Sometimes I ask myself "What is the world coming to?" This came to mind after reading of a photographer getting a kick to the knee, in the physical sense, by a mid-term appointee in the Colorado legislature; one who has drawn much attention to himself because he wanted his swearing in on the floor during session instead of private as is customary for such appointees in the Colorado House.

This boot came with Bible in hand and during morning prayer.

How ironic -- at the time of the kicking, caught on tape as a television videographer rolls, Douglas Bruce was a guest for not being sworn in previously. And his fellow GOP members, in caucus, voted for his ouster if he did not take the oath by the end of the day. He did so later.

It is always difficult to photograph during prayers or the playing of the National Anthem. However, it is what photojournalists do, in private and public, all the time. Television shows prayer during many a live or taped program -- they get no grief. Why should it be different at this particular time?

Prayer is intimate, no doubt about it, but on the floor in a public setting, where the journalists are welcome, there should be no question: what happens on the Colorado House floor does not stay on the Colorado House floor. This is assault would not be allowed if he kicked a fellow appointee, an assistant or a police officer.  

Javier Manzano, photographer with the Rocky Mountain News, did nothing to deserve this horrendous breach of etiquette. (Full disclosure: I know some people who have worked for, and are currently with, this publication.)