Updates

Where to begin? Here, I guess. I was struck by this story making the rounds yesterday about Professor William Cronon, who published a blog post critical of a little-known group, ALEC, from his personal computer, using his personal email, and suddenly found himself on the receiving end of an Open Records request (the Wisconsin State version of  FOIA) from the state's Republican Party.

The Party had no obligation to identify itself in their request, nor reveal their motivation. That is as it should be. Citizens should be able to demand of their government and government functionaries some accountability without fear of reprisal. And most "sunshine" laws are written to favor this transparency. In Wisconsin, for instance, most state agencies have very clear guidelines about what information must be provided, to whom, and how quickly. Professor Cronon's employer, the University of Wisconsin, has a succinct FAQ to assist those attempting to honor these requests to the full letter of the law. The rules are pretty simple:
         1. Usually open records:

agendas and official minutes of open public meetings university employee names, titles and salaries travel vouchers and reimbursement information other official records maintained by University offices, unless expressly exempted by law 

2. Usually closed records:

investigation records which pertain to possible employee discipline student education records employee and student social security numbers trade secrets medical records 

3. Records which are not "open records":

notes prepared by the originator for the originator's own use.

And what did the WI GOP request? Why door three, of course! They asked for:

". . . e-mails from Cronon's state e-mail account that 'reference any of the following terms: Republican, Scott Walker, recall, collective bargaining, AFSCME, WEAC, rally, union, Alberta Darling, Randy Hopper, Dan Kapanke, Rob Cowles, Scott Fitzgerald, Sheila Harsdorf, Luther Olsen, Glenn Grothman, Mary Lazich, Jeff Fitzgerald, Marty Beil, or Mary Bell.'"

Senator Joe McCarthy came from Wisconsin. I imagine he would be very proud.

But there is joy in Mudville! On the hot heels of my post about local, sustainable food in the DMV, comes the news that the Neighborhood Restaurant Group has a new project. I am just thrilled to read about the Food Bus. Congratulations and good luck on your capital campaign. It's nice to know that there are good people out there doing good things.