‘You’re Not Gonna Be Allowed Back In’: Journalist Booted from Van Jones Event For Asking Tough Questions
- Posted on May 7, 2012 at 8:57pm by
Mytheos Holt
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Former White House adviser Van Jones isn’t exactly a shrinking violet – in fact, from what we’ve seen, he relishes conflict. However, that relish might not extend to people who staff the events where he gives his speeches. One video blogger found this out when he tried to clarify a remark that Van Jones had made from the stage at Chicago’s Green Festival to the effect of “Don’t ever let somebody like me in the White House.”
To be fair to Jones, he obviously wasn’t serious. In fact, the remark was intended as a jab at his political opponents, as its full context shows:
“I might have something to say, and maybe that’s why our opponents were so interested in shutting me up, and so, surprise! I’m back!” Jones crowed in his speech. “Don’t ever let somebody like me in the White House, and then insist that I come back out here with all of y’all, because now we can make this thing work.”
The implication is clear: Jones’ opponents actually made him more dangerous by forcing him out of the Obama White House, where his message was tightly controlled, and turning him back into an outsider with no filter.
Nevertheless, the blogger in question decided to persistently ask Jones about the throwaway comment, which Jones just as persistently refused to respond to, even though he easily could have said it was a joke and moved on. What followed was genuinely creepy.
At first, the questioner was systematically kept back from Jones by various staff of the event, who shoved and pushed him away from Jones as he continued to ask his question. When this failed, the staff apparently decided they’d had enough freedom of the press for one day, and forcibly escorted the credentialed blogger away from Jones and point blank asked him to surrender his press credentials, with the warning that he was banned from the event.
“You’re not gonna be allowed back in here, I’m sorry,” says a woman identified as Erin Brunner, Press Contact for the Green Festivals. “You can’t accost our speakers, I’m very sorry.”
Apparently Ms. Brunner has never heard of “ambush interviews,” which are a common tactic in New Media journalism. Nevertheless, when asked if she allowed interviews, Brunner said she did, but that the people wishing to interview a speaker had to clear their request with the press office, first. The implication being clear — no hard questions.
Granted, the Chicago Green Festival is a private event and has the right to refuse to credential reporters it doesn’t like. However, to strip an already ideologically unfriendly reporter of his credentials while he holds a video camera might not be the best PR move ever invented. Unfortunately for the Green Festivals, this isn’t the first time this has happened either. Fox News’ Jesse Waters suffered similar treatment last month when he tried to ask Van Jones tough questions at a Green Festival.
Does Jones really need this kind of protection? He seems more than capable of handling himself against opponents.
H/T: Breitbart.com


















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Comments (181)
OZARK_BUTCHER
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 11:08pmA true leader should never be filtered. If your message is valid, you should never fear opposition.
Report Post »paperpushermj
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 2:57amDrones
Report Post »LIBSALWAYSLIE
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 6:31amI cant stand listening to his ignorant garbage any more. I feel sorry for the mindless sheep in the audience. Van is an communist egomaniac.
Report Post »Bill Rowland
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 7:26amIt worries me that this POS can draw a crowd. Whats wrong with the people who hate our constitution and way of life so much that they flock to Jones and Sweet Old Barack. We have had the best form of government devised by man and they want to change it to fit some pie in the sky image they are being sold by these two and others like them (Axelrod, Jarrett etc.).
OMG 2012
Report Post »GeorgieJo
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 8:25amVannie is in the kitchen and I guess it got too hot.
What a loser.
OMG 2012
Report Post »DaveCCC
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 8:53amOnce a Communist, always a Communist.
Report Post »Uranium Wedge
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:14amI didn’t know it was possible to kiss your own A$$…. But Jones found away
Report Post »Amazing
Unix
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:49amVan the man, is a communist, and he wants to make the USA a communist state, just like Ayers, Piven and the rest. I hope they lose in their quest miserably, but there are so many takers out there right now?!
Report Post »jzs
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:23pmI don’t get it. What was the “hard question” the guy was trying to ask? That’s in the title of the thread, but there’s no indication of what that “hard question” was. All it talks about was this person pestering Jones about a joke. What hard question?
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:44pmTypical JZS..”What? What’s all the fuss about?”. “I didn’t see anything”. “Where?”.
Report Post »Truthnjustus4all
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 1:05pmHe’s creepy
Report Post »Hollywood
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 1:58pmHitler has to be considered a TRUE leader. Of course that is a lot different than a leader of TRUTH. He simply put his opponents in concentration camps in his early days of consolidating power, slowly eliminating them. These consisted of communists,homosexuals,gypsies, some Jews[before the final solution] Once he became Chancellor, he rapidly took over complete control. HMMMM! FEMA camps real or illusions?
Report Post »jzs
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 2:53pmAvengerK says, “Typical JZS..”What? What’s all the fuss about?”. “I didn’t see anything”. “Where?”.
Ha! You don’t know what the “tough question” was either do you?
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 3:02pmVan Jones hasn’t the intellectual capacity to answer “tough” questions. And as “IS” typical for communists when they are about to be made fools of, provided they can see that far ahead, they withdraw into the protection of denial, name calling, threats, lies and running.
Report Post »jarhead69
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 4:15pmWhat the hell are those people afraid of ?
Report Post »YouGottaProblemWithThat
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 4:18pmI still do not get it. Why are people afraid of this guy? Did you see the people who are paying attention to his inane message? Most if them are the same OWS people who are at best .0001 of our population. He is a barking dog who runs from anything he encounters because he is scared. Where are the real movers and shakers in the world that are saying Van Jones is the future? He was dismissed from the White House in shame as both a truther and a commie. In 10 years he won’t even be a footnote in Wiki. Van WHO!? We should be concentrating on much bigger and deadlier fish that are swimming around us.
Report Post »boyd9
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 4:33pmDo these people not understand what is happening in Europe. Governments are not able to keep the promises made to people to buy their votes and their are riots in the streets as a result. I understand why Obama and Van Jones want to make America just exactly like Europe, but all these poor sheep who are unable to pull their heads from their rear ends and see what is happening in the world as a result of socialist/Marxist political philosophy baffles me.
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 4:35pmThe “Ha’s” make you sound even more of an idiot JZS.
Report Post »old white guy
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 6:39amit doesn’t matter if they are a private group. their aim seems to be an attempt to make the u.s. a communist country. van jones is on record saying he is a communist . if the so called green group want a communist to speak then they support van jones’ aim and that of obama.
Report Post »Rushroid
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 2:08pmCredentialed Press? Yeah me too.
Report Post »spfoam1
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 10:50pmThe most troubling thing to me is the number of people who actually think this evil man has anything good to say.
Report Post »Alucard
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 11:13pmSheeple my friend, most American’s on both sides are Sheeple and gobble up whatever they are told.
Report Post »BehindBlueEyes
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 5:37amMost people and particularly the younger ones are clueless about communists and communism. They‘ve been indoctrinated and haven’t been taught to “question with boldness”. As ALUCARD said they are sheeple that believe everything they are told and do what they are told to do.
Report Post »Thevoice
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 5:53amExactly …Time after time you see these quasi commie, zombies ding bats sitting there acting like they are getting enlightened…Because a true commie is on stage.
Report Post »Kevin The Elder
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 7:55amI‘m afraid it’s not even what is said that draws people. Plain and simple with this guy; it’s charisma. I’ve seen a dozen or so in my lifetime that truly have a charm that truly attracts and this guy has it, which makes him truly dangerous, for his utterances for many who are lured, soon become the word. Although I won’t be around to see it, I would not be surprised that this guy will some day make a run at the Presidency, with a real possibility of winning. If that happens, I would further predict that he would then become a dictator for life.
Report Post »Blazebanned
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 8:38am@SPFOAM1.
Report Post »I can think of two reasons they listen to him.One he tells them what they want to hear. Two, he’s black. In this day and time, if you’re not having a slobbering love affair with blacks,then you are a racist.Pretty pathetic that the presidency, and who or what you are, is determined by whether you like or dislike obummer……
South Philly Boy
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 10:37pmCommunist
Report Post »Marnin
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 10:32pmshould have asked her while being escorted out why she kept trying to hide her face and didn’t feel that even that was acceptable.
Report Post »BehindBlueEyes
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 5:40amLooks like she has something to hide. Maybe she doesn‘t want her parents to know she’s a commie.
Report Post »DesertRose1960
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 10:32pmThe world must be coming to an end, I actually agree with a Blaze “reporter”. “What followed was genuinely creepy.“ Notice the anonymous ”blogger” keeps asking the same innane quesiton over and over. “Ambush Journalism” isn’t journalism at all, it’s harrassment, and you’re right, it’s creepy. Modern technology allows any stubborn jerk with an axe to grind to stick a camera in someone’s face and make themselves obnoxious. If you demand to know who they are or who they’re working for, that ends up on YouTube. If you touch them, it could be edited and ruin your career. If you don’t answer them, it could be edited and ruin your reputation. If you do answer them, it could be edited and ruin your reputation, your career, or your peace of mind because it all ends up on YouTube. I love the Fox News video of the “ambush journalist” who followed one woman into her garage, if she had pulled a gun and shot the person dead, she would have been defending her home. But my personal favorite is the guy who went after Bill Moyers at the journalism conference. The poor guy is gets his tail tucked between his legs and crawls out of the event in near tears as the journalists treat him to an “ambush interview”. I don‘t think that guy ever tried doing another one of those for Bill O’Reilly. O’Reilly turned the segment into an expose on how Bill Moyers being a dangerous meanie, but he only showed a snippet of Fox video, the other videos, many unedited are available
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 1:23amGee Rose,
You wouldn’t happen to be Bob Ethridge, would you?
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 2:30amAnd Rose,
That post was really poorly written for someone who claims to be a teacher.
Union teacher I presume?
Report Post »RamonPreston
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 2:31amCirlce October 27, 2012 on your calendar.
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:56amTOKYOROSE…I gave you the benefit of the doubt and actually forced myself to read your entire post.
Report Post »I have to congratulate you…you said absolutely nothing and you said it vociferously and enthusiastically..heck you even managed to make your post about nothing, venomous and spiteful.
rosegrower
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 11:23amRose – didn’t Mike Wallace make a name for himself at 60 Minutes doing “Ambush journalism”? So, what is wrong with this particular blogger doing the same thing to Van Jones???? Ever hear of freedom of the press, or is that one of those pesky “negative rights” that you hate in the US constitution?
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 11:55amWhen Van Jones is allowed to speak and he’s not questioned on his words, he recites his usual platitudes to “American dreams”..etc. All smiles and outwardly benign. The only way to make Van Jones actually speak the truth is to confront him but he’ll resist doing that..as we just observed. In a way this was done when Jones was forced to leave the White House. His own words and deeds were used to confront him…he faltered and subsequently left in shame. There’s a kernel of truth in his effort to distract from his words here…he‘s really not allowed to speak his views openly while a member of a president’s cabinet because they’re radical and harmful. Outside that periphery he can “riff” a little more but again…he won’t do the dirty work..that’s what the unions and OWS are for. He’s a “thinker”..an instigator.
Report Post »Jones is reptillian in nature…slimy and in typical leftist fashion..he sticks obsessively to script (if you doubt me on this just observe TOKYOROSE, JZS, MONACNE..you know “them” by now). So when old Jonesy says “don’t ever let somebody like me in the White House”…it’s a wink and a nod to the faithful. They know what he really means..it’s not a joke or a quip. He’s there to insinuate his marxist agenda and attack his hated capitalism and “the rich”.
MONICNE
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:20pmWhy did you leave Australia again? It wasn’t your cup of tea? Why should we think you are going to be faithful to the United States? You actually seem to be as big a troll and provocateur as you accuse others of every day (except weekends and holidays).
It is comical watching you rage on us Americans – and it explains the problem you have with real women. (And women with personal wealth!)
It’s funny to read your Obsessive Compulsive paranoid assertions that so many of us are scheming together for some reason or (even more delusional) that we paid to participate – is just part of your own whack persona.
ROTFL – You are a joke.
TEA
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:42pmand to prove my point…MONACNE/SLEAZY HIPPO chimes in with her/his latest script.
Report Post »Here fishy….
MONICNE
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:53pmand to prove my point…AvengerK/ObamaSham chimes in with her/his latest script.
Report Post »Here fishy….
AvengerK
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 1:07pmMONACNE/SLEAZY HIPPO…in typical lefty groupthink..you invoke “why should we think”. You really can’t help yourself can you? You do that alot. You appeal to and attempt to incite mobs and groupthink because that’s how your keepers have trained you lefty curs to think..as a mob, malleable and easily incited to do their bidding.
I’m not the one trying turn America into the socialist disaster Europe is today champ…that’s you , your comrades and their failed ideology trying to do that. I’m working to stop you and your ilk from doing that.
You’re the one cheering on Obama and his menagerie of leftists, corruptocrats and icompentents to “fundamentally change” America. I like America just fine..I don’t want to “fundamentally change” her. You do though. Is that not so?
Report Post »Here fishy…
MONICNE
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 2:00pmParasites have a vested interest in maintaining the declining health of their host, isn’t that so champ? You like the idea of sponging off our national entitlements even though you are not a wage earner here, pay no taxes, and cannot vote. Your only political voice is on the web, where you pretend to be what you say you hate.
Tell us why Australia was not good for you?
TEA
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 4:34pmWhat makes me parasitic to you MOREACNE? The fact that I pay state and federal taxes living here in the U.S.?
Report Post »Oh I know what it is…you’re saying that my becoming a U.S. citizen after emigrating from Australia means I’m some kind of a parasite? Did I get that right?
Do you have the guts to answer that one MOREACNE?
AvengerK
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 4:37pmOh and MOREACNE…once again you didn’t answer my question…why do you want to “fundamentally change” America? You don’t like it?
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 4:44pmYou just can’t help yourself MOREACNE/SLEAZY HIPPO..“Tell us why”…In your case that’s a very comical question in light of the fact that you have created a host of screennames of yourself at the Blaze.
So when I “tell us why” am I really just telling you and your gaggle of online personas MOREACNE/SLEAZY HIPPO?
The lefty groupthink stuff really appeals to you doesn’t it champ? You just can’t let it go. Bait…
Report Post »IDONTTHINKSO
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 10:31pmI don’t think the idiot has ever said anything of importance! The best thing the media could do with this individual is ignore him completely! This guy is the lowest of the lowest. He is that sticky stuff between Sharpton’s toes. He is a wanna be and can’t be one. In the end all that will be left are those of good truthful character! And he is far from that.
Report Post »FEWL
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 10:29pmI sometimes believe we have lost the fight already because the discussion is always on THERE terms. Whether this story, or the Obesity headline today on Drudge, or the other White House guy quoting Marx, the entire country has been brainwashed over the last 4 decades by a public school system designed to indoctrinate, not educate.
Not sure what is left, but Romney, isn’t the answer.
Report Post »Sharon Rose
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 10:33pmPRAY. pray, pray, God is the only answer~~
Report Post »Vickie Dhaene
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:33pmThe Power and Glory are yours my LORD. Forever and Ever Amen.
Report Post »Zejaybee
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 3:14pm@FEWL – I can’t agree with you enough. The fight is already over if we common citizens do not unite and stop this debacle. The news media has driven the wedge and the politicians keep hammering it, the ghostly figures in the shadows continue to profit by manipulating their candidates into office. Obama is one and so also is Romney. The agenda will continue until this country follows the same demise of Europe unless the populace does something. WAKE UP AMERICA!!!
Report Post »Sharon Rose
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 10:25pmVan Jones=Wacko
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 10:24pmFrankly, Bush should have done this in a lot of his pressers. Maybe Romney can learn something from Van’s tactics. What is good for the goose is good for the gander. Romney would do well to hire a Marlin Fitzwater like Press Secretary,
Report Post »NumbnutsObama
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 10:07pmwhat an idiot
Report Post »RLTW
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 9:55pmThis sort of **** only makes me want to polish my ammo!
Report Post »RamonPreston
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 2:34amGet ready: Food, water, fuel and gas, generator, clothing and blankets…and body bags.
Report Post »65Mustang
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 9:40pmVan Jones is nothing but a disgusting POS…you are who your friends are.
Report Post »MAMMY_NUNN
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 4:47amDon’t be hard on Van he grew up with a momma who ignored him and daddy he was long gone and no one set him down and explained “Van you just don’t think logical” and his teachers obviously gave him a A for just the effort.
Report Post »BradLee
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 9:37pmDon’t ask ******* for the truth…they will only fling more poop at you.
Report Post »bw3131
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 9:35pmEvery kid in the country that goes to public school is being brainwashed into believing they can SAVE THE WORLD with this green crap, they take “recycled” soda caps and glue it to stryofoam and call it art! They put up wind generators that cost ten times what the energy cost savings are in the life time of the equipment and call it green, they build OUTDOOR classrooms at a high cost and plant “natural areas” with expensive nusery raised plants then do not take care of any of it so when it grows up into a bug and snake infested danger they hire someone to come in and clear it all out with a back hoe! then they replant it with expensive nusery raised plants again, put up a sign and pat themselves on the back for SAVING the world.
Report Post »This is the Gods honest truth, I know I work in a public school system, WANT TO FIGHT THE COMMIES, start with stopping them from brainwashing you children through the public school system, go to the schools, open your eyes and put down your foot, or we will all lose our Country to these chuckleheaded green commies!
GetOutofTheWagonAndPull
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:26amBW,
Report Post »Maybe you live in the wrong state. I am a public school teacher. I‘ve taught in two great states and have never seen this lefty brainwashing I’m always hearing about. Public Education isn’t bad. The power simply needs to be put back in the hands of each state and it’s people. I use all these OWS knuckleheads to teach my students to be hard-working and accountable.
Thanks.
bw3131
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 5:45pmRealy? No lefty green brainwashing? That is hard to belive, I have seen it in every school in the county that I live in, I have over heard teachers clucking about a “birther” teacher in there midst, when I stated, well he may have been born in the US but he is still a socialist! All three of them piped up “SO AM I AND I’M PROUD OF IT” this is who is teaching your kid, then you’ve got the zero population growth teachers preaching the human destruction of the world, I always ask them to lead by example and remove themselves from the population!
Report Post »More on the Point though I must say, all i see is lock step global warming and green energy being taught in science in social classes I just assumed it was agenda PUSHED down thru federal funding. I know I live in a liberal area but you would have to prove to me there is not a large liberal slant in EVERY public school.
Thanks
The-Monk
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 9:27pm“The implication is clear: Jones’ opponents actually made him more dangerous by forcing him out of the Obama White House, where his message was tightly controlled, and turning him back into an outsider with no filter.”
Exactly what Glenn Beck said. GB did not want VJ out of the WH, only for VJ to own up to his actual beliefs and the WH to admit who he really was.
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 9:35pmAt least the nutty professor aka Bernie socialist Saunders admits he believes in a failed ideology whereas Jones won’t,although I believe some time ago he did say he was a communist.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 9:55pmHe is dangerous… wherever he is!!!
Report Post »mauijonny
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 3:49amThe only thing that “forced” Jones out of the WH was the truth. If he/0 had really belived in it, he would still be there.
Report Post »usefulidiots
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 9:23pmwhy does anyone care what this loser says?
Report Post »Dabldo
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 9:44pmBecause FAR too many other losers listen, and act on it! America has become full of useful idiots.
Report Post »RightThinking1
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 9:22pm“Green festival”. Sure. “Watermelon festival” would be a much better description.
Report Post »Cruelnunusual
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 11:37pmThat sounds like a planted comment. Are you one of Van Jones’ supporters?
Report Post »Dangerous Dave
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 11:41amRightthinking is a lefty troll trying to perpetuate the myth that all conservatives are racists. It’s all they got. Little do they know that the true racist slave-owners are the leaders of the left. They coerce their slaves (black panthers, gang-bangers, homosexuals, animal rights nuts, enviro-nuts, union thugs, crony-capitalists, poverty pimps, etc) with promises & handouts if they stay loyal and don’t leave the democratic party plantation.
Report Post »tommy_pete
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 9:20pmAnd you Mr Van Jones – race pimp extraordinaire – should be allowed everywhere. Why?? Because your very presence around even the most modest thinker, sees right through your despicable rhetoric and the blank-eyed sycophants that follow you around like ducklings….
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 9:19pmOle eight ball can’t handle a few questions eh? Ex cons are supposed to be tougher than that or maybe Jones was a woman in the joint.
Report Post »4dogsandagun
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 9:16pmIn all respects being fair to Mr Jones is not an option. I place great belief that that man means everything he says and I take him at his word.
Report Post »BlazingBlonde
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 9:13pmSocialism is for the socialists, and freedom of speech, and a free press is only for those who control the venue. Irony wasted on a sleeping public who makes no sound as it is run over like a steamroller….
Report Post »Watch for a future where Jones disrupts a Romney event and makes a stink that ends up trying to make him (Romney) look foolish. A very bad man.
longun45
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 9:13pmCockroaches hate the bright lights. Keep shining it on them and be ready to block the exits. It will be fun to watch them fall all over themselves.
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 9:09pmOf course he does…. you cannot let the unfiltered truth be radiated out to the public.
Report Post »cgent47
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 9:08pmOnly liberal lemmings would show up at this communists gatherings.
Report Post »JJBlazeReader
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 9:07pm..
Typical Progressive/Liberal – Freedom of speech and Freedom of the Press only for me not you.
..
Report Post »justinj5869
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 9:22pmExactly.. The hypocrisy never ends.
Report Post »