Further, once you have done that, take a minute to ponder how the way these "representatives of the people" have responded clearly demonstrates they are not good or forthcoming public servants. If these people have nothing to hide, why are they hiding? Schedules (meetings with constituents...or other, less savory interests) can tell you a lot about a legislator's focus. Could that be why some of these elected officials want to keep said schedule out of focus? What's up?
When you're an elected official, you are, in a very real sense, public property. People have a right to know things about you, especially if it pertains to how you go about doing your job. This is not a difficult concept to understand.Unless, apparently, you've been elected from the corrupt, backwards and incestuous Olympic Peninsula.
Those schedules could also show nothing. As in, what are you up to Mr. Tharinger? What have you been working on Mr. Van De Wege?
ReplyDeleteNothing.
I wouldn't be surprised by nothing. The deep indifference of our elected representatives to the well-being of this community is a well established fact.
Good point. When talking about Clallam County, "nothing" should surprise you. Or shouldn't. Anyway, you get it.
DeleteOur local elected "leaders" are about as open, accurate and honest as the newspaper that covers them.
ReplyDeleteThe crooks in office say "Don't ask."
And the crooks at the PDN say "Won't tell."
But good luck with the lawsuit. Every little bit helps.
It's never a good sign when the press has to sue politicians for any reason, but especially if it's just to extract what should be pretty basic info. I don't know what game these fools are playing but, they look like pretty stupid. But hey, it's Clallam County.
ReplyDeleteThe suit was brought by Sound Publishing. Yes, THAT Sound Publishing. As if they really give a rat's ass.
ReplyDeleteMust have been a slow news day for them to hire a lawyer. BTW who is their lawyer?
DeleteIt's too bad that Clallam County and Port Angeles can't get any decent leadership. It isn't that all politicians and elected people are evil and corrupt.
ReplyDeleteElected office is a thankless job, at best. No matter what you try to do, some one or group exists who will see things differently. In the case of Port Angeles, the reasons for suspicion and criticism are valid and well documented. But, it isn't universal.
I know a bunch of elected people who have been in office for years, in different capacities. I could post URLs to archives of their meetings, and you would sit in awe and admiration of their comments about the issues being discussed. Thoughtful, responsive and caring.
Sadly, it seems the curse permeates Port Angeles. The "rape, pillage and plunder" mentality that is embedded in the population prevents any forward progress for the area.
Hey CK! I just noticed your "updated" header. Yes "excellence throughout"!
ReplyDeleteAnon at 8:37
DeleteThe header looks like it was written by a moron with little command of the English language. I would think someone so critical of the grammar of others could find a more eloquent way to convey their message.
It's just my little tribute to a Port Angeles resident who is so good at everything that they call him "Mr. Everything." Also, my intellect never desired me to be a journalist. Neither did my grammar.
DeleteThis is a really unfortunate situation. The most unfortunate part is that it makes the PDN look like one of the good guys, which they are not. They don't provide news coverage. They're just creeps covering up for other creeps.
ReplyDeleteCK, could you consider adding a little context to your articles?
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what this one is referring to. It sounds like someone is suing to release the legislator's scheduling calendar? But the background facts are not summarized.
If you want to expand your readership, assume that not everyone lives there and has already heard the town gossip. But we read your blog because we appreciate the purposes of it, and the many rocks you turn over. Thanks!
My apologies. This posting was somewhat of a rush job, since I was hurrying to get off to the coast for the day. That's why I took the shortcut of just suggesting people search for the full story themselves. Again, my apologies, but hey, the coast was really nice.
DeleteIn any case, yes, the core of the story is pretty much what you said: These legislators won't even release their own schedules to the press without a fight. In this case, a court fight.
I can't imagine that their schedules would contain anything that incriminating ("10:15 AM meeting to accept bribe from timber products lobby"), so it even amazes me a little that they'd be so stubborn about this. I guess the desire for secrecy is so deeply ingrained in them after all the years of shady deals that, well, here we are.
The state stopped them from turning over calendars. SOP.
DeleteEven if that were the whole, simple case, how much sense and/or spine does it take for one of these so-called public servants to say, "That is a stupid thing, and I will share this information with anyone who asks for it, because, duh, they have a right to know." They might even add, if they were feeling especially gutsy, "And I, of course, have nothing to hide."
DeleteIs that REALLY so difficult?
It isn't difficult and you can't really be serious or as naive was you appear.
DeletePrivacy is cherished by all. To avoid the BS laws each politician has private email addresses that are not subject to disclosure. Each has a private cell phone. Each has a private calendar.
So get the private calendar and see 2-3 private meeting. You can't get to the private calendar to see what it was about.
Make a rule and humans will find a way to work around the ones the don't want to follow.
Since time began until time ends.
Or even so gutsy as to say " Even though the system doesn't want me to disclose this information, I really believe in open government, and I will do everything I can, as your representative, to help keep our American democracy free and open to it's public."
DeleteWhile in the news, we see the Federal government telling the Iraqi Kurds NOT to have a referendum. Right. We spent billions, killed millions as we told the world we wanted a free Iraq. A democratic Iraq. Not one where a dictator told the country's people how they were to be governed, but one where they could vote freely.
Hmmm. Do I see a pattern here?
Anon 8:46 - please don't tell me you believe in unicorns and ferry god mothers granting wishes.
DeleteIt has always been and will always be about power and the wealth it produces.