Government

Supreme Court Says No to TV Cameras for Health Care Hearings

Supreme Court Says No to TV Cameras for Health Care CaseThe Supreme Court on Friday rejected requests to allow television cameras in the courtroom for the upcoming arguments on President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul, though said it would release audio recordings of the proceedings on the same day.

(Related: ‘Necessary and Proper’: Obama Admin to Shift Health Care Defense)

In a statement, the court acknowledged the “extraordinary public interest” in the proceedings, set to be held over three days beginning March 26. Still, it was not enough to shake the long-held tradition of barring recording devices of any kind from the courtroom, despite pleas from many news organizations.

Instead, the court will post audio files and transcripts on its website in the afternoon following each day of proceedings.

Following the announcement, the C-SPAN cable network said it would broadcast the arguments on its cable channel and on the radio as soon as the recordings are available. A statement from the network said it was “disappointed” the court rejected its request to air the proceedings live.

The court’s statement did not actually address the issue of live recordings, merely providing directions where interested parties will be able to access the audio files and transcripts.

According to the AP, the court’s announcement is similar to the decision over the case of Bush v. Gore in 2000, which clinched George W. Bush’s election as president. It was the first time the justices provided audio of the arguments the same day they were held, after denying requests for the proceedings to be aired live.

Comments (82)

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  • soybomb315
    Posted on March 16, 2012 at 5:02pm

    goodness sakes – this is the first time i have seen a picture with kaegan and sotomayor in it. god help us

    Report Post » soybomb315  
    • db321
      Posted on March 16, 2012 at 5:15pm

      I not sure I could watch what going on inside – I am going to be watching the Millions or American Patriots that is lining up outside of Supreme Court Steps.

      The Liberal Media will call them racist – but I will call everyone of them Patriots. God Bless the Crowd.

      Report Post » db321  
    • Chuck Stein
      Posted on March 16, 2012 at 5:27pm

      If Der Obamasar gets another 4 years, I wonder how many more picks he will get.

      Report Post »  
    • soybomb315
      Posted on March 16, 2012 at 5:27pm

      not only are they government lawyers with lifetime tenure – they also dont have to worry about public scrutiny. what a joke.

      this will be the most important decision the supreme court has made in my lifetime, and it will all be done behind closed doors.

      Report Post » soybomb315  
    • justangry
      Posted on March 16, 2012 at 6:43pm

      @Chuck, Unfortunately, I’m thinking Obama get his second term. Justice Thomas is the only one I’m really concerned about leaving from the conservative side. If Justice Ginsburg leaves, who cares. They’d just replace one with another, however she did at least tend to stick up for Civil Liberties.

      Report Post » justangry  
    • JGraham III
      Posted on March 17, 2012 at 11:49am

      I heard the real reason the televised request was denied was that Justice Kagan complained she didn’t have enough time to get her makeup right and Justice Ginsberg replied, “makeup? what’s that?”

      Report Post »  
    • black9897
      Posted on March 17, 2012 at 2:16pm

      Of course. Judges hate cameras. Don’t want anyone to see them dong whatever they want, not following laws, etc…just whatever they feel is right.

      Report Post » black9897  
    • KathleenElsie
      Posted on March 17, 2012 at 3:29pm

      I looked at the picture and what I saw was two women that looks like clones. Are all progressives required to look the same? Then at the far end one older woman that looks like she might catch something if she did not keep her distance for the others.

      Report Post »  
    • Chuck Stein
      Posted on March 18, 2012 at 12:57am

      @ Black9897: “Of course. Judges hate cameras. Don’t want anyone to see them dong whatever they want, not following laws, etc…just whatever they feel is right.”
      Spot on, sir! I appeared before the 9th Circuit a few years ago. Some court TV company requested to video the hearing. The request was denied. I had a bad feeling about my chances, then. Turned out that I was right — the panel totally ignored the central argument that I made on brief. They dealt with a side issue at oral argument. Then, in their decision, they held against my client even though their holding was contrary to published 9th Circuit precedent (which they didn’t even bother to distinguish!)

      Report Post »  
  • momprayn
    Posted on March 16, 2012 at 4:14pm

    I just hope everyone is also concentrating on electing constitutional Repubs. for the SENATE and as many we can to the House. If Obamamcare is ruled constitutional, it will have to be repealed by the next Pres., who can’t do it without 60 votes from the Senate, which is my understanding. All this talk by our canddates about repealing it really can’t be done without the majority that agree in the Senate.
    We will need them anyway, period – to get anything really done that needs to get done.

    Report Post »  
  • ColoradoMaverick
    Posted on March 16, 2012 at 4:13pm

    Who in the hell do they think they are? They work for US! We should demand it. The audacity!

    Report Post » ColoradoMaverick  
    • MS-GlenNBC
      Posted on March 16, 2012 at 4:25pm

      I thought it was done to spare us from having to look at Kagan.

      Report Post » MS-GlenNBC  
    • lukerw
      Posted on March 16, 2012 at 4:53pm

      Check the vote… of your Senator!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on March 16, 2012 at 4:57pm

      well…the wise latina believes she’s a lot smarter than the five white guys in the picture but has had 60% of her decisions reversed by the supreme court in the past. Ginsberg thinks the Constitution is inadequate for modern use and Kagan was legal counsel for Obamacare and refuses to recuse herself. The only thing missing from this picture is a laugh track.

      Report Post »  
    • lisalake
      Posted on March 16, 2012 at 7:31pm

      Shut out again — like a bunch of serfs — BUT WE PAY THE BILL!!

      Report Post »  
    • 2theADDLED
      Posted on March 16, 2012 at 10:41pm

      You will only get the edited version they want you to see or hear.

      Report Post »  
  • honzie
    Posted on March 16, 2012 at 4:12pm

    We already have the idiots in congress grandstanding for the cameras, I am fed up with reality tv of all kinds and prefer them to take care of business instead of preening for the cameras.

    Report Post »  
  • Randyrocker
    Posted on March 16, 2012 at 4:11pm

    What are they so afraid of, real justice itself should demand that these hearings be transparent.

    Report Post »  
  • Equality_7-2521
    Posted on March 16, 2012 at 4:02pm

    Just who the hell do these people think they are? This world has gone from being a mess to just downright creepy. Heading to Galt’s Gulch soon . . .

    Report Post » Equality_7-2521  
    • TEXASGRANNY73
      Posted on March 16, 2012 at 4:43pm

      Who the hell they are is the Supreme Court, duh. That is who the hell they are. Duly approved by the Congress (you do know who the hell they are?) and any elected President (you do know who the hell they are?) we the people vote into office. Guardians of the Constitution. Can you follow that? They are not required to provide you with entertainment audio or video but with written decisions. It is AWESOME to hear the highest court in the land listen to and ask questions of those arguing before it. But to be provided video is a distraction only for people who want to rag on what they look like and body language etc is what has been denied and this opinion (mine) is glad they have. Which is what people asking who the hell they are do. You want different then vote different. (Check other comments of those who have decided how this court will decide and how they have already ragged–disgusting).

      Report Post »  
  • omgfolks
    Posted on March 16, 2012 at 3:53pm

    Does not make any sense to hide these hearing from the public. WE DESERVE TO SEE AND HEAR……PERIOD

    Report Post »  
  • Shasta
    Posted on March 16, 2012 at 3:52pm

    This trial is the make or break validation of our political system and they won’t televise it? I guess the Supreme Court is like the unions, once you are in, you have a job for life, and you stop trying.

    Report Post » Shasta  
    • justangry
      Posted on March 16, 2012 at 6:38pm

      Nah man. It’s too important to be turned into a media circus. They really don’t need any distractions.

      Report Post » justangry  
  • Celeste.Christi
    Posted on March 16, 2012 at 3:48pm

    This is bad news. A signal that they’ve already decided to find the mandate constitutional, and lacking a cogent argument for that they don’t want to be filmed. Get ready to pay those “fees” for ObamaCare.

    Report Post » Celeste.Christi  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on March 16, 2012 at 3:58pm

      Here’s my suspicion. Because the Obama adminstration is arguing that the individual mandate is a tax before the SCOTUS, but is saying it’s not a tax to Congress and the media….they want this out of the public eye. It’s easier for them to keep spinning a “report” from the court rather than actual footage where the public can see Obama’s administration actually speaking the lies.

      Report Post »  
  • froggy19510
    Posted on March 16, 2012 at 3:42pm

    Good.

    Report Post » froggy19510  
  • jbcheesehead
    Posted on March 16, 2012 at 3:42pm

    We don‘t need to see every piece of sausage that’s made!

    Report Post »  
    • soybomb315
      Posted on March 16, 2012 at 5:20pm

      but nobody is MAKING me eat sausage

      Report Post » soybomb315  
    • db321
      Posted on March 16, 2012 at 11:28pm

      I feel like since Obama has taken office – I feel like I’ve had a foot long sausage crammed down my throat – it‘s stuck and I’m suffocating!

      Report Post » db321  
  • youdidthis
    Posted on March 16, 2012 at 3:37pm

    New Fukushima Cessium-137 Threat
    http://www.infowars.com/new-fukushima-cessium-137-threat/

    Report Post »  
  • djmaine
    Posted on March 16, 2012 at 3:35pm

    Ginsberg should hang up the cleats.
    Look at her in the picture above.
    She looks like a marionette. Maybe she always has been.

    Report Post »  
    • chips1
      Posted on March 16, 2012 at 3:45pm

      Waylan Flowers passed away, But, Madam still clings to life.

      Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on March 16, 2012 at 4:49pm

      A Mummy… fresh from Egypt!

      Report Post » lukerw  
  • steveh931
    Posted on March 16, 2012 at 3:35pm

    We will hear the arguments, and we will know how each individual Justice decided. Uphold and Defend the U.S. Constitution and the arguments of our Founding Fathers or lose your seat by means of impeachment.

    Report Post » steveh931  
    • flagbearer
      Posted on March 16, 2012 at 4:12pm

      Correct, but I‘m so worried that they are so liberal and corrupt that they’ll ignore the Constitution. Then, there’s little we can do unless we get a House and Senate and President in office who will restore it. A constitutional government is good only IF it is obeyed, and our Rule of Law is being ignored.

      Report Post »  
  • youdidthis
    Posted on March 16, 2012 at 3:28pm

    should have camera‘s attached to all these govt sob’s foreheads.

    Report Post »  
  • Tom K
    Posted on March 16, 2012 at 3:28pm

    FOX News must be in that courtroom every day to make sure that what goes on “ live ” matches the later version in the delayed audio release. Do you really trust ANY of them in D.C. anymore ? They haven’t given me any reason to do so in the past few years.

    Report Post »  
    • resme
      Posted on March 16, 2012 at 3:43pm

      Fox news is far from “Fair and balanced”.

      They are mainstream media.

      Report Post » resme  
  • Minonkman
    Posted on March 16, 2012 at 3:16pm

    The one time we should have something on nationwide TV and on in our schools(like baseball was when I was a kid) and they drop the ball (or were told this is how it is going to be) Everyone one of us has skin in this game.

    Report Post » Minonkman  
    • CatB
      Posted on March 16, 2012 at 4:10pm

      Yes .. less and less transparency … and freedom. Pray they kill Obamacare!

      Report Post »  
  • TexBork
    Posted on March 16, 2012 at 3:15pm

    Yeah, we wouldn‘t want people to have any clue as to what’s going on. That doesn’t make any sense does it? Why should the public be allowed to knew what our government is doing on this issue? Ah, yeah, we weren’t allowed to know what was even going to be in it until after it was thrust upon us against our will. That alone, is a great reason to hit the polls this November. I have some votes I wanted to make back then, but their terms weren’t up then, but… they are now! :)

    Report Post » TexBork  
  • flipper1073
    Posted on March 16, 2012 at 3:14pm

    I Don’t think Cameras have ever been allowed
    in The Supreme Court.

    Report Post » flipper1073  
  • G man
    Posted on March 16, 2012 at 3:14pm

    I hear a lot of yapping here. A whole lot of chest pounding. I will be in Washington DC protesting in front of the Supreme Court on March 27th…the day of opening arguments on Obamacare with others who actually still give a rats azz. AFP, The Tea Party, etc. If you’re not going, then you’re all talk. By the way…the enemy will be there in force as well. So the question is…are you coming to DC or just slapping your lips together… because this is it. This is where we make our final stand. All you loud mouth yappers need to show up or shut up. Anybody can talk. Time for some action. All BS aside…if you can make it please come. We need you.

    Report Post » G man  
    • MidWestMom
      Posted on March 16, 2012 at 3:36pm

      I‘m glad you’ll be there to protest but your remarks concerning others are rude at best. Not everyone can afford a trip to DC. Many of us are hanging on by our fingernails. Have you checked gas prices lately? Or air fare (if someon’ve was ok with being felt up by the TSA). And what’s the going rate for a hotel room in DC? Even if we could get there, not everyone can take time off work. I’ve communicated my protest to my representative and to the white house…many times. Most people I know have done the same. Don‘t criticize others when you don’t have any idea what their situation is.

      Report Post »  
    • MidWestMom
      Posted on March 16, 2012 at 3:50pm

      someon’ve = someone

      Report Post »  
    • G man
      Posted on March 16, 2012 at 3:59pm

      Rude at best? I was being nice about it. It‘s not like I’m asking people to cross the Delaware with no shoes in the middle of the winter to fight in Trenton NJ. It‘s not like I’m asking them to charge up the hill at Gettyburg. I’m talking a little trip to the DC during Cherry Blossom season. I’m talking to the people within driving distance. We should have 100K people there no problem if all the mouths yapping in the area would show. And one more thing…you don’t know me or my financial condition. So you’re guilty of the same thing you are bitching about? You sit home and watch. That’s what most of you are good for.

      Report Post » G man  
    • burnbabylon
      Posted on March 16, 2012 at 6:38pm

      Take your rain coat. Not your umbrella. Just saying…

      Report Post »  
    • hidden_lion
      Posted on March 16, 2012 at 7:06pm

      G-
      Protesting is a pointless waste of time and energy. They do not care what you think, even if you had 100,000 people there with you. They will decide what they decide regardless. Unless you are willing to take it to the next level, gathering in a large crowd to shout slogans will change no minds. Just look how effective the Tea party has been? Everyone they got elected voted against the rights of Americans. All but 3 congressman voted for NDAA, and the new bill allowing people to be arrested for being in a secret service restriction zone, regardless of wether they knew of the restriction. The only way the course of this nation will be set right is via voting with lead. Until that time, Supreme Court, your Congressman and Senators will continue to ignore you, no matter how loud you get.

      Report Post » hidden_lion  
    • MidWestMom
      Posted on March 16, 2012 at 9:59pm

      @gman
      “I hear a lot of yapping here. A whole lot of chest pounding”
      “..with others who actually still give a rats azz”
      “If you’re not going, then you’re all talk”
      “..are you coming to DC or just slapping your lips together”
      “…All you loud mouth yappers..”

      You think that’s being “nice”?
      And you did not say anything about “I’m talking to people within driving distance”
      I didn’t say anything about “your” financial condition or your “situation”.
      “You sit home and watch. That’s what most of you are good for.”
      Wow, there you go being “nice” again.

      Report Post »  
  • True American66
    Posted on March 16, 2012 at 3:13pm

    When you have people like Kagen (who was the Obama’s solicitor general during the passing of Obamacare) and Ginsberg (who wouldn’t recommend our Constitution to other fledgling democracy as a starting point) sitting on the bench, how can we expect anything good to come out of this?

    Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on March 16, 2012 at 4:47pm

      Kagan should have RECUSED for she supported the Law as part of the Obama Administration; Ginsberg should have RECUSED for she rejects that The Constitution is Defendable Law!

      Report Post » lukerw  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on March 16, 2012 at 3:12pm

    I believe the law is unconstitutional and should be struck down,but I’m just a slave to government like everyone else.SCOTUS will probably rule it constitutional to seal the deal and continue the march to a closed society and eventual dictatorship.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • resme
    Posted on March 16, 2012 at 3:04pm

    Well we know what the ruling will be so does it really matter?

    They have trampled on the constitution case after case.

    Report Post » resme  
  • TSUNAMI-22
    Posted on March 16, 2012 at 3:02pm

    This way they can rule in favor of the ObamaCare lie being Constitutional without any dissent from the surfs during the proceedings.

    Par for the course, eh SCOTUS?

    Report Post »  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on March 16, 2012 at 3:01pm

    No TV Cameras, because Ginsberg doesn’t like how the camera adds 10 lbs to you, plus Kagen refuses to wear make up, and Alito wants to wear his Propeller Beanie.

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
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