The Nation: Arrest of Journalists & Filmmakers Covering the Dakota Pipeline, a Threat to Democracy

[Cerridwen]

2. I think The Nation forgot some context.

Last edited Mon Oct 17, 2016, 03:29 PM - Edit history (1)

Press Briefing: https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/10/12/press-briefing-press-secretary-josh-earnest-10122016

Q Josh, on Tuesday, climate activists broke through fences and cut locks and chains simultaneously in the states -- several states, and turned some major pipelines off. What concerns did this raise at the White House about security of U.S. pipelines? And what steps are being taken, if any, to improve that?

MR. EARNEST: Jeff, I only recently became aware of these reports. I can tell you that both the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Transportation are investigating these reports and trying to get to the bottom of what exactly happened and what potential steps could be taken to ensure the safety and security of our energy infrastructure.

<snip referring reporter to dhs and dot in order to keep clip to 4 paragraphs>

Q And I understand if you haven’t seen much more of the reports. But doesn't it sort of raise the possibility that this could have been a lot worse had it been people with perhaps more nefarious intent?

MR. EARNEST: Well, I guess I’d refer to the experts at DHS who could give you a better security assessment about what sort of damage could have been caused by the reported breaches. But when it comes to the security of our infrastructure, particularly our energy infrastructure, that's something that the United States and this administration takes quite seriously.

The Nation

Deia’s brave reporting on oil contamination in the Amazon and on fracking and tar sands falls in that category. But how she and others reporting on these issues have been treated by the media and law enforcement shows that the oil-and-gas industry is contaminating them, too. Our government has also been fracked, and is serving fossil-fuel interests. Asked about the pipeline protests this week, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest sounded an ominous warning: “I can tell you that both the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Transportation are investigating these reports and trying to get to the bottom of what exactly happened and what potential steps could be taken to ensure the safety and security of our energy infrastructure.”

I believe the context was national security in spite of the fact The Nation appears to make it about jailing journalists and film-makers.

I prefer to win my battles honestly. I appreciate it when my allies do the same. I am of the opinion the writer for The Nation failed in that respect.

Now, in response to arresting journalists and film-makers, it appears they were arrested by leos with the Morton County Sheriff's Department; based on caption of Shailene Woodley's mugshot.

What exactly, should the evil federal government do to rein in state, county, and local leos who ignore the law or make up their own on the fly? Take over the state government? Take over just the department making up the law to fit their agenda? Send in the Marines? Before answering, what should shrub have been allowed to do to those states' departments who didn't follow his agenda?

I predict it will be handled in the courts and there might even be a settlement from the Morton County Sheriff's Department; depending on the quality of the journalists' lawyer. (Bolding added 10/17/2016 with below edit)


Edited 10/17/2016 12:30ish Pacific Time


DU Link: BREAKING: North Dakota judge REJECTS "riot" charges against Democracy Now! reporter Amy Goodman

DemocracyNow Facebook link from above DU link: https://www.facebook.com/democracynow/videos/vb.17414523278/10154580691423279/

Now let's see if they can get a settlement from the county agency.