Huffington Post is reporting the arrest yesterday morning of Josh Fox, who produced Gasland, a documentary about the environmental risks of oil and gas operations, who was attempting to film at a hearing of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Environment. Republicans objected to him being in the hearing room, which is open to the public; the chairman of the subcommittee, Republican Andy Harris of Maryland, ordered the arrest. Democrats moved to allow Fox to stay, but Republicans voted him down. Fox, who is well regarded in the environmental and media communities, was led away in handcuffs by Capitol Hill police. Here’s the video:
Now, I have to say that I disagreed with much of Gasland, and believe some of his conclusions were not supported by the facts. However, I NEVER agree that politicians who disagree with a person trample his constitutional rights. He caused no disturbance, broke no laws. The Constitution was dealt as severe blow today, led by Republicans and aided by armed Capitol Hill police officers.
This is shameful, and I challenge anyone to argue that this action was acceptable.
Tagged with: Gasland • GOP • House Energy • Josh Fox • politics • Republicans
Filed under: Energy • Environment • Politics
Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!
I couldn’t get all of the the little pissy reply the Congressman made to the woman on the committee about “Where’s the transparency we are always talking about?” but, it was apparent the Chair was being a jerk. The Chair does not have the right, Rules be damned, to throw the press out. Not the yellow press. Not the left-wing press. Not the right-wing press. Not the press. It is a constitutional right of the people to have a free press and Congressional Rules and Chairs do not supersede the Constitution of the United States containing our Bill of Rights. No one gets to vote on them. The Supreme Court of the United States can not disturb them. They are RIGHTS. We are BORN with them. The people need to set these puffed up little authoritarian demigods straight and in no uncertain terms!