Seems that the USDA just doesn't like those pesky journalists who actually report on stuff. So in a committee meeting this past week Tom Harkin and Chuck Grassely grilled Ann (sold mah soul to big agriculture) Veneman.

The stake-out lockout grabbed the attention of both of Iowa's senators. Grassley fired off a letter to Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman. "During a time when USDA's senior officials are struggling to relate to all the concerns of family farmers, limiting information or access is not a good idea," Grassley said.

Sen. Tom Harkin grilled Veneman about it at a hearing, demanding that the dispute be "cleared up." Veneman agreed it should be. Harkin observed he's often questioned by reporters when he leaves a closed-door meeting, and he might not like it much - but maybe it's not the job of reporters to make him feel comfortable.

The only thing that surprises me is that Veneman did not somehow manage to invoke either the spectre of 9/11 or current Al-Qaida activity in their little dust up with the local DC press corps. I guess maybe if she'd have had more time and talking points, she might have gone there....