-Caveat Lector-
From
http://conservativenews.org/ViewPolitics.asp?Page=/Politics/archive/200204/POL200
20419b.html
}}}>Begin
Time: 1:57 AM,Saturday, April 20, 102
Democrat Tries to Boot TV Cameraman From House Hearing
By Jeff Johnson
CNSNews.com Congressional Bureau Chief
April 19, 2002
Capitol Hill (CNSNews.com) - California Democratic Congresssman Henry Waxman
tried unsuccessfully Thursday to have an accredited TV news photographer thrown
out of a House subcommittee hearing. The hearing focused on whether to limit
liability lawsuits against gun makers and Waxman, who favors gun control, insisted
the cameraman was videotaping on behalf of the National Rifle Association.
The House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection was
hearing testimony on the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (H.R. 2037), a
bill designed to stop lawsuits against the gun industry for actions taken by criminals
using their products, when Waxman challenged the presence of the television
camera.
"Under the rules, the only cameras that are permitted at a hearing are from
accredited representatives of the press. I understand that the camera that is now
filming this hearing is owned and controlled by the National Rifle Association,"
Waxman (D-Calif.) charged.
"If I'm correct and this camera [man] is not an accredited member of the press, I'd
make a point of order that the camera should not be permitted to film the hearing,"
he added.
Subcommittee Chairman Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) recognized the camera operator as
someone who regularly videotapes hearings on Capitol Hill.
"We'll be glad to show you his credentials," Stearns offered Waxman after some
discussion.
The cameraman, a freelance video journalist accredited by the U.S. Senate and
House of Representatives News Galleries, presented his gallery identification card to
Stearns, who read the information to the subcommittee.
But that did not satisfy Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.) the ranking Democrat on the
subcommittee.
"That's not the question. The question is: This camera, is this the National Rifle
Association's camera? That's the question rather than the credentials," Towns
argued. "What identification you have in your pocket, that's another issue."
Stearns disagreed.
"The identification in his pocket shows that he's accredited press and, I think, as
such that he's entitled to record," Stearns ruled.
But Towns and Waxman continued their challenge.
"No. I have a driver's license that says 'New York State' in my pocket but I'm not here
representing New York State. I'm here as a member of the United States Congress,"
Towns continued. "So, the fact that he can pull something out of his pocket doesn't
satisfy me.
"The question I have, which I want answered ... is whether or not he's filming for the
National Rifle Association. That is the real question here."
"May we ask of the gentleman who is filming, for whom he is working today?"
Waxman asked Stearns.
Stearns jokingly said that if Waxman wanted to overrule the decision, he was
"welcome to try."
"You're welcome to appeal," Stearns declared seriously. "But, we want to get on to
the witnesses, so I think that, under the circumstances, my position would be that
he's shown his credentials and we accept them and we'll continue."
Waxman withdrew his objection, with a caveat.
"If this man has been hired by the National Rifle Association, just as anybody hired
from the Democratic Party shouldn't be allowed to come in here and film, I don't think
we ought to allow this, and I think the rules don't permit it," Waxman alleged.
Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) echoed Waxman's complaint.
"I don't think any outside groups should be in here filming," DeGette said. "I'm deeply
offended by it."
But the three Democrats' assertions that House rules prohibit recording by
individuals other than accredited news media were incorrect.
"Under the rules of the committee, the chairman has 'full and complete discretion to
allow any cameras into the hearing room,' whether those cameras are credentialed
or not," Stearns said, after receiving a report from his staff. "So, rest assured, that
the cameras are completely allowed under committee rules."
The video journalist, who asked that he not be identified, told CNSNews.com that he
was working for a Washington-based contracting agency that routinely provides
camera crews to television networks and stations from around the country.
He added that the equipment he was using was personally owned, and not the
property of the National Rifle Association.
A member of the House Radio-TV Gallery staff also told CNSNews.com that the
chairman of a committee or subcommittee has the absolute authority over allowing
recordings by groups or individuals other than accredited media. The gallery staff
member, who also did not wish to be identified, said it was "inappropriate" for
members of the subcommittee to challenge the camera operator during the hearing,
in front of spectators.
The video journalist completed his recording of the hearing, with no further
challenges.
E-mail a news tip to Jeff Johnson.
End<{{{
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Forwarded as information only; no automatic endorsement
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material
is distributed without charge or profit to those who have
expressed a prior interest in receiving this type of information
for non-profit research and educational purposes only.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
"Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe
simply because it has been handed down for many generations. Do not
believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do
not believe in anything simply because it is written in Holy Scriptures. Do not
believe in anything merely on the authority of Teachers, elders or wise men.
Believe only after careful observation and analysis, when you find that it
agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all.
Then accept it and live up to it."
The Buddha on Belief, from the Kalama Sutta
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will
teach you to keep your mouth shut."
--- Ernest Hemingway
<A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A>
DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER
==========
CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic
screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! These are
sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, mis-
directions and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with
major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought.
That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and
always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no
credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply.
Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector.
========================================================================
Archives Available at:
http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html
<A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of
[EMAIL PROTECTED]</A>
http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/
<A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A>
========================================================================
To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email:
SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email:
SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Om
