Military Court Martials for civilian contractors and journalist

[Parrott_head]

http://washingtontimes.com/upi/20070115-101140-6129r.htmnull

It seems odd to me that this did not receive any real press. I first I thought it was a hoax.

It will be interesting if someone is charged and it is challenged constitutionally.

I would have to review the Uniform Code of Military Justice to see how this would effect a journalist.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Plainsman]

Re: Military Court Martials for civilian contractors and journalist

If and when it does happen, it will end up in the hands of the supreme court. But if someone is charged, I would think they could be held by the military.

I also think that it is strange the media has not reported on this, I'd have thought they would chew on this like vultures.

 

[crunch]

Re: Military Court Martials for civilian contractors and journalist

My first thought is that the Media is scared by this bill and doesn't want it to be well known.

I hope it holds up, the Media is all too well known for it's quest for ratings at the cost of our National Security.

 

[Bass Man Bruce]

Re: Military Court Martials for civilian contractors and journalist

I don't think it has a chance in court. I don't see how it could pass constitutional muster re: jury of peers. I bet theres more than a few people sweatin though.

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Military Court Martials for civilian contractors and journalist

Wow, that would take your society back 400+ years.
Cheers
Phillip

 

[crunch]

Re: Military Court Martials for civilian contractors and journalist

I don't agree Phil, but it might put some responsibility, and accountability back in journalism

 

[bassman284]

Re: Military Court Martials for civilian contractors and journalist

If and when it does happen, it will end up in the hands of the supreme court. But if someone is charged, I would think they could be held by the military.

I also think that it is strange the media has not reported on this, I'd have thought they would chew on this like vultures.

Wow, Plainsman. Must be a Left Wing Liberal Media conspiracy.

 

[bassman284]

Re: Military Court Martials for civilian contractors and journalist

Wow, that would take your society back 400+ years.
Cheers
Phillip

ROFLMAO!!

Good'n Phil!

 

[Parrott_head]

Re: Military Court Martials for civilian contractors and journalist

From what I've been able to figure out there is precedence for this if the journalist is working in a declared war zone. Iraq and Afghanistan are not declared war zones but this added language would apply.

So what would keep the same language from being used state side?

I will try to find out more.

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Military Court Martials for civilian contractors and journalist

The problem some individuals have with Journalists, occurs when the Journalist in question expresses or raise facts and-or issues that individual disagrees with.

It is the time old dictatorial situation "if you don't tell the people what I want them to hear then I will stop you from telling then anything".

Believe me, I have no love of Journalist, but I believe they are the greatest sh#t-detectors on this planet.

The 1st thing Dictators do is jail Journalist and close down or destroy printing presses etc who do not support them.

Cheers
Phillip

 

[crunch]

Re: Military Court Martials for civilian contractors and journalist

Very true Phil, but I still don't have the right to shout fire in a crowded movie theater... responsibility goes hand in hand with rights. If you abuse the right, you should be held acountable.

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: Military Court Martials for civilian contractors and journalist

I Think Phil may have a rather large point here, (don't know all the details). If the media is subject to the UCMJ, potential President, (Lord forbid) Queen of Mean, (aka ol' Hill) could use that to her advantage. Very scary, (bad as the MSM is), let's think this one over folks. Respectfully JR

 

[crunch]

Re: Military Court Martials for civilian contractors and journalist

OMR... it would be the Military, not Hill doing the trials..... do you think there could be anytime in the future a lovefest between them?

 

[bassman284]

Re: Military Court Martials for civilian contractors and journalist

Careful, Phil. the good ol' boys here gonna think you have liberal leanings.

 

[crunch]

Re: Military Court Martials for civilian contractors and journalist

Good ol' boys already know.

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Military Court Martials for civilian contractors and journalist

I have worked out who our political parties equivalents are here, and this is how I vote.

For Federal (Aussie National Govt) I vote Republican.
For State Govt I vote Liberal

Strange thing here is:
our Federal Govt is Republican
every State in Australia has a Liberal Govt.

The term good-ol-boys always brings a smile to my dial. To me they are always the mongrels as the back of the pack fighting over the scraps. Plenty of what we call "p#ss-and-wind" but not much else.

As for the Military judging anyone outside their own....forget it.....its like putting the rooster in charge of the hen house, everybodys going to get duff@d. Leave the military to running the military....that's all they are capable of.
Another point: ever seen a General in civilian cloths?

Cheers
Phillip

 

[crunch]

Re: Military Court Martials for civilian contractors and journalist

Phil, I haven't got a clue as to what you are talking about, maybe some of our Southern brethren can come in here and translate, but I can't see anything in your post that relates to my post......

How does my right to free speech, and a right to a free press, relate to my yelling fire in a crowded theater?

It's really simple... it's about accountability, repercussions, and responsibility.. Please address that and keep the esoteric politics out of it.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Military Court Martials for civilian contractors and journalist

I have to think there are laws that apply to this outside of the UMCJ. I think it is important for the press to "start" doing their job, but as long as it bleeds it leads we can expect more of our ever so common form of yellow journalism.

Charge them as they are, civilians.

 

[treedancer]

Re: Military Court Martials for civilian contractors and journalist

It seems that the MSM has been rather busy lately reporting on the important stuff, Ann Nichol Smith. :$

 

[Parrott_head]

Re: Military Court Martials for civilian contractors and journalist

Did some surfing and found an article that goes into a little detail on the new law. One of the issues raised is the abuse of detainees while under the control of civilian security contractors and how this effects the military command.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/011507E.shtml

For those of us that remember Walter Cronkite's reporting from Viet Nam that may be a parallel that can be drawn.