"This is a real monster." That's how one historian characterizes an executive order signed by George Bush on Novermber 1st. It allows a past president or a current president to block historians and researchers from access to presidential papers. And those who want to try and see them must show "at least a 'demonstrated, specific need' " for the records. This "reinterprets" the Presidential Records Act of 1978, which was taking effect with Ronald Reagan's papers.

"White House counsel Alberto R. Gonzales... said the White House did not create any new privileges or obstacles but 'simply implemented an orderly process to deal with this information.'" Right.

Need we point out that many Reagan/Bush officials are now serving again? Could there be something left to hide? And just whose papers are they, anyway? Don't they belong to the American public? This is a cover-up, maybe not of anything specific, but it's still presidents trying to keep their dirty little secrets long after they have left office.
posted by Paul Murray at 1:59 AM