Iowa City, IA (TLS). The Iowa City Press-Citizen, the newspaper that published the names, addresses, and phone numbers of registered concealed gun owners in Johnson County, Iowa, maintains it was only following the law in making public the information.
No, the law does not mandate the publishing of information that is considered 'public.'
Allowing something and mandating it are two entirely different matters.
Liberal newspapers have used this argument as a matter of course to justify their despicable practice of publishing these names, i.e., that given that state law considers such information public, then it therefore is to be assumed that this 'public' information must be published.
Once again, let's turn to the information on personal real property that is entered into the records of every county courthouse in America. That, too, is considered public information. Why, then, do these newspapers not publish the detailed tax records and lot dimensions of homeowners?
There is but one simple-to-understand reason. Not everything that is 'legal' is 'smart.' In other words, the particular newspapers in this nation that publish the names of those with permits to carry concealed weapons are engaging in a practice that is 'legal' but 'dumb.'
The Iowa City Press-Citizen has not expressed one jot or tittle of remorse or regret in publishing those names, in spite of the fact that they may have put a number of local citizens in mortal danger.
The newspaper operates forums online where citizens can express their opinions concerning news items. An interesting thread has developed about this story. I encourage you to read it. It seems local gun owners are up in arms about the publishing of the information.
Interestingly, the Iowa City Press-Citizen is a Gannett newspaper, and thus, has a very liberal editorial policy. Apparently that liberal bent spills into the manner in which news is reported as well.
Click here to go to the forum about the publishing of the names of concealed gun owners:
http://forums.press-citizen.com/viewtopic.php?t=1057
Showing posts with label Johnson County Iowa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Johnson County Iowa. Show all posts
Friday, March 30, 2007
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
ANOTHER NEWSPAPER PUBLISHES GUNOWNERS
Iowa City, Iowa (TLS). The Iowa City Press-Citizen has published the names of those holding permits for concealed carry in Johnson County, Iowa, one of the worst areas in the state for violent crime.
Press-Citizen reporter Mike McWilliams wrote a feature story on citizens who carry concealed weapons, which overall was fairly presented. However, that story contains a link to a list of every citizen in Johnson County who carries a permit to carry a concealed weapon.
As we have stated many times before on The Liberty Sphere, this is a most despicable practice that compromises the safety and security of law-abiding citizens who carry guns--particularly those who live in highly criminal-infested areas such as Johnson County, Iowa.
It is difficult if not impossible to ascertain any good reason to publish the names, other than the overt anti-gun mentality that exists among so many in the Press. There is no better way, in their view, to punish law-abiding citizens who believe in their 2nd Amendment rights than to attempt not only to shame them but place them in mortal danger by publishing their names, addresses, and phone numbers.
The Liberty Sphere has an ongoing policy of doing the same thing to rogue newspapers, editors, and reporters who display such obvious disdain for private citizens.
Mike McWilliams of the Iowa City Press-Citizen can be reached at phone number (319) 339-7360 and at email address mmcwilliams@press-citizen.com. Another number for Mr. McWilliams is (319) 337-3181, ext. 636.
The publisher of the Press-Citizen is Mike Beck, and he can be reached at (319) 337-3181, extension 340.
Jim Lewers is the Managing Editor, and he can be reached at (319) 337-3181, ext. 428.
Click here for the full staff directory:
http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=contact
We are calling on the Iowa City Press-Citizen to take down the list. Also, information on the residences, phone numbers, and property dimensions from courthouse records on staff members of the Iowa City Press-Citizen will be forthcoming. Advertisers in the newspaper should also be contacted by subscribers to complain about the list and to inform the businesses that if they continue to advertise in the paper you will no longer do business with them.
Supporters of citizens' rights in this country MUST keep the pressure on newspapers who engage in this outrageous practice.
Press-Citizen reporter Mike McWilliams wrote a feature story on citizens who carry concealed weapons, which overall was fairly presented. However, that story contains a link to a list of every citizen in Johnson County who carries a permit to carry a concealed weapon.
As we have stated many times before on The Liberty Sphere, this is a most despicable practice that compromises the safety and security of law-abiding citizens who carry guns--particularly those who live in highly criminal-infested areas such as Johnson County, Iowa.
It is difficult if not impossible to ascertain any good reason to publish the names, other than the overt anti-gun mentality that exists among so many in the Press. There is no better way, in their view, to punish law-abiding citizens who believe in their 2nd Amendment rights than to attempt not only to shame them but place them in mortal danger by publishing their names, addresses, and phone numbers.
The Liberty Sphere has an ongoing policy of doing the same thing to rogue newspapers, editors, and reporters who display such obvious disdain for private citizens.
Mike McWilliams of the Iowa City Press-Citizen can be reached at phone number (319) 339-7360 and at email address mmcwilliams@press-citizen.com. Another number for Mr. McWilliams is (319) 337-3181, ext. 636.
The publisher of the Press-Citizen is Mike Beck, and he can be reached at (319) 337-3181, extension 340.
Jim Lewers is the Managing Editor, and he can be reached at (319) 337-3181, ext. 428.
Click here for the full staff directory:
http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=contact
We are calling on the Iowa City Press-Citizen to take down the list. Also, information on the residences, phone numbers, and property dimensions from courthouse records on staff members of the Iowa City Press-Citizen will be forthcoming. Advertisers in the newspaper should also be contacted by subscribers to complain about the list and to inform the businesses that if they continue to advertise in the paper you will no longer do business with them.
Supporters of citizens' rights in this country MUST keep the pressure on newspapers who engage in this outrageous practice.
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