The U.S. Army late Thursday reversed course and decided to allow limited media access to Sarah Palin's book tour event at Ft. Bragg on Monday.  Originally, the Army planned to ban press coverage because, a spokesman told the AP, the Army didn't want the event to turning into something spotlighting political opinions "directed against the Commander-in-Chief".  The Ft. Bragg spokesman also said the reason for not allowing press coverage was to keep the event from "turning into a political platform".  Under pressure, the Army will now let a small press pool cover the event but not question either Palin or her supporters on base. 

This situation is troublesome.  If the general public is allowed into an event at a U.S. military facility why would anyone think the news media could or should be banned?  In fact, don't military regulations mandate that when military facilities are open to the public, they have to be open to the news media, too?  Standard operating procedure in this country is that if the general public is allowed into an event, most of the time, so are reporters and photographers.  It's done in order that those members of the public who can't attend may read about and/or see the event.  A private event held in a private, non-taxpayer funded place is an entirely different matter.  Also different, a meeting on a military base where matters of national security are being discussed.  The news media would not expect to be allowed in.  But a book signing by a politician?  There isn't a reason under the sun good enough to keep the press out or limit access.  While Palin is out of office now, her book is political and she is a public figure.  She has said in interviews she wants to have an impact on the national dialogue.  Given that her Facebook posting this past summer on health care reform vaulted the phrase "death panels" to the top of the national conversation, she remains a politician who can make news and warrants coverage. 

The fact the Army, at least for a moment, tried to keep the press out of her book signing raises an interesting question.  Is it worried that there are Palin fans among the troops who dislike the current Commander-in-Chief enough that they might actually voice their displeasure in spite of the protocols that prohibit such behavior?  Certainly if reporters and photographers were banned, the Army wouldn't have to worry about the public ever seeing or hearing anything embarrassing.  While such a display would be highly UNLIKELY among troops, Palin supporters have never been shy about voicing their opposition to President Obama, and that's their right.  Perhaps the Army should have considered this possibility prior to agreeing to have the book signing on post.  Images matter, but Palin fans have the right to express their opinions, and members of the media have the right to report on whatever happens at a public event.  It is ironic that the Army  that has fought the world over to ensure speech, press and other freedoms for oppressed peoples would try to squelch the media on U.S. soil.