Comments on: Newspaper publisher apologizes to sheriff for making public records request http://boingboing.net/2013/02/25/newspaper-publisher-apologizes.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:20:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: lexalexander http://boingboing.net/2013/02/25/newspaper-publisher-apologizes.html#comment-1667774 lexalexander Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=215321#comment-1667774 Jesus H. Christ on a unicycle, I can't believe that, even in California, someone that stupid is allowed on a public payroll.  Jesus H. Christ on a unicycle, I can’t believe that, even in California, someone that stupid is allowed on a public payroll. 

]]> By: lexalexander http://boingboing.net/2013/02/25/newspaper-publisher-apologizes.html#comment-1667769 lexalexander Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:18:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=215321#comment-1667769 In NC, the Open Records law requires that nonpublic info (for example, Social Security numbers) be redacted at the government agency's expense before otherwise public records are distributed to the public. Any half-competent database administrator can set a DB up from the start so that public and nonpublic data are in separate files. In NC, the Open Records law requires that nonpublic info (for example, Social Security numbers) be redacted at the government agency’s expense before otherwise public records are distributed to the public. Any half-competent database administrator can set a DB up from the start so that public and nonpublic data are in separate files.

]]> By: Diogenes http://boingboing.net/2013/02/25/newspaper-publisher-apologizes.html#comment-1666357 Diogenes Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:15:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=215321#comment-1666357 No. I'm referring to Kasandra Perkins. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jovan_Belcher#Death No. I’m referring to Kasandra Perkins.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jovan_Belcher#Death

]]> By: Diogenes http://boingboing.net/2013/02/25/newspaper-publisher-apologizes.html#comment-1666320 Diogenes Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=215321#comment-1666320  Diversion.  Diversion.

]]> By: AnonymousViewer http://boingboing.net/2013/02/25/newspaper-publisher-apologizes.html#comment-1666138 AnonymousViewer Wed, 27 Feb 2013 06:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=215321#comment-1666138 I don't think so. You have to sleep sometime. If a group of reasonably informed people who use the Internet to learn how to open a deadbolt decided to invade your house at night, they would be able to do so fairly easily. I don’t think so. You have to sleep sometime. If a group of reasonably informed people who use the Internet to learn how to open a deadbolt decided to invade your house at night, they would be able to do so fairly easily.

]]> By: AnonymousViewer http://boingboing.net/2013/02/25/newspaper-publisher-apologizes.html#comment-1666137 AnonymousViewer Wed, 27 Feb 2013 06:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=215321#comment-1666137 Funny, I would think that would flag places that criminals would rather avoid. Sort of like having Homes with Large Angry Territorial Dogs. Are you now suggesting that people who own guns attract crime? Funny, I would think that would flag places that criminals would rather avoid. Sort of like having Homes with Large Angry Territorial Dogs. Are you now suggesting that people who own guns attract crime?

]]> By: Johnny Come Lately http://boingboing.net/2013/02/25/newspaper-publisher-apologizes.html#comment-1666031 Johnny Come Lately Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=215321#comment-1666031 I was targeted for murder by affiliates of a well-known Salvadoran criminal organization because my neighbors saw me talking to the police about a murder that happened right in front of me. I moved away, and they found me. Under the law in my city/county I am not eligible for a concealed carry permit despite the demonstrable danger to my life, but people who contribute large sums to the election campaign of the local Sheriff are often given those permits. Please tell me more about the special insight that you have into my situation that allows you do dismissively label me a "whackadoodle".  I was targeted for murder by affiliates of a well-known Salvadoran criminal organization because my neighbors saw me talking to the police about a murder that happened right in front of me. I moved away, and they found me. Under the law in my city/county I am not eligible for a concealed carry permit despite the demonstrable danger to my life, but people who contribute large sums to the election campaign of the local Sheriff are often given those permits.

Please tell me more about the special insight that you have into my situation that allows you do dismissively label me a “whackadoodle”. 

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2013/02/25/newspaper-publisher-apologizes.html#comment-1665984 Antinous / Moderator Tue, 26 Feb 2013 23:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=215321#comment-1665984 North Carolina has a mean elevation of 700 feet. North Carolina has a mean elevation of 700 feet.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2013/02/25/newspaper-publisher-apologizes.html#comment-1665892 Antinous / Moderator Tue, 26 Feb 2013 21:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=215321#comment-1665892 You mean how like Oscar Pistorius's girlfriend was already there and had been in bed with him? You mean how like Oscar Pistorius’s girlfriend was already there and had been in bed with him?

]]> By: Ian Brown http://boingboing.net/2013/02/25/newspaper-publisher-apologizes.html#comment-1665878 Ian Brown Tue, 26 Feb 2013 21:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=215321#comment-1665878 The Scout was never going to PUBLISH anything, Isaac. They were doing research on the areas where gun ownership is the highest. They were never going to publish names or addresses or anything like that at all. This is a huge lie and the reason this apology had to be written in the first place. People need to think. They flip out when it comes to guns... but a lot of people don't think they just jump to conclusions. The Scout was never going to PUBLISH anything, Isaac. They were doing research on the areas where gun ownership is the highest. They were never going to publish names or addresses or anything like that at all. This is a huge lie and the reason this apology had to be written in the first place.

People need to think. They flip out when it comes to guns… but a lot of people don’t think they just jump to conclusions.

]]> By: Beau http://boingboing.net/2013/02/25/newspaper-publisher-apologizes.html#comment-1665879 Beau Tue, 26 Feb 2013 21:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=215321#comment-1665879 Want to have a really fun discussion about this? Go chat with the locals at the Cherokee County Sheriff's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cherokee-County-Sheriffs-Office/143241415730238?fref=ts Includes postings of the correspondence between the editor and the sheriff, which conveniently aroused the community. Want to have a really fun discussion about this? Go chat with the locals at the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cherokee-County-Sheriffs-Office/143241415730238?fref=ts

Includes postings of the correspondence between the editor and the sheriff, which conveniently aroused the community.

]]> By: CastanhasDoPara http://boingboing.net/2013/02/25/newspaper-publisher-apologizes.html#comment-1665814 CastanhasDoPara Tue, 26 Feb 2013 20:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=215321#comment-1665814 Not to put too fine a point on it but... yeah; basically. Not to put too fine a point on it but… yeah; basically.

]]> By: wysinwyg http://boingboing.net/2013/02/25/newspaper-publisher-apologizes.html#comment-1665754 wysinwyg Tue, 26 Feb 2013 19:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=215321#comment-1665754  "state employee" is a conservative dog whistle, you don't have to try to read too deeply into it.  Not a lot of logic involved.  ”state employee” is a conservative dog whistle, you don’t have to try to read too deeply into it.  Not a lot of logic involved.

]]> By: EH http://boingboing.net/2013/02/25/newspaper-publisher-apologizes.html#comment-1665696 EH Tue, 26 Feb 2013 19:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=215321#comment-1665696 It's a she, and she is not at all shy about describing who gets access and who doesn't. See Matt Hicks' link a couple down from here. It’s a she, and she is not at all shy about describing who gets access and who doesn’t. See Matt Hicks’ link a couple down from here.

]]> By: Brainspore http://boingboing.net/2013/02/25/newspaper-publisher-apologizes.html#comment-1665694 Brainspore Tue, 26 Feb 2013 19:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=215321#comment-1665694 <blockquote>Universal licensing/education for would-be guns owners would be more effective than requiring people to actually register firearms. </blockquote>If you didn't have to register guns then how would we know who should be required to get a such a license?

Universal licensing/education for would-be guns owners would be more effective than requiring people to actually register firearms.

If you didn’t have to register guns then how would we know who should be required to get a such a license?

]]> By: Gilbert Wham http://boingboing.net/2013/02/25/newspaper-publisher-apologizes.html#comment-1665634 Gilbert Wham Tue, 26 Feb 2013 18:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=215321#comment-1665634  Um, this is about concealed carry permits, is it not? And, yeah, it's nice to know how many wackadoodles who can't 'feel safe' going out without a gun there are around. Makes folk think more about what kind of a neighbourhood it is...  Um, this is about concealed carry permits, is it not? And, yeah, it’s nice to know how many wackadoodles who can’t ‘feel safe’ going out without a gun there are around. Makes folk think more about what kind of a neighbourhood it is…

]]> By: lexalexander http://boingboing.net/2013/02/25/newspaper-publisher-apologizes.html#comment-1665621 lexalexander Tue, 26 Feb 2013 18:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=215321#comment-1665621 Only if he got caught. Only if he got caught.

]]> By: lexalexander http://boingboing.net/2013/02/25/newspaper-publisher-apologizes.html#comment-1665618 lexalexander Tue, 26 Feb 2013 18:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=215321#comment-1665618 I'd subdivide the journalistic part into people who understood that the publisher and editor of the paper were almost certainly thratened and the others. I've got family up that way. It's effin' scary. The difference between Cherokee County and the more urban N.C. county where I live is almost like the difference between midtown Manhattan and Mogadishu. I’d subdivide the journalistic part into people who understood that the publisher and editor of the paper were almost certainly thratened and the others. I’ve got family up that way. It’s effin’ scary. The difference between Cherokee County and the more urban N.C. county where I live is almost like the difference between midtown Manhattan and Mogadishu.

]]> By: lexalexander http://boingboing.net/2013/02/25/newspaper-publisher-apologizes.html#comment-1665614 lexalexander Tue, 26 Feb 2013 18:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=215321#comment-1665614 Not to mention the fact that some of those folks are M.D.'s teaching medicine, legal professors teaching law and so forth. They could be making a HELL of a lot more money in the private sector, but, hey, they like teaching. Not to mention the fact that some of those folks are M.D.’s teaching medicine, legal professors teaching law and so forth. They could be making a HELL of a lot more money in the private sector, but, hey, they like teaching.

]]> By: lexalexander http://boingboing.net/2013/02/25/newspaper-publisher-apologizes.html#comment-1665611 lexalexander Tue, 26 Feb 2013 17:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=215321#comment-1665611 There's no such thing as an "illegitimate journalist," in San Diego County or anywhere else in the United States. If the San Diego County Sheriff's Public Information Officer doesn't know that, he's too stupid to hold his job. And if he knows it and is lying about it, he's too crooked to hold his job.  And under the N.C. state law that covers this particular situation, anyone has the right to walk in off the street, ask to see the records, and, for a reasonable copying fee, get a copy. He doesn't have to tell you who he is. He doesn't  have to tell you whom he works for. He doesn't have to give you a reason, except maybe "because I fucking said so." And that's as it should be for almost all state and local government records. There’s no such thing as an “illegitimate journalist,” in San Diego County or anywhere else in the United States. If the San Diego County Sheriff’s Public Information Officer doesn’t know that, he’s too stupid to hold his job. And if he knows it and is lying about it, he’s too crooked to hold his job.

 And under the N.C. state law that covers this particular situation, anyone has the right to walk in off the street, ask to see the records, and, for a reasonable copying fee, get a copy. He doesn’t have to tell you who he is. He doesn’t  have to tell you whom he works for. He doesn’t have to give you a reason, except maybe “because I fucking said so.” And that’s as it should be for almost all state and local government records.

]]> By: lexalexander http://boingboing.net/2013/02/25/newspaper-publisher-apologizes.html#comment-1665607 lexalexander Tue, 26 Feb 2013 17:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=215321#comment-1665607 And here's a thought: North Carolina is a "Shall Issue" state, meaning you have to be given a permit unless there's a legal reason why you can't have one. Looking at the permit list probably would enable you to tell whether the local sheriff's department was doing its job in that regard ... or just letting friends/political contributors have permits, which has gone on in a few other places. You also could cross-reference those records with records of people who have been convicted of felonies to see how well the department is doing its required background checks. And here’s a thought: North Carolina is a “Shall Issue” state, meaning you have to be given a permit unless there’s a legal reason why you can’t have one. Looking at the permit list probably would enable you to tell whether the local sheriff’s department was doing its job in that regard … or just letting friends/political contributors have permits, which has gone on in a few other places.

You also could cross-reference those records with records of people who have been convicted of felonies to see how well the department is doing its required background checks.

]]> By: foobar http://boingboing.net/2013/02/25/newspaper-publisher-apologizes.html#comment-1665574 foobar Tue, 26 Feb 2013 17:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=215321#comment-1665574 So in America, I have the right to know if my neighbour ever once peed in an alley, but not if they have an arms cache. So in America, I have the right to know if my neighbour ever once peed in an alley, but not if they have an arms cache.

]]> By: Rob Beschizza http://boingboing.net/2013/02/25/newspaper-publisher-apologizes.html#comment-1665561 Rob Beschizza Tue, 26 Feb 2013 17:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=215321#comment-1665561 I fixed it. My apologies to David and to any baffled readers. I fixed it. My apologies to David and to any baffled readers.

]]> By: CastanhasDoPara http://boingboing.net/2013/02/25/newspaper-publisher-apologizes.html#comment-1665534 CastanhasDoPara Tue, 26 Feb 2013 16:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=215321#comment-1665534 You... I like you. News flash bub, they already do and in great numbers I might add. Hell I know a little place in Alabama, if you got cash and a couple of hours you can have just about anything short of full-auto SMGs and bazookas, no records, no receipts, no nuthin' as the gent that runs the place would say. Also I imagine if you had enough money those more high-line items could be had too. Or maybe it's like the gun shop down the road from me where the owner shot his own son in  a tussle with a robber who indeed did get away with the guns and then not even an hour later went on a shooting spree at a government facility.  So, you we're being all sanctimoniously sarcastic and snide, carry on... You… I like you.

News flash bub, they already do and in great numbers I might add. Hell I know a little place in Alabama, if you got cash and a couple of hours you can have just about anything short of full-auto SMGs and bazookas, no records, no receipts, no nuthin’ as the gent that runs the place would say. Also I imagine if you had enough money those more high-line items could be had too.

Or maybe it’s like the gun shop down the road from me where the owner shot his own son in  a tussle with a robber who indeed did get away with the guns and then not even an hour later went on a shooting spree at a government facility. 

So, you we’re being all sanctimoniously sarcastic and snide, carry on…

]]> By: electronicnonsense http://boingboing.net/2013/02/25/newspaper-publisher-apologizes.html#comment-1665481 electronicnonsense Tue, 26 Feb 2013 15:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=215321#comment-1665481 Your comparison is ridiculous. You're trying to equate all legal gun owners with felons who've been convicted in court of committing crimes and being a danger to society. There's this little legal standard we have that goes "all persons are innocent until proven guilty." Does it surprise you that those legal gun owners are trying to protect themselves from those very same people that you're afraid of? That they're actually on your side? My little .22 target pistol is of no danger to you and your children. The only time that bullets get anywhere near it is when I'm inside of a little 3x4 foot box on the floor at the shooting range. Yet you'd like to put my picture and details on a map on a website just like rapists. You believe I deserve that? Your comparison is ridiculous. You’re trying to equate all legal gun owners with felons who’ve been convicted in court of committing crimes and being a danger to society. There’s this little legal standard we have that goes “all persons are innocent until proven guilty.” Does it surprise you that those legal gun owners are trying to protect themselves from those very same people that you’re afraid of? That they’re actually on your side?

My little .22 target pistol is of no danger to you and your children. The only time that bullets get anywhere near it is when I’m inside of a little 3×4 foot box on the floor at the shooting range. Yet you’d like to put my picture and details on a map on a website just like rapists. You believe I deserve that?

]]> By: Sean Mangan http://boingboing.net/2013/02/25/newspaper-publisher-apologizes.html#comment-1665476 Sean Mangan Tue, 26 Feb 2013 15:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=215321#comment-1665476  @Idobe - The public does share common ground, but the weapons manufacturers and the NRA (their lobby) do not. They only care about sales.  @Idobe – The public does share common ground, but the weapons manufacturers and the NRA (their lobby) do not. They only care about sales.

]]> By: wygit http://boingboing.net/2013/02/25/newspaper-publisher-apologizes.html#comment-1665461 wygit Tue, 26 Feb 2013 15:34:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=215321#comment-1665461 They took a DB that was apparently available if you went to several state offices and requested to look at printouts and made it easily accessible on the web. There are arguments on both sides of that. 1) Isn't that a newspaper's JOB? To make data easily accessible to the public? but 2) The possibilities for misuse are huge. Boingboing articles (and I) have the same dichotomy: Assange and Wikileaks are good, the gov't collecting data on YOU is bad. They took a DB that was apparently available if you went to several state offices and requested to look at printouts and made it easily accessible on the web.
There are arguments on both sides of that. 1) Isn’t that a newspaper’s JOB? To make data easily accessible to the public?
but 2) The possibilities for misuse are huge.
Boingboing articles (and I) have the same dichotomy: Assange and Wikileaks are good, the gov’t collecting data on YOU is bad.

]]> By: Diogenes http://boingboing.net/2013/02/25/newspaper-publisher-apologizes.html#comment-1665452 Diogenes Tue, 26 Feb 2013 15:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=215321#comment-1665452  Those are not exclusive sets.  Those are not exclusive sets.

]]> By: Diogenes http://boingboing.net/2013/02/25/newspaper-publisher-apologizes.html#comment-1665446 Diogenes Tue, 26 Feb 2013 15:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=215321#comment-1665446  I laughed.  I laughed.

]]> By: Diogenes http://boingboing.net/2013/02/25/newspaper-publisher-apologizes.html#comment-1665442 Diogenes Tue, 26 Feb 2013 15:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=215321#comment-1665442  In America you just have to be in your boyfriend's home, even when he knows you're there.  In America you just have to be in your boyfriend’s home, even when he knows you’re there.

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