Comments on: National Review Praises GUARDIAN

By: Tim Rhodes

Tim Rhodes — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 04:24:12 +0000

Not Dave:
Here is the wonderful thing about being a free American. If you don’t like something, like this blog, you do not have to consume it. Perhaps you should go elsewhere, like KTVB, to find your news and information that is “less crass”, as you put it, and perhaps spoon fed to the taste you enjoy most.

I’ll continue appreciating this refreshing “crass”, which cannot be found anywhere else in Idaho media. Personally, it is about time another angle is represented. I may not agree with everything posted, but I certainly appreicate the viewpoint and coverage of topics that is not found in other local media outlets. Thank you Dave F!

By: Sharon Ullman

Sharon Ullman — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 13:12:31 +0000

db – For more information about accessing public records and ensuring that the politicians are abiding by the Open Meeting Law, check out the manuals on the Idaho Attorney General’s website at http://www2.state.id.us/ag/manuals/index.htm

What I usually do to access records is send an e-mail message. Some agencies have a form they want you to fill out… ask them if you can e-mail or fax the form to them, if you have the equipment to do so, or if you can fill it out when you pick up the records so you don’t have to make two trips.

My standard letter starts off with: “Pursuant to the Idaho Public Records Law, Idaho Code §§ 9-337 through 9-350, I hereby request copies of the following public records:” I then have a bulleted list of the documents, tapes, or whatever, that I am requesting.

At the bottom of most of my requests, I also say this, “If the cost for providing these records will exceed $20, please contact me before fulfilling this request. Thank you for your prompt response.”

The Idaho Public Records Law prohibits the agency from asking you questions about why you want the records, etc. By specifically requesting that they contact me if the cost of the records will be over $20, I not only prevent a big financial headache for myself, but in my mind, at least, I am giving “permission” for more discussion about the records I am seeking to ensure that my request hasn’t been overly broadly interpreted.

You’ll have to rely on someone else to provide expertise about the federal Freedom of Information Act, but if anyone would like to contact me for assistance in figuring out where or how to get your hands on state or local records, please feel free to contact me by e-mail at sharonu@cableone.net or by phone at 362-0843.

I hope this helps!

By: Not Dave

Not Dave — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 04:13:47 +0000

I feel a bit misunderstood.

I LIKE this blog. It does GOOD THINGS. It’s a bit crass for my tastes… but I think the EGO drags the whole thing down.

Do what you set out to do Dave and you’ve got a great thing.

Oh and Cyclops… I was just riffing off the “Chill out and enjoy” — no foul intended. And I know who the hell I am 🙂

By: db

db — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 16:17:01 +0000

Have you ever posted instructions on how one goes about filing an open-records request? That might help others sniff out similar instances of inappropriate spending. Thanks!

By: CYCLOPS

CYCLOPS — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 12:13:53 +0000

I’ll make a deal with you “not Dave”. The day you start paying the bills (all of them) that are incurred with this effort, then you can act like an employer.”Chill out and just report?” I am sorry, but who the hell do you think you are?

By: Clancy

Clancy — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 00:41:43 +0000

Congrats on the recognition, may this not be your only 15 minutes.

By: theresa

theresa — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 14:25:58 +0000

laughs, cool deal

funny how one can mock, and point out the obvious
and get more info than the “news”

By: Gordon

Gordon — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 05:03:08 +0000

“The GUARDIAN was featured in the current piece along with the WASHINGTON POST…not bad company. ”
Congrats, BG. And, yep, WP is big company.
Wonder what the WP folks thought about the company they’re keeping, though, with the Boise — Hey, anybody here know what a Boise is? — Guardian.
Yeah, I think it’s near Des Moines.
Naw, it’s in Rwanda or some such country …

🙂

By: Not Dave

Not Dave — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 00:54:56 +0000

I hate the huff and puff on TV too. Nice try at redirection… the bottom line is: you like yourself a little bit too much.

Chill out and just report. Your readers will thank you.

By: CYCLOPS

CYCLOPS — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 21:32:16 +0000

Not Dave, you need to learn the difference between “ego” and “Passion” Did you spend countless hours trying to wrangle public information from bureautic agencies that are anything but helpfull? How about the endless public meetings that have been suffered through in order to insure that what was said was done?

The Guardian sure has earned his money watching out for the community! Wait, I guess I am not quite right on that last statement. Guardian, just how much do you make for all this effort? I remember now. NOTHING, ZIP, NADA !!!