Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

Here is what President Barack Obama has posted about Transparency and Open Government on the White House web site:

“Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies

“SUBJECT:      Transparency and Open Government

“My Administration is committed to creating an unprecedented level of openness in Government.  We will work together to ensure the public trust and establish a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration. Openness will strengthen our democracy and promote efficiency and effectiveness in Government.”

Link: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/TransparencyandOpenGovernment

It must be evident to anyone who is honest with themself that President Barack Obama has zero credibility when it comes to government transparency.

The Obama administration still has not revealed why the decision was made not adequately protect ambassador Chris Stevens and the American consulate in Benghazi even though additional security had been requested. Eight months later and still waiting…

We still don’t know who in the State Department altered the Benghazi talking points given to Susan Rice, which were clearly altered to misinform the American people about why the murder of four Americans was allowed to take place. Instead we are still getting dismissals of questions about Benghazi like the one by President Obama’s Press Secretary Jay Carney who said recently that the murder of Americans at Benghazi “happened a long time ago.”

Despite repeated requests the White House is still refusing to release emails that may show how the administration wanted to change the Benghazi attack “talking points.” Meanwhile, Secretary of State John Kerry is making the rounds proclaiming that this administration will “leave no stone unturned” in the Benghazi affair. Proof that John Kerry is a political hack with no self-respect.

Then there is the Fast and Furious gun walking case that resulted in the murder of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry. When Congress requested information from the Obama Administration about the program, President Obama invoked Executive Privilege and U. S. Attorney General Eric Holder became the first sitting member of the Cabinet of the United States to be held in Contempt of Congress for refusing to cooperate. Is this what President Obama means by transparency and open government?

(Update, May 16th) Yesterday the White House released a limited batch of 94 pages of emails related to the Benghazi affair. It is a small gesture at best because these emails were sent several days after the murders at Benghazi. The administration is only selectively releasing information in order to appear as though they are cooperating. The cover up continues…