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Shield Law Sponsor: Bloggers 'Probably Not' Considered Journos

It looks like the establishment is doing what it does best, stick up for itself, and to hell with anyone or anything that rocks the boat.

The comment was made by Sen. Richard Lugar (RINO-IN):

Bloggers would "probably not" be considered journalists under the proposed federal shield law, the bill's co-sponsor, U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar (R.-Ind.), told the Inter American Press Association (IAPA) Monday afternoon.

Lugar emphasized, however, that debate is not yet closed on how to define a journalist under the proposed law. "As to who is a reporter, this will be a subject of debate as this bill goes farther along," he said in response to a question from Washington Post Deputy Managing Editor Milton Coleman. "Are bloggers journalists or some of the commercial businesses that you here would probably not consider real journalists? Probably not, but how do you determine who will be included in this bill?"

Sen. Loogie has shown that he should be in line for an unsparing application of a cluebat upside the head.

The story does go on to note the following:

A key reason some journalists oppose the popular federal shield proposal is fear that giving Congress the power to define who is and isn't a journalist could lead effectively to the licensing of journalists.

THIS is the crux of the whole matter, right out on the table finally.
Can't anybody remember that little detail about the First Amendment? Apparently not, judging from further remarks from Sen. Loogie:

Lugar acknowledged that the legislation could amount to a "privilege" for reporters over other Americans. "I think, very frankly, you can make a case that this is a special boon for reporters, and certainly for their role in freedom of the press," he said. "At the end of the day what we will come out with says there is something privileged about being a reporter, and being able to report on something without being thrown into jail."

YIKES! It is absolutely in-f'ing-credible that anyone in government, sworn to "uphold and defend" the Constitution of the United States could say something like this! Don't look now folks, but we're being set up for a legal/media aristocracy, protected in their position and place by force of self-imposed law.

Sen. Loogie went on to demonstrate that he has fully mastered the art of Orwellian "newspeak" with this mountain of hypocrisy:

The bill is necessary to help the United States regain its status as an "exemplar" of press freedom, Lugar told the IAPA. "Even as we are advocating for free press (abroad)... we'd better clean up our own act," Lugar said.

It leaves me breathless with amazement! Protect presss freedom by preventing unauthorized/unofficial people from having the same freedom that the Recognized Established Reporters have???!!!! Come again?

Commentator Claire Wolfe stated that "America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to start shooting the bastards." The Chief begins to wonder if in fact, the latter part of that statement is still operative.

F.E.T.E.

Tim Blair will be on Hoist the Black Flag tomorrow. That ought to be good. Replays throughout the day if you're like me and can't listen at work....

Hypersonic Cruise Vehicle:
Force Application and Launch from CONUS(FALCON)

The technology being assembled for this is somewhat mind-boggling: a hypersonic, autonomous (i.e. self-piloting), 9000 mi. strike range (in 2 hours!).

The demonstration common aero vehicle system will be able to fly 3,000 nautical miles in approximately 800 seconds and deliver a 1,000-pound penetrator munition. An enhanced version of this demonstration system will be able to fly 9,000 nautical miles in approximately 3,000 seconds. The common aero vehicle and its enhanced version will also be able to "turn" to hit targets up to 800 and 3,000 nautical miles, respectively, off a straight trajectory. For the most part, common aero vehicles require the same technologies as hypersonic cruise vehicles, but also need a more rigorous thermal protection system to prevent their payloads from melting at re-entry speeds as high as Mach 25. By comparison, the hypersonic cruise vehicle will return to its base at speeds of approximately Mach 3-4.

Kind of heartwarming to know that Yankee ingenuity is still at work!

From NewsMax: The mood was unpleasant, a source familiar with that grand jury's proceedings tells the Associated Press. The source revealed that Earle tried to convince the grand jurors that DeLay had guilty knowledge of a money laundering conspiracy by...

A bipartisan fundraiser for Ben Nelson: Sen. Ben Nelson garnered about $100,000 for his re-election campaign Monday at a reception arranged by a bipartisan trio of heavy-hitters in the Omaha corporate community. The breakfast gathering was hosted by Warren Buffett,...

Phillip Adams wonders in print why more US President's aren't assassinated, given that the "majority" of Americans are crazy and own a lot of guns. This may be the stupidest thing ever put into writing and, given the source, that's...

If America had a true opposition party hanging around, you'd think this would be something of a banner week for them. Y'know, real salad days for folks who hate everything GWB and applaud every miscue real or imagined. Wrong....

Its a bit depressed. Check out the highlights of Zawahiri's letter at Real Clear Politics, or the full text here....

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