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US sets new record for denying, censoring government files[W:28]

ReverendHellh0und

ReverendHellh0und

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[h=1]US sets new record for denying, censoring government files[/h]

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/ab029d7c625149348143a51ff61175c6/us-sets-new-record-denying-censoring-government-files

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration set a new record again for more often than ever censoring government files or outright denying access to them last year under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act, according to a new analysis of federal data by The Associated Press.
The government took longer to turn over files when it provided any, said more regularly that it couldn't find documents, and refused a record number of times to turn over files quickly that might be especially newsworthy.
It also acknowledged in nearly 1 in 3 cases that its initial decisions to withhold or censor records were improper under the law — but only when it was challenged.
Its backlog of unanswered requests at year's end grew remarkably by 55 percent to more than 200,000. It also cut by 375, or about 9 percent, the number of full-time employees across government paid to look for records. That was the fewest number of employees working on the issue in five years.
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So much for that "most transparent government ever" crap. eh?
 
Re: US sets new record for denying, censoring government files

The "War on Terror" has led to this crazy explosion of information that can't be released due to "National Security". Honestly, 9/11 has been an insanely depressing turning point for access to information.
 
Re: US sets new record for denying, censoring government files

iliveonramen said:
The "War on Terror" has led to this crazy explosion of information that can't be released due to "National Security". Honestly, 9/11 has been an insanely depressing turning point for access to information.
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Do you have statistics on how many FOIA requests were concerning the 'War on Terror" versus the IRS, EPA and other hot FOIA topics?
 
Re: US sets new record for denying, censoring government files

jmotivator said:
Do you have statistics on how many FOIA requests were concerning the 'War on Terror" versus the IRS, EPA and other hot FOIA topics?
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Not particularly concerned with rightwing witch hunts. As per the article there was a record amount of records asked for. I'm more concerned with the increasing number of things the government is deeming "classified"
 
Re: US sets new record for denying, censoring government files

iliveonramen said:
Not particularly concerned with rightwing witch hunts. As per the article there was a record amount of records asked for. I'm more concerned with the increasing number of things the government is deeming "classified"
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Seems like just about everything is classified now. The IRS seems to be more secretive than the CIA. They resist giving up info that they know they have to give up, but make you go to court and get an order anyway.
 
Re: US sets new record for denying, censoring government files

Anthony60 said:
Seems like just about everything is classified now. The IRS seems to be more secretive than the CIA. They resist giving up info that they know they have to give up, but make you go to court and get an order anyway.
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There's been a lot of reports that has shown that virtually everything is being labeled classified. it's a major problem.
 
Re: US sets new record for denying, censoring government files

iliveonramen said:
Not particularly concerned with rightwing witch hunts. As per the article there was a record amount of records asked for. I'm more concerned with the increasing number of things the government is deeming "classified"
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You blamed the increase in FOIA rejections on the "War on Terror". I asked you to support the claim.
 
Re: US sets new record for denying, censoring government files

Anthony60 said:
Seems like just about everything is classified now. The IRS seems to be more secretive than the CIA. They resist giving up info that they know they have to give up, but make you go to court and get an order anyway.
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Everything But Hillary's State Department emails, apparently. :roll:
 
Re: US sets new record for denying, censoring government files

It has been broadly noted by political observers, journalists and rights advocates that the Bush administration has increased the secrecy of government operations, as part of the "War on Terror" and in other areas.

Bush administration fetish for government secrecy - SourceWatch

And Obama is this on steroids. And as pointed out in post #2, the next administration will be worse yet. In fact that nebulous "war on terror" is going to give administrations cover of secrecy likely for years to come.
 
Re: US sets new record for denying, censoring government files

jmotivator said:
You blamed the increase in FOIA rejections on the "War on Terror". I asked you to support the claim.
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Well...

Government secrecy is a big and expensive business—and it’s getting bigger and more costly. Last year, the federal government spent more than $6.5 billion classifying and declassifying federal records. It marked 14.2 million documents as “Top Secret,” “Secret” or “Classified,” putting them under lock and key for a minimum of 10 years. The rate of classification—up 26 percent in 2003 and more than 40 percent since 9/11—is almost double that during the last several years of the Clinton presidency.
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In 2003, there were 3.2 million requests for federal government records, a 36 percent increase in one year. About half of these were granted. The information “grants” frequently come with heavy and inconsistent redaction and only after long delay.
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Under Ashcroft’s directive, these interests are to be given “full and deliberate consideration” when an FOIA request is made. He told federal agencies to look for a “sound legal basis” to withhold information and let them know they’d find support in this approach from his department. Perhaps it’s coincidental, but FOIA requests to the Justice Department fell by 70 percent the following year. It may also be coincidental that the classification of documents by justice—which makes them exempt from FOIA—increased by 80 percent in 2003.
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The Steady March of Government Secrecy - Nieman Reports
 
Re: US sets new record for denying, censoring government files

Does this mean those who criticize the Obama administration on this issue like whistleblowers now?
 
Re: US sets new record for denying, censoring government files

US Conservative said:
Obama lied, transparency died. Same with Hillary.
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Stop acting like a dick head. Do you realize that all politicians lie, they all cheat, they all die? Why do you think that the GOP is Jesus.
 
Re: US sets new record for denying, censoring government files

Montecresto said:
Stop acting like a dick head. Do you realize that all politicians lie, they all cheat, they all die? Why do you think that the GOP is Jesus.
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Whats with the names? YOU may not, but I hold my own govt representatives, and especially POTUS to a very high standard. Trying to distribute blame does not work with me, nor does it work with conservatives generally, IMO.
 
Re: US sets new record for denying, censoring government files

Montecresto said:
Stop acting like a dick head. Do you realize that all politicians lie, they all cheat, they all die? Why do you think that the GOP is Jesus.
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Ahhh, the old 'They All Do It' deflection! This is now officially the lamest response in the ever growing Department of Lame Responses, having just passed "It's George Bush's fault" and "I blame Global Warming".
 
Re: US sets new record for denying, censoring government files

US Conservative said:
Whats with the names? YOU may not, but I hold my own govt representatives, and especially POTUS to a very high standard. Trying to distribute blame does not work with me, nor does it work with conservatives generally, IMO.
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More lies. Only if they are of the Democratic Party do you wish for accountability.
 
Re: US sets new record for denying, censoring government files

Grant said:
Ahhh, the old 'They All Do It' deflection! This is now officially the lamest response in the ever growing Department of Lame Responses, having just passed "It's George Bush's fault" and "I blame Global Warming".
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No, I never say that. But unlike neocon conservatives, I want all politicians held accountable. I'm not happy about the trending lack of transparency. And the next administration will be worse.
 
Re: US sets new record for denying, censoring government files

TheDemSocialist said:
Does this mean those who criticize the Obama administration on this issue like whistleblowers now?
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Does it mean the far left will try to deflect from the real issue to "Get" those pesky Obama critics?
 
Re: US sets new record for denying, censoring government files

US Conservative said:
More distortion of reality. Your glasses are dirty.
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When I see you holding a GOPer accountable, I'll leave you alone. Until then I'll be on your heels exposing your hypocrisy.
 
Re: US sets new record for denying, censoring government files

Montecresto said:
When I see you holding a GOPer accountable, I'll leave you alone. Until then I'll be on your heels exposing your hypocrisy.
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Im not a hypocrite and you aren't exposing anything except your own distortions.
 
Re: US sets new record for denying, censoring government files

ReverendHellh0und said:
Does it mean the far left will try to deflect from the real issue to "Get" those pesky Obama critics?
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No. Ive even started I think 2 threads in the past couple days that have criticized Obama and his administration based on this issue....
 
Re: US sets new record for denying, censoring government files

iliveonramen said:
The "War on Terror" has led to this crazy explosion of information that can't be released due to "National Security". Honestly, 9/11 has been an insanely depressing turning point for access to information.
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Please expand on your desperate attempt to blame Bush and the " war on terror " on Obama's and the Democrats complete lack of honesty and transparency.

What did Hilary's setting up a private email server for the purpose of circumventing FOIA and Oversight Committee request have to do with the " war on terror " ?

What did the IRSs continued stonewalling of their illegal targeting of Conservative groups have to do with the " War on terror " ??

And before you call that a " right wing witch hunt " remember, Obama read the inspection generals report and he agreed something was seriously wrong with what the IRS did.
 
Re: US sets new record for denying, censoring government files

US Conservative said:
Im not a hypocrite and you aren't exposing anything except your own distortions.
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Well then point me to a single GOP criticism.
 
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