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E.J. Dionne (one of my favorite columnists) has an excellent piece in the Washington Post today about the example the 9/11 Commission sets for openness in government. The entire thing is worth a read, but here's the key quote:

" The commission let its own example become what may be its most important recommendation. A lack of openness is a major problem for the Bush administration. Kean, Hamilton and their colleagues have shown that open government is the ally, not the enemy, of effectiveness. The process through which the commission's recommendations were produced guarantees that they will be taken seriously. And because the commission sought to balance the requirements of security with the demands of liberty, its proposals are less likely to add gasoline to Washington's inferno of partisanship."

Although I know it will never happen, I particularly like his call for back to back, open ended, no holds barred press conferences by both Bush and Clinton. Wouldn't it be amazing if once, just once, politicians could put aside what's best for them politically and do what's best for this nation and its people? As the Commission said, "The government failed to protect the American people." Isn't that the whole point of government, to protect its citizens and improve their lives? Shouldn't our highest elected leaders stand up and be willing to answer any and all questions about the failures that occurred on their watch? What ever happened to taking responsibility for the actions of those under your command? And what ever happened to Bush's campaign promise to "restore honor and dignity" to the Oval Office? --------