Akkam’s Razor

Fascinating read from the National Security Archives. Given the current administration's predilection for secrecy, you might be wondering where it came from.

Examine the linked document - basically, Nixon, prior to his resignation, was reasonably close to signing the Freedom of Information Act into law. After Ford took over, he too was ready to sign. While he realized that their were some concerns, the ramifications of vetoing it were worse.

Enter our rogues gallery, namely Dick Cheney, Antonin Scalia, and Donald Rumsfeld. Eventually, after several leaks, Ford was persuaded to veto the FOIA, to no avail. The House and the Senate promptly overided the President's veto.

I don't know whats more interesting - that in the wake of a major scandal the Executive Branch would even entertain the thought of becoming MORE secretive, the simoultaneous use of information and "leaks" to achieve political goals, or the remarkably small circle of friends who keep getting mentioned in similar context.

Link