Protect " Open Records Law " !

  " They are trying to overhaul the state's Open Records

    Law with a bill designed to protect their privacy " , I read

    on your front page today ( March 16 )  . More  March Madness ?

           I agree  with opponents of the Bill - like Staci Sawyer of

    ACLU - that  the bill is dangerous and " incredibly vague " .

          " Open Records "  is a keystone of democratic " check "

    on government power. For example it may be used to investigate

    police brutality or corruption at Buddy's Place , Providence

    City Hall.

              Even in a fairly healthy democracy that are hundreds

    of entrenched would be J. Edgar Hoovers (  above " there are " )

    who  thrive in the dark : Don't you dare cross THEM ! They

    know  all about your dirty little secret !  "

            The ONLY check on these creeps is an informed

    public - and a news media that is unconstrained in investigating

    them .


             When newspapers like the Providence Journal go to

    court for "  open records " , the public is wise to

    support them . More often than not it is  corrupt

    power that just does not want to be embarrassed .

          Honest people have little to fear from our

    " Open Records Law " .