very fundamentals of democracy and all of them would be nullified should freedom of the press ever be successfully challenged.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
The Government's power to censor the press was abolished so that the press would remain forever free to censure the Government. The press was protected so that it could bare the secrets of government and inform the people. Only a free and unrestrained press can effectively expose deception in government.
Hugo Black
Freedom of the press is not just important to democracy, it is democracy.
Walter Cronkite
The ability of a free and independent press to hold political leaders accountable is what makes open government possible—it is the heartbeat of democracy. Trump is intent on stilling, or slowing down, that heartbeat. This is a gift to dictators, and coming from a chief executive of the United States, cause for shame.
Wow Fern. Great quotes, especially the one from Madeleine Albright. Representative Raskin's response to the raid on Eric Meyers' home (with its tragic result) is a work of legislative and political genius. How did the House Judiciary Committee vote unanimously on this? It is a testament to Rep. Raskin's skill as a politician, and possibly an indication that many of the Republican committee members are not 100% Trumpists.
I WANT TO KNOW WHY THIS DID NOT MAKE MY NEWS FEED. I am also wondering what other abuses are going on in this country that may be less dramatic, but pose no less of a threat to our constitution.
Last, I am very impressed with Rep. Raskin's web site. It has a clean, intuitive design and all the links work. That's kind of rare. Some one (or some group) who knows what they're doing put A LOT of work into it.
I too wonder why this hasn’t been front and center news. This is a prime example of bipartisan work being done and not being featured by the very people this bill designed to protect.
Thank you, Marc. HCR plainly reported the story of '...four local police officers and three sheriff’s deputies raiding the office of the Marion County Record newspaper; the home of its co-owners, Eric Meyer and his 98 year old mother, Joan Meyer; and the home of Marion vice mayor Ruth Herbel, 80. They seized computers, cell phones, and other equipment. Joan Meyer was unable to eat or sleep after the raid; she collapsed Saturday afternoon and died at her home.' (Letter)
The assault on the freedom of the press, along with the Meyer and Herbel families, and the American people reverberated with all that has passed putting us and our country at risk. This cannot pass without our response as citizens.
'A central Kansas police force sparked a firestorm by raiding a newspaper and the publisher’s home' (AP) Excerpts
'MARION, Kan. (AP) — A small central Kansas police department is facing a torrent of criticism for raiding a local newspaper’s office and the home of its owner and publisher, seizing computers and cellphones, and, in the publisher’s view, stressing his 98-year-old mother enough to cause her weekend death.'
'Several press freedom watchdogs condemned the Marion Police Department’s actions as a blatant violation of the U.S. Constitution’s protection for a free press. The Marion County Record’s editor and publisher, Eric Meyer, worked with his staff Sunday to reconstruct stories, ads and other materials for its next edition Wednesday, even as he took time in the afternoon to provide a local funeral home with information about his mother, Joan, the paper’s co-owner.'
'A search warrant tied Friday morning raids, led by Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody, to a dispute between the newspaper and a local restaurant owner, Kari Newell. She is accusing the newspaper of invading her privacy and illegally accessing information about her and her driving record and suggested that the newspaper targeted her after she threw Meyer and a reporter out of restaurant during a political event.'
'While Meyer saw Newell’s complaints — which he said were untrue — as prompting the raids, he also believes the newspaper’s aggressive coverage of local politics and issues played a role. He said the newspaper was examining Cody’s past work with the Kansas City, Missouri, police as well.'
“This is the type of stuff that, you know, that Vladimir Putin does, that Third World dictators do,” Meyer said during an interview in his office. “This is Gestapo tactics from World War II.”
'Cody said Sunday that the raid was legal and tied to an investigation.'
'The raids occurred in a town of about 1,900 people, nestled among rolling prairie hills, about 150 miles (241 kilometers) southwest of Kansas City, making the small weekly newspaper the latest to find itself in the headlines and possibly targeted for its reporting.'
'Last year in New Hampshire, the publisher of a weekly newspaper accused the state attorney general’s office of government overreach after she was arrested for allegedly publishing advertisements for local races without properly marking them as political advertising. In Las Vegas, former Democratic elected official Robert Telles is scheduled to face trial in November for allegedly fatally stabbing Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German after German wrote articles critical of Telles and his managerial conduct.'
'Meyer said that on Friday, one Record reporter suffered an injury to a finger when Cody wrested her cellphone out of her hand, according to the report. The newspaper’s surveillance video showed officers reading that reporter her rights while Cody watched, though she wasn’t arrested or detained. Newspaper employees were hustled out of the building while the search continued for more than 90 minutes, according to the footage.'
'Meanwhile, Meyer said, police simultaneously raided his home, seizing computers, his cellphone and the home’s internet router.'
'A two-page search warrant, signed by a local judge, lists Newell as the victim of alleged crimes by the newspaper. When the newspaper asked for a copy of the probable cause affidavit required by law to issue a search warrant, the district court issued a signed statement saying no such affidavit was on file, the Record reported.'
'Cody, the police chief, defended the raid on Sunday, saying in an email to The Associated Press that while federal law usually requires a subpoena — not just a search warrant — to raid a newsroom, there is an exception' “when there is reason to believe the journalist is taking part in the underlying wrongdoing.”
'Cody did not give details about what that alleged wrongdoing entailed.'
'Cody, who was hired in late April as Marion’s police chief after serving 24 years in the Kansas City police, did not respond to questions about whether police filed a probable cause affidavit for the search warrant. He also did not answer questions about how police believe Newell was victimized.'
'Press freedom and civil rights organizations said that police, the local prosecutor’s office and the judge who signed off on the search warrant overstepped their authority.'
“It seems like one of the most aggressive police raids of a news organization or entity in quite some time,” said Sharon Brett, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, adding that it seemed “quite an alarming abuse of authority.”
'Seth Stern, director of advocacy for Freedom of the Press Foundation, said in a statement that the raid appeared to have violated federal law, the First Amendment,' “and basic human decency.”
“The anti-press rhetoric that’s become so pervasive in this country has become more than just talk and is creating a dangerous environment for journalists trying to do their jobs,” Stern said.' (AP) See link to entire article below.
Buddy, thank you for this exquisite photograph. The reflection on the water and the lively sky seem to dance together at the start of day. HCR, your stronger than ever focus in the last few weeks has spelled the edge upon which our democracy has moved. My gratitude to you.
Freedom of the press stood out in your Letter today.
'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. First Amendment to the United States Constitution (1791).'
July 19, 2023
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the House Judiciary Committee unanimously voted to pass Representatives Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Kevin Kiley’s (R-CA) Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying (PRESS) Act. The PRESS Act would establish a federal statutory privilege to protect journalists from being compelled to reveal their sources and prevent federal law enforcement from abusing subpoena power. The legislation would be the first federal press shield law of its kind.
“In a giant step forward for press freedom in America, the House Judiciary Committee passed our PRESS Act with unanimous bipartisan support,” said Rep. Raskin. “The Constitution promises that no law shall abridge the freedom of the press and instructs us to protect journalists from government overreach and abuse of power, and today this committee has made good on that promise. I’m thankful to my colleagues on the Judiciary Committee for unanimously supporting the PRESS Act, and I look forward to seizing this momentum to pass it into law.” (JamieRaskin, Serving Maryland’s Eighth District) See link below.
***
Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech.
Benjamin Franklin
The people shall not be deprived or abridged of their right to speak, or to publish their sentiments; and the freedom of the press, as one of the great bulwarks of liberty, shall be inviolable.
James Madison
Freedom of conscience, of education, of speech, of assembly are among the very fundamentals of democracy and all of them would be nullified should freedom of the press ever be successfully challenged.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
The Government's power to censor the press was abolished so that the press would remain forever free to censure the Government. The press was protected so that it could bare the secrets of government and inform the people. Only a free and unrestrained press can effectively expose deception in government.
Hugo Black
Freedom of the press is not just important to democracy, it is democracy.
Walter Cronkite
The ability of a free and independent press to hold political leaders accountable is what makes open government possible—it is the heartbeat of democracy. Trump is intent on stilling, or slowing down, that heartbeat. This is a gift to dictators, and coming from a chief executive of the United States, cause for shame.
Madeleine K. Albright, Fascism: A Warning
https://raskin.house.gov/2023/7/rep-raskin-s-press-act-passes-judiciary-committee-with-unanimous-bipartisan-support
Wow Fern. Great quotes, especially the one from Madeleine Albright. Representative Raskin's response to the raid on Eric Meyers' home (with its tragic result) is a work of legislative and political genius. How did the House Judiciary Committee vote unanimously on this? It is a testament to Rep. Raskin's skill as a politician, and possibly an indication that many of the Republican committee members are not 100% Trumpists.
I WANT TO KNOW WHY THIS DID NOT MAKE MY NEWS FEED. I am also wondering what other abuses are going on in this country that may be less dramatic, but pose no less of a threat to our constitution.
Last, I am very impressed with Rep. Raskin's web site. It has a clean, intuitive design and all the links work. That's kind of rare. Some one (or some group) who knows what they're doing put A LOT of work into it.
Thanks for bringing this to us Fern!
I too wonder why this hasn’t been front and center news. This is a prime example of bipartisan work being done and not being featured by the very people this bill designed to protect.
Beautifully articulated... spot-on. Thank you for this.
Thank you, Marc. HCR plainly reported the story of '...four local police officers and three sheriff’s deputies raiding the office of the Marion County Record newspaper; the home of its co-owners, Eric Meyer and his 98 year old mother, Joan Meyer; and the home of Marion vice mayor Ruth Herbel, 80. They seized computers, cell phones, and other equipment. Joan Meyer was unable to eat or sleep after the raid; she collapsed Saturday afternoon and died at her home.' (Letter)
The assault on the freedom of the press, along with the Meyer and Herbel families, and the American people reverberated with all that has passed putting us and our country at risk. This cannot pass without our response as citizens.
Indeed, this should start a maelstrom of backlash, better laws and punishment for all those that were the complicit operatives here. 🙏🙏
What came to mind ...That these dead shall not have died in vain..Abe Lincoln
God Bless you Mrs Meyers, may your journey be smooth 🙏😌
'A central Kansas police force sparked a firestorm by raiding a newspaper and the publisher’s home' (AP) Excerpts
'MARION, Kan. (AP) — A small central Kansas police department is facing a torrent of criticism for raiding a local newspaper’s office and the home of its owner and publisher, seizing computers and cellphones, and, in the publisher’s view, stressing his 98-year-old mother enough to cause her weekend death.'
'Several press freedom watchdogs condemned the Marion Police Department’s actions as a blatant violation of the U.S. Constitution’s protection for a free press. The Marion County Record’s editor and publisher, Eric Meyer, worked with his staff Sunday to reconstruct stories, ads and other materials for its next edition Wednesday, even as he took time in the afternoon to provide a local funeral home with information about his mother, Joan, the paper’s co-owner.'
'A search warrant tied Friday morning raids, led by Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody, to a dispute between the newspaper and a local restaurant owner, Kari Newell. She is accusing the newspaper of invading her privacy and illegally accessing information about her and her driving record and suggested that the newspaper targeted her after she threw Meyer and a reporter out of restaurant during a political event.'
'While Meyer saw Newell’s complaints — which he said were untrue — as prompting the raids, he also believes the newspaper’s aggressive coverage of local politics and issues played a role. He said the newspaper was examining Cody’s past work with the Kansas City, Missouri, police as well.'
“This is the type of stuff that, you know, that Vladimir Putin does, that Third World dictators do,” Meyer said during an interview in his office. “This is Gestapo tactics from World War II.”
'Cody said Sunday that the raid was legal and tied to an investigation.'
'The raids occurred in a town of about 1,900 people, nestled among rolling prairie hills, about 150 miles (241 kilometers) southwest of Kansas City, making the small weekly newspaper the latest to find itself in the headlines and possibly targeted for its reporting.'
'Last year in New Hampshire, the publisher of a weekly newspaper accused the state attorney general’s office of government overreach after she was arrested for allegedly publishing advertisements for local races without properly marking them as political advertising. In Las Vegas, former Democratic elected official Robert Telles is scheduled to face trial in November for allegedly fatally stabbing Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German after German wrote articles critical of Telles and his managerial conduct.'
'Meyer said that on Friday, one Record reporter suffered an injury to a finger when Cody wrested her cellphone out of her hand, according to the report. The newspaper’s surveillance video showed officers reading that reporter her rights while Cody watched, though she wasn’t arrested or detained. Newspaper employees were hustled out of the building while the search continued for more than 90 minutes, according to the footage.'
'Meanwhile, Meyer said, police simultaneously raided his home, seizing computers, his cellphone and the home’s internet router.'
'A two-page search warrant, signed by a local judge, lists Newell as the victim of alleged crimes by the newspaper. When the newspaper asked for a copy of the probable cause affidavit required by law to issue a search warrant, the district court issued a signed statement saying no such affidavit was on file, the Record reported.'
'Cody, the police chief, defended the raid on Sunday, saying in an email to The Associated Press that while federal law usually requires a subpoena — not just a search warrant — to raid a newsroom, there is an exception' “when there is reason to believe the journalist is taking part in the underlying wrongdoing.”
'Cody did not give details about what that alleged wrongdoing entailed.'
'Cody, who was hired in late April as Marion’s police chief after serving 24 years in the Kansas City police, did not respond to questions about whether police filed a probable cause affidavit for the search warrant. He also did not answer questions about how police believe Newell was victimized.'
'Press freedom and civil rights organizations said that police, the local prosecutor’s office and the judge who signed off on the search warrant overstepped their authority.'
“It seems like one of the most aggressive police raids of a news organization or entity in quite some time,” said Sharon Brett, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, adding that it seemed “quite an alarming abuse of authority.”
'Seth Stern, director of advocacy for Freedom of the Press Foundation, said in a statement that the raid appeared to have violated federal law, the First Amendment,' “and basic human decency.”
“The anti-press rhetoric that’s become so pervasive in this country has become more than just talk and is creating a dangerous environment for journalists trying to do their jobs,” Stern said.' (AP) See link to entire article below.
https://apnews.com/article/marion-kansas-newspaper-raid-
Hooray Fern ! Thank you friend.... nice find.
Thank you Fern.