my statement was a general one in response to UT's last line. There are a couple people around the cellar who wouldn't provide a cite to save their life.

No more cite probation...i was just making a point.

Re, all that said... from what I've read, a new AG generally issues a new policy on these things by memo. But it is a remarkable thing -- and when I say remarkable, I mean in a good sense -- that O issued the memo himself. It gives the policy much more weight. It's something that he will be judged upon by the responsiveness of the whole Federal government, and it means much more than a campaign promise.

Perhaps its a matter of tone.

The Reno memo suggested that requests were only to be denied if there was “foreseeable harm” in releasing the documents.

The Ashcroft memo suggested that agecies could deny FOIA requests as long as there was a “sound legal basis” for doing so. Ashcroft issues a second memo after 9/11

From a GAO report on the impact of the Ashcroft memo:
The Obama memo restores and promotes a "presumption of disclosure" rather than seeking a "sound legal basis" not to disclose.

The more open the government...the more accountable!

I see no evidence that the reduction under Reno or Ashcroft resulted in harm or cover-up of information that was not released. So far it seems like they did the right thing and tightened up a very loose process of FOIA releases. So where is the problem? Your cite says that the GAO found that "sound legal basis" for withholding information was the standard by which the various departments would be defended. Sounds prudent to me.

I guess you dont see the difference between the Reno and Ashcroft memos and the respective policy approach they proscribe in responding to FOIA requests.

Or the fact the Obama memo restores a policy similar to Reno and vastly different from Ashbrook.

We simply disagree....I want a more open and accountable government. You want to be more prudent.

Thats cool! I accept that.

But when making a case that there has been NO CHANGE by Obama....I hope you will read all three memos again. The Obama memo represents change...perhaps change you dont like, but change, nonetheless.

I'm just glad my guy is in now.

He's not your guy. He is The Man now. He is everyone's guy, just like Bush was, whether any of us want him or not. I am willing to give him the benifit of the doubt except when I see him doing the same things done by previous politicians. I am going to call him out on every thing I have heard other bitch about for the last 30 years.

Well you just never know Merc. Maybe he'll do a good job, and you don't want to end up with egg on your face because you criticized too soon do you?

Unlike popular belief about me, I want him to be the most successful president eva. EVA! But I know better. Keep your eye on the ball.

Sounds like a bitch fest!

It might be fun as long as one maintains some level of objectivity and recognizes that factual arguments differ from unsubstantiated opinions...both of which have their place at the party.

Aussies are invited to the bitch fest?

I havent partied with Ali in ages!

How can you know better? Do you have inside information? He's only just begun, so I don't see how you can possibly make any kind of rational judgement about his abilities just yet. Give him a few months and then start, but don't go making unfounded judgements just yet.

Are you playing Karen Carpenter at this bitch fest?

Oh yeah...I come to all the good bitch fests around here. If I don't, I have to worry about my reputation as a bitch slipping. ;)

I wont be doing too much partying for a little while though. I've got a little under two months and I'll be having a baby. :D

I can't sing that well. lol