First Amendment suspended in the Gulf of Mexico as spill cover-up goes Orwellian

im gonna have
2 let u all die
i cant take it anymore
they re kiklling u
yhis is it

Originally posted by this_is_who_we_are

Originally posted by nenothtu

Originally posted by knightoffire
It sickens me every time I drive by a BP station to see every gas pump occupied by someone who either does not know what is going on or simply by someone who does not care.

I know that it will never happen, but isn't it time for the U.S. government to take over this disaster and its borders and expel BP and take over the clean up operations?? Just goes to show you......

Whoooa there!You get a story that the government is suspending rights to deal with this problem, and your FIRST RESPONSE is to say "hey, why don't we just give the government MORE power?"?

WHAT are you using to think with?

Now, with that said, it's not really any secret that I've got no great love for the Obama Regime. In spite of that, I just can't lay this story at their doorstep yet. I've gone through all the links, and found NONE, not one single link, to the alleged legislation or exec order.

NONE. Not one.

All I've found is circular sites, referring back to each other as proof, and the allegation that CNN reported on this. Sorry. Even if CNN IS reporting on it, I'm not ready to march on Washington with pitchforks until I see evidence in the form of the law or executive order calling for it.

There was actually no legislation or executive order. The order comes from the U.S. Coast Guard:

COOPER: “the Coast Guard today announced new rules keeping photographers and reporters and anyone else from coming within 65 feet of any response vessel or booms out on the water or on beaches — 65 feet. Now, in order to get closer, you have to get direct permission from the Coast Guard captain of the Port of New Orleans."

The Coast Guard has the authority to do this under United States Code 33 USC 1221-1236
oceancommission.gov...

§ 1225. Waterfront safety

(a) In general
The Secretary may take such action as is necessary to—
(1) prevent damage to, or the destruction of, any bridge or other structure on or in the navigable waters of the United States, or any land structure or shore area immediately adjacent to such waters; and
(2) protect the navigable waters and the resources therein from harm resulting from vessel or structure damage, destruction, or loss. Such action may include, but need not be limited to—
(A) establishing procedures, measures, and standards for the handling, loading, unloading, storage, stowage, and movement on the structure (including the emergency removal, control, and disposition) of explosives or other dangerous articles and substances, including oil or hazardous material as those terms are defined in section 2101 of title 46;
(B) prescribing minimum safety equipment requirements for the structure to assure adequate protection from fire, explosion, natural disaster, and other serious accidents or casualties;
(C) establishing water or waterfront safety zones, or other measures for limited, controlled, or conditional access and activity when necessary for the protection of any vessel, structure, waters, or shore area; and
(D) establishing procedures for examination to assure compliance with the requirements prescribed under this section.



[edit on 7/4/2010 by this_is_who_we_are]

Addendum:

I can find no actual source for the Coast Guard order. I have searched the web and have checked the Coast Guard site and it's media site for a press release of some sort. Nothing. Just as nenothtu related in his post. So, what is the source for the Anderson Cooper story, and how can it be substantiated?

www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com...
www.uscg.mil...

I hope no one has posted this already - didn't notice it in the thread. It's another reporter's story about this:

www.huffingtonpost.com...

I finally found a source:

www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com...

DATE: July 03, 2010 10:17:05 CST
MEDIA ADVISORY-Procedures Established For Media to Access Safety Zones On A Case-By-Case Basis
Key contact numbers

•Report oiled shoreline or request volunteer information: (866) 448-5816
•Submit alternative response technology, services or products: (281) 366-5511
•Submit your vessel for the Vessel of Opportunity Program: (866) 279-7983 or (877) 847-7470
•Submit a claim for damages: (800) 440-0858
•Report oiled wildlife: (866) 557-1401
Deepwater Horizon Incident
Joint Information Center

Phone: (713) 323-1670
(713) 323-1671




HOUMA, La. - The Coast Guard Captain of the Port of New Orleans has delegated authority to the Coast Guard Incident Commander in Houma to allow access to the safety zones placed around all Deepwater Horizon booming operations in Southeast Louisiana.

The Coast Guard Incident Commander will ensure the safety of the members and equipment of the response before access is granted.

"The safety zones are intended to safeguard critical resources that are a vital part of the largest oil spill response in our history," said Chief Petty Officer Paul Roszkowski, Assistant Public Information Officer at Incident Command Post Houma, La. "We must take the steps necessary to preserve the assets needed as we fight to save the way of life of the people of Louisiana."

The safety zone has been put in place to prevent vandalism to boom and to protect the members and equipment of the response effort by limiting access to, and through, deployed protective boom.

Media wishing to gain access to the safety zones should call the Houma Joint Information Center at 985-493-7835.


For information about the response effort, visit www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com.

In addition:

www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com...
DATE: June 30, 2010 16:51:40 CST
Coast Guard establishes 20-meter safety zone around all Deepwater Horizon protective boom; operations
Key contact numbers

•Report oiled shoreline or request volunteer information: (866) 448-5816
•Submit alternative response technology, services or products: (281) 366-5511
•Submit your vessel for the Vessel of Opportunity Program: (866) 279-7983 or (877) 847-7470
•Submit a claim for damages: (800) 440-0858
•Report oiled wildlife: (866) 557-1401
Deepwater Horizon Incident
Joint Information Center

Phone: (713) 323-1670
(713) 323-1671




NEW ORLEANS - The Captains of the Port for Morgan City, La., New Orleans, La., and Mobile, Ala. , under the authority of the Ports and Waterways Safety Act, has established a 20- meter safety zone surrounding all Deepwater Horizon booming operations and oil response efforts taking place in Southeast Louisiana.

Vessels must not come within 20 meters of booming operations, boom, or oil spill response operations under penalty of law.

The safety zone has been put in place to protect members of the response effort, the installation and maintenance of oil containment boom, the operation of response equipment and protection of the environment by limiting access to and through deployed protective boom.

In areas where vessels operators cannot avoid the 20-meter rule, they are required to be cautious of boom and boom operations by transiting at a safe speed and distance.

Violation of a safety zone can result in up to a $40,000 civil penalty. Willful violations may result in a class D felony.

Permission to enter any safety zone must be granted by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port of New Orleans by calling 504-846-5923.



"Media, boaters could face criminal penalties by entering oil cleanup 'safety zone'"
Published: Thursday, July 01, 2010, 7:10 PM Updated: Thursday, July 01, 2010, 7:15 PM
Chris Kirkham, The Times-Picayune
www.nola.com...

"According to a news release from the Unified Command, violation of the "safety zone" rules can result in a civil penalty of up to $40,000, and could be classified as a Class D felony."

"But federal officials said the buffer zone is essential to the clean-up effort."

"The safety zone has been put in place to protect members of the response effort, the installation and maintenance of oil containment boom, the operation of response equipment and protection of the environment by limiting access to and through deployed protective boom," the news release said."

"The Coast Guard on Tuesday had initially established an even stricter "safety zone" of more than 300 feet, but reduced the distance to 20 meters - 65 feet - on Wednesday. In order to get within the 65-foot limit, media must call the Coast Guard captain of the Port of New Orleans, Edwin Stanton, to get permission."

"Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, the national incident commander for the oil spill, said in a press briefing Thursday that it is "not unusual at all" for the Coast Guard to establish such a safety zone, likening it to a safety measure that would be enacted for "marine events" or "fireworks demonstrations" or for "cruise ships going in and out of port.""

I can not believe this!
I dont think this is legal.
and I think they are hiding some thing else?
they can not be just hiding the oil?
why not leave it the way it was.
why draw more attention to it.

and the rest of the brain wash’t world sits back and watches TV...

? is it more than just Oil ??????

[edit on 4-7-2010 by buddha]

reply to post by this_is_who_we_are


Ah. That makes more sense then. Thanks for that, even if I DON'T get to bash Obama over it!

65 feet isn't much. I can throw a rock 65 feet. I can certainly take a picture from 65 feet, even if I have to use a telephoto lens. Reporters can camp out 24/7 at the 65 foot limit, and file stories away to their hearts content.

I'm still not seeing the problem!

In addition, the military can restrict and has in the past restricted press access: see crf-usa.org...

reply to post by this_is_who_we_are


Oh my. The plot thickens. You don't suppose the MSM would LIE for any reason, like ratings or sensationalism, do you?

reply to post by this_is_who_we_are


So there IS a source! I feel better now.

STOP THAT!



Edit to add: and it appears the press DOES have access, just by going through channels. Still not seeing a problem here...

[edit on 2010/7/4 by nenothtu]

Originally posted by nenothtu
reply to post by this_is_who_we_are

 

So there IS a source! I feel better now.

STOP THAT!

It took some time to find it though. Cooper should have referenced the source for his report.

And so begins the first steps in taking our rights away. I bet this is more of a test than anything. So everyone start preparing, nothing good can come from this.

It's amazing how fast they can enact laws that are unconstitutional... that law seemed to instantly appear out of nowhere. But when it comes to enforcing laws they are obligated to obey under the constitution, like protecting the boarders, they drag there feet forever.

reply to post by soleprobe


The authority given to the Coast Guard to impliment access restrictons was enacted in 1972:

PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY ACT OF 1972
oceancommission.gov...

A sleeper, as it were.

reply to post by The_Tick


You guys reeeeally need a new President...lol
Sorry to say this but it has to be said... Obama is not doing the job he was hired to do... simple as that!!

[edit on 7/4/2010 by Ironclad]

Originally posted by nenothtu
Edit to add: and it appears the press DOES have access, just by going through channels. Still not seeing a problem here...

Just like the good ole 2nd Amendment. You can have it, just when they let you have it and/or severely restricted.

Don't give them an inch.

Only Congress can enact laws which make described conduct a crime. Admininistrative agencies and the executive branch do not have that power. So lighten up folks. If an admin agency presumes to exercise the power to declare what is a crime, then it is acting completely over and beyond its authority. I don't doubt they might try to do this or that they might also presume to arrest people and apply criminal sanctions but, in the end, it will fail. In the meantime, those caught in their web will suffer.

Originally posted by this_is_who_we_are


It took some time to find it though. Cooper should have referenced the source for his report.

Cooper has been getting pounded by Fox in ratings for years. Yes, I like him, but he was jumping here, but trying to save himself. Can't say I blame him, he is a decent reporter who overhyped this to save himself from the sinking ship of CNN.

If this were real, and media were forbidden from any access, and the 1st denied to exist, I think those who value the 1st, would be exercising their 2nd right now. Keep our rights, ALL of them, I stand with you even if I don't agree with you, and hope you will stand with me. Once they take one right, we are all done, no matter what we believe.

This is the same MSM that covers Hollywood sluts and car chases as if they were "Breaking News" that everyone is eagerly awating...Ha!

This is the same BigGov that has kept the lap-puppy press at bay for the last decade. BigGov now turns on their MSM pets and the hounds are a howling at their masters.

Mom used to warn, "If you lay down with the dogs, you will be infested with their fleas."

Lord, ain't the American press grand?




[edit on 4-7-2010 by romanmel]

sigh - despite the claims - this is nothing to do with the 1st ammendment , freedom of the press or liberty

the restriction is not just on reporters / photographers / bloggers - its EVERYONE

and 65 feet = 21m - you can see quite clearly whats going on at that distance - so get over it

there are hundreds of similar restrictions around the world that prohibit UNAUTHORIDED persons from approaching dangerous environments - why are idiots suddenly alarmed about this on

PS - if you believe the claims made here and elsewhere about the spills toxicity - do you want to approach within 21m - feeling suicidal ????