with state secrets cases underscores the need for judicial independence in assessing executive claims. Michael A. Vatis Testimony of Michael A. Vatis, Partner, Steptoe & Johnson LLP. There are two bedrock principles which are in natural tension. Secrecy in government can be an absolute necessity to the protection of our national security. This is especially so today, where the surveillance of terrorist groups is essential. At the same time, the second principle is equally true. Secrecy in government is antithetical to democratic governance. Too much secrecy shields officials from oversight and inevitably breeds abuse and misconduct; it thus can fatally weaken the system of checks and balances that defines our system of government. Add to this the corollary: there are secrets, then there are secrets. Too often, information deemed classified by the Executive Branch merely echoes what was in last week's newspapers. Classified material is frequently released to the public for strictly political reasons. In truth, many "classified" documents have no reason to be called such. See also List of United States Supreme Court cases, volume 345 Jencks v. United States Halkin v. Helms Declassification Classified information in the United States References Further reading "Daughters of the Cold War" by Michael Freedman. Legal Affairs, January/February 2004. An easy-to-read summary of the case. External links Summary of case from OYEZ "Supreme Court Filing Claims Air Force, Government Fraud in 1953 Case," via Federation of American Scientists Herring v USA - Decision finding there was no fraud in the Government's 1953 claim of privilege. Declassified case appendix which contains the allegedly sensitive documents, via Federation of American Scientists United States Supreme Court cases United States Supreme Court cases of the Vinson Court United States government secrecy 1953 in United States case law Boeing B-29 Superfortress United States state secrets privilege case law