continued     Energy policy Vice President Dick Cheney has fought in court for years to keep secret the energy policy task force that shaped the administration's energy policy, which is widely seen as favoring big business. The administration used a loophole to avoid the openness requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, which Congress passed to avoid undue influence of any particular special interest. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/15/AR2005111501842.html           Our right to know what's happening in our communities A former Army Ranger discovered that a proposed federal construction project traversing his community – and through private property – was secret, at least until community opposition was out of the way. http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/secrecy/22secrecy.htm           The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Getting information out of government through the Freedom of Information Act has grown harder. While the number of FOIA requests grows, the federal government continues to fall behind in responding to requests. CJOG report: http://www.cjog.net/documents/.pdf GAO report: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d061022t.pdf           Controlling images The Pentagon keeps a ban on media coverage of flag-draped coffins or soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The only available pictures were made available because a government contractor snapped a few pictures and Arizona resident Russ Kick doggedly fought the Pentagon and a former journalist sued – and won – for public disclosure. The Pentagon also fought release of photos showing abuses at abu Ghraib and the White House was reluctant to release photos tying the President with disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. "Return of the Fallen," National Security Archive "Photos of Military Coffins," The Memory Hole     continued