Friday, July 18, 2008

FOIA Friday - July 18, 2008

Some quotes to remind you why access to public records is so critical - while we continue to await receipt of public records ...


“Information is the currency of democracy.” -- Thomas Jefferson

"Far too often when citizens seek records from our government, they are met with long delays, denials and difficulty. Federal agencies can routinely and repeatedly deny requests for information with near impunity. Making the situation worse, requesters have few alternatives to lawsuits to appeal an agency's decision." -- Sen. John Cornyn

"Knowledge will forever govern ignorance. And people who mean to be their own governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives." --James Madison

“ A fundamental premise of American democratic theory is that government exists to serve the people. … Public records are one portal through which the people observe their government, ensuring its accountability, integrity, and equity while minimizing sovereign mischief and malfeasance” -- Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Conner

"This law wasn’t designed to make your job easy. It was designed to keep your actions legal.” -- District Attorney Ray Don Jackson

"Let the people know the facts, and the country will be safe." -- Abraham Lincoln

"A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives." -- James Madison (letter to W.T. Barry, 4 August 1822)

1 comment:

Timothy W Higgins said...

Wow Maggie, too many good quotes in this posting. I will concede the field of play before trying on this one...

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