There are bastions of progressive ideals in places like Blacksburg, Radford and Floyd.
Dear Sir:
I probably can not add much to this debate which has not already been said, though I hope to add a new idea in this e-mail.
As you are a journalist you have no doubt been indoctrinated with the idea that social justice is an admirable goal. Too many in your profession are of the opinion that this goal should be sought at all costs.
The people on your "burglar's shopping list" are all of a different mind. They believe that individual liberty is the most admirable goal one can seek - and also that social justice always follows if individual liberty is guaranteed.
Your collectivist attitude has inspired you to strike a blow against individual liberty. For your sake I hope that as we come demanding your job, your collective will value your idea more than its advertising revenue.
Dear Madam:
Mr. Trejbal's recent article exposing Virginia concealed handgun permit holders was an unacceptable abuse of the power of the press.
Please research a man by the name of Jim Zumbo. Zumbo was a writer for Outdoor Life Magazine until recently, when within the space of 7 days he found himself unemployed for equating owners of assault weapons with terrorists - in much the same manner as Trejbal equated concealed handgun permit holders with convicted sex offenders.
Most law abiding citizens possess two qualities: we do not appreciate having our reputations unnecessarily tarnished by quixotic do-gooders in the press, and we are aware of the legal avenues available to us to see to it that it doesn't happen again.
You need only check your site's blog about this article to see that nobody agrees with Mr. Trejbal on this issue. A storm is at your door. Your business will suffer far less if you preemptively dismiss Mr. Trejbal and offer a public apology for his actions.
You know, that whole first amendment thing is outdated. I see no reason that just anyone, such as Mr. Trejbal of the Roanoke Times, should be allowed to endanger innocent people with his thoughtless article. I think it is high time the government puts reasonable restrictions on who is allowed to publish, and what they are allowed to publish.
Sporting results, sure... but political articles or editorials? Surely a license and strict guidelines should be required for anyone who wishes to use such a powerful tool.
In fact, perhaps only the government should have this right. Mr. Trejbals' actions amply demonstrate the damage that can be done when an unprincipled, untrained, thoughtless person is allowed to publish in the public domain.
C. Trejbal posted above:
"Just to clarify a point that runs through many of the posts here...
This is not a first amendment issue. It is a question of what records the state government maintains are open to public scrutiny. Any Virginian, media or otherwise, may ask for and receive a copy of the information posted from the Virgina (sic) State Police without explaining what he wishes to do with it."
If this were true you would have reported that you had obtained the information and that would have been it. To further publish the information is a vindictive and malicious act equivalent to my announcing to everyone I work with that one of our coworkers is gay or HIV positive. After all, that would be useful information in case he were to have an accident and require first-aid.
he said if you don't like it get the law changed.
I just called Landmark Communications, the parent company of The Roanoke Times and they are ABUZZ to say the least. The president, R. Bruce Bradley, has been fielding calls all morning over this editorial. The switchboard operator was more than a little annoyed with the number of calls they are receiving. Why not add to their pleasure on this beautiful Virginia afternoon???? It's a toll-free number....
Landmark Communications
150 W. Brambleton Ave
Norfolk, VA 23510
ph: 800-446-2004
fax: 757-664-2165
Bradley was tied up with these phones calls, so I left a voicemail requesting a return call from him. You could also try Stephen Peters, the Chief Information Officer. Landmark also owns another VA paper, The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk. Calling the advertisers in that paper will help, too, once we work our way through Roanoke.