It was stupid then, and it would be stupid now. But the "Cheney secret energy cabal" was a major bitch/whine of the moonbats for years. Well gollee-gee, it looks like the Obama administration has reason to assemble panels of experts on critical issues, *without* sending out the minutes of every discussion to numbnut moonbats howling about their "right to know". Imagine that... Of course, not a peep about this would *ever* come from these geniuses themselves. Stupidity *and* hypocrisy. Imagine that...
gus.
Econ board has yet to meet publicly
By JOSH GERSTEIN | 3/23/09 4:21 AM EDT Updated: 3/23/09 11:25 AM EDT
Text Size:
Weeks after Obama appointed a team to help with economy, the board has yet to hold an official public meeting.
Photo: AP
Six weeks after President Barack Obama appointed a blue-ribbon panel to help him dig America out of its economic crisis, the board has yet to hold an official public meeting.
The White House initially said that the 16-member Presidential Economic Recovery Advisory Board, headed by former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker, would meet every few weeks. Last month, a spokesperson told POLITICO the group would meet monthly. More recently, the White House said the high-powered board, set up to address what Obama has called the worst economic emergency since the Great Depression, would gather only about four times a year, with the next session due in late spring.
But comments from board members and Obama himself indicate that some members of the panel are meeting, in smaller gatherings that have not been announced or opened to the public. And that raises the question of whether an administration that prides itself on openness and transparency is in fact finding it more convenient to conduct public business in private.
Now, the administration finds itself in a Catch-22: It does not want to say that the presidents economic panel, announced amid much fanfare, is not meeting during the worst economic crisis in generations. But if it is meeting, wheres the announcement, the agenda, the minutes? In short, wheres the sunshine?
If the president wants to talk to his advisory committee, it seems to me he ought to do that in the open, said Sidney Shapiro, a law professor at Wake Forest University. There ought to be accountability for private people who address the government. It seems to me it becomes even more important, not less important, when you have a presidential advisory committee.
Asked about Obamas right to solicit candid suggestions, Shapiro said, If he wants private advice, he should pick up the telephone. He can call anybody he wants. If he wants to form a presidential advisory committee, they ought to meet in public.
The White House said the advisory committee was, in fact, hard at work. Members have been gathering information, conducting research, and analyzing relevant issues in preparation for the next full board meeting, spokesperson Jen Psaki said. Individual members are in regular contact with officials at Treasury, the Federal Reserve, and the White House.The President has also made calls to individuals.
Psaki said the earlier White House statements about the full board meeting every month or so were erroneous. The plan has always been to have four board meetings [a] year. These will be public in accordance with the law and for the purpose of keeping the public and the media aware of what is happening in the business community, she said.
Last week, the White House did not respond to POLITICOs requests for a list of the subjects the subcommittees are to tackle or for the subgroups membership rosters.
On Monday, after an early version of this story posted on POLITICO, Psaki acknowledged that such discussions have taken place by phone. There are smaller conference calls of subgroups in preparation for the quarterly meetings. These do not involve the president or federal officials. These are not open to the media or the public, which not only abides by the, but it is also for the purpose of preparing for the public meetings, she said.
Through an aide, one board member told POLITICO of a board meeting at the White House on Feb. 26. The White House did not respond to a question about that session.
So far, none of the commission members meetings have been public or officially announced in accordance with the 1972 federal law which governs such groups, the Federal Advisory Committee Act, or FACA.
That law has spawned a series of legal battles over the years, including fights over access to the Grace Commission on government waste set up by President Ronald Reagan, First Lady Hillary Clintons health care task force, and Vice President Dick Cheneys task force on energy policy. Secrecy surrounding those panels sparked public outrage and serious political blowback that helped fuel Obamas vows for more open government. more...
If the president wants to talk to his advisory committee, it seems to me he ought to do that in the open, said Sidney Shapiro, a law professor at Wake Forest University. There ought to be accountability for private people who address the government. It seems to me it becomes even more important, not less important, when you have a presidential advisory committee.
Not trying to bash my President so early in the game but this is a must IMO. Not every belch of a politician need be recorded but meetings such as these should be open.
Not trying to bash my President so early in the game but this is a must IMO. Not every belch of a politician need be recorded but meetings such as these should be open.
You people will *never* be able to grasp the difference between a Democracy, and a Representative Republic. You should all assemble around J2, and rush through the streets in a frenzy like the French did, and get it over with.
I do want more transparency thom the Obama administration than we've got so far. But I remind you it took six years and multiple lawsuits to even get the names of people who met with Cheney's energy commission. So Obama has a long way to go before he's as bad as the last regime.
I do not respond to that Dork. I don't like crybaby cowards that could not serve their Country, in War. What does a Draft-dodger know about the world. He claims he was a Liberal but then, most Liberals of the 1960s became Nazis when they bought a house. Gutless Gus? Talk, Talk, Talk; and no action. Only a coward hides behind the phoney identity.
Hey Gus, Making any money selling guns to the Mexican Cartel... if not then your probably no really a gun dealer, just another NRA member caught in the fantasy of the 2nd Amendment. Gus will never live down his phoney Patriotism, for running and hiding behind 5 College deferments, to stay out of Vietnam. Gus, "The Coward of the County" and no show, just talk!!
Peace & Love, to all others, as for Republicans on this site- BS!
"I remind you it took six years and multiple lawsuits to even get the names of people who met with Cheney's energy commission"
How long will it take to get the names of who was on Mrs Clinton's medical socialization committee...and that's been a lot longer than "six years" ago hasn't it!
The language of priorities is the religion of Socialism.....Aneurin Bevan
I do want more transparency thom the Obama administration than we've got so far. But I remind you it took six years and multiple lawsuits to even get the names of people who met with Cheney's energy commission. So Obama has a long way to go before he's as bad as the last regime.
That should have been his campaign slogan:
OBAMA: HE'S NOT AS BAD AS BUSH
LOL
~~life isn't about how to survive the storm but how to dance in the rain~~
When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends.
Japanese Proverb
Well, I admit "better than the worst president in history" is an awfully low bar to set. So I do expect far better from Obama. We'll see how it pans out.
As I've said before: I gave Bush the benefit of the doubt for almost two and a half years. I don't think I'm being hypocritical by not giving up on Obama after two and a half months.
This message has been edited by jrooth on Mar 23, 2009 5:38 PM
I do want more transparency thom the Obama administration than we've got so far. But I remind you it took six years and multiple lawsuits to even get the names of people who met with Cheney's energy commission. So Obama has a long way to go before he's as bad as the last regime.
That's your frame of reference in this case, the levels of "bad". It's not mine, but I perfectly understand it from your viewpoint.
skip: How long will it take to get the names of who was on Mrs Clinton's medical socialization committee...and that's been a lot longer than "six years" ago hasn't it!
Wow, that's ancient history. And what does that have to do with Obama anyway?
You people will *never* be able to grasp the difference between a Democracy, and a Representative Republic.
*********************************************
I guess I didn't realize that "transparency" was somehow endemically different between a "Democracy" and a "Representative Republic"? You are suggesting that opacity is a good thing, inasmuch as it is not a "Democracy"?
You people will *never* be able to grasp the difference between a Democracy, and a Representative Republic.
*********************************************
I guess I didn't realize that "transparency" was somehow endemically different between a "Democracy" and a "Representative Republic"? You are suggesting that opacity is a good thing, inasmuch as it is not a "Democracy"?
If the electorate doesn't trust the people *they* elect to research policy decisions before they make them without the public being invited, then A. They have no business electing that person, or B. They have no business with a representative govt. in the first place. Funny thing, virtually every policy decision Obama has made has been without a shred of public input, Republican Congressional input, or for that matter, *Democrat* Congressional input, since none of them read the bills either. Where's the "Transparency" there?
Thank you, Jim! Reasoning does not work with them. You tried. Only a Fascist seeks to suppress; verbally and Physically. Just like the Nazis. They denied the Rights of Homosexual Citizens then slaughtered them. Then came the Political opposition, accord the Franz Mueller; whom spent the entire war, in Work Camps, until Americans liberated him, in 1945.
But then came the Jews. And the Facsist Italian love Pizza!
History? Still studying it and shall contiue until the day I die.
It is always about "ancient history", we are a Republic and you act like a Roman. Not a Plebian but a submissive Female Patrician!
Pick and choose, don't you, when it is convienent! You have some right to talk, Citizen! Now respect other Citizens... unless you believe any of us are not Citizens; by Birthright! No service involved, just the US Constitution!
BS and shove it, Nazi!
You know who?
Yeah, Ms. Rachel M.
Proclaim your own Liberty before you become a Hefer for Breeding purposes, Woman. Not Wo! Man!!!
Since you very obviously do not understand when and when not to use the word "WHOM", please refrain, and simply use WHO. It is less disturbing when it is used improperly.
Call me a nazi, a fascist. I don't care. You are still an ugly person.
~~life isn't about how to survive the storm but how to dance in the rain~~
When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends.
Japanese Proverb
Weeks after Obama appointed a team to help with economy, the board has yet to hold an official public meeting.
Photo: AP 
![[linked image]](http://www.network54.com/Realm/JansRealm/wfelix.gif)
