Judge Orders White House to Publish Visitor Logs

[The Straight Story]

Judge Orders White House to Publish Visitor Logs

A federal judge this week rejected the Obama White House’s contention that turning over thousands of visitor records might endanger the nation’s security, and ordered the administration to reveal documentation that’s been withheld from the media.

The public interest group Judicial Watch had taken the White House to court after refusing to reveal the names of all persons on visitor logs kept from January 20, 2009, through September 2009. The period in question included the administration’s negotiations on the controversial health care reform bill and the economic stimulus package.

Secret Service officials insisted they could not disclose the logs without risk of exposing the identities of certain individuals who, for national security reason, need to be kept confidential.

U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell rejected this argument, ruling that it was possible to cull out certain names while revealing the majority of the records requested by Judicial Watch.

http://www.allgov.com/Top_Stories/ViewNews/Judge_Orders_White_House_to_Publish_Visitor_Logs_110821

[peacebird]

1. did we ever get the visitor logs to Cheney's energy panel or the the GWB White House?

just asking...

[The Straight Story]

2. If not - we should. It is OUR house

They want to know everything about us, they should pave the way first and make it public all about them.

[Ezlivin]

3. That's right! We're still waiting....

Of course, a criminal investigation of the previous administration would be welcomed too.

Sigh.

[uppityperson]

4. I'd still like to know about jimmy-jeff's visits. eom

[sad sally]

5. Guess that transparency business promised is a hard one to keep?

More than two years after he took office the success of President Obama's open government directive is still very much in doubt, according to a prominent government transparency watchdog.

Sunlight Foundation executive director Ellen Miller called 2010 "tremendously disappointing" for open government advocates and said little has happened in 2011 to change her view that the Obama administration has failed to deliver on transparency.

-snip

As a final example, she noted that President Obama was scheduled to receive an award for his commitment to transparency earlier this month from a group of transparency advocates to commemorate Sunshine Week.

Miller called the award a "notion foolishly conceived" and said Sunlight didn't take part because Obama's commitment alone wasn't sufficient to merit an award.

The president was forced to re-schedule what Miller said was essentially a photo-op, evidence to her that transparency is no longer a top priority.

"We're left twiddling our thumbs until the promise becomes reality."

http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/152065-watchdog-knocks-obama-administration-on-transparency?du

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

6. So, he's being forced into "transparency"? Will this be added to The List?

As a "promises kept" entry?

[MessiahRp]

12. +1000000

No kidding.

[rainy]

7. as soon as we see how many times Jeff Gannon visited

and how long he stayed, who he met with, then we'll give up our list. As soon as the MSM tell the public who Jeff Gannon is and how many times he visited the White House then well give up our list.

[kelly1mm]

10. The case can probably be used to get the Bush administration records.

However, this suit was concerning a FOIA request for the Obama administration records. You are not really suggesting the administration not follow a valid court order are you?

[Rex]

8. NO thanks, I want the LAST group of yahoos records!

I can wait on Obamas.

[kelly1mm]

11. Then you should sue after your FOIA request is denied. Use this case

as precedent. The plaintiffs in this case asked for the Obama administration records. They should be released as the Court directs. What is the problem?

[BlueIris]

9. I will be very curious to see those logs. Just who are these "certain individuals"?

WTF?

[MessiahRp]

13. This should be a rather interesting list.

Since we know who Obama looks to protect in every deal with Republicans it will be interesting to see how often they make it to the White House for a visit.