Posted on 11/13/2018 1:39:40 PM PST by Kaslin
CNN is arguing a violation of the First Amendment to the Constitution. They make the case that both access and the questions Acosta asked of the President were protected First Amendment activity.
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Does that mean that EVERYBODY has a right to be in the White House???? Gonna need a bigger room.
Of course not. "Journalists" and "reporters" are "special people" so they get extra rights not available to the peons and unwashed.
Only if he comes out as a trans-sexual or queer.
Then he's "protected".
If the Court treats the presser like President Trumps Twitter account then who knows. Ridiculous ‘lawsuit’. POTUS should suspend any further pressers until further notice just so Acosta can be blamed for this idiotic court play.
A few years ago, a state supreme court decision was handed down that basically shredded the idea of a "freedom of the press" as it is commonly understood. Basically, the court said there is no such thing as a "free press" that is distinct from a "free citizen" in any way. So an ordinary citizen who posts regularly on blog sites or even sends frequent letters to the editor of the local newspaper is apparently considered "the press" for all intents and purposes under state law.
That's exactly the way it should be. If Jim Acosta has a legal right to a White House press pass, then so do I.
I think the best punishment is to let Acosta back in, but never call on him or acknowledge his existence. He will lose his mind over being ignored.
CNN is responsible for Acosta’s behavior! They should have reprimanded him months ago and then fired his posterior before it got to this point. Actually I think they should not even be allowed to replace him anymore.
If CNN is going to sue Trump then Trump should not take any questions from anyone at CNN on the grounds that CNN is suing him and that any questions from anyone at CNN should be addressed in writing to his attorneys.
That way they are locked out of any press briefing until such time as the lawsuit is resolved.
“So an ordinary citizen who posts regularly on blog sites or even sends frequent letters to the editor of the local newspaper is apparently considered “the press” for all intents and purposes under state law.”
This is true and I’ve testified in a Hudson County voter fraud case where those rights were applicable under the NJ Shield Law.
I applied that right dozens of times and the Court refused not to undermine it. That would require a separate hearing stopping the proceedings and the outcome would not have been in doubt.
In NJ, the State Constitution holds higher protections than the First Amendment. Political speech is considered at the highest rung.
But if the court treats the presser like Trump’s twitter account, then they have to let everyone in the room, including you, me, and all the other Freepers who show up to claim our equal rights with Acosta to be there.
Actually that would be the correct approach.
A legislative robot without any emotions, no need for revenge at all, no need to ‘stick it to them’ at all, would recommend it.
To bad it would tickle me pink if Sarah Sanders and Trump did it :) it would be a hoot! Sometimes the right thing to do is the best approach.
Since this is a matter under legislation, all questions asked by CNN should be referred to the White House counsel.
Great story. I believe the New Jersey standard is that a person is covered by the NJ Shield Law as a “journalist” as long as they are engaged in an activity that is aimed at disseminating information to the public in some manner (newspaper, TV, radio, web blog, standing on a street corner with a bullhorn, etc.). Is this true?
Trump doesn’t have to talk to the press, and they can cancel the daily briefings. Obama rarely spoke with the press. Who needs to listen to the CNN creeps scream on?
Every damn thing the Dems complain about Trump, is the exact opposite of what they say it is. They claim he destroys the press when he has given more access than any of the last 6 presidents! Trump loves talking to the press, but they cannot behave and so shout in his presence, and won’t sit down after their question. They believe they can manhandle women and become complete assholes because their leftism gives them permission, that these pompous, arrogant fools believe they are exposing the evil racist Trump. They aren’t exposing anything except their own asses!
We don’t need it, nor want it.
That’s my guess, too...and it would be sweeeeet to see it tossed w/fines.
Sarah Sanders: CNN is grandstanding, we will vigorously defend ourselves
We have been advised that CNN has filed a complaint challenging the suspension of Jim Acostas hard pass. This is just more grandstanding from CNN, and we will vigorously defend against this lawsuit.
CNN, who has nearly 50 additional hard pass holders, and Mr. Acosta is no more or less special than any other media outlet or reporter with respect to the First Amendment.
After Mr. Acosta asked the President two questionseach of which the President answeredhe physically refused to surrender a White House microphone to an intern, so that other reporters might ask their questions.
This was not the first time this reporter has inappropriately refused to yield to other reporters.
The White House cannot run an orderly and fair press conference when a reporter acts this way, which is neither appropriate nor professional.
The First Amendment is not served when a single reporter, of more than 150 present, attempts to monopolize the floor.
If there is no check on this type of behavior it impedes the ability of the President, the White House staff, and members of the media to conduct business.
Shoot. Everything about CNN sucks. Nothing new in this.
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