White House Pushes To Keep Visitor Logs Private [Archive]

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Barry O'Bama

07-02-2009, 12:01 PM

Morning Edition (http://www.npr.org/templates/rundowns/rundown.php?prgId=3), July 1, 2009 · It was a recurring theme of Barack Obama's presidential campaign — a call for openness: "Transparency and accountability, getting the American people involved, that's how we're gonna bring about change," candidate Obama said.
And the theme continued on Obama's first day as president: "Starting today, every agency and department should know that this administration stands on the side not of those who seek to withhold information, but those who seek to make it known."
But for advocates of open government, the new era of openness has yet to dawn.
"Once all the pretty speeches were over in the first couple of days, the record now isn't quite so great," said Melanie Sloan, executive director of the nonpartisan watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.
Sloan is concerned about several early decisions regarding the release of documents and other information by the Obama White House. Her organization is suing for the release of Secret Service logs that would reveal which representatives from the coal industry visited the White House as the administration was preparing clean air policy.
It is similar to a lawsuit the Bush administration fought a few years back. This year, Sloan's organization asked for records again, citing the Freedom of Information Act.
"Not only did the administration refuse to provide those records, we have sued them, and ... they are making the same argument that the Bush administration did, that these are presidential records, even though this argument has already lost in court," Sloan said.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs was recently asked about the White House visitor logs during his daily briefing.
"I think there are obviously occasions in which the president is going to meet privately with advisers on topics that are of great national importance," Gibbs answered.
He added that the policy regarding visitor logs is currently under review. That is just one of several issues on which the Obama administration has frustrated open government advocates. Some others include a decision not to release more photos documenting the abuse of prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Former Bush administration press secretary Ari Fleischer has been watching the debate closely, and with some sense of vindication.
"As a candidate, you can make the easy call and say 'I'll do it,' " Fleischer said. "As a president, it's a good thing that he's thinking twice on some of these things."
A spokesman for Obama says the administration has made major changes in terms of providing more transparency by ordering that Freedom of Information Act requests be regarded with a presumption of disclosure. The administration also has set up a number of Web sites allowing the public to track government programs, funding for them and the funds they pay out.
"What the administration is beginning to deliver is an openness when it comes to a certain level of White House deliberations and with respect to government data," said Ellen Miller of the Sunlight Foundation, an open government advocacy group. "Time will tell how this all plays out, but even in the first six months of the administration, we're seeing far more openness than we have seen in modern history."
The administration is learning that the campaign established a certain level of expectation that has not been met, and that insisting on having the most open administration ever is a far cry from achieving it.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106131932

LnGrrrR

07-02-2009, 12:08 PM

Yes, I'm not surprised. As has been said many times before, Obama has obviously shown his dedication to sunshine and transparency was a falsehood.

Winehole23

07-02-2009, 12:09 PM

More continuity. What a surprise.

SonOfAGun

07-02-2009, 02:23 PM

We should make a poll on if Obama will use the same schtick in 2012 campaign (since the herd will still probably fall for it) or if Axlerod will come up with new mass genius...

George Gervin's Afro

07-02-2009, 02:26 PM

More of the same...

Wild Cobra

07-02-2009, 07:17 PM

Typical. Demand of the other party what you wish not to do yourself.

jack sommerset

07-02-2009, 08:06 PM

Typical. Demand of the other party what you wish not to do yourself.

Yup...

angrydude

07-03-2009, 04:07 AM

he's the president, not the king.

deal with it

balli

10-30-2009, 10:00 PM

he's the president, not the king.

deal with it

We know that. He knows that. Deal with it. Or go back in time and bitch at your guy. Otherwise you're just a typically rightward and utterly presumptive hypocrite.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/30/AR2009103003735.html

White House unseals its long-sought visitors logs
In a first for any president, Obama in September authorized the release of contents of the usually hush-hush log. Friday's partial release represented the administration's first attempt to satisfy that directive.

The list of 481 records, covering the first six months of the Obama presidency, is far from a comprehensive record of who met with the president and his top staff. Aides said they released records for only those visitors about whom a specific request was made on the Whitehouse.gov Web site since last month.

spursncowboys

10-30-2009, 10:33 PM

http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/disclosures/visitor-records

Some notable names include
Jeremiah White, Michael Moore, Bill Ayers, and George Soros.

MannyIsGod

10-30-2009, 10:50 PM

http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/disclosures/visitor-records

Some notable names include
Jeremiah White, Michael Moore, Bill Ayers, and George Soros.

Jesus Christ? Can you believe he let Bill Ayers in the White House?????

I'm fairly appalled at this.

Furthermore, where was the liberal press that is always at the White House when this guy showed up? I bet they were just covering shit up for Obama. If Fox News had been there they probably would have forcibly removed him from the White House.

spursncowboys

10-30-2009, 10:54 PM

Jesus Christ? Can you believe he let Bill Ayers in the White House?????

I'm fairly appalled at this.

Furthermore, where was the liberal press that is always at the White House when this guy showed up? I bet they were just covering shit up for Obama. If Fox News had been there they probably would have forcibly removed him from the White House.

:lol Good one. That was a hoot.

MannyIsGod

10-30-2009, 10:56 PM

What? Aren't you upset Bill Ayers was in the White House?

balli

10-30-2009, 10:56 PM

http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/disclosures/visitor-records

Some notable names include
Jeremiah White, Michael Moore, Bill Ayers.
Notable names. Unfortunately for the sub-humans who think of themselves as conservatives, not notable people.

spursncowboys

10-30-2009, 11:19 PM

Notable names. Unfortunately for the sub-humans who think of themselves as conservatives, not notable people.

If it was their first name only, people would be proper, but since I used their first and last name - "names" was appropriate.

MannyIsGod

10-30-2009, 11:22 PM

If it was their first name only, people would be proper, but since I used their first and last name - "names" was appropriate.

:rollin

If you saw something flying over your head that was the point which was being made. Hint: It had nothing to do with your grammar.

But aren't you upset that Bill Ayers was allowed into the White House?

Nbadan

10-30-2009, 11:34 PM

I bet Cheney's visitor logs alone where a list full of evil...

...I wonder if Saddam was on it?

MannyIsGod

10-30-2009, 11:38 PM

I bet Cheney's visitor logs alone where a list full of evil...

...I wonder if Saddam was on it?

I wonder if Mickey Mouse ever visited the White House. I'd love to see those visitor logs.

Did you know Michael Jordan managed to visit the White House too? I wonder if he was playing in the all male basketball game.

Nbadan

10-30-2009, 11:46 PM

God I miss Cheney..

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y44/messiercat/blog/cheney.jpg

Viva Las Espuelas

10-31-2009, 09:41 AM

Mmm mmm mmm
Barack Hussein Obama.

Wild Cobra

10-31-2009, 04:36 PM

What? Aren't you upset Bill Ayers was in the White House?
Why should anyone be upset? We all know they are best buds. We would think the records were fake if he didn't appear in them!

balli

11-01-2009, 09:19 AM

Why should anyone be upset? We all know they are best buds. We would think the records were fake if he didn't appear in them!

:rollin

If you saw something flying over your head that was the point which was being made.

spursncowboys

11-01-2009, 09:26 AM

If Ayers was just some guy who lived down the street, why is it he visited the whitehouse? This means that Obama has relationships with terrorists.

balli

11-01-2009, 09:49 AM

It isn"t that Bill Ayers you fucking moron!!! How could you be so stupid, repeatedly?

spursncowboys

11-01-2009, 09:54 AM

It isn"t that Bill Ayers you fucking moron!!! How could you be so stupid, repeatedly?
http://www.google.com/images?q=tbn:nq9axOMD34T57M::mikeely.files.wordpre ss.com/2008/10/billayers1.jpg&h=78&w=80&usg=__hL47FpRNnKqStfvni_tuVCEZTic=

balli

11-01-2009, 09:57 AM

Whatever dude, per usual, I don't even know what your nonsensical response means, but you're a fucking retard. I suggest you read A LOT more and quit acting like such a purposely uninformed moron,

George Gervin's Afro

11-01-2009, 10:01 AM

If Ayers was just some guy who lived down the street, why is it he visited the whitehouse? This means that Obama has relationships with terrorists.

It has been verified it's not the same person dummy. Please stop dumbing this board down with your talk radio support of the issues..

Wild Cobra

11-01-2009, 10:19 AM

It isn"t that Bill Ayers you fucking moron!!! How could you be so stupid, repeatedly?

We know. The news says it couldn't be him because it that name was part of a large tour. However, it doesn't mean it wasn't him either. He could have been escorted away from the group using that as cover.

there is no evidence either way.

Like I said, they were buddies. I would be surprised if his name didn't appear. I will be surprised if his name doesn't appear again, assuming they continue to report the names withour erasing some.

Wild Cobra

11-01-2009, 10:20 AM

It has been verified it's not the same person dummy. Please stop dumbing this board down with your talk radio support of the issues..

No, it has not been verified. If I'm wrong, then give me a link. All we have is that the "White House" says it's not the same person.

You believe that? Then I have a bridge I'll sell you for cheap.

balli

11-01-2009, 10:25 AM

Anybody reading this who wants to talk shit about whether Bill Ayers visited the White House should just go kill themselves. Like right now. Seriously, throw yourselves in front of a bus. Go grab an ice pick and jam it in your eye. Eat the end of a shotgun. Pop 200 tablets of Rush Limbaugh's favorite form of heroin. But no matter what, do the fucking job right so as to spare the rest of us from your crazy idiocy.

there is no evidence either way.
Oh... and- Glenn Beck raped and murdered a girl in 1990.

George Gervin's Afro

11-01-2009, 10:26 AM

No, it has not been verified. If I'm wrong, then give me a link. All we have is that the "White House" says it's not the same person.

You believe that? Then I have a bridge I'll sell you for cheap.

IF, it is the same person then Obama and the administration deserve to be criticized for being so stupid

Wild Cobra

11-01-2009, 10:28 AM

IF, it is the same person then Obama and the adninistration deserv to be criticized for being so stupid
That's why I have a hard time not believeing he came in with a tour. You have the defense it was someone else with the same name, with no way to prove otherwise.

Are you saying they are not friends?

Wild Cobra

11-01-2009, 10:29 AM

Oh... and- Glenn Beck raped and murdered a girl in 1990.

I guess you are the other "Glenn Beck" so you are talkinmg from experience, right?

George Gervin's Afro

11-01-2009, 10:31 AM

That's why I have a hard time not believeing he came in with a tour. You have the defense it was someone else with the same name, with no way to prove otherwise.

Are you saying they are not friends?

I don't know, do you?

balli

11-01-2009, 10:32 AM

jack sommerset

11-01-2009, 11:01 AM

Seriously. Dems need to tell this prick we will not vote for you in 2012. This dude has lied more than any president in the history of the USA and still people are waiting for him to all of a sudden tell the truth. Create hope and change. Dems don't have to lose the election, they have to lose Obama.

PixelPusher

11-01-2009, 11:10 AM

There's no evidence either way. That's why I have a hard time not believing that Glenn Beck raped and murdered a girl in 1990. You have the defense that he didn't, but no way to prove otherwise.

Are you saying Glenn Beck didn't rape and murder a girl in 1990?
Satirical lessons won't work on him, bali. WC mindlessly consumes everything he hears on talk radio, and beyond simply aping any political rhetoric that comes out squawk box, he also subscribes to their philosophy regarding truth:

(after being informed that Obama's "thesis" was fake)
"I know Obama thinks it"

George Gervin's Afro

11-01-2009, 11:33 AM

balli

11-01-2009, 11:41 AM

This dude has lied more than any president in the history of the USA
The only reason any of you brain-dead scumbags even know that a man named William Ayers took a tour of the White house is because Obama personally allowed you that information.

Information that no other president, ever, has allowed you access to.

And your response is to call him a liar? I think you should shut your stupid fucking mouth. Or turn your brain on. Or kill yourself. Pretty much any reaction would be better than the idiotic bitching, crying and pitiful persecution complex of the board conservatives.

You people should be utterly ashamed of who you are. I know I'm ashamed that scum like you is also called American. It's a bad feeling to know that some of my fellow countrymen are such trash.

George Gervin's Afro

11-01-2009, 11:51 AM

The only reason any of you brain-dead scumbags even know that a man named William Ayers took a tour of the White house is because Obama personally allowed you that information.

Information that no other president, ever, has allowed you access to.

And your response is to call him a liar? I think you should shut your stupid fucking mouth. Or turn your brain on. Or kill yourself. Pretty much any reaction would be better than the idiotic bitching, crying and pitiful persecution complex of the board conservatives.

You people should be utterly ashamed of who you are. I know I'm ashamed that scum like you is also called American.

Jack thinks that Obama is the only politician to ever back away from a campaign promise.. he was born last year.

EmptyMan

11-01-2009, 12:17 PM

You people should be utterly ashamed of who you are. I know I'm ashamed that scum like you is also called American. It's a bad feeling to know that some of my fellow countrymen are such trash.:lmao

I've taken a fancy to the cut of your jib and I'd like you to accompany me on the voyage.

Aggie Hoopsfan

11-01-2009, 12:54 PM

The only reason any of you brain-dead scumbags even know that a man named William Ayers took a tour of the White house is because Obama personally allowed you that information.

Well when you get hit over the head with a FOIA request, you kinda have to...

Quit acting like it was such a noble gesture, they're still fighting releasing the rest of the names, and also made this a conditional release saying 'security' reasons caused some names to be removed.

MannyIsGod

11-01-2009, 02:08 PM

:lmao

It took awhile but this thread got to where I wanted it.

spursncowboys

11-01-2009, 02:49 PM

How about Michael Moore? Why does he get so many visits? Is this to get money, or does Obama actually have policy conversations with him?

Wild Cobra

11-01-2009, 02:51 PM

spursncowboys

11-01-2009, 02:53 PM

The only reason any of you brain-dead scumbags even know that a man named William Ayers took a tour of the White house is because Obama personally allowed you that information.

Information that no other president, ever, has allowed you access to.

And your response is to call him a liar? I think you should shut your stupid fucking mouth. Or turn your brain on. Or kill yourself. Pretty much any reaction would be better than the idiotic bitching, crying and pitiful persecution complex of the board conservatives.

You people should be utterly ashamed of who you are. I know I'm ashamed that scum like you is also called American. It's a bad feeling to know that some of my fellow countrymen are such trash.
Sounds like you want to bring back up the Alien Sedition Act. Unless for security reasons, there should be no reason why a president doesn't show their visitor log.

Wild Cobra

11-01-2009, 02:53 PM

Satirical lessons won't work on him, bali. WC mindlessly consumes everything he hears on talk radio, and beyond simply aping any political rhetoric that comes out squawk box, he also subscribes to their philosophy regarding truth:

LOL...

You are doing exactly what you accuse me of, believing that conservatives are like that.

Trust me, I have my own mind. I actually look tings up.

How often do I provide good links compared to your links?

Wild Cobra

11-01-2009, 02:55 PM

The only reason any of you brain-dead scumbags even know that a man named William Ayers took a tour of the White house is because Obama personally allowed you that information.

Information that no other president, ever, has allowed you access to.

Information nly demanded because of the transparency promised, then it like pulling teeth!

Look how ling they had to alter the record if they wanted. Why not put it on-line daily so everyone can see it?

spursncowboys

11-01-2009, 02:55 PM

Well when you get hit over the head with a FOIA request, you kinda have to...

Quit acting like it was such a noble gesture, they're still fighting releasing the rest of the names, and also made this a conditional release saying 'security' reasons caused some names to be removed.
I think that is perfectly appropriate for them to withhold some names, but it should become available at some point before his term is up.

Wild Cobra

11-01-2009, 02:56 PM

How about Michael Moore? Why does he get so many visits? Is this to get money, or does Obama actually have policy conversations with him?

They claim it was "another" michael moore as well.

LOL..

Like I really buy that one.

MannyIsGod

11-01-2009, 03:29 PM

How about Michael Moore? Why does he get so many visits? Is this to get money, or does Obama actually have policy conversations with him?

You think that 1) Moore gets money from the white house and 2) he has policy discussions with Obama?

:lmao

spursncowboys

11-01-2009, 03:35 PM

You think that 1) Moore gets money from the white house and 2) he has policy discussions with Obama?

:lmao

You're an idiot. You cannot even read or think logically.

MannyIsGod

11-01-2009, 03:38 PM

No doubt man.

George Gervin's Afro

11-01-2009, 05:15 PM

You're an idiot. You cannot even read or think logically.

you are the last person who should be criticizing someone of using bad logic..

spursncowboys

11-01-2009, 05:28 PM

you are the last person who should be criticizing someone of using bad logic..
How long has it been since you said something in the Political forum that can be backed up by factual data?

George Gervin's Afro

11-01-2009, 05:35 PM

How long has it been since you said something in the Political forum that can be backed up by factual data?

I don't make things up like you do ..find a post where I praise Obama or one of his policies..wait even better, find a post where I predict the futue.. then we'll talk about documentation..

spursncowboys

11-01-2009, 07:27 PM

I don't make things up like you do ..find a post where I praise Obama or one of his policies..wait even better, find a post where I predict the futue.. then we'll talk about documentation..
WHy don't you talk more about the topic of a post and issues and less about the people. Do you not engage because you don't have any facts? Either way, IMO you should post as if your in front of the person you writing to.

MannyIsGod

11-01-2009, 07:28 PM

WHy don't you talk more about the topic of a post and issues and less about the people. Do you not engage because you don't have any facts? Either way, IMO you should post as if your in front of the person you writing to.

Are there unicorns in your fantasy world?

whottt

11-01-2009, 07:32 PM

IF, it is the same person then Obama and the administration deserve to be criticized for being so stupid

Not as stupid as they would be if they admitted it was him, because it was, and didn't have to do so because they could simply say it was someone else.

That would be incredibly stupid.

jman3000

11-01-2009, 07:32 PM

If somebody was standing in front of me and said something stupid, I'd tell them "Fuck that was stupid".

spursncowboys

11-01-2009, 07:47 PM

If somebody was standing in front of me and said something stupid, I'd tell them "Fuck that was stupid".
I doubt that.

spursncowboys

11-01-2009, 07:48 PM

Are there unicorns in your fantasy world?
Fantasy world like an utopia?

MannyIsGod

11-01-2009, 07:50 PM

What about mermaids? Are there mermaids?

Wild Cobra

11-01-2009, 08:11 PM

You know what's funny about this thread. I could care less if the visitor logs are made public. I just find it hypocritical that the most open administartion ever, has so much to hide.

spursncowboys

11-01-2009, 08:14 PM

You know what's funny about this thread. I could care less if the visitor logs are made public. I just find it hypocritical that the most open administartion ever, has so much to hide.
:toast

balli

11-01-2009, 08:21 PM

The board conservatives literally, truly believe that Obama concocted some super secret scheme to sneak William Ayers into the White House. After all the shit the right threw at him during the election, Obama snuck Bill Ayers into the White House and then told you about it.

You non-people are from fucking Jupiter. Seriously- kill yourselves. You have lost every last shred of sane perspective. Leave Earth to the earthlings. Seriously. Get rid of yourselves so the rest of us don't have to be sickened by you. My mind is just too boggled to stop- so I'll just say it once more- end your pathetic, worthless lives.

Wild Cobra

11-01-2009, 08:27 PM

MannyIsGod

11-01-2009, 08:29 PM

So much to hide that they were the first administration to release the logs. Makes perfect sense to attack them on this front.

jack sommerset

11-01-2009, 09:19 PM

HAHHAHAHA.....I had no clue of the Ayers theory,.,,,,,, Bali you are fucking delusional or a very consistent troll. Obama is a liar. Demand more son from your president. Get another dem to run in 2012. One that has morals and will keep his promises.

LOL @ Ayers theory!!!!!!

whottt

11-01-2009, 09:43 PM

George Gervin's Afro

11-01-2009, 09:57 PM

You know what's funny about this thread. I could care less if the visitor logs are made public. I just find it hypocritical that the most open administartion ever, has so much to hide.

but the administration released the visitors log...

George Gervin's Afro

11-01-2009, 10:01 PM

So much to hide that they were the first administration to release the logs. Makes perfect sense to attack them on this front.

I don't think the dead enders get the fact that the list was released. It's like dealing with the person who puts their hand over their ears and sings lalaalalalala real loud when your talking to them.

balli

11-01-2009, 11:14 PM

even stupider.
More stupid, stupid.

And I like my name a lot. Either way, I fail to see what that has to do with your delusional politics and subsequent lack of human worth.

But whatever, trying to make sense of crazy and evil isn't something that valuable people should spend much time on; I'm going to bed.

Wild Cobra

11-02-2009, 07:48 AM

but the administration released the visitors log...

Sure they did, but after how long? I wonder if they were altered. Why are they not released the day after for each day? If they want up to believe they are a transparent administration, then show up. Otherwise we will believe they are full of shit.

It shouldn't have taken a FOI request to make them keep their word.

MannyIsGod

11-02-2009, 08:59 AM

Sure they did, but after how long? I wonder if they were altered. Why are they not released the day after for each day? If they want up to believe they are a transparent administration, then show up. Otherwise we will believe they are full of shit.

It shouldn't have taken a FOI request to make them keep their word.

They released the log. First administration to do so. And in light of this you decide to ask "how long"?

The FIRST. Thats how long. Before everyone else.

ChumpDumper

11-02-2009, 12:30 PM

I wonder if they were altered.I wonder if you are altered.

George Gervin's Afro

11-02-2009, 01:48 PM

They released the log. First administration to do so. And in light of this you decide to ask "how long"?

The FIRST. Thats how long. Before everyone else.

I think it's obvious he doesn't get this.