Misusing the FOIA

The Freedom of Information Act, a so called Watergate statute, was passed so that the public could find out what their government is doing, it has nine exemptions so that what the government considers sensitive or potentially embarrassing information can be redacted from documents provided under the FOIA.  The use of the nine exemptions has become an art form at Executive Branch agencies, Congress and the Judiciary are not covered by FOIA, what has also evolved is the art of avoiding the FOIA request by creating non-government records, for instance the use of non-government computers to conduct government business.  Here is what a typical release under the FOIA looks like: