There’s a Need for More Openness When It Comes to National Security

Commentary There is an old adage associated with spy agencies when asked a simple question: “I can neither confirm nor deny what you have just told me.” There is also the less serious, “I could tell you but then I’d have to kill you,” but we will set that one aside, as it is silly. Organizations such as those tasked with national security or law enforcement are placed in an awkward position. They are involved in looking into people and groups that pose a threat to us, whether this be ISIS terrorists or organized criminal gangs—and everything in between. They carry out investigations to determine the precise level of the threat and do their utmost to ensure that nothing bad happens. In this vein they are usually successful, but not always....