Comments on: VA officials seize reporter’s equipment during interview with veteran

By: Kylie

Kylie — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:16:17 +0000

Adrian – Have you read a newspaper or watched TV any time in the last 20 years? There’s pretty much no such thing as unbiased reporting these days, even by the so-called pros at newspapers. Most news outlets these days are owned by large corporations, and most of them at least influence (if not outright mandate) the slant of the news their papers print. Yes, there are a few hold-outs that will stand up to the big boys, but not too many.

By: adrian

adrian — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 01:50:43 +0000

This “journalist” is not a pro. Read the lead. “In an obvious attempt to silence” and “NPR journalist attempting to interview a veteran about dismal medical care “.

This is biased reporting. This is why we need pros, as our newspapers — traditionally the pillars of journalism — teeter on collapse.

By: skibrianski

skibrianski — Sun, 31 May 2009 18:58:39 +0000

I think it’s wrong to focus your rage against Asendio. He had to make a difficult call, and he got it wrong, but he was not negligent. The people who were in the wrong were the VA employees and the security guards. Police officers and security professionals need to be hammered over the head with the fact that reporting is almost always legal. It’s time to make this an issue again, now that 9-11 paranoia has settled down a bit.

By: Macro photography

Macro photography — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 05:45:42 +0000

I can’t believe that things like this are happening in a country that is suppose to have freedom of speech.

By: Duane Kerzic

Duane Kerzic — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 22:16:06 +0000

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press has sent a letter on this;
http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/docs/20090410_170802_va_letter.pdf

Press Release is here, http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=10702

It’s a bit late to call the committees but it couldn’t hurt. They are interested in hearing about stuff like this.

By: genewitch

genewitch — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 21:37:10 +0000

Wow, everyone except the reporter and the vet being interviewed dropped the ball on this one, huh?

Shame. they should all feel shame. including those $20 an hour security guards. Bastards.

By: Supernintendo Chalmers

Supernintendo Chalmers — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:59:45 +0000

the VA’s trampling the same Constitutional freedoms that those vets lost limbs and sanity defending.

By: Duane Kerzic

Duane Kerzic — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:43:09 +0000

I just sent an email to the White House about this matter,

After reading this article , http://carlosmiller.com/2009/04/10/va-officials-seize-reporters-equipment-during-interview-with-veteran/ and several others about this matter I decided I should contact the VA about what happened. I then looked for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs phone number which cannot be found. I called the White House switchboard where I was given a number that has nothing to do with reaching the administrators of the VA.

I then asked for the White House Chief of Staffs office. I was told that I can not be connected to anyone in that office about the VA.

I have to say that I’m shocked by the thuggery of the VA in this case. The reporter needs to have his equipment back. The Secretary of the VA has to be reachable when things like this happen. We were promised open government and it seems we are not getting open government at all. It seems we are getting more closed doors and refusal to take phone calls then ever in the history of this country.

I have contacted both the House and Senate VA Affairs Committees regarding this issue. They were very easy to reach and took phone calls.

The last times I have written or contacted the White House I have not received anything back. President Bush always sent a reply.

There is a contact form at the VA but it doesn’t have any thing on it for this type of stuff.

Here is some contact info:
House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
335 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
or fax your letter to: (202) 225-2034
or call: (202) 225-9756

US Senate Committee on Verterans’ Affairs
412 Russell Senate Bldg.
Washington D.C. 20510
Democratic Staff
Phone Number:(202) 224-9126

825A Hart Senate Bldg.
Washington D.C. 20510
Republican Staff
Phone Number:(202) 224-2074

White House http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461

It’s kind of a holiday in Washington, DC.

By: Karl Leuba

Karl Leuba — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 16:52:49 +0000

There has not been enough reporting done on this incident, probably because some of the VA hospitals in this country are CORRUPT. To protect the privacy rights of patients the VA system does not allow the use of recording equipment and cameras. Problems arise when the rule is used to protect the VA itself.

Government agencies have no right to privacy. We the people own them. The conflict between the rights of people to criticize government agencies, and the need to protect the privacy of people getting government services, creates an opportunity for government agencies to protect themselves from scrutiny. It may be necessary to change the rules, to allow recording and photography in public areas of those facilities.

And the administrator who confiscated the flash card should be prosecuted for strong armed robbery. Confronted with Armed Men demanding compliance with the demands of a demented Administrator, I would surrender cash, credit cards, shoes and shirt to that administrator, and file charges later.