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Fowlkes-Vanden Freedom of Information Act
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| Tremaine_Fowlkes | Date: Thursday, 13 May 2010, 5:20 AM | Message # 1 |
 Colonel general
Group: Users
Messages: 881
Status: Offline
| Both Senator Vanden and I would like to propose Freedom of Information Act. In the past, most sentient beings in the galaxy were denied the right and access to the information in any of the past events such as the Clone Wars, Galactic Civil War, etc. Due to the argument Senator Oswaldt and I have had about the Jedi views, I am pretty sure that there are many people that feels like this and deserve to know what really happened in the past. Unlike the waning days of the Old Republic and the Galactic Empire, I believe people should have access to information to the past. However, the Act does come with limitations. In order for this Act to happen, Senator Vanden and I would propose two things: That anyone within the New Republic apply for the Act has to be for the research purpose only. The second thing is, that the Committee of Disclosure be formed in order to see if a particular information should be declassified or not. I believe this would benefit people such as historians, anthropologists, sentientologists, and even college students that need information for research purposes only. This also could shorten the gap between the New Republic government and its people. The citizens should be able to have a better knowledge in the past events, so that they have a better understanding and are more likely not to repeat mistakes. I, Senator Fowlkes, would also like to propose that Senator Vanden be the Chairman for the Committee of Disclosure if the Act indeed is going to be passed. I believe Senator Vanden to be the right man for the job, and I have no doubt he will do well in this position. I vote in favor of the Act and the formation of Committee of Disclosure. If there's anything Senator Vanden would like to add to this Act or the Committee of Disclosure, I would like to leave the floor to him.
Tremaine Fowlkes
Senator of Telos IV
Message edited by Tremaine_Fowlkes - Thursday, 13 May 2010, 5:21 AM |
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| Jamie_the_Hutt | Date: Thursday, 13 May 2010, 8:22 AM | Message # 2 |
 Major general
Group: Users
Messages: 392
Status: Offline
| Why should information be free? is not data ultimately the slave of sentients?
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| Artemis_Vanden | Date: Thursday, 13 May 2010, 4:54 PM | Message # 3 |
 Major general
Group: Users
Messages: 302
Status: Offline
| I am largely in support of the concept that Senator Fowlkes has explained; a procedure allowing for documents to be released for research and, also, for legal purposes. This is why I vote in favor of forming a permanent Select Committee on Disclosure, to be organized under the authority of the Council on Security and Intelligence. The committee and its staff would be responsible, primarily, for reviewing requests from the public for documents and assessing, with consultation from New Republic Intelligence and other relevant agencies, the suitability of such documents to be declassified. I have consulted with the chairman of the Council on Security and Intelligence, and he is in support of the concept and has indicated to me that he would, if this measure passes, appoint me and also the Senator from Mowgle to preside over the Select Committee on Disclosure. I am grateful to the Senator from Mowgle, also, for suggesting that I chair the committee, and I would be pleased to do so. To put any potential concerns to rest, I do have some experience in this field—in a past life, I was an archivist in Her Majesty's court on Naboo and, thus, I am familiar with handling documents of importance to the state. But I digress. I vote in favor of this measure to provide the public with greater access to documents of historical, political, and social significance.
Artemis Vanden
Representative of the Naboo
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| Johannes_Oswaldt | Date: Friday, 14 May 2010, 1:11 AM | Message # 4 |
 Major general
Group: Users
Messages: 250
Status: Offline
| I vote against this proposal, as I do not see the purpose of it. Classified documents are classified for a reason; to keep people safe. I wouldn't want sensitive documents disclosed and lives put in danger at the request of "college students," who would only use them to roll death sticks. Or worse, propagandists and conspiracy theorists like Senator Fowlkes and Senator Forte, who would use these documents to distort history and inflame the passions of the people.
Johannes Oswaldt
Senator and Governor of Eriadu
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| Mical_de_Crion | Date: Friday, 14 May 2010, 8:15 PM | Message # 5 |
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Colonel
Group: Users
Messages: 151
Status: Offline
| This is a progressive piece of legislation, and one that I can support. This is a bill that should have been written long ago, but Senators Fowlkes and Vanden were perfect for the job. I commend you both on this effort, and thank you. The support of the Chair of the Council on Security and Intelligence reinforces the fact that this bill is not detrimental, as Governor Oswaldt assumes. I vote In Favor.
Mical Léo de Crion
Director, All Stars Burn As One Foundation
Chairman, Urban Youth College Fund
Owner, Château Hiver Rivière
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| Artemis_Vanden | Date: Saturday, 15 May 2010, 10:57 PM | Message # 6 |
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Major general
Group: Users
Messages: 302
Status: Offline
| I understand that the Senate is following the recent Baltimn affair closely, but I ask that it not do so to the neglect of other, important measures such as this one. I would caution that a Senate that is attentive to only one issue is a Senate that ultimately accomplishes little.
Artemis Vanden
Representative of the Naboo
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| Senator_Cambrist | Date: Sunday, 16 May 2010, 4:20 PM | Message # 7 |
 Lieutenant general
Group: Users
Messages: 761
Status: Offline
| I have no particular objection to this concept. It is, rather, how it will be put into practice that could prove controversial. Senator Vanden and the other members of this committee must approach this task without bias except, perhaps, as Governor Oswaldt has mentioned, a bias for the well being of the people. This, it seems to me, is a good criterion for the release of classified information; that is, if the well being of the people is better served by the release of certain documents, they should be released. This must be weighed, however, against the well being and, indeed, the rights of persons or policies that may be compromised by such documents. Such persons who may be compromised, or such persons whose policies may be compromised by the release of documents, should also have an opportunity to appeal the decisions of this committee before they are put into effect—both to the committee itself and, if necessary, to the courts. Insofar as Senator Vanden and Senator Fowlkes are mindful of this, and are prepared to balance these competing interests judiciously, I support the bill.
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| Artemis_Vanden | Date: Saturday, 22 May 2010, 6:45 PM | Message # 8 |
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Major general
Group: Users
Messages: 302
Status: Offline
| I continue to be disappointed that a number of Senators who have been heard on the Baltimn affair have not been heard on this and other measures. But if there is to be no further debate, I ask that the President close the vote.
Artemis Vanden
Representative of the Naboo
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| Cul-utaanForte | Date: Saturday, 22 May 2010, 11:40 PM | Message # 9 |
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Colonel
Group: Users
Messages: 150
Status: Offline
| Despite his personal attack against me, I must agree with Senator Oswaldt on this matter and vote AGAINST. These documents are classified for a reason, and should be left classified unless the federal government deems otherwise, not a panel of Senators at the whim of curious individuals.
General Cul'utaan'forte
Forte's Legion
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| Artemis_Vanden | Date: Sunday, 23 May 2010, 0:47 AM | Message # 10 |
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Major general
Group: Users
Messages: 302
Status: Offline
| Senator Forte, this bill would keep sensitive documents classified "unless the federal government deems otherwise." We are Senators, Senator. We comprise the federal government. This, indeed, is precisely the sort of thing that we are elected for—to represent the interests of the people and, as I think the Senator from Brentaal put it rather well, to balance those interests with the interests of the government. To vote against this bill, Senator, is to preference entirely the interests of the government over the people. It would be, essentially, a vote to declare your own job redundant. I don't mind this from Governor Oswaldt, from whom I do not expect much. But it is disappointing from you. Senators, this proposal would never declassify documents that would put individuals in danger. The Council on Security and Intelligence would not endorse the proposal if it did.
Artemis Vanden
Representative of the Naboo
Message edited by Artemis_Vanden - Sunday, 23 May 2010, 0:52 AM |
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| Tremaine_Fowlkes | Date: Sunday, 23 May 2010, 10:14 AM | Message # 11 |
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Colonel general
Group: Users
Messages: 881
Status: Offline
| Senator Vanden's correct. The bill is designed to allow the citizens to submit for more information for research purposes, and for the government to make sure a particular file would be safe in the hands of the citizens. Like Senator Cambrist said, it's best to balance people's interests with the interests of the government. Isn't that what democracy is all about?
Tremaine Fowlkes
Senator of Telos IV
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| Ponc_Gavrisom | Date: Thursday, 27 May 2010, 12:21 PM | Message # 12 |
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Major general
Group: Users
Messages: 271
Status: Offline
| This motion passes by 4-1
Ponc Gavrisom
Chief of State
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