"The way to hold government accountable is to make it transparent so that the American people can know exactly what decisions are being made [and] how they're being made. ... Starting today, every agency and department should know that this administration stands on the side not of those who seek to withhold information, but those who seek to make it known. ... The mere fact that you have the legal power to keep something secret does not mean you should always use it."
Yea, right.
Obama candidate is a far different person than Obama President. Because Obama President is keeping plenty of things "secret." A few examples of things the administration is refusing to make public (from linked article):
1) State Department memo by Harold Koh explaining the administrations analysis of the Honduran situation and why they are backing a dictator.
2) Explanation for AG Holder's decision to drop charges against the New Black Panther Party for voter intimidation
3) Documentation related to the firing of Gerald Walpin, inspector general for the Corporation for National and Community Service.
4) FOIA requests:
a) refused to release Freddy Mac board minutes from when Rahm Emanuel was a director
b) Ignored requests for White House visitor logs
c) denied requests for documents on a treaty on "intellectual property rights."
d) refused requests for documents related to the TARP bailout
Not to mention that Obama promised to hold the health care reform debates on CSPAN. Not to mention that he promised to post bills on the internet for five days before signing; the "Sunlight before Signing" idea.
I don't want to hear a single "But BUSH" argument here. Not one. If THIS was one of the reasons you voted for Obama (and bashed Bush) than that argument makes no sense. Than that argument means "it bugged me when Bush did it, but now I don't care."
If that's your stance, well ok. Just admit it.
FTR, I'm perfectly happy with a government that is transparent, we need more of it. Obviously, there is classified information that shouldn't be revealed. I don't see how any of the above falls under that category.
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