EDITORIAL: Post-Terror Attack Plan Needs Some Oversight

By Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, Wash.

Aug. 9–The existence of a secret plan for government operations after the next terrorist attack already has been fueling the Internet’s vast network of conspiracy theorists.

The Bush administration’s refusal to release the document — even to congressmen who are authorized to see it — is like gasoline on an open flame.

U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., wants to examine the plan after hearing from constituents worried about how far the Bush White House would go to retain power.

Late last month, the Oregonian reported on the administration’s decision to deny DeFazio’s request, and The Associated Press released a version of the story on its wire service.

Now, two other Democrats on the committee have joined DeFazio in calling on the White House to provide access to the secret document.

But keeping executive power in check isn’t a partisan issue.

Norm Ornstein, a legal scholar at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, told the Oregonian that he “cannot think of one good reason” to deny access to a member of Congress who serves on the Homeland Security Committee.

“I find it inexplicable and probably reflective of the usual, knee-jerk overextension of executive power that we see from this White House,” Ornstein said.

AEI is hardly a hotbed of liberalism. It’s Dick Cheney’s old haunt.

The outrage, however, seems to be mostly Internet driven.

Last week, the Oregonian reported that more than 250 websites and blog postings included a link to the newspaper’s initial story on the snub.

A Google search this week found 15,800 occurrences of the phrase, “Bush’s Martial Law Plan Is So Shocking, Even Congress Can’t See it.”

That’s the title of an online article by blogger Paul Joseph Watson on the popular conspiracy site Prison Planet.

But opposition to the administration’s position shouldn’t be left to the cyber-fringe.

Anyone interested in preserving the system of checks and balances created by the Founding Fathers ought to be equally concerned.

The White House hasn’t given a reason for refusing DeFazio’s request, other than referring to the sensitive nature of the material.

That doesn’t wash. No one wants the plan to fall into the hands of our enemies, but it isn’t al-Qaida or even the New York Times requesting the material.

As a member of Congress, DeFazio has a right to view secret government documents in a secured room as long as he agrees not to disclose the contents.

As a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, he has a duty to provide oversight for this new and massive Cabinet-level department.

It’s a good system, maintaining the balance of power between our branches of government while protecting important secrets.

Bush ought to get out of the way and let it work.

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Copyright (c) 2007, Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, Wash.

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