Writing a whiney editorial doesn't help

Advocate editorialists wondered in yesterday's edition "if Ohio lawmakers have a vendetta against the public's right to records and openness in government."

The preface to this is a mention of an Ohio bill that would further limit access to public records regarding public employees and also a mention of the legal closure of "many foster parent records" with the help of our own Jay Hottinger, who voted in favor of it.

At least they called out a name, finally.

Protection of the public's right to know has to be diligently and constantly defended. And that means, Advocate, that your right to public records requires you to fight for it, not just whine when another set of records gets sealed by government.

You expect your readers to come to your aid in keeping government open when 1) you charge us for the right to search your data base of news articles? and 2) you won't even raise the issue of members of Newark's Economic Development Committee holding a meeting in New Albany in apparent violation of the state's open meetings act?

Newspapers no longer defend against unfair and illegal government practices. Not just the Advocate, but very few of them, including - perhaps especially - the Columbus Dispatch.

So why don't you pull Jay Hottinger out front and ask him some serious questions about his vote? And why don't you put on record those councilmen and others who met in New Albany?

It takes will power, dedication, money, and time. The fight for freedom is a war and it never goes away. Read this.

Writing a whiney editorial doesn't get it. Get off your butt, Advocate.