News-Record.com

John,

AGs come and go but my question , and it is a serious one : Who will, upon Ashcroft's departure ) dare to remove the blue curtains from " Majesty of Law " and " Spirit of Justice " in the DOJ Great Hall, thereby revealing those bare metal breasts. Huba huba.

As to your 'sigh ' . You ( the press ) don't have an absolute right to know everything that is going on in government. It was that way for 200 years until LBJ got congress to pass that stoopid FOIA. Besides there will always be leakers who will find a willing listener or an open transom.. . You sound despondent. Hope it is not incurable PESTD ( Post Election Selection Trauma Disorder ).Don't fret Gonzales will do just fine and so will Miguel Estrada on the Supreme Court. Cheers

Of course, we don't have an absolute right. But my philosophy is that the people -- whether it is the mainstream press or bloggers or inquisitive citizens -- ought to know much more about how government works and how it spends our money than it does now. And as you know, Fred, bureaucrats tend to disinclined to release information that may make them look bad.

John,

How much did you know about Clinton's questionable entourage to Africa and how many freaking dollars it cost the taxpayers. Try $50 million. And What did you do with that info if you even bothered to look it up. Please give me a break. Your paper is not liberal, like Kevin Phillips is a Republican and like Ashlee Simpson is a singer (credits to Coulter). If you were a Senate Judiciary member would you vote Gonzales out of committee ? I suupose you won't answer and that's ok ..pass the buck to Allen Johnson.

Remind me what your point is, Fred? I comment on the need for government openness and you bash a trip by a president four years out of office. Perhaps you intend it to be an example of the need for government accountability since the government must have released the information on the cost of the trip, and I thank you for that.

Let me ask you: If you were attorney general, what sorts of government information would you refuse to give your employers, the taxpayers?

I'll be honest with you. I didn't even know Anne Coulter could sing.

My point is that you that you want or expect an open spigot but are selective with how the informative obtained is used. Like it has been said Kevin Phillips is a Republican like Ashlee Simpson is a singer like the N & R presents objective coverage of Republican office holders or candidates

The answer to your question John : What " sorts " of information would I " refuse " to give the taxpayers . I wouldn't refuse any request for information. Each inquiry would be judged on it's own merits and granted or denied based upon the applicable law or regulations, Would you expect some other standard , John ? As AG I would also have to make decisions regarding what and what is not confidentinal communications between the President and his advisors and from time to time invoke executive privilege , letting the courts decide if my decision is correct. Nothing unprecedented in American history old chap. It is not a simple as you try to make it. Your original post suggested that Alberto Gonzales lacked something that may disqualify him for the office . I beleive it was an audible groan indicating disagreement with the Presidents announced intention to nominate him for Attorney General. Like I said ,Mr. Gonzales will do just fine after he is confirmed and sworn in. It could have been worse , say Ramsey Clark. Oh that's right Bush won. Tsk.

I agree with much of what you said, Fred. My original post didn't intend to suggest Gonzales lacked anything to disqualify him for office. A sigh is different from a groan. My post expresses disappointment that it appears he isn't a great supporter in open government.

John: I am numb with awe. We agree on something. Gonzales is another great American success story. Raised in a two bedroom house with 8 siblings, no running hot water and no phone untill junior high. He done kum a fer piece , ain't he ?

I am vehemently, actively opposed to the confirmation of Alberto Gonzales as Attorney General!

Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) told the Associated Press that Gonzales? confirmation hearing "may be the only remaining forum in which to examine more fully the steps that were taken to weaken U.S. policy on torture in the period that led to the prison scandals at Abu Ghraib and Afghanistan."

I have been all over the net for the last two weeks trying to find out some basic information about the Gonzales Confirmation hearings and the appointment process. I have been to high school teachers, history and law professors. I have even been reading about the confirmation hearings of Ashcroft. Can one of your informed readers please tell me:

1) Is there any limit to the questions the Senate Judiciary Committee can ask Gonzales?

2) Can they request documents?

3) Is there a time limit to each committee member?

4) Once it gets to the floor of the Senate, is there any limit on the time each Senator can take? Any limit on questions they can ask Gonzales? Can they request documents?

5) Is there anything that could delay or prolong these hearings?

6) Is filibuster allowed? Is it effective?

Once you've notified all the committee members, your Senator, (and everyone else's too), contributed to Veterans for Common Sense ad campaign, is there anything else one can do?

Thank you.