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I'd Rather Not Say Goodbye
I received this from Truth Shall Prevail and thought it would be good for all of us to see. It is written by Greg Palast, author of "The Best Democracy Money Can Buy."
I'D RATHER NOT SAY GOOD-BYE, DAN
By Greg Palast
Without his make-up, Dan looked like hell warmed over: old, defeated, yet angry. And he told our television audience something that just blew me away. Dan Rather said that American reporters may not ask tough questions about George Bush or his wars.
"It's an obscene comparison," Rather said, "but there was a time in South Africa when people would put flaming tires around peoples' necks if they dissented. In some ways, the fear is that you will be neck-laced here, you will have a flaming tire of lack of patriotism put around your neck."
Talking to another reporter, Dan told it straight about the careerism that keeps US journalists in line. "It's that fear that keeps [American]journalists from asking the toughest of the tough questions and to continue to bore-in on the tough questions so often."
Silence as patriotism. Ugh. He confessed, "One finds oneself saying, "I know the right question, but you know what, this is not exactly the right time to ask it." It was making him ill and he waready to say, BASTA, enough. Suddenly, there was fire in those eyes: "It's extremely dangerous and cannot and should not be accepted and I'm sorry to say that, up to and including this moment of this interview, that overwhelmingly it has been accepted by the American people. And the current Administration revels in that, they relish and take refuge in that."
Of course, Dan said all these things to a British audience. But back inmthe USA, Dan had promised America he would be a good boy, a trained press puppy who would poop on the paper set down for him. He told his US audience, "George Bush is the President. He makes the decisions. He wants me to line up, just tell me where."
But CBS' million-dollar man was about to step out of line.
In 2003, BBC Television questioned George Bush's career as Viet Nam era Top Gun fighter pilot. In the British broadcast, I held up a confidential letter from Justice Department files stating that Poppy Bush had put in the fix to get Junior Bush out of 'Nam and into the Texas Air Guard. George could spend the war protecting Houston from Viet Cong attack.
A year after the BBC broadcast, the I'm-going-to-be-a-real-journalist-now Rather decided to run the same story on 60 Minutes. And just as he predicted, the press-police at the network and in the White House seized him and lit the tire around his neck.
What was Dan's mistake? Yes, yes, he shouldn't have embellished the story with a document he couldn't fully source. But that memo (not the one in the BBC report) was about a side issue, not the key accusation, that Senior Bush got Junior out of the draft. Despite not a jot of evidence that the main story of draft-dodgin' George was wrong (BBC never withdrew it), CBS cited Rather's insistence on the veracity of that report as grounds to crush his career and his reputation.
Rather was convicted by a corporate kangaroo court. Dickie Thornburgh, who had been Poppy Bush's Attorney General and owed his big salaries and career to the Bush family, ran an "independent" investigation which concluded -- surprise! -- the Bushes had done no wrong. It was Dan that committed the evil. That whacky conclusion went along just fine with the dictate of Sumner Redstone, CEO of Viacom, CBS' owner, that a "Republican administration is better for media companies."
In "Darkness at Noon," Arthur Koestler explained why old Communists, brought up for trial by Stalin, still sang the system's praises -- just before they were shot. To do otherwise would have been to cast doubt on the cause to which they sacrificed their lives. Now, Dan Rather, like those soon-to-be executed victims of Stalin, has bowed his head in silence in the face of the evil purge. To do otherwise, I suppose, would be to acknowledge that his career has been a path of increasing salaries and celebrity bought by increasing toady-dom.
Imagine if Edward R. Murrow, after having exposed Joe McCarthy, replied to criticism by bowing his head for the noose-man.
Rather died as a journalist years ago by accepting the evil gaorders of the media moguls. Still, I applaud his attempt with the Bush story to kick his way out of his professional coffin. Unfortunately, his current silence simply gives aid and comfort to the censoring corporate news-killers.
Last night, Rather read off his last "news" broadcast, if you can call it that. To Dan the newsman, and to American journalism, all I can say is, rest in peace.
To see a segment regarding George Bush's war years from the BBC film,
"Bush Family Fortunes," winner of the Freedom Film Festival's George Orwell Prize (2005), go to: http://www.gregpalast.com/images/TrailerClips.mov
DiAnne:
Those of us here in Houston that were around in the 1970s trying to get into the Elington Airforce base National Guard and avoid being sent to Vietnam know how difficult that was and how long the list was to get in. How many of my college friends and roommates did GWB jump over to get at the top of that list and avoid being sent to Vietnam. Which makes mmy blood boil when I think of how JK, who certainly could have avoided the draft volunteered for dangerous Vietnam missions.
It didn't take Dan Rather or a secret uncomfirmed memo to prove that Bush used privilige to get into the national guard in 1970s. Practically everyone living here in Houston during that time knew about it. It was common knowledge and Rather as a Houstonian at the time knew exactly what strings Bush pulled. He is a great journalist but not an Edward R. Murrow, and that's too bad after his service to this country in taking on Richard Nixon.
Its been a really frustrating day regarding Anwr, but on reading the Ohio Beacon I found that Republican Senator Dewine did in fact voted with the Dems against drilling as I urged here all week. "The seven Republicans who voted against drilling were Sens. Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island; Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine; Mike DeWine of Ohio, John McCain of Arizona, Gordon Smith of Oregon and Norm Coleman of Minnesota."
I am thoroughly disgusted as I am sure many of you are, that it ended up being 3 Dems who decided to trash the environment. Even sleeze bag Norm Coleman knew better, and that's getting pretty low.
My guess is that Colemen knew we would be a vote short and he saw it as a free vote that might help him in Environment friendly Minnesota's upcoming re-election campaign. Barf
ON
DiAnne and Ira:
I watched Greg Palast's DVD this afternoon. My wife worries about me each time I see GWB on the tube. The story is one that every American needs to know and it is to our nation's and our world's detriment that our party failed to convey the message, again. GWB is a slacker, a liar . . . and the list goes on.
Without an independent news media, I hope that we are not just telling ourselves these stories. I look at the Democratic National Committee website and occasionally look at the blog and I get the feeling that it is nothing more than a social meetup. I hope that Governor Dean will be able to bring some enthusiasm back to our democracy.
It is very difficult not to be pessimistic about the future of progressive politics, but unfortunately the Cons usually take so much for themselves that eventually they will wake up the people themselves.
Posted by: Ray S at March 16, 2005 07:47 PM
I am not that pessimistic. We lost today but I thought the vote would not be this close. More Repubs crossed over the aisle then I thought would happen. The one thing we can do is keep banging away at Congress and the media. We also are a repository for petitions and protests. When posted here, members respond and increase the number of protestors.
My effort is to the 2006 elections. We need to go after all Repubs up for elections. I am confident Howard will do his job to rebuild the party at local levels and increase fund raising. Our efforts must be to constantly badger Congress people to act in accordance with our wishes. The Repubs do this well so it becomes a simple numbers game. He who shouts the loudest and the most with the most money wins. So we need to make a lot of noise constantly. That means we respond to petitions and forward them to others. If we can afford it, come up with a few bucks. I always inform media outlets when issues are reported by other bloggers. I always add a message that once again, the specific media outlet missed it.
~this is quite interesting; there is much truth to what this writer is saying:
The Difference Between Bushianity and Christianity: "That Poor-People Stuff"
Bushianity is really all about power and wealth -- the divine right of the haves to get more of each, in order to better supervise the have-nots. Bushianity is quietly (discretely, always discretely) hostile to Jesus’ teachings, but loudly praises his birth (before he could teach) and his death (after he could teach). Nothing between those two events in Jesus’ life is of interest to Bushians, who greatly prefer the fire-breathing biblical writers advocating ruthless wars, slavery, female submission, the masses’ unquestioning obedience of rulers, and the death penalty for homosexuals and rebellious children.
The faith-based Bush administration, disinterested as usual in "that poor-people stuff", is working fast and furious on a number of fronts to put working and financially strapped Americans in their place. Its hallmark strategy for stealing from the poor to give to the rich is to overwhelm the public with multiple simultaneous changes, thus pre-empting time to think about, pray about, or oppose them.
The ultimate goal is to replace traditional American "we’re all in this together" culture with the Bushian "You’re On Your Own-ership Society". In this nightmare world, the working people are thrashed with measure after measure aimed at taking what once was theirs. The rationale underlying this "society" (a huge cluster of individuals with no obligations to one another) is as follows:
"If you want to be a good Christian you have to be a good Republican, and to be a good Republican you have to be a pure capitalist -- no "safety net" garbage, please. Don’t get involved in other peoples’ misery. Take care of Number One. You don’t owe them anything. Don’t share with others, except in little dribs and drabs called "faith-based" -- sharing is for girly-men, makes lazy people lazier, and sets a bad precedent that your Ownership neighbors will resent. Oh, and don’t look to us for help if misfortune strikes; you brought it on yourself.
continue reading~
http://www.buzzflash.com/whitehurst/05/03/whi05001.html
Posted by: on.to.victory4Dems at March 16, 2005 08:19 PM
I posted a response to you on the previous topic about NASA.
thanks for the article.
Kerry to Speak on Budget Priorities Tomorrow
16 March 2005
You absolutely have to admire John Kerry’s fire. He said it earlier today, that we have to continue to fight and he is right. If you are like me, you are feeling a little mournful about the day. But, there is so much work to be done and we have to pick ourselves up and do whatever it takes to get back on the winning side in the Senate and the Congress.
On that note, I just got word that John Kerry will make a major speech on America's budget priorities tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. to the Center for National Policy.
Senator Kerry will provide an honest assessment of the president's budget, the priorities in it, the priorities left behind, and what it means for the American people.
http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/default.asp?view=plink&id=562
Posted by: battlebob at March 16, 2005 08:31 PM
~battlebob,
I did not realize you are part of the NASA team, I enjoyed reading your post. That WashPost article really surprised me, I knew Bu$hInc's greedy fingers were into all pies, but learning that they are weakening NASA came as a surprise to even someone as bu$h-cynical as myself.
When will the "tipping point" come? When? Can we survive 3 & 1/2 more years and what will it take to wake up middle income Americans who still see Bu$hInc as their champion and close their eyes and ears to reality? Will the vast majority of "average Americans" have to lose their jobs, healthcare and life savings before they make the connection? I ask, when will the tipping point come?
My effort is to the 2006 elections.
Posted by: battlebob at March 16, 2005 08:03 PM
Thanks battlebob. I needed a bit of a lift and your post helped.
I too will put effort into the 2006 elections. But don't forget about your local elections in the meantime. We can do a lot locally as well...even school board elections are important and relevant these days.
I second that sentiment Battlebob. I guess Bob is right. 2005 is a lost cause and has the prospect of getting worse. With each victory the neocons seem to get bolder.
Its time to start plodding a Nov 2006 strategy.your name battlebob is fitting.
Yucca Mountain Papers May Have Been False
White House - AP Cabinet & State
By H. JOSEF HEBERT, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - Government employees may have falsified documents related to the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste project in Nevada, the Energy Department said Wednesday. The disclosure could jeopardize the project's ability to get a federal permit to operate the dump.
snip~
In a statement, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said the development "proves once again that DOE must cheat and lie in order to make Yucca Mountain look safe."
http://tinyurl.com/3tsgf
Posted by: on.to.victory4Dems at March 16, 2005 08:19 PM
A great, great article about Buhianity vs. Christianity.
thanks again.
I've just set up a link to the DCP as my signature on every email I send out.
Hope everyone called their senators today and asked them to oppose the nuclear option the Republicans are proposing in order to circumvent the requirement for broad senate support for judicial appointees. It's not too late to call - messages left tonight count in this effort. Check at moveon for details, phone numbers, etc. It took me less than a minute to call both senators today.
Amy
It as nice to receive the follow-up email r/t the project above - they had streaming video of their DC rally with Robert Byrd, Clinton etc. & also started running a commercial.
Conservative judges are forever.
100 years ago there were electric trains all over the United States. They were scrapped in favor of the automobile.
The US is lagging behind in so many areas now - literacy, infant mortality - compared with the other developed countries.
Our priorities are screwed up.
Venezuela is already meeting its literacy goal for 2012. That is not the type of "democratic" reform the US is encouraging.
Our propaganda never mentions that the US supported overthrow of a democratically elected leader in Iran but stood by during the regime of the murderous Shah of Iran.
Saddam was a bad guy, yes, but watch him get replaced with a puppet that is "Saddam Lite"
``I just don't worry about vindication or standing. ... You've got a lot on your plate on a regular basis. You don't have much time to sit around and wander, lonely in the Oval Office, kind of asking different portraits, 'How do you think my standing will be?'''
GWB
Huh?!!
The ONLY reason McCain voted against ANWR today is he knows just how precious a comodity the environment will be to his running in 08'. It had NOTHING to do with his integrity.
BTW,write McCain's office and have him take Delay to the woodshed. McCain has signed off on Delay as reported on Ed Schultz and AM today. Don't let these creepers get away with one more thing!
Lagging behind ,Dianne, is an understatement! We're now 15th in math and science. We're on a collision course with NO end in sight. I want to move out of the states. Had a dream a few nights ago about JK finding land in a far off place to make a new country and where we went,formed a new gov't...and FLOURISHED!! Half of the US went along with us. HEAVEN, to say the least.
Dear All from Chuck in Baku:
On this topic, particularly the Dan Rather, 60-Minutes, CBS issue regarding GWB's TANG service, I just wanted to mention to people two things that I find odd about that entire episode.
First, the TANG thing bounced a scheduled long-term investigative report on 60-Munites on the source of the forged document on which the Iraq-Niger-Uranium connection was made by our current administration. This, of course, is related to the Joe Wilson and spouse saga as well. In the aftermath of the TANG report, all curiousity about who forged the Uranium document and why, and how if found its way into our current adnministrations estimate that Iraq represented an urgent threat to US security, seems to have disappeared. Non-news; I guess it must not have happened.
Second, there is a marked absence of curiousity with repect to the provenance of the TANG doucments as well. If they really are forgeries, isn't anyone even somewhat interested in who forged them and why? I find it astounding that that issue in itself didn't become a major investigative story in the press (or even, for that matter, in some prosecutor's office as a law must have been borken there somewhere).
Chuck in Baku.
Chuck in Baku again (or still) -- actually, I suppose I should give our press more credit. They sure ran that Clinton-Lweinsky thing down! I guess when issues vital to our democracy or national security are at stake they really do get after it and are prepared to take on anyone, even POTUS. They just seem to have forgotten how to do that since, oh, about January 2001 (except, of course, the pardons and the alleged "vandalism" in the White House).
Chuck in Baku
PS: Sorry, I am going to try to be exclusively positive soon here. Just on my third day of no cigarettes and posting things like this seems to help.
Here's a call to fight about ANWR vote from the Alaska Sierra Club representative.
In looking up the ANWR vote, I also noticed that the Senate ALSO narrowly defeated (51-49) a valiant attempt by Byrd to restore full funding to Amtrak, by a vote of 52-46.
What a week.
Dear Arctic Activists,
As I said earlier today, this battle is far from over. This is just the
beginning. There is a long way to go before the drill rigs roll into the
Arctic Refuge, and we’ll be fighting every step of the way to keep them
out. This Arctic drilling provision makes an already controversial budget
even more contentious. The budget process is long and complex, and the
outcome is far from certain. Congress hasn’t even passed a budget
resolution in the last two years. The law that protects the Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge has not been changed.
To find out about the budget process, go to:
http://www.sierraclub.org/wildlands/arctic/budget_process.asp
Below you will find the contact info for Martinez, Hagel, Landrieu, Akaka,
Luger, and Voinovich. Let them know that as an Alaskan you are
disappointed in their vote.
Daniel Akaka: D-HI
Tel: (202) 224-6361
Fax: (202) 224-2126
senator@akaka.senate.gov
George Voinovich: R-OH
(202) 224-3353 Fax: (202) 228-1382
email form: http://voinovich.senate.gov/contact/index.htm
TDD: (202) 224-6997
Mary Landrieu: R-LA
Voice: (202)224-5824
Fax:(202) 224-9735
email form: http://landrieu.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm
Chuck Hagel: R-NE
Tel: (202) 224-4224
Fax: (202) 224-5213
email form: http://hagel.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=fices.Contact
Mel Martinez: R-FL
Tel: 202-224-3041
Fax: 202-228-5171
email: mel_martinez@martinez.senate.gov
Richard Lugar: R-IN
Phone: 202-224-4814
Fax: 202-228-0360
email: senator_lugar@lugar.senate.gov
Also, take time to thank the following champions: Cantwell, Snow, Salazar,
Reid, Feingold, Kerry, Durbin and Boxer. Cantwell and Snow sponsored the
bi-partisan amendment to strike arctic provisions from the budget and the
others continue to be spokespeople for Arctic Refuge protection. You can
find contact info for any senator at:
http://capwiz.com/awc/dbq/officials/
VOTE TALLY
Y is the pro-Arctic vote.
State Pty Senator Cantwell Amendment
AK R Murkowski n
AK R Stevens n
AL R Sessions n
AL R Shelby n
AR D Lincoln Y
AR D Pryor Y
AZ R Kyl n
AZ R McCain Y
CA D Boxer Y
CA D Feinstein Y
CO R Allard n
CO D Salazar Y
CT D Dodd Y
CT D Lieberman Y
DE D Biden Y
DE D Carper Y
FL R Martinez n
FL D Nelson Y
GA R Chambliss n
GA R Isakson n
HI D Akaka n
HI D Inouye n
IA R Grassley n
IA D Harkin Y
ID R Craig n
ID R Crapo n
IL D Durbin Y
IL D Obama Y
IN D Bayh Y
IN R Lugar n
KS R Brownback n
KS R Roberts n
KY R Bunning n
KY R McConnell n
LA D Landrieu n
LA R Vitter n
MA D Kennedy Y
MA D Kerry Y
MD D Mikulski Y
MD D Sarbanes Y
ME R Collins Y
ME R Snowe Y
MI D Levin Y
MI D Stabenow Y
MN R Coleman Y
MN D Dayton Y
MO R Bond n
MO R Talent n
MS R Cochran n
MS R Lott n
MT D Baucus Y
MT R Burns n
NC R Burr n
NC R Dole n
ND D Conrad Y
ND D Dorgan Y
NE R Hagel n
NE D Nelson Y
NH R Gregg n
NH R Sununu n
NJ D Corzine Y
NJ D Lautenberg Y
NM D Bingaman Y
NM R Domenici n
NV R Ensign n
NV D Reid Y
NY D Clinton Y
NY D Schumer Y
OH R DeWine Y
OH R Voinovich n
OK R Coburn n
OK R Inhofe n
OR R Smith Y
OR D Wyden Y
PA R Santorum n
PA R Specter n
RI R Chafee Y
RI D Reed Y
SC R DeMint n
SC R Graham n
SD D Johnson Y
SD R Thune n
TN R Alexander n
TN R Frist n
TX R Cornyn n
TX R Hutchison n
UT R Bennett n
UT R Hatch n
VA R Allen n
VA R Warner n
VT I Jeffords Y
VT D Leahy Y
WA D Cantwell Y
WA D Murray Y
WI D Feingold Y
WI D Kohl Y
WV D Byrd Y
WV D Rockefeller Y
WY R Enzi n
WY R Thomas n
Y 49
n 51
a 0
Thanks to all of you for your calls, letters, and devotion to protecting
the Arctic Refuge. We have a long fight ahead. A friend described this
situation as being like the first game of a championship series – and the
Red Sox showed us that it’s a mistake to count anyone out so early in the
game.
The American people are overwhelmingly opposed to drilling in the Arctic
Refuge. We are confident that that the US Congress will ultimately listen
to them and protect this national treasure.
Keep up the fight.
Betsy Goll, Sierra Club
Alaska Associate Representative
907-276-4044 phone
907-258-6807 fax
betsy@sierraclubalaska.org
Sorry for this typo:
In looking up the ANWR vote, I also noticed that the Senate ALSO narrowly defeated (51-49) a valiant attempt by Byrd to restore full funding to Amtrak, by a vote of 52-46.
It should read:
In looking up the ANWR vote, I also noticed that the Senate ALSO narrowly defeated a valiant attempt by Byrd to restore full funding to Amtrak, by a vote of 52-46.
Stupid me, I posted on last thread.
You got mad yesterday at Alaska drilling and Paul Wolfowitz, today a big wave of protest reached our shores. We are MAD at Bush once more, and only feel as opposing the master of the world for a change... What a wicked jerk!
Everybody is worried at Wolfowitz seen as a hawk and a warmonger. This seems like a war declaration and total despise for the rest of the world with one question : why are all the radical neocons leaving the government? And might it happen to Rumsfeld as well?
The press is very hard at Bush about his pick.
Alaska is a common cause for all the environmentalists. An international treaty rules the area listed to World Patrimony. So this is a shock for friends of nature, a crazy announcement. European and Japonese organisations already back Green peace and Sierra Club in their political analysis and move. Americans are at a very important stage of their history, but they keep wasting and ignoring that oil has become rare. On the contrary Japan was able to cut down its oil consumption by 47% in 30 years by improving its industrial productivity. Europe is quite the same.
When will Americans understand thet THEY have to change their habits, and that it's not the world that has to be changed to fit their habits?
The Alaska Battle is starting in the papers.
Libération turned a famous quote from "Le Cid" by Corneille : "Oh rage, oh désespoir... (oh rage, oh despair) into "Forage, oh désespoir (drilling, oh despair) for its title.
It then gives lots of information about what is going on, what might take place, how the battle was fought in Senate (quoting Kerry) together with links to support Sierra Club and Green Peace.
ttp://www.liberation.fr/page.php?Article=283196
Madame Defarge if you want to read it...
Missed it.
http://www.liberation.fr/page.php?Article=283196
Posted by: Andrée - France at March 17, 2005 08:35 AM
Merci bien, Andrée. I also noticed that Le Soir has an article about it as well, with a beautiful photo of "des ours polaires" in the wild. It mentioned that along with these beautiful polar bears, the area's inhabitants include grizzly bears, wolves, caribous, and more than 150 species of birds...and 210 people who live in a small village nearby... This is indeed so sad.
http://www.lesoir.be/rubriques/mond/page_5179_312444.shtml
Andree...
So, does the rest of the world truly view us as incredibly stupid and greedy, or like a group of tourists who have been hijacked on a bus, and we are screaming out the windows for help as we cruise on by with The Sinister Minister at the wheel?
Thank you for traveling Slow Coup, and have a nice day.
Mark,
We view Chimperator and his rich friends as stupid and greedy, that's for sure. Now, if I open my daughter's geography book, I read : USA represent 4% of the world population, and 26% of oil production consumption. Those are the figures, but they run with an other image. Americans cannot do a thing anymore without their cars, they use them twice more than we do...and turned obese. This is the cliché that superimpose on figures. Hope I didn't hurt anyone.
We know about the highjacked bus, unfortunately it's still on flat tyres for the time being, and we cannot rescue unless we invade you! It's not that appropriate, so we oppose hoping to get Chimp stumbling on the carpet.
Looovely weather in Paris by the way.
Posted by: Andrée - France at March 17, 2005 07:53 AM
Andree,
You hit the nail on the head here, some of us know that to lead you have to set the example, sadly others do not and those are the ones running this country. The US is responsible for about 33 percent (hoping I remembered this number correctly) of all green house gases produced. But we are always screaming that other countries need to reduce theirs. The thing we have all noticed is the countries who were producing little to begin with have cut their Green House Gas emissions buy a good percent, while ours have increased, This administration loves its SUV and destroying the enviroment. Untill we can keep our Democrats working together this will never change, I dont not see Republicans forcing their friends to drive smaller more efficiant cars or making them pay to make their companies enviromentally safe, sadly special interest money now controls our country, untill we stop this the downward spiral will continue and on behalf of all of us who want to put a stop to this I apologize to the rest of the world for what our leaders are allowing and encouraging to happen. April
If there is outrage in the world, there must be someone doing something outrageous. I believe most people on the planet have their eyes open and some common sense.
There is a reason I consider myself a global citizen first and have done so since I was a young child and my only prayer was always for world peace.
I saw pictures of the Holocaust and Hiroshima when I was quite young and decided I didn't trust governments very much & became skeptical about whether they were "of the people."
GM's stock was down the most in several years yesterday. It's a combination of the price of steel, the price of gas and the fact that more people are unemployed or underemployed than lying government figures show.
The dollar was down, oil was up (despite maximum pumping all around the world) and stocks were down. There are natural consequences. It's also really going to hurt the airlines.
We had electric trains 100 years ago and got rid of them!! What kind of special interests caused that to happen?! This is what happens with greedy, short-term, business-oriented planning by governments that do not do the best for the most of the people.
This is not feeling like a democracy at all.
Read this one carefully...
Senate panel holds secrecy hearings
http://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/03/15/congress.foia.ap/index.html
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The more information the government tries to keep secret, the greater the chance that what should be withheld will be leaked to reporters, a retired Associated Press executive said Tuesday.
"Overdone secrecy raises, rather than reduces, the risk that really vital secrets will be breached," Walter Mears, former AP executive editor and vice president, told a Senate panel. "If everything is classified, then my colleagues are going to go after everything."
Mears, who also was a Pulitzer Prize-winning political reporter, was among five witnesses appearing before the Senate Judiciary terrorism, technology and homeland security subcommittee. The panel is looking at legislation designed in part to force government officials and agencies to respond more quickly to requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act.
After the September 11, 2001, attacks, the Bush administration set a higher threshold for FOIA disclosures, advising agencies to make sure the information they released would not jeopardize national security.
"Too often, security becomes an excuse for shielding embarrassing information and secrecy can conceal mismanagement or wrongdoing," Mears said, recalling former President Nixon's effort to use national security as an excuse for the Watergate cover-up. "Forgetting history risks repeating it."
A bill by Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, would require agencies to give people seeking documents a tracking number within 10 days and to set up telephone or Internet systems allowing them to learn the status and estimated completion date.
Agencies that didn't respond within 20 days would lose all exemptions to FOIA requests except for national security, personal privacy, proprietary information or a ban in another law.
The bill also would establish an ombudsman to audit and review the system.
"There are unfortunately many issues in the Senate Judiciary Committee which are divisive," Cornyn said. Protecting the FOIA rights "is not one of them."
"No generation can afford to take these protections for granted, because they can quickly and easily be taken away. And once gone, they are difficult to get back," Leahy said.
Agency officials should be wary of their reflex to err on the side of withholding information, according to another witness.
"National security is a very real and important concern that unfortunately leads to a certain level of reflexive secrecy," said Meredith Fuchs, counsel of the National Security Archive at George Washington University. "Often the secrecy reflex should have given way to the right to know and, indeed, the need to know."
The hearing comes during "Sunshine Week," a campaign for government openness spearheaded by more than 50 media companies, journalism groups, universities and the American Library Association.
Patti F
Consider British Columbia - they need nurses, or maybe you can just retire. My decision will hinge on Rossi & on the 2006 eletions - maybe.
Posted by: Marc Trager at March 17, 2005 09:26 AM
I read that yesterday and looked in several places to see if anyone even in aside wrote or talked about it, this was the only report I could find, so much for Sunshine week.
Marc come see us please :) we miss you.