Supreme Court Justices Reject Video Coverage, Again

[The Dharma Bum]

[The Dharma Bum]

[J.K. Gregg]

[Revenant]

[J.K. Gregg]

Most are idiots, but keeping them clueless is just furthering the problem. But just stop for a second...

This isn't about what is best for the country. This isn't a utilitarian problem. This is a principle problem. We as a society have all gathered around and decided we need a government to take care of a few things. Granted it's developed a life of its own and has expanded into corners of human life it never should have, but it nonetheless serves we the people. It's therefore greatly in our interest to observe its functioning and to ensure its integrity. This is the whole premise behind watchdog groups like opensecrets.org and the Center for Public Integrity. Are we to throw away the desire to ensure our government governs well and honestly?

Nearly every function of government needs to be open to the public, save for those instances where national security begets secrecy. I sickened by "closed door meetings" with congressmen and senators hammering out legislation, who then claim that "no one wants to watch the sausage being made." Bullshit. Everyone should want to watch congress at work. Every memo, every email, every meeting should be available to the public to process, if not immediately for a good reason, then soon after.

This applies to the courts as well. Justice, to be served, must be honest and objective. We cannot know the quality of the government we've tasked to protect us if we cannot know its inner workings. You can't fix a machine if you have no concept or comprehension of its parts.

[exploited]