'Gasland' Journalists Arrested At Hearing By Order Of House Republicans (UPDATES)

[xchrom]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/01/house-republicans-order-j_n_1246971.html?ref=green


This image, taken by a Democratic source, shows Josh Fox being arrested by Capitol Hill police.

WASHINGTON -- In a stunning break with First Amendment policy, House Republicans directed Capitol Hill police to detain a highly regarded documentary crew that was attempting to film a Wednesday hearing on a controversial natural gas procurement practice. Republicans also denied the entrance of a credentialed ABC News news team that was attempting to film the event.

Josh Fox, director of the Academy Award-nominated documentary "Gasland" was taken into custody by Capitol Hill police this morning, along with his crew, after Republicans objected to their presence, according to Democratic sources present at the hearing. The meeting of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Environment had been taking place in room 2318 of the Rayburn building.

Approximately 16 officers entered the hearing room and handcuffed Fox amid audible discussions of "disorderly conduct" charges, according to Democratic sources present at the arrest.

"Gasland" received strong critical acclaim and takes a critical eye toward the practice of hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," a process in which several tons of highly pressurized water and chemicals are injected into the ground, allowing valuable natural gas to escape. The practice is decried by ecological experts for destroying ecosystems and polluting groundwater. The energy industry keeps the actual content of fracking chemicals secret.

[broiles]

1. Will not be secret amy longer

The Texas Railroad Commission is going to force them to post the chemicals on line.

[gratuitous]

2. I wonder what the House Republicans are trying to hide?

And I wonder if any of the popular media outlets will wonder that as well?

[Old and In the Way]

3. I think we can assume the worst.

A fast track for the Republican's primary enablers who make their elections possible. Expedite the process and ignore the environmental risks which the taxpayer will absorb and get the legislation done ASAP to deliver the profits to private industry. That's what Kochroach Caucus does and they don't want the kleig lights on to let the American taxpayer/voter see them in action.

[WCGreen]

4. Absolutely correct....

Privitize the profits while sloughing off as many costs on the people as possible.

[JNelson6563]

7. Well said!

[malaise]

5. It's not a good thing to fugg with the press

or journalists.

[xchrom]

6. These are savvy guys - I can't see this ending well for the repukes. Nt

[malaise]

8. That's all good to me

[xchrom]

9. LOL! Indeed! Nt