Can't Ask, Won't Tell

    In today's society of fast flowing information, anything that is said or done anywhere can travel worldwide within moments.  This is true for everything from telling an inappropriate joke to (unfortunately) releasing state secrets  Consequently, most structured organizations follow hierarchies and the flow of information is filtered on the way from the top down.  The United States government is no different.  In this NY Times editorial, the author contends that President Obama is overusing the White House's ability to invoke the state secret doctrine. 

   The author's name is not listed, but the intended  target was the American public.  I found several valid arguments made towards restricting and/or restructuring the use of this doctrine.  First, the argument is made that Obama campaigned on throwing out the status quo.  The veil of secrecy that the Bush administration hid behind frustrated many people to no end.  It should be just as wrong for Obama to operate in the same manner.  Secondly, I agree with the author's assertion that there should be "an independent and trusted mechanism for scrutinizing efforts to use the secrecy claim".  While any organization should have the right to protect itself and its secrets from a rival, the American people have no way to verify what's being withheld to protect us versus what's being withheld to deceive us.  The state secret doctrine currently requires convincing a federal judge that national security is in jeopardy, but requires little, if any, proof.  Lastly, several instances were given showing how past administrations have used the doctrine to break the law.  A democracy cannot properly function if opponents (internal or external) can be silenced without the right to due process. 

    It's time we put an end to the government's longstanding practice of doing things in our name without our permission.  It's time to be seen more as shareholders, requiring answers and accountability, and less as workers, functioning as the bosses tell us to.  Until we learn to use the control we have over the government, they will continue to use the control we have given them over ourselves.