Executive Order 13233

[ls317]

Executive Order 13233 gives ex-presidents nearly unlimited discretionary authority to prohibit the release of their papers, and allows them to name designees who can act in their stead. Moreover, a sitting president may also prevent the release of a predecessor’s papers — as Bush has already done with some of Ronald Reagan’s papers — even when the predecessor has authorized his papers’ release. These are radical encroachments on the public’s access to documents that were produced in the public interest, at public expense, by officials elected by the public. Citizens can challenge these decisions in court, but the expense and time commitment will discourage most people from trying.

A House-approved bill that would undo this blatant assault on openness has been held up in the Senate. Even if the measure advances, there is no guarantee that Congress could override Bush’s expected veto.

Anyone can see that Executive Order 13233 tramples upon the public’s right to know. Less obvious are the consequences for writing and studying history.

http://hnn.us/articles/47375.html

[Selatius]

1. Part of writing history is hiding the truth.

There's documents in there no Bush Empire member would likely ever want released to the public, for fear of destroying the "family" business. We just need to know what they're about. Remember, though, that the victor is the one who writes the history.

[nels25]

3. Very true

there are archives in France dealing with their military mutiny in 1917 that have never been opened.

Also did you know that Joe McCarthy's papers are held by Marquette in Milwaukee and that his widow has ordered them closed to any and all research (at least that was what I was told in a history course I took in the mid 90's)

John Kennedy's papers are embargoed at Harvard until 75 years after his death.

You get the idea.

[dysfunctional press]

2. since it is an "executive order", can it be undone the same way by the next potus?

and can congress override it with law?

[alfredo]

4. What if they are subpoenaed in a war crime trial or other criminal

trial?