"The very word "secrecy" is repugnant in a free and open society; and we are as a people inherently and historically opposed to secret societies, to secret oaths and to secret proceedings. We decided long ago that the dangers of excessive and unwarranted concealment of pertinent facts far outweighed the dangers which are cited to justify it. Even today, there is little value in opposing the threat of a closed society by imitating its arbitrary restrictions. Even today, there is little value in insuring the survival of our nation if our traditions do not survive with it. And there is very grave danger that an announced need for increased security will be seized upon by those anxious to expand its meaning to the very limits of official censorship and concealment. That I do not intend to permit to the extent that it’s in my control. And no official of my Administration, whether his rank is high or low, civilian or military, should interpret my words here tonight as an excuse to censor the news, to stifle dissent, to cover up our mistakes or to withhold from the press and the public the facts they deserve to know."
These words were spoken on April 27, 1961 by President John F. Kennedy in a speech in New York City.
I got to thinking about this while reading about the latest debacle surrounding Defense Minister Peter MacKay. In some ways I feel sorry for MacKay. He seems to believe that the military is his play toy and that all the platitudes being heaped on him by the men and women in uniform are for him and him only. That poor deluded politician.
I do not feel any sympathy for the senior bureaucrats, both in and out of uniform, that have bent over backwards to cover MacKay's ass by concocting stories and repeatedly lying to Canadians.
There are two injustices against the Canadian people being perpetrated in these most recent incidents. The first is "making a mistake". The second is "not admitting the mistake". JFK said that also.
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