How to Earn the People’s Distrust
* Re “Judicial Secrecy vs. Public’s Right to Know” (May 25):
The foundation of a democracy is an informed electorate. As a society, we have failed miserably to build that foundation. Instead we choose to be diverted by inconsequential issues. Government secrecy denies each of us the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions about our governing bodies.
Judicial secrecy can be justified only to ensure a fair trial. Fair enough. But after the trial is over, how does secrecy affect the verdict? Open the transcripts.
I, for one, would like to know why Orange County Dist. Atty. Mike Capizzi and Merrill Lynch want to keep secrets. Why are we not allowed to understand the “deal” to halt a grand jury investigation after the brokerage agreed to pay the county a $30-million penalty?
The secrecy mentality has dominated America since World War II. It suppressed political, military and environmental disasters. Secrecy without justification has only resulted in distrust of government.
RICHARD A. HEIN
Fullerton
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