Just a Crook? Pentagon Papers Lawyer Thinks Obama Is Worse Than Nixon

[ScienceRocks]

Just a Crook? Pentagon Papers Lawyer Thinks Obama Is Worse Than Nixon
The New York Observer ^ | May 14, 2013 | Michael H. Miller

James C. Goodale, the so-called “father of reporters’ privilege” and the author of a new book called Fighting for the Press (CUNY Journalism Press, 255 pp., $20), was in his office at the Debevoise & Plimpton law firm, where he’s a partner, comparing Barack Obama to Richard M. Nixon.

“Nixon and Agnew were like listening to a Fox News program all day long, every day,” he said. “In their eyes, the Eastern establishment press were against them and they were against it and they were going to destroy it as best they can.” But, he said, “Obama has all these things that he’s done to the press on national security matters that Nixon never did.”

Mr. Goodale, 79, was the general counsel of The New York Times during the 1971 Pentagon Papers case, when President Nixon ordered the old grey lady to cease publication of excerpts from a 7,000-page document, which detailed America’s involvement in Vietnam over the course of three decades. The Times published the first excerpt on June 13, 1971. By June 26, the case had reached the Supreme Court. Over the course of a few days, the justices ruled in a 6-3 decision that the U.S. government could not censor the Times. Nixon then convened a grand jury to indict the Times for conspiracy to violate the Espionage Act—”which really doesn’t mean anything,” Mr. Goodale said, rubbing his forehead in distress—but the case quickly fell apart. Fighting for the Press reads like a political thriller, with Nixon providing some dark comic relief. The guy was not exactly subtle: “As far as the Times is concerned,” he said to John Mitchell, the U.S. Attorney General, “hell they’re our enemies.”

Now, the man who successfully fought Nixon says President Obama has an even more troubling record.....

Just a Crook? Pentagon Papers Lawyer Thinks Obama Is Worse Than Nixon | Observer

 

[ScienceRocks]

Nixon is looking innocent next to Obama. Wouldn't you agree?

 

[whitehall]

Fighting for the Press? It must have been easy for people like Goodale back in the 70's when the only message was liberal. What the hell does he have to complain about when two reporters got to bring down the Nixon administration using tactics that nobody would tolerate today? I'm seeing left wing media types like this guy and Bob Woodward pretending that the media is doing it's job today and it isn't true.

 

[TheSeventhTiger]

This is like comparing Paris Hilton clipping a pedestrian (Nixon) to OJ Simpson.(Barry)

 

[Zona]

This is going to be the thing that will bring down Obama. This one!

 

[TheSeventhTiger]

big deal the honorable Nixon was taping the rats! look at what the rats have been doing since 2007/08? Admitting their hatred for minorities and assuming they are all so damn stupid that they will vote for Democrats with no knowledge of what the party stands for.

 

[C_Clayton_Jones]

Goodale only exhibits his ignorance of Watergate by comparing Nixon to Obama.

 

[TheSeventhTiger]

at least Nixon didn't attempt to collapse the economy when he became president and forced everyone to buy health care!

 

[whitehall]

Goodale only exhibits his ignorance of Watergate by comparing Nixon to Obama.

The comparison is more than legitimate. The media could have eaten the Hussein administration for breakfast faster than Nixon if he was a republican. They just aren't interested even though they might finally do their jobs if they worry about losing credibility. Watch out for phonies like Goodale and Woodward who come out of the woodwork to peddle a book. They are libs at heart and they will go which ever way the political wind blows to make a buck.

 

[TheSeventhTiger]

didn't Nixon mention in his book, "If This Country Elects Bill Clinton President, The Country Has Gone To Hell"? {well , something like that, hmm, just like they did in 2008}