"You live by the sword, you die by the sword. It's a quaint old expression, bringing with it images of grand wars and epic battles, of knights and horses, of royalty and the defense of kingdoms. It's achingly apt, today, with the news of the death of Princess Diana, who, apparently, was in another epic flight from her chosen enemy: the press. Practically before her ex-husband could be awakened to the phone call he must have dreaded --- even before her two adolescent sons could have their first of many, many good cries --- the commentary has begun. This is not a time for recrimination, it is a time for sadness, said a tearful Earl Spencer, Diana's brother, who went on, nonetheless, to say he'd always thought the press would kill her, sooner or later. Every news organization, every publication, he continued, has blood on its hands. The death of a young woman of 36 --- whether she is or is not the most photographed woman in the world --- is always a tragedy. The death of a mother who by all accounts adored her sons and, despite personal issues with their father, did her best to protect them is horrible beyond measure. It's only natural that human beings search for some way to make sense of such horrible information, to organize it so it becomes understandable, to find someone to blame. With Princess Diana, that someone is the press. The harsh effects of the Paparazzi can be prevented in many ways. The government can take on one form of prevention. If the government came up with laws like the Communications Act of 1934 or it could begin with something as basic as the White House press pass. A reporter literally cannot get in the gate without one. If they passed laws like these that required the press to have some sort of pass or permit to take pictures of celebritys and sell them then it would cut back on their harsh effects. Another thing is that if the government forced the Paparazzi to f...
