Freedom of Information Act - Will it be repealed?

[Blue Gardener]

Read an article about it in this weekend's Parade Magazine. Is there a real threat that it will be repealed in this post 9/11 world? Any thoughts?

[phaseolus]

1. Was there anything left??

I remember reading that in the aftermath of 9/11 there was a policy change (executive order, perhaps?) whereby heads of federal agencies or departments could at their own discretion refuse FOIA requests.

[Blue Gardener]

3. Maybe it only works at the local level

The couple in the article were investigating shenanigans that were going on at the landfill in Woburn, Mass. It does have tips on how to make use of FOI, I'm going to keep it as a reference in case the need ever arises.

[Philosophy]

2. It already doesn't work

on a technicality. They release the information, but with almost everthing blacked out because of "national security", and the definition of national security has become completely arbitrary - basically it is interpreted by the * administration as anything, no matter how minor or insignificant, negative about the government.