Government Says Homeland Security Exempt Under F.O.I.A.

AP ^ | 8 April,'02 | AP

[rdavis84]

Government Says Homeland Security Exempt Under Freedom of Information Act
The Associated Press
Published: May 8, 2002

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Justice Department is arguing that the U.S. Office of Homeland Security is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act because it technically isn't an "agency" and doesn't exercise substantial authority apart from President Bush.

Responding to a lawsuit filed by the Washington-based Electronic Privacy Information Center, a civil-liberties group, the Justice Department compared the role of Homeland Security to the president's National Security Council, which has been ruled exempt under the freedom of information law.

Government lawyers urged U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly to throw out the group's lawsuit, which sought records about proposals for any national identification systems. The group last month sued the Office of Homeland Security and its director, Tom Ridge; the Justice Department responded with its arguments last week.

David Sobel, the general counsel for the privacy group, said it's unclear whether Homeland Security is more analogous to the National Security Council or to other offices within the White House that have been ruled to fall under the freedom of information law, such as the Office of Management and Budget or Office of National Drug Control Policy.

"This entity is so new, there isn't much of a track record," Sobel said. "But the expectations are that Governor Ridge is going to have significant authority to implement post-September 11th policy initiatives. Every aspect of daily life is going to be influenced in some way by the policies emanating from that office."

The group agreed to file its formal court response with the judge on May 24.

 

[rdavis84]

It'll get Worse.

[rdavis84]

FYI.

[lepton]

which "it"?

[lodwick]

What is the definition of "it?" bttt

[rdavis84]

"which "it"?"

ALL of them.

[thinden]

it will will it? p.s. check for ticks.

[rdavis84]

"A popular government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy - or perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own Governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives."
- James Madison

An informed electorate "must stand ready to sound the alarm when necessary to point out the actions in any pernicious project."
- Alexander Hamilton

[thinden]

...exempt from the Freedom of Information Act because it technically isn't an "agency"...

no sooner said than done.

[hoot2]

"It'll get Worse."

keep votin' demonRAT n republicRAT, n it will....
n it'll only get "better"....se habla espanol?

[The Duke]

Ashcroft: It depends on the meaning of the word "agency"

[Uncle Bill]

"The Justice Department is arguing that the U.S. Office of Homeland Security is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act because it technically isn't an "agency"

Where's my clicker Deloris!

"Help Is On The Way"

Bush Team Thumbs Its Nose at FOIA

HOMELAND SECURITY - Working for you America

Who is Janis Sposato? - One of her main accomplishments involves the creation of video games for Justice Department employees. According to the Aug. 30, 1993, issue of Government Computer News, she got the idea from her 6-year-old son. "My concern about ethics training coincided with my son beginning to play educational computer games," Sposato said. "At the office, I also noticed that many people who had computers on their desks played games when they had downtime. I decided this was the way to give people ethics training inexpensively, when and where they want it."

John Ashcroft Tells Arthur Andersen: Help Fix The FBI's Image and Accountability

We Don't Need FOIA Because The Justice Department Releases Information So Easily

"This entity is so new, there isn't much of a track record," Sobel said. "But the expectations are that Governor Ridge is going to have significant authority to implement post-September 11th policy initiatives."

Oh good, we need more laws

Foolin' them is easy isn't it? Heck yes.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

fyi

[Native American Female Vet]

BUMP

[madfly]

ping

[Joe Brower]

"'National Security' is the root password to the Constitution." -- Phil Karn

[rdavis84]

"John Ashcroft Tells Arthur Andersen: Help Fix The FBI's Image and Accountability"

Alltel just fired Andersen. The Polarization continues between the two mobs ruining our Nation.

[Centurion2000]

Secrecy is the beginnings of tyranny.

[Carry_Okie]

which "it"?

That's obvious

"It" "Is". Glad to clear up the confusion.