Additional Thoughts: White House Correspondent's Dinner


First - a brief look back.  But only if you have the time and inclination to review the Curtis Culwell Center (Garland, Texas) attack.  Your time is a commodity. I try to keep my posts concise, readable, and enjoyable.

I chose to attend the Draw Muhammad Exhibit in honor of the staff at Charlie Hebdo and to honor Samuel Paty for his courage.

https://thelastenglishprince.wordpress.com/2020/10/19/prophet-muhammad-decapitates-samuel-paty-on-the-streets-of-paris-part-ii/

A handful of posts regarding the attack in Garland

https://thelastenglishprince.wordpress.com/2015/04/30/drawing-muhammad-and-ptsd/

https://thelastenglishprince.wordpress.com/2020/05/03/draw-muhammad-event-attack-2015/

https://ibloga.blogspot.com/2015/05/urgent-breaking.html

https://thelastenglishprince.wordpress.com/2015/05/06/attack-on-a-first-amendment-event-the-draw-muhammad-exhibition/

An image which denotes lack of situational awareness:

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/26/us/politics/shots-fired-inside-the-pandemonium-at-the-washington-hilton.html

Yes!  Absolutely, yes!  It is your job to do your job professionally if there is breaking news. But if you are a member of the public your primary duty is to remain safe if there is an element of danger.

When I was at the Garland event, members of SWAT jumped onto the stage informed that shots had been fired and an officer injured. The command was given for us to quickly line up and follow the instructions given by the officers. We were told to leave everything on our tables.  As a journalist, there was no way in hell that I was going to leave behind my cell phone.  It was my lifeline to my family (first) and then needed to report out on the story.  At the time, I was writing for Daily Times in Pakistan with a weekly column on Friday.

But all of the attendees standing with cell phones aloft?  It is doubtful they are journalists. There is no situational awareness. And that perfect image, that personal trophy to show off to friends, might just be a palm-held accessory to your murder.

Please remember that if law enforcement has guns drawn, it is your duty to follow their instructions and maintain situational awareness until the "All Clear" is sounded.



 

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