Obama wants classified information review

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/05/27/ap6472439.html


President Barack Obama on Wednesday ordered a review of how the nation keeps and classifies its secrets and instructed his top administration officials to lean toward disclosure when they can.

Obama said he didn't want to leave documents kept secret without a clear national security-based reason.
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The president also created a task force, led by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Attorney General Eric Holder, to make a recommendation to ensure "the handling and dissemination of information is not restricted unless there is a compelling need."

Transparency has been the watchword of this president. He has demanded the details of his $787 billion economic stimulus plan be posted to a Web site, ordered classified memos from his predecessor's administration released and has streamed White House events online.

On his first day in office, Obama reversed a policy on releasing government documents so there is a "presumption in favor of disclosure." Holder promptly beat Obama's deadline by two months for issuing new guidelines that urged release unless "foreseeable harm" would result.


... More at the Link.

I am quite pleased at this news!

We'll see.

He obviously sees that withholding those photos is for a clear national security reason.

I happen to agree with him.

What I see is an attempt to balance national security and transparency. He has made this quite clear for quite some time. I really like that he is taking proactive steps to ensure this balance happens.

Good on Obama for this! This will have far-reaching implications that go way beyond the release of torture photographs (not that I support the photos being withheld).

It is nice to hear some good news after the last two weeks.

Don't talk of stars Burning above; If you're in love,
Show me!
Tell me no dreams
Filled with desire. If you're on fire,
Show me!

Here we are together in the middle of the night!
Don't talk of spring! Just hold me tight!
Anyone who's ever been in love'll tell you that
This is no time for a chat!

Sing me no song! Read me no rhyme!
Don't waste my time, Show me!
Don't talk of June, Don't talk of fall!
Don't talk at all! Show me!

Never do I ever want to hear another word.
There isn't one I haven't heard.
Here we are together in what ought to be a dream;
Day one more word and I'll scream!

Haven't your arms Hungered for mine?
Please don't "expl'ine," Show me! Show me!
Don't wait until wrinkles and lines
Pop out all over my brow,
Show me now!

.... for all of the whining about the President not being as forthcoming as some folks would like ... this happens and this wonderful thread gets seven replies.

Shameful.

Actions speak much louder than words.