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Using the FOIA

Posted by michael on from the tools-of-the-trade dept.

mgaiman writes "Lucy Dalglish, Executive Director of The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, spoke at my school today. She discussed the state of journalism in the post-9/11 world. She said, among other things, that this administration is the most closed she has seen since Nixon. The organization itself is a non-profit journalist rights group. Their site features such things as Homefront Confidential, a chronicling of changes to the openness of information since 9/11, and a guide to using the Federal FOI Act to get access to information. While most /.ers aren't journalists, I thought it would be of interest nonetheless."

2 of 27 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Closed could mean disciplined by Danse · · Score: 3, Informative

    In fact, the government seems to be very much against the idea that we're actually at war with Al Qaeda. If we were actually at war with them, then those prisoners we have down in Cuba might actually be entitled to some rights. Can't have that.

    --
    It's not enough to bash in heads, you've got to bash in minds. - Captain Hammer
  2. Re:Closed could mean disciplined by sdjunky · · Score: 3, Informative

    What about Pearl Harbor?

    Did those who died not count? Still in that case Congress had to declare war... or have we forgotten that as well.

    What happened on 9/11 was horrendous. No... I have not forgotten. Nor have I forgotten the countless civilians and military personnel killed in other struggles and conflicts. It doesn't change the fact that for us to be "Technically at war" we have to declare war.

    I suggest you read this site

    http://www.pearlharbor.org/

    quote
    "On December 8, the nation was gathered around its radios to hear President Roosevelt deliver his Day of Infamy speech. That same day, Congress declared war on Japan. On December 11, Congress declared war on Germany"

    We were attacked. Japan declared war on us. Yet..... Yet congress saw it necessary to declare war. Now. I ask you. Spin aside are we "technically at war"?

    I'm not saying "were we attacked".
    I'm not saying "was it horrible".
    I'm not saying "forget those who have died".

    I'm saying "ARE WE AT WAR"?

    The answer is no. The President ( who I voted for BTW ) has said we are at "war" but congress hasn't declared war. If you read the constitution it is Congresses duty to declare war. Not the Executive branch.

    If you're going to repeat the "spin" be prepared to answer for it.