INDEPENDENT COUNSEL HAS TOO MUCH INDEPENDENCE.(Editorial)

From: Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Seattle, WA) | Date: February 26, 1999 | Copyright information

The debate over renewing the independent counsel law has largely avoided a fundamental question: Why is ``independence'' a good thing? When independence connotes impartiality, we think it desirable. But when independence suggests unaccountability, few would advocate it. If the Independent Counsel Act had been named the Unaccountable Counsel Act, it would never have passed.

With Senate hearings beginning on whether to extend the act past its June expiration date, it is wo...

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Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Seattle, WA) ; The debate over renewing the independent counsel law has largely avoided a fundamental question: Why is ``independence'' a good thing? When independence connotes impartiality, we think it desirable. But when independence suggests unaccountability, few would advocate it. If the Independent Counsel