A President And Government Of ALL The People? Hardly!

A "Special Briefing" on Benghazi was held just before yesterday's press briefing. For "select" members of The Media. I'm sure the liberal attendees did indeed feel "special" but what about the concept of freedom of the press? Doesn't the concept of a free press have as a fundamental precept openness by administrations to ALL 'The Press', not just the ones that find themselves on the good side of a president?

What kind of message does that deliver? Better be nice to us if you want to get the inside scoop on things. If you print something that makes us look bad you run the risk of not being invited back. We'll send you to a 'time out' if you misbehave. That's CONTROL (by exclusion) of the press, not freedom of the press.

Adding emphasis to this administration's hostility toward all things conservative is the other news yesterday that the IRS targeted conservative groups for 'special' investigation if the terms "Tea Party" or "Patriot" are in any way connected with a group claiming tax-exempt status. Hmmmmm. You don't suppose they'd do that with their counterpart groups on the left end of the political spectrum that dare call themselves progressive do you? That would be fair and balanced would it not?

What kind of message does that deliver? Better not create a group like that or promote yourself that way on our watch or you'll get 'special treatment' by the IRS. Isn't that nice? How special, huh? Everyone knows how much fun it is to get 'special treatment' by the IRS.

And what if one happens to be an officer in such groups? By definition, they'd be getting extra scrutiny by the IRS as they dig into what the group may or may not be doing. Having been on the executive committee of one I'm no doubt on the IRS watch list.

What do you suppose will be the IRS' reaction to this news being made public? Will they simply stop doing that or will they simply do it more surreptitiously?

Also, if the IRS is giving extra attention to Tea Party and Patriot groups, doesn't that imply it's most likely true that other government departments are also giving 'special treatment' to them AND their membership too?

Understand that this is coercive action by the government. It's a more passive-aggressive form of it but that's what it is, plain and simple. By definition it is the antithesis of freedom and constitutional principles.

Oh, it feels SO good to receive such special treatment by my government. Media representing my interests cannot get into White House briefings and groups with which I associate come under special investigation by agents of the government simply because we have an opposing political view. Never mind that we do things peacefully compared with the likes of the left's "Occupy" movement.

Thank you Mr. President. You make me feel SO SPECIAL!