George Bush is like a bank robber.
I have the "authority" to take money from my bank account. But I can't walk into the bank and reach into the till and grab a handful of bills. I have forms to fill out. I have to notify the bank I am taking the money so that they can do right by all the other customers. If I just walk into the bank and take money it is a crime. It is a crime against the bank, it is a crime against all the bank's customers, it is a crime against society.
George Bush has the "authority" to declassify information. But he needs to fillout forms too. He can't just reach into the national till of secret information and grab what he wants without telling the bank.
