Friday, June 28, 2013

Government Officials using secret email accounts


Earlier this month the Associated Press reported that several high-level political appointees in the Obama administration are using secret email addresses for official business.  One can assume that if this is a fact, it's being done to deny less energetic people from tying the person to an issue.  

Federal computer week alleges that the former administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Lisa Jackson, was discovered using an email account under the name of Richard Windsor in 2012.  In addition, they allege that Kathleen Sebelius (Health and Suman Services Secretary) used a secret government account for correspondence.  According to a Fox News report Sebelius admitted she has two accounts, one for private email and one for public email.  She explains that "27-28,000 come into the public email, about 400 come into the private email.  It's just a management issue.  I can't possibly answer or screen all of them, and I want people to get timely answers".

What is the media doing to us?  Secretary Sebelius' explanation is reasonable.  Why does the media feel that it's their obligation to run people through the mud without giving them a chance to explain?!!   The Fox News reports that the practice of having multiple email accounts has been standard operating practice for years.  That seems  reasonable to me.

The Fox News report stated, "The Interior Department gave the AP a list of about 100 government email addresses for political appointees who work there but none for the interior secretary at the time, Ken Salazar, who has since resigned. Spokeswoman Jessica Kershaw said Salazar maintained only one email address while serving as secretary, but she would not disclose it. She said the AP should ask for it under the Freedom of Information Act, which would take months longer."  

I am tired of the lack of unity in this country.  The problem is that one bad fish gives the impression that the entire load is contaminated.  Maybe they are.  Society has changed since I was a kid.  My memories are of a time when the President was revered by all and politicians weren't looking out for their best interests.  Our freedom of speech is a wonderful right, however, some people use that freedom to openly exercise their right to be hateful (Westboro Baptist Church,  Ku Klux Klan and even groups that demonstrate against in our country against her citizens).  The news media spin the news and even ridicule people to move people from one side to another.  We're living in angry times.  It's time for everyone to stop thinking so hard about themselves and think about how their actions impact the good of the country.  It's time to re-introduce a campaign to strengthen the country and our personal principles.