The Oil Spill Concealment Has Begun

Cerise

Cerise

Well-Known Member
As CNN is now reporting, the U.S. government has issued a new rule that would make it a felony crime for any journalist, reporter, blogger or photographer to approach any oil cleanup operation, equipment or vessel in the Gulf of Mexico. Anyone caught is subject to arrest, a $40,000 fine and prosecution for a federal felony crime.

CNN reporter Anderson Cooper says, "A new law passed today, and back by the force of law and the threat of fines and felony charges, ... will prevent reporters and photographers from getting anywhere close to booms and oil-soaked wildlife just about any place we need to be. By now you're probably familiar with cleanup crews stiff-arming the media, private security blocking cameras, ordinary workers clamming up, some not even saying who they're working for because they're afraid of losing their jobs." http://www.naturalnews.com/029130_Gulf_of_Mexico_censorship.html
Click to expand...


Video at link

As a PR disaster for 0ilbama it's no wonder that coverage of the Gulf is limited.

A majority of Americans rate Obama's handling of the disaster the same or worse than Bush's handling of hurricane Katrina.

House blocked a trip by Republican lawmakers to see the damage caused by BP’s oil spill in person.
 
... you can't get within 65 feet of the "booms" that they are using for clean up operations? that's suspension of the first amendment?

anderson cooper says you can't get pictures of the booms or fucked-up birds 65 feet away. that's ridiculous. my little camera has a 4x zoom. i'm sure mr. cooper's buddies have much more zoom in their bazooms.
 
I can tell you, personally, you cannot approach those areas easily. When you show up with camera gear near the Grand Isles you will gather "eyes" and will be followed.

We tried TWO approaches and were denied access at several points each time. We were followed extensively while in those areas. We had limited success from the east side of the river, but the marsh just wasn't accessible (oil-wise) from that side.

We spent 3 days trying to get out there. I may go back later this summer, I have a friend who may let me on one of his 6 oil-sweepers. He's a little nervous about it right now due the pressures from the govt and BP.
 
What exactly will the government, or BP, do (disregarding the current thread point)
 
Locals told us that people had their gear taken by the xxxxx. And as far working for BP, it gets touchy, especially when they already paid over $2mil in improvement to your fleet.

At one place we hit a literal road block.
 
I'd be curious as to what xxxxxx can do if you refuse to abide by their orders & refuse to allow confiscation. I'm talking federal here. The locals can manage their beaches. The feds?
 
Have you ever told a cop "you can't do that!"?

My experience is that the badge and "blue code" tends to trump legalities or facts.

We were told our press-passes were not good enough. We are talking with lawyers.
 
2minkey said:
so that's a no.
Click to expand...

When I said "probably" in that statement it is simply the voicing of an estimation -- an opinion -- that something is likely to happen. It can't be backed up.....until it actually happens, that is.

I would further surmise that a reporter outside the zone caught with a telephoto lens would see his camera smashed. And if a photo made it to print, the fine would incur. Just my theory. :shrug:


However, consider that reporters in a war zone where real bullets are fired are OK but the WH issues a media blackout at the oil spill. Why the coverup?

Do you really believe that this 65ft. perimeter is to keep the reporters and photogs from getting under foot??
 
It Has Begun

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