When a president invokes executive privilege, it troubles me. What is he hiding? is the natural response. But in order for any business or government to function, there must be secrets.
Why?
Take the example of the recently resigned British Ambassador, Kim Darroch. In a secret memo, he disparaged the American president. Whether you agree with his assessment or not, it is his job to honestly report his observations. Publicly, comments mostly need be diplomatic, couched in careful language, so as not to discourage dialogue. But to express false appraisals in private correspondence does his government a disservice.
How does leaking this memo help anything? It doesn’t improve the relationship between the US and Great Britain. The next ambassador will be more circumspect in his/her comments, or outright lie if his views don’t toe the line.
And what of the media in all of this? Back in the day, the mainstream press may have refused to publish this story but now with all the outlets available, it only takes one to create a viral situation. And should the media print the whole truth no matter how much damage it wreaks, or only the truth it deems safe and worthy?
I don’t have the answer, but the questions are troubling. Our government has lied to us many times before and we are right to view any attempt at concealment with skepticism. But unless we want our top execs surrounded by toadies and yes-men, we need to keep some things private.
