From today's Poughkeepsie Journal
Too late, FDR site approves meeting we learn that the Director of the FDR Library says:
''We certainly regret people have seen us as opponents of freedom of speech,''
To underscore that, [National Archivist] Weinstein plans to visit the Roosevelt library Friday afternoon and hold an open forum on freedom of expression and civil liberties, Koch said.
Update [2005-4-6 12:14:4 by am]:Weinstein will be visiting the library on April 12th as part of the 60th anniversary commemoration of FDR's death. The forum on free speech will be then and not this Friday as quoted above. more after the break (with poll!)
Here's the background as was diaried by Joeruggiero
Social Security Censorship at FDR Library.
The Director of the FDR Library canceled a forum on Social Security sponsored by the Older Women's League, American Association of University Women, and League of Women Voters on advise of the general counsel of the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington last week.
Joe Ruggiero, Town of Wappinger Supervisor, started calling around -- even blogging to bring attention to this matter, speaking with the co-chairman of the Roosevelt Institute William J. vanden Heuvel about what could be done.
After William J. vanden Heuvel spoke with the National Archivist Allen Weinstein they reversed their decision, today as reported in the Washington Post and Poughkeepsie Journal, but too late, they ladies had to move it.
BTW, the Washington Post is incorrect in its reporting. The ladies invited Representatives Kelly-R, Sweeney-R, and Hinchey-D, but Congressman
Maurice Hinchey was the only member to accept the invitation to participate. Kelly and Sweeney both FAILED TO RESPOND to invitations (not turned down as reported).
SO: I want to go to the FORUM with Archivist Weinstein! Here are my questions... what are yours?:
- Why can the president spend federal taxpayer money and have closed sessions w/ no presentation from people not only with other views, but wont even let TAXPAYERS who don't yet know if they support the plan or not even in to the sessions
to hear about it.
- We hear our our representatives were supposed to have town hall meetings to tell us about the plan, yet they do not schedule them, and do not respond to requests to hold/attend events--how are we even supposed to get the OFFICIAL viewpoint?
- How does Weinstein decide what is balanced the facts aren't on the table? why are subject experts considered partisan -- just because there isn't an official santioned spokesperson? do all public hearing need to MONITORED by an official spokesperson now?