Clinton Pardons to Remain Secret for Now

[kskiska]

WASHINGTON (AP) - A federal appeals court removed one barrier to release of some internal records about controversial Clinton administration pardons Friday, but the documents will remain secret for now.

A panel of the Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia voted 2-1 that the White House can't claim Justice Department records are covered by a special exemption from the Freedom of Information Act reserved for "presidential communications."

In a partial victory for the government accountability organization Judicial Watch, the appeals court sent that part of the case back to a lower federal judge to consider whether the White House can still refuse to release the records on other grounds.

(snip)

Former President Bill Clinton caused an uproar when he approved 177 pardons on his last day in office. Judicial Watch wants documents that would address, among other controversies, the behind-the-scenes deliberations on the pardon granted to fugitive financier Marc Rich and the lobbying by Clinton's brother Roger on behalf of other pardon applicants.

The Bush White House has argued that such a release would have a chilling effect on internal discussions leading up to a pardon.

more…
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/bw-scotus/2004/may/07/050700277.html

[yardwork]

1. Clinton severely pissed me off when he did this.....

but the appeals court releasing this report today smacks of an attempt to distract Americans from the Iraq atrocities.

"Pay no attention to those videotapes of little girls being raped! Remember Clinton!!! Arrgh! Clinton Clinton! Run for the hills!"

I don't think it will work so well this time.

[PartyPooper]

2. Give the Big Dog a friggin' break!

He's a saint in comparison to the Chimp.

[Nite Owl]

3. Seems kind of petty

after what we have been through these last 40 months.