Opinion : Executive Privilege? Bah Humbug!

This week, the governor announced that she is filing a lawsuit against the Des Moines Register to, in her words, "protect the use of executive privilege." There is nothing that causes more trouble than when a government entity wants more secrecy.

There are cases when the government should have privacy, eg, when wanting to purchase property so that the costs aren't run up by the private sector, or in the case of job reviews, but otherwise...it's okay to ask what's going on.

She goes on to say, "Executive privilege allows a chief executive to receive confidential communications and work product from their closest advisors." "Advisors" indicates to me that it's a job discussion.

I'd even give the right to privacy if it's to discuss some threat to the people in the state of Iowa, but chit chatting about the best move to accomplish something...well, face to face seems to be the only way to get around a FOIA request.

I suppose I'm a bit biased on the topic having submitted my share of FOIA requests and having information withheld as if it's some huge secret, when it's not, but more of an "Oh shoot, we can't tell her that or she'll put out there for EVERYONE to know!" Well, yeah, it's a job hazard.

In talking to your advisors, Madam Governor. I do agree with this part of your press release, that says, "It is unfortunate that state resources must be used to defend against the Register's aggressive threats," I bet they are "threatening" to use their words, how scary.

As much as I'm not a fan of the DMR, I am glad they are there to apply pressure for records. I'm still amazed that everything isn't just automatically online for everyone to access, but hey, why do that when you can hide information?

Transparency is a good thing. Let's get more of it in our government, at every level, even the Governor's Mansion.