Associated Press and Freedom of Information

Tom Curley, President and CEO of Associated Press, appreared before the Committee on the Judiciary to urge more Freedom of Information legislation. His testimony is a commentary on goverment's role in the years since the Freedom of Information Acts and the neccesity to erode obstacles to obtaining even more information. He is speaking directly to the senate but it is prepared just like a news editorial. As president to one of the largest news company, Tom Curly has experience working with FOIA by trying to use the legislation in obtaining information. However, he is routinely met, along with thousands of other, by frequent roadblocks. A number that has reached new peaks, since the first enactment of FOIA legislation forty years ago. Tom Curly notes failures by our government but provides ample excuses on their behalf. He claims FOIA officials are bogged down by the threat of being sued by the mega corporations. But FOIA was created to guard the public from those same corporations and agencies. Mr. Curly is too forgiving in his attack. He is one of the most poweful people in the press and he chooses to throw a halfhearted debate at the Senate. If people in these positions wanted to inform the public and have a freedom of information, they would be making an effort. His claims are soft and he actuallys goes on about how the FOIA are working, while he is there to argue for more legislation. The cause for free information will never move forward, when the people spearheading it work the Associated Press. He closes by stressing the importance a government that operates under public scrutiny, not in the shadows. I don't believe he came close to mentioning some of the information that needs to be released. Also, he fails to offer any solutions but he does provide excuses.

George Bush: The Comeback Kid

In this article by Stanley Fish, he asserts that our now hated president, G.W. Bush, will be forgiven for all the accusations against him. Even his most passionate resistance will come around and open up to Georgie within a year. I can't understand the author's ability to adhere to our leaders and forgive so easily. He admits the administration's most appalling failures as: Middle East turmoil, an economic collapse, their response to Katrina, and an overall decline in the good name of America. However, upon leaving office, Dr. Fish beleives all these crimes will be forgotten and the results passed on to the next administration. Sadly, I'm sure he is correct. Everyone wants to forget and keep hoping our presidents from George Washington to George Bush were benevolent. I can't make that leap of faith when history is chalked full of hokes wars, planned economic collapses, and outright lies being told to the public. But we'll move on and hope for change in the next guy. GW can relax to be the lovable, folky character he is and retire with pride and class. To Dr. Fish, Bush is a decent person content at heart. We had some jokes and poked fun, to which GW was a good sport. Now that the pressure is off, we can all be friends. Well, I don't forget warcrimes or befriend traitors but how could you stay mad at that goofy smirk on George's face? There has been worse presidents with even lower approval ratings. Were quick to forgive our leaders and I'm sure this will be no different. On the verge of his relief from office, GW is tying up some loose ends and avoiding trifles before a return to public life. He'll exit with grace to be taken back in by popular culture with warm and open arms.