Cheney-Lay Energy Secrets Safe

A Federal Appeals Court has ruled that Vice President Dick Cheney need not publicly disclose details about his energy task force and its policy recommendations. The task force was widely suspected to be led by Ken Lay and his energy industry cronies. The lawsuit had been filed in true bi-partisan fashion by the liberal Sierra Club and conservative Judicial Watch. Both believed the public had a right to know whether the Bush-Cheney plan to drill in the Arctic was developed by Shell Oil and whether the white house plan to deregulate electricity was orchestrated by Lay.

This and future White Houses will now be able to rely on secret advisory committees of industry leaders to bipass the freedom of information laws. The Court found nongovernmental employees acting without a vote need not be subject to open record requirements. Welcome to Star Chamber government by the Chevron Texacos, for the Exxon Mobils, through the Bush-Cheneys.