"I cringe for my profession. I fear for America."Dan Gillmor June 22, 2003 in response to Jimmy Breslin's piece of June 21, 2003 on the 'apprehension' and 'trial' of an 'American citizen' in Columbus, Ohio. in which Mr. Breslin writes:

This government's kidnapping of Faris/Rauf violated the laws handed down by Madison, Jefferson, Marshall. A small religious zealot, John Ashcroft, takes their great laws and bravery and using our new Patriot Act, turns it into Fascism.

He could do this openly because news reporters go about the government like gardeners, bent over, smiling and nodding when one of the owners shows up. You only have to look at a White House news conference to see how they aggressively pursue your right to know.

The newspeople stand when the president comes into the room. They really do. They don't sit until he tells them to. You tell them a lie and they say, "Sir."

Mr. Gillmor also links to a blog published by a former student of his who is interning at the New York Daily News.