WP: Gonzales Says He'll Review FOIA Guidelines

[kskiska]

WASHINGTON -- Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said Tuesday he would reconsider his predecessor's guidance that has restricted public access to government information since shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks.

"I'm always happy to reconsider decisions relating to the release of information," Gonzales said in an interview with The Associated Press.

He said Congress has given the government authority to withhold certain information "and if we don't believe it should be released, we don't have to release it."

During the Clinton administration, federal agencies were urged to resolve Freedom of Information Act requests by erring on the side of releasing, not withholding, government information. In October 2001, former Attorney General John Ashcroft changed that policy. His memo required federal agencies to carefully consider national security, law enforcement concerns and personal privacy before releasing information. Ashcroft assured agencies that the Justice Department would defend their decisions not to release information.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/26/AR2005072601171.html

[The Night Owl]

1. Translation: Torture photos will never be released.

The Bush administration was never going to release the torture photos, FOIA or no FOIA.

FOIA? Who cares, says Bush. Lord Bush decides what the subjects can see.

I don't think I can exaggerate the gravity of what Gonzales is trying to do. He is essentially trying to remove one of the few tools that citizens have to hold their government accountable.

Why even have a FOIA if the government can overrule it?

We are no longer a nation of laws. This is so fucked.

[Melodybe]

2. Exactly. Kick!

[leesa]

5. I'll bet some photos start appearing then. Have to be multiple copies.

[WhiteTara]

6. I sure hope so

I thought it was strange that these didn't just leak out on their own. Sigh. Now that the maggot has said he is locking down information, there will be little chance of getting them through the government channels.

[The Night Owl]

8. Kick! What the hell is wrong with DU?

Are attempts to defang the FOIA not considered important around here?

I can't believe I had to kick this thread.

:banghead:

[The Night Owl]

3. Gonzales: I'm always happy to reconsider freedom!

What a smug maggot that Gonzales is.

[jsamuel]

4. You work for US you ass hole! DID YOU FORGET THAT!?!

And I don't curse very often either...

[Daphne08]

7. I think everyone in government has forgotten, or...

they just don't give a damn anymore.