The public’s right to know and other myths
But this week, lawmakers began to ponder the other side of the question — the public’s right to know. Many now seem to understand that society is better served when the public is aware of who among us may be carrying concealed guns and, perhaps, that some are not doing so legally.
What about my right to know your social security number, or that you had an abortion, or your salary?
Funny how they will throw right to privacy out the window when it comes to guns, eh?
February 26th, 2008 at 11:50 am
A necessary condition for something to be a right: the alleged “right” must not impose an active obligation upon another.
The “the public’s right to know” fails this test and so is _not_ a right. In addition, it is a bad policy IMNSOH.
February 26th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
…who among us may be carrying concealed guns and, perhaps, that some are not doing so legally.
?
February 26th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Hmm, if they’re serious about the public’s “right to know” (read: their own right to scoop) that some individuals may be packing illegally, then perhaps they ought to publish a list of every WV resident who doesn’t have a CHP – including, presumably, the pinhead who wrote this piece.
February 26th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Hypocrites.
They are constantly reciting the “Right to Know” mantra—until you want to know their sources for an article, then they start hitting you over the head with the First Amendment.
February 26th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
“who among us may be carrying concealed guns and, perhaps, that some are not doing so legally.”
Vermont and Alaska have solved the problem of whether or not someone’s legally carrying a concealed pistol. The rest of the states should do the same.
The clowns that are for publishing the names of CCW holders ought to have THEIR names, addresses, and phone numbers published on the web. Let’s see how they like it.
February 26th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
As a citizen of the Great State of West Virginia, I would like to say that I approve of the “right to know.” I also would like to know anyone who owns or has owned a toothpick. For that matter, to know anyone who owns or has owned a jelly doughnut might be nice.
February 26th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
*shrug* Sounds to me like WV should make the DMV records public… I mean, it is the people’s right to know if a friend of theirs is driving without insurance… or even registration. It is the people’s right to know whether or not a license plate matches up to the driver – after all, they could catch a carjacker that way!
February 26th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
AIDS carriers. They do a 180 when it comes to that, proving that the “right to know” assertion is only a smokescreen to cover for their bigotry.
A public list of all anti-gun journalists and anti-freedom activists would be more helpful. We have the right to know who’s attacking our rights– their names, addresses, phone numbers, spouses, places of employment, and any public records on them such as bankruptcies, UCC filings, Corporate officer status, real estate holdings, vehicle registrations, law suits, arrests, et al, on a master database on-line. Why would they object in the slightest, after all, unless they have something to hide?
Any journalists out there? What do you have to hide, and why? Pony up, now, in the spirit of cooperation and openness. Start the database, and show us how open you really believe our society can be. Put all your information up first. Show us The Way. Be a leader. Lead by example.
For that matter, why aren’t journalists registered, licensed, and charged extra taxes? How do we REALLY know who it is that’s supplying us with our information? Where are the “Reasonable Restrictions” (any and all restrictions) on who can say what and when? Why aren’t Our Children protected against the recent spate of increasingly inaccurate and divisive anti-American journalism? Why don’t we have the BATFEJ (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, Explosives, and Journalism). Isn’t journalistic deception just as dangerous as bullets? People in other countries certainly think so. They do something about it, and like everyone knows, America should be more like other countries.
February 26th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Lyle, you have really put the issue in perspective for those who don’t see clearly. Let’s hope some of them read what you said.