SharylAttkisson: For federal and local government, the reflexive position too often seems to be secrecy. Not only is it often unnecessary, but it could be argued it’s unethical and possibly unlawful, at times. It’s as if government entities don’t understand they derive their power from the people. They’re funded by the people. They work for the people. The information they have belongs to the people. Instead, bureaucrats often treat information as if they own it, like a corporation coveting highly-proprietary material. They lord over and withhold it in ways they perceive to be to their political advantage, regardless of the public nature of the information and of the bureaucrats’ mission.
A few weeks ago, I asked whether the news media was avoiding showing Donald Trump’s large crowds. I concluded, in part, that Hillary Clinton (for her own reasons) appears to be choosing to speak at relatively modest venues.
Today, prior to a Clinton appearance at Florida’s Sanford Senior Center, I called the center to ask how many people it can hold. This is a routine call to help determine maximum capacity for an event. Instead of answering the question, the person who answered the phone sounded distressed and consulted somebody else in the room.
“It depends on how it’s configured, if there are tables or chairs…” she explains, in dodging my answer.
“Well just tell me the normal capacity for a standing event,” I say.
Silence. She consults the other person in the room again.
It is usually impossible even to get govt employees to tell you their full names.
“What’s your name, please?”
“My name’s Bob.”
“Your full name, please?”
“We don’t give out our full names. Why do you need to know that?”
And “Bob” is probably an alias.
Countdown and it’s getting nutz. RSBN Right Side Broadcasting Network provides live stream for Trump rallies and they’re openly pro-Trump.
They show crowd size and interview attendees.
Today they were sabotaged at the Miami rally, cameras messed with. Second rally in Orlando YouTube cut their stream for unknown reasons.
Sharyl Attkisson a real Journalist, it’s been so long I thought journalists went by way of the dinosaurs.
“For federal and local government, the reflexive position too often seems to be secrecy. Not only is it often unnecessary, but it could be argued it’s unethical and possibly unlawful, at times. It’s as if government entities don’t understand they derive their power from the people. They’re funded by the people. They work for the people. The information they have belongs to the people.”
The political power brokers covet information, power and selfish Financial gain.
Donald Trump is correct, Term limits will correct many abuses, and return the government back to serving the Nation’s business and not serving Special interests, lobbyists, corporations, political campaign committees, PACs, their personal self interest.
How can Representative or Senator win a seat on a middle class income, serve 4 years, receive retirement, the very best benefits package they voted themselves, then walk out of government a multi millionaire? Building $500,000 luxury homes in Florida and other states.
Thanks MJA! This is the BEST ELECTION EVER!!! And I really like my seat for the show here at IOTW 😜
Well said Sharyl Attkisson!!!
I’ll always have a high regard for Attkisson for being one of the first, if not THE first, professional journalists to run with the Fast & Furious / ATF gun-walking story after David Codrea and the late Mike Vanderboegh broke it. She thinks for herself, and she thinks quite well.