From: Brian D Williams (talon57@well.com)
Date: Wed Apr 10 2002 - 07:57:48 MDT
>From: David Lubkin <extropy@unreasonable.com>
>I'm not just talking about military action; I gave a long list of
>other groups who are engaged in vital work that is often stymied
>or disrupted by press.
>I'm a big fan of the First Amendment but it shouldn't be blanket
>immunity.
>How many private citizens have had their lives tossed upside-down
>because of a press story? Your right to privacy is trampled, and
>your remedies for libel are virtually non-existent.
>And how many lives have been lost, in war, in intelligence, in
>hostage situations, in undercover investigations, etc., because
>the press revealed something that got people killed.
>I'm a big believer in the power of feedback. My father argued in
>his book _Why Washington Is Always Wrong_ that if you look at
>something that's not working properly, it's usually because the
>feedback mechanism is screwed up. Either there's no feedback, or
>the feedback acts to amplify the problem, or the wrong signal is
>amplified or suppressed, or feedback is delayed.
>A reasonable approach to reining in both government and press run
>amuck is to hold everyone to the same standard that we hold
>private citizens. Do not shield bureaucrats, politicians, or
>press from the consequences of their actions. If *my*
>interference delayed an accident victim from getting medical
>attention or compromised a rescue operation, I would be held
>criminally liable. Why should people with a badge, press pass, or
>title be granted ex officio immunity?
I nominate for post of the month.
I'm going to have to find a copy of your fathers book...
Brian
Member:
Extropy Institute, www.extropy.org
National Rifle Association, www.nra.org, 1.800.672.3888
SBC/Ameritech Data Center Chicago, IL, Local 134 I.B.E.W
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