FOIA was passed by Congress in 1966 and implemented in 1967, and while it has been amended 3 times since, it remains a strong tool of transparency for the federal government, and one that many states have mimicked by passing similar laws. While the history of how and why this law came into being is a current area of academic research for me, the ability to effectively utilize FOIA to enhance accountability and transparency has become necessary.

Dan Choi’s trial after being arrested protesting the Keystone XL Pipeline during the TarsandsAction last August continues today. We’re looking forward to hearing the government’s excuse as to why out of 1250 people arrested at the White House during the Tar Sands action, Dan Choi was singled out for prosecution.

Activist Dan Choi was wrestled to the ground by MPs and thrown off the base at Fort Meade, where he was to attend the trial of Bradley Manning. Choi, who went with Pentagon Papers leader Daniel Ellsberg to the trial, has now been banned from the courtroom, and must stay off the base for at least 24 hours.

Dan Choi and Kevin Gosztola are at the Bradley Manning hearing today. Dan took this video of the two of them as they waited to get on the base. It looks like the traditional media, who previously ignored Manning, are finally showing up and paying attention.

Follow the Bradley Manning Pre-Trial Hearing Live Blog.

The Obama administration will likely soon announce that the State Department will consider an alternative route for the Keystone XL Pipeline. If that happens, it will likely delay any decision on the pipeline until after the 2012 election.

I was at the White House once again yesterday protesting the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline along with many of the folks I was arrested with on September 9 including Dan Choi, Jessica, Ari, Scarecrow and Bill McKibben. It was really gratifying to see that our relatively small crew of 65 who were handcuffed, [...]

The repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was an all-out battle, at times tougher than combat. Military Veterans and Political Lobbyists, College Professors and Grassroots Organizers pushed the government in such a way that the issue could not be ignored, but that did not mean the coalition or the struggle was an easy one. We all learned many tough lessons about research, messaging, politics, and perseverance. The roller coaster of DADT repeal is brought to life from “the foxhole” perspective of Dr. Aaron Belkin of the Palm Center (formerly known as the Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military) who has the deserved distinction and title: The Professor of The Movement.

There are over 250 tents encamped during the week, expect the numbers to go up on weekends when people come out as a brief vacation, an experiment in a new form of society.

Lt. Dan Choi spoke at Cal State Northridge Tuesday night for National Coming Out Day. Wow. Wow. Wow. His speech took us from the Triangle of Death in Iraq to his parents’ home in Orange County, California and back again, through his falling in love for the first time at age 27 to his split with his Southern Baptist parents; heart wrenching stories, witty asides, skillful humor and pop culture references, and more . . .

In our response to the government’s petition for Writ of Mandamus, we argue that there are no grounds for relief and that the elements for filing a Mandamus Writ have not been met. The Government could have appealed Judge Facciola’s finding of prima facie proof of vindictive or selective prosecution instead of issuing the Writ; further the Government is not irreparably harmed by Facciola’s finding because the government had multiple opportunities to develop a case that would rebut any selective or vindictive prosecution defense put forth by the Choi legal team.