Don't misunderstand me dev_null, I am not one to be a busybody and I too feel that actions speak much louder than words. However, how can we have a free society without secret trials and have government accountability if we don't have access to the records? I think someone else brought up a good point. All of these records have always been public, it is just with the advent of computers and electronic storage that getting this information is so much easier.
Don't mistake my saying, "Tough luck, you are on public record" for "I need to know everything" or even "I want to know everything" about you. If we want to remain a free society, nothing that happens in the public domain can be kept a secret. So your statement of "just because it is legal doesn't make it right" doesn't apply here. If you chose to break the law, you are taking the risk of publically being tried and convicted. Part of that consequence is your trial and sentence will be made public. The reason for that public trial is for your protection, in order to prevent cruel and unusual punishment. That is a good thing and it is the correct thing to do. If a criminal doesn't like it, they shouldn't have broken a public law, thereby forfeiting their right to privacy.
Again, like the vast majority of us here on the High Road, we choose not to break the law so we can keep our private lives private. If you want to go break the law, you take the risk of making your life public.
We cannot legislate away busybodies. Gossip, rumors, and busybodying occurs because people choose to take part in those actions. Even if you made it harder for people to do background checks on other people, it would not change their desire to be a busybody. The only way you can change busybodies is through your own actions and raising your kids right. Other than that, stay out of prison and people won't know much about you.
