Nat'l Media ignores Austin Cron. story on how Texas Open records aren't

[papau]

http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/dispatch/2003-11-07/pols_feature.html

SNIP..Closing the Door
"During recent years, state agencies have increasingly begun stamping documents as confidential or indicating that the work is subject to attorney-client privilege. The practice has a counterpart among federal documentation -- the "secret" classification, for example -- but even sensitive federal papers may be automatically declassified after 15 years, while no statutory time limit exists on the "confidential" papers of state agencies in Texas..."

SNIP..."At the Texas State Library the assumption had long been that once a state document reached the archives, it was open to public inspection, whatever the original nature of the document. Only those exceptions mandated by law (home telephone numbers of state officials, some Social Security information, e-mail addresses, etc.) would be blocked out, or "redacted." Gradually, however, because of the increasing number of state documents designated as classified, archivists have increasingly been required to seek attorney general opinions before opening them to the public...."

AND several other paragraphs, then this:
SNIP..In the future, if Gov. Perry, for example, decides that a document out of Gov. Bush's files -- an opinion by Al Gonzales might be a good example -- should be treated as confidential, it will now be submitted to the attorney general for a ruling (the same attorney general who just endorsed the idea of attorney-client privilege for state officials). In the past, there was a presumption of openness -- and with all due respect to his position, the governor would have been told to go fish. Now -- gradually, and then abruptly -- Gov. Rick Perry has laid his hands on the keys to Gov. George W. Bush's filing cabinet. ....."

A long read, but it is worth it to understand what is meant by "open" records in Texas.

[papau]

1. Seems Dean will explore having same "open" restrictions as Bush

:-)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=250664

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGA6NVJKRND.html

Dean Campaign Says Candidate 'looking Into Options' on Sealed Records
By David Gram Associated Press Writer