Classification of records: Do you think too much information is classified?

Yes

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by Kris Kennedy

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Classification of Records
It remains hard to answer with complete confidence, because if the information receives a security classification, but the behavior of bureaucrats and politicians make one wonder. Most likely too much is given the highest security classification more to prevent transparency than keep the nation secure.

Security of Nation vs. Individual
Executive privilege, security classification, and public records have allowed regulation to develop to prevent individuals from accountability from the citizens. The Bush Cheney administration claimed that they needed executive privilege in order to receive open advice. The prime example remained with the energy meetings that Cheney met with and provided an energy plan. The energy executives offered their information because of a promise that their advice would remain secretive. Is this actually advice or is it lobbying. With the ability to classify information provides for an individual the ability to protect their illegal or immoral activity.

Dick Cheney protected his friends by declassifying some information to help defend his release of the name of a C.I.A. operative. If the information needed secrecy prior to the indictment of Vice President's aide, what changed?

Security vs. Controlling Argument
The nation went to war in Iraq because the Whitehouse and Congress said they intelligence stated Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and were attempting to sell them to terrorists. The argument proved inaccurate. When Secretary Powell spoke to the United Nations, he spoke about metal cylinders that he said were for use in making nuclear weapons. Nuclear scientists were looking forward to seeing the evidence in the United Nations speech about the cylinders because they had offered advice to the government that the cylinders were for rockets. They saw Secretary Powell provide photographs of the cylinders the scientists had advised were for rockets. If the intelligence had been readily available, the discussion could have included debunking by educated citizens.
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In Iraq prior to the first Gulf War Iraq nationalized oil wells. The companies that lost oil wells in this nationalization received no bid contracts to rebuild Iraq. Will they get their oil wells back? A lot of information about the war and the rebuilding of the Iraq remains shrouded in security.

Security of information remains a need, but how to work through the problem to allow information necessary for democracy. Process remains important. A cliche, information is power, proves important and steps and safeguards need development to provide transparency and protection.

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