Ed Brayton is a freelance writer and speaker. He is the co-founder and president of 
Remember that anonymous hold placed on the Open Government Act? Looks like it was placed by Jon Kyl of Arizona.
Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., says the Justice Department is concerned that it could force them to reveal sensitive information.In a statement Thursday, Kyl said the agency's "uncharacteristically strong" opposition is reason enough to think twice about the legislation, and he will block a vote until both sides can work out the differences.
This is utter nonsense. The bill does not eliminate any of the exemptions in the law. If the information is sensitive - if a court would not order it turned over on a subpoena, for instance - then it does not have to be turned over. What this bill does is require the government to justify their refusal to turn over documents by reference to specific exemptions in the law and to do so within a reasonable period of time rather than drag it out for months and even years at a time.
After I posted on this the other day, I got an email from a group that runs an FOIA Wiki and has a blog that focuses on FOIA and state sunshine act issues. The Society for Professional Journalists launched a hunt for the identity of the senator that placed the hold, which is apparently why Kyl came forward. For more information on why this FOIA reform is so important, take a look at this article that details how the DOJ uses existing law to give a huge runaround and avoid turning over documents.
Comments
Kyl was the Sen. who partnered with Sen. Graham from my state and filed the sketchy Amicus brief in the Hamdan v. Rumsfeld case.
Posted by: Rev. BigDumbChimp | June 1, 2007 1:15 PM
Ed, are you aware of the Sunlight Foundation? They do quite a good job tracking various issues focusing on transparency, openness, and accountability in government.
Posted by: Callandor | June 4, 2007 2:02 AM