Judge limits ex-presidents' control of public records

Judge limits ex-presidents' control of public records

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In a narrowly crafted ruling, U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly invalidated part of President Bush's 2001 executive order, which allowed former presidents and vice presidents to review executive records before they are released under the Freedom of Information Act.

By law, the National Archives has the final say over the release of presidential records and Kollar-Kotelly ruled that Bush's executive order "effectively eliminates" that discretion.

It allows former presidents to delay the release of records "presumably indefinitely," she said.

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There is nothing wrong with having documents listed or marked classified for a period of time but I don't see a need for former presidents to be able to withhold executive orders. In fact I really do have to question Bush motives in this case because such a measure is open to abuse . Former presidents could use national security as a blanket to cover there tracks.

But you still get struck with the problem that nothing is above politics in the US including national security.

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(visit the link for the full news article)