I was particularly cheered to hear our President elect speak of the new openness in government that would arise under his stewardship.
This is not a diary about the newest claim of State Secrets in the surveillance cases, or any other of the "usual" items under discussions.
But this is about what seems to be a continuing predilection in this administration for secrecy over sunshine - a predilection to continue Bush-era secrecy that is increasingly disturbing. What is even more disturbing - if possible - is that the topics about which this administration's agencies and departments are being secretive seem to broaden every day. Today's topic: Getting the redacted half of a 25 page IG report demanded from the Labor Department months ago on [failures in] prosecution of a toxic spill in Kentucky - nine years ago
Just a reminder that the problem of secrecy on this report originated under President Bush - but the new sunshine promised under Obama does not seem to be bearing fruit in this case - making the promises ring hollow.
Here is a portion of an editorial a few days ago from the Lexington Herald Leader, a McClatchy newspaper [the McClatchy summary is found n their site; or you can take their link to the full article]
Here is an excerpt
It's been six months since Attorney General Eric Holder was applauded for ... telling federal agencies that their records should be presumed public.
So why is a report about a coal-waste spill that happened nine years ago in Eastern Kentucky still top secret?
The Labor Department is resisting release of an uncensored version of an Inspector General's report into allegations of a coverup ...[on a Massey Energy slurry spill that fouled] 100 miles of waterways, devastating aquatic life for 70 miles and threatening water supplies in 10 Kentucky counties.
It seems that fully one half of the 25 page Inspector General's report on that spill, on the coverup and on the whistle blower who brought it to light is still being withheld by the Obama Labor Department.
The newspaper editorial provides a summary:
The investigation started under the Clinton administration but was rushed to a conclusion when the Bush crew took over. Massey was cited for only two violations, although the Inspector General confirmed that the investigators wanted to issue at least eight citations.
I wish that I had not read this.I wish that the only problems with lack of sunshine were the ones we continue to read about. I wish I did not feel that this is becoming a broader problem among agencies under Mr. Obama. I know that the EPA is on the side of protecting the environment, with some recent great directives - - - but when I read this:
Ellen Smith, editor and publisher of the Mine Safety and Health News, has been seeking an intact copy of the IG's report. She's gotten nothing but more redactions.
I worry that President Obama's mantra of "looking forward" is infecting other agencies when requests for documents are made. I worry that past practices of burying the truth seem to continue as the order of the day.
Folks feel free to read the McCLthcy summary [see above link] or the full editorial here - and then talk me down.