I once again, am amazed at the double standard and attempt to intimidate individuals like Howard Dean by trying to force an issue on his record as Governor.
There are those regular naysayers here at DU, of course many are actually freepers, who have tried to assert the transparent argument that Dean should release the records.
First off let's clarify.
This is the right and privilege of ANY governor of the State of Vermont upon their leave from their position.
Secondly, this is NOT a permanent sealing. The records are sealed for only ten years. They are opened after that time.
Correct me if Im wrong, but I am under the impression Governor Bush has been attempting to *permanently* seal his records?
Also, when taking a walk down memory lane and looking at the expert ways in which Republicans miraculously concoct situations from thin air and thin ice, it certainly indicates to me Dean has made the best decision.
Those who would attempt to compare Governor Dean's choice to seal his records with Mr. Bush's attempt to seal history in general is ridiculous and offensive.
Not to mention one more time, it was certainly more than legal and within his right as Governor.
Of course, if Governor Dean wasn't as revered, well-supported and liked as much as he is nationally, this would never have been a blip on the screen of an issue.
It is obvious those at Judicial Watch, apparently a bastion of objectivity, (sarchasm off) as well as others, seek to try and inflict harm against Governor Dean, a good person and leader who has been inspirational to thousands, steadfast and needless to say, consistently loyal to the Democratic party and cause at large.
This is why they are assaulting him.
In addition, it's important to note this situation because it is how abuses of this kind continue to exploit our judicial system. They tie up individuals who have done absolutely nothing wrong, in legal disputes and cases which are time consuming, energy and certainly at times emotionally draining, not to mention abusive to the individual and the court system at large.
In this particular case, the judge Alan Cook ruled that Governor Dean will have to identify hundreds of thousands of documents and EXPLAIN why they should be covered by Executive privilege. I would be curious to know how many other governors utilizing their legal privilege and temporary seal their records have had to go through such a process?
Here's a quote:
<<The state is appealing a ruling from Superior Court Judge Alan Cook in February of last year saying that 86 boxes of records sealed by Dean when he left office in 2003 are presumed to be open.>>
<< Cook ordered that Dean and the state had to identify each of the hundreds of thousands of documents in the boxes and say why each should be covered by executive privilege.>>http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=3063755Is this yet one more example of the double standard happening between Democrats and Republicans?
How much "more" equal are others, like George Bush, who have been given preferential treatment and allowed to not give their military records, energy records, governmental records, etc.?
To show a comparison, how many things has the Bush Administration refused to release, when Governor Dean was more than in his legal right to seal whatever records he felt it necessary at the time to temporarily seal?
To be sure, this issue is not as much about Governor Dean as it the larger issue of protecting and defending the written law, not to mention what is fair, and to identify when abuse of power is occuring, like in this situation. In addition, it is up to us as citizens at large to speak up when things like this occur.
Although it may not appear to be, the damaging effects of judicial assaults on individuals like this have a ripple effect on the overall confidence in our justice system at large.