House investigations of the Executive Branch are under way. Understand that such is a Constitutional requirement.

As Obama once famously said, "John, elections have consequences." We concur. The GOP was swept into power via a landslide election that was more than embarrassing to the Democrat [previous] Majority. More, we say, because it put the Republicans in charge of investigating the Executive Branch. A California Representative, Darrell Issa, is chairman of the House committee assigned to such investigations.

In his first investigative charge against the Obama administration, Issa is accusing the Department of Homeland Security of encouraging political appointees to interfere with freedom of information requests.There are reports that more than 103,000 FOIA requests have been ignored while only 500 such requests have been vetted by Administration officials. DHS officials claim they have vetted 138,000 such requests . . . . . . and the case for investigations has been made.

Issa is demanding all emails between the White House and DHS in regards to Freedom of Information requests – a collection of thousands emails between a sensitive national security agency and top administration officials. DHS's decision to enlist a general counsel to assist in dealing with Issa's requests and pending investigation of that agency “raises questions about the department’s commitment to the president’s effort to create ‘an unprecedented level of openness in government.’” Issa sees this decision as an affront to the Administrations goal of openness and transparency. Turns out that Obama is acting as if he were a typical politician.

When asked about apparent resistance to the Issa committee's requests, DHS aides declined to discuss if they thought Issa was politically motivated in pushing for investigations. Understand that Issa's job as chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, is all about keeping the Administration honest. That is the expressed job of this committee. Is it political in nature? Good grief, what on Capitol Hill is not political? But, is Issa doing what he has been commissioned to do? That is the real question and the answer? Absolutely. In his written request to DHS head, Janet Napolitano, this past Tuesday, Issa reminded Secretary Napolitano of an Obama comment with regards to the Freedom of Information Act, in which Obama praised the Freedom of Information Act as an action that drives “accountability through transparency,” calling the Act the “most prominent expression of a profound national commitment to ensuring an open government.” So it is that he is doing his job and with the apparent approval of Mr. Obama. Perhaps Obama will roll back his enthusiasm for the Freedom of Information Act just before he begins accusing Issa of meddling in the affairs of state.

DHS aides would not comment on whether they would appear for interviews. But, of course, DHS ultimately cannot refuse to cooperate. Issa has subpoena power and the conservative media on his side. He is acting wisely, in our opinion. Rather than going after those at the top, he is beginning his investigations with interviews of secondary leadership, avoiding the appearance of being an over-exuberant partisan hack.

Matthew Chandler, a spokesman for DHS, told reporters the agency would cooperate with Issa’s investigation. To date, DHS has resisted transparency. That is why they are being investigated.

Midknight Review believes that these investigations will reach the boiling late this year or early in 2012. We see Obama as being uncooperative in these investigations. More than that, we see him a being compative, especially if Issa hits pay dirt. -- J Smithson, editor.
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