State secrets: Government officials making it harder and harder to hold them accountable

[struggle4progress]

Published: Monday, January 14, 2008 7:13 AM EST

“Democracies die behind closed doors.”

If that’s the case, democracy in America is in dire need of CPR.

Since President Bush took office, greater secrecy in government has been the norm, and it often involves matters that have nothing to do with national security.

The Presidential Powers Act, which was enacted in 1978, requires that almost all presidential documents, except those involving national security, be made public 12 years after a president leaves office. In 2001, Bush issued an executive order blocking the release of these documents — even if the former president wanted to make them public ...

http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2008/01/14/opinion/editorials/doc478799c6c9ad7364871219.txt

[aquart]

1. I want an executive order bonfire.

And maybe a little wienie to roast.