Palast, Pascarella Face Homeland Security Charges [Greg Palast facing criminal charges]

a left site | Sept, 7, 2006 | Zach Roberts

[summer]

Yes, the rumor’s true. Greg Palast is facing a criminal complaint from the Department of Homeland Security stemming from his filming the Hurricane Katrina investigation for Link TV and Democracy Now. The film’s producer, Matt Pascarella, is also facing the legal wrath of Big Brother.

It appears the complaint is about filming a sensitive national security site owned by Exxon petroleum. It seems that photographing major Bush donors is now a federal offense.

Reached at an undisclosed location, Palast says, “Let’s not get over-excited. They haven’t measured us for our orange suits yet.”

During questioning by Homeland Security, Palast asked, “Hey, aren’t you supposed to be looking for Osama? Or for guys with exploding shoes? … We’re journalists.” At Palast’s request, Homeland Security confirmed that Louisiana is, indeed, still part of the USA but did not respond when asked if the First Amendment applies there.

Watch part one and part two of Palast/Pascarella’s film. (In association with BigNoise Films) BigNoise Videographer Jaqui Soohen has not been charged.

[summer]

I think this counts as news, since it's a criminal charge from US Dept of Homeland Security filed against someone -- Greg Palast.

[summer]

I don't know much about Greg Palast, but I know he doesn't like Florida's Favorite Governor, Jeb Bush.

I saw Palast once on a CSPAN discussion, and he really was angry at Gov Bush -- but, Palast didn't seem to me to have much of a real understanding of Florida politics, in my view.

I would like to say to Palast: Try taking a long look at how lame this FL Dem Party really is down here -- and then try to figure out why the GOP keeps winning elections in FL.

[summer]

For starters, Greg Palst should read this thread, showing how the FL Dem primary winning gov candidate leaves FL as soon as he wins a primary. Not really a great campaign move, IMO. And, that's just the beginning. There will be plenty more foul-ups throughout this campaign season. Just watch.

[cripplecreek]

I know the most hard core leftists I know call Palast "One of America's best investigative journalists". That ranks him right up there with Michael Moore in my book.

[summer]

I don't know if he is employed as a journalist, or what, if any, jobs he's had in the past as a journalism. I know he likes to make big accusations against people, but his accusations never seem to go anywhere. I don't know if he's ever right, or if he's just someone who likes to be in the press.

[summer]

journalism = journalist

[Brad from Tennessee]

"It appears the complaint is about filming a sensitive national security site owned by Exxon petroleum. It seems that photographing major Bush donors is now a federal offense."

This facility is probably key to oil and gas pipelines coming from the Gulf Coast tank farms and refineries to the rest of the country. It's strategic importance doesn't have anything to do with political contributions.

[summer]

But this part is interesting to me: the videographer was not charged. From article:

Videographer Jaqui Soohen has not been charged.

[summer]

Yes, what you said went through my mind, too. And, I wonder if Palast even considered such a possibility.

[Gay State Conservative]

It's not difficult to see why petroleum facilities would be
off limits and filming such facilities would also be illegal.If I can understand it,why can't someone of superior intellect like Palast?

[Doctor Raoul]

If aggrivated stupidity were a crime, Palast would get the chair...

[balch3]

that RAT Palast is still at it.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0705/S00363.htm