The Roanoke Times: The Wild Life

Comments

# 1

[March 25, 2007 10:55 AM]

A Hoffman

My name was in the searchable database posted online by the Roanoke Times. Their admission of mistakes is commendable to some extent.

I cannot speak for the other CCW permit holders whose names and addresses were posted but to me it seems that the Roanoke Times still does not understand what the controversy is really about. It is not about obtaining the information. It is about being a responsible custodian of that information.

There is also something that I don’t understand. The reason given for this information being available to the public was that “The public should be able to monitor how well various jurisdictions screen concealed carry applicants”

How? How can “the public” “monitor how well the various jurisdictions screen concealed carry applicants”? “The public” is not able to check my criminal history. “The public” is not able to submit my fingerprints to the FBI. The public is not able to check my name, SSN or driver’s license number in NCIC or VCIN. “The public” cannot perform the duties of sworn law enforcement or the court system.How can they tell how well law enforcement and the courts are screening CCW permit applicants?

Overall, I think the Roanoke Times response to their irresponsible use of my personal information is insufficient.

A Hoffman

# 2

[March 25, 2007 12:03 PM]

Joel

Maybe the paper will show it's equitable view by publishing lists of clinics that receive federal funding for abortion, lists of local journalists who have been accused of criminal acts, lists of the names and address of criminal victims. The Sunshine Laws, while well meaning, have always misunderstood the need for some information to be kept private, otherwise we could end up with consequences of Identity Theft...oops, too late for that.

# 3

[March 25, 2007 3:13 PM]

P Williams

Opportunities Lost-

The Roanoke Times had the opportunity to perform a public service on March 11, 2007. Somehow they never saw it and instead chose to attack a significant number of citizens of this state. What a surprise, that by the Times own assessments, the negative reaction was the largest in the history of the Paper. What a surprise that some of those responses might be openly hostile. When you endanger people lives, attack their right to peaceably exercise their rights in society, and imply that they should be treated like the most heinous of criminals, you might expect a strong reaction. Ignore their pleas to be heard, and they might react poorly to that as well. And so it was that the Times itself created the situation, and then was outwardly shocked and paralyzed that it occurred.

As this opportunity slipped away, it was followed by a series of other lost opportunities to do something positive. They too either went unnoticed or were simply ignored. What is truly astounding about this is the failure to analyze what has actually happened here and correctly gage the effects and respond correctly to the reaction. This after two weeks of reflection on issues that literally hundreds of thousands of others saw right off the moment the list appeared.

Of course none of this is really a surprise to the Times. The Times and Mr. Trejbal knew exactly what they were doing when they published this material, and the reaction was as predictable as the coming of the seasons, or the rising of the sun every day. The true surprise they felt was that more people saw it for what it was than they had predicted, and that many of their usual supports also found the act reprehensible. Someone at the Times actually thought this whole thing would be a really good idea or they would never have done it.

This morning, I see yet another lost opportunity. Here was a real chance for the Times to take responsibility for a number of COLOSSAL missteps, errors, and what is at its core acts of out right bigotry and terrorism, and take steps to fix the problem. Any reasoning person sees this situation for what it is, and will not be fooled by the Times response.

If you think I am wrong or over stating what has happened here, look it up for your self-

Embasy.org defines "Bigot" as- "Person extremely intolerant of others and irrespective of reasoning. "

Ecis.org defines "terrorism" as- "Any act including, but not limited to, the use of force or violence and/or threat thereof of any person or group(s) of persons whether acting alone or on behalf of, or in connection with, any organization(s) or government(s) committed for political, religions, ideological or similar purposes, including the intention to influence any government and/or to put the public or any section of the public in fear."

I was not surprised that the "apology" turned out to be more table pounding about the right of the news paper to publish anything it wants. This was stated more than once in this supposed "apology". This then allows them to gratuitously dismiss the core issues, ignore the true pain they have inflicted, and sweep the entire matter under the rug. This theme runs so strongly through every official comment by the Times, that their belief in the concept blinds them to the true issues here.

NO ONE HAS EVER SAID THAT YOU DIDN"T HAVE A RIGHT TO PUBLISH! WE ALL KNOW THAT!

THEY HAVE SAID THAT WHAT YOU PUBLISHED WAS PERSONAL NOT GOVERNMENT DATA. WHILE THE DATA IS IN THE PUBLIC RECORDS, YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO TREAT IT WITH DISCRETION BECAUSE IT IS INFORMATION ABOUT INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS, AND SOME OF THAT DATA COULD BE MISUSED TO CAUSE HARM TO A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF PEOPLE! THEY HAVE SAID THAT YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE LINKED THESE INDIVIDUALS TO CONVICTED SEX OFFENDERS, AND IT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN PLACED ON THE INTERNET WHERE ALL ACCOUNTABILITY IN ACCESSING IT IS LOST!

The issues are SHOULD you have published this particular material in the way you did? SHOULD you have concealed your actual purpose to do so? SHOULD you have allowed Mr. Trejbal to use his bigotry to attack the most lawful group of Virginians in the state? SHOULD you have concealed your identity when you obtained it. SHOULD you have linked these people with sex offenders?

We have a few opinion writers and lawyers, with preexisting relationships with Mr. Trejbal, who after solicitation by he and the Times have commented on all this. Not surprisingly these "Opinions for hire" share his political agenda, and support the publication. But we also have a larger more objective and therefore more credible group of answers to these questions, in the form of a long series of professional ethics experts without prior relationships, who have stepped up to unanimously condemn this act as ethically, socially and morally wrong. What we don't have is any hint of answers from either the Times or Mr. Trejbal.

Many will read todays splash of letters and articles, and say to themselves "Well the Times really took responsibility and they even apologized, what your problem?"

Unfortunately those people would be wrong. Their conclusion is be based on a not so careful MIS-reading of a VERY carefully crafted, series of articles designed to sidestep the core issues and avoid doing what would be done by any responsible company, who grasps the true issues here. What they have missed is that this is propaganda, NOT an "apology".

The publication of yet another article by Mr. Trejbal in which he himself admits that he is not only prejudiced against those of different faiths and lifestyles than his own, but that he acts against individuals on that hate, is astonishing by itself. Yet more hate and bigotry. But in the face of what has happened over the last two weeks it is an appalling validation by a news organization of bigotry and hate mongering, and it negates any thought that the TIMES is sincere in apologizing. In this diatribe, Mr. Trejbal continues to single out groups of people to demonize, who are exercising their LAWFUL rights, and talks about how he punishes them because he finds their rights to be less important than his own. This is a consistent hallmark and common theme of ALL of his writings. Look at his history on this website for your self.

In the mix here is the incident at Mr. Trejbal's home involving the delivery of a package of mailing labels. If it turns out that this was an act intended to terrorize him or his family, I hope the individuals involved are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and for the record I was among the first to condemn that kind of behavior or other threats of any kind.

However, I suspect that this was not the intentional act of Mr. Trejbal's attackers, but instead either a mis-delivery, or a memory lapse on his part. If it was an intentional harassment the authorities would have acted swiftly to deal with the problem. The package can be traced to its source.

That said, Mr. Trejbal and the Times have failed to take his experience, yet another missed opportunity, and how it made him feel and use it to better understand that this is how they made a lot of other people feel with their publication. Many of those who's names they published felt REAL terror for REAL reasons based on REAL threats in their lives. Somehow the Times and Mr. Trejbal, just do not get the concept that THEY DID THIS SAME THING TO REAL PEOPLE. They do not understand that by fostering an environment of Bigotry, hatred and intolerance, and incivility through Mr Trejbal's writings, they have become the root cause of these deplorable attitudes in the community.

Well, I hope the Times will understand if a large number of Virginians follow their conscience in this matter and refuse to sanction this behavior. For their part they will continue to both promote, and engage in, a boycott of Times advertisers until the the core issue in this current situation is fixed. That issue is the continued employment of a morally bankrupt, bigoted, hate monger, and the publication of his attacks on the law-abiding honest citizens of Virginia. Only the Times can defuse this situation, through proper actions to eliminate the problem. I see yet another missed opportunity on the horizon.

# 4

[March 25, 2007 4:43 PM]

Dan

Can we start by saying "it's about time?" I realize the Times has a lot to do and can only devote so much time to one topic, but this one deserved a lot of time and attention. Mr. Trejbal's article certainly got a lot of attention, demonstrating that the Times should have put in a lot more thought and discretion ahead of time.

In no way can I defend the actions of the respondents who attacked the paper with threats of violence and intimidation. That's not right, and goes on to help prove Mr. Trejbal's assertion that some CHP holders may have a propensity to turn violent. That's behavior untypical of most CHP holders, I would think.

Anyway, despite being very upset at the Times for two solid weeks now, I do feel it's time to give the Times a couple of points for apologizing. But not many. Mark, your phrase is "appropriate and sufficient." I think I can buy "appropriate," but I'm not sure I'm willing to sign up for "sufficient" yet.

Today's lead editorial starts with its own bit of indignation: "we had a legal right to post the database." Yes, the Times did have the right to post it. And finally, it sees that it was neither necessary nor prudent to do so. Today the Times admits its "insufficient thought and discusstion" to the potential increase in opportunity for harm to others. And that lack of planning may just be the biggest mistake made in this episode.

The reason I can't fully sign up for "sufficient" is that we haven't heard directly from Mr. Trejbal. His article turned out not to be concentrated on Sunshine Week and open government, but on vilifiying and victimizing the law-abiding citizens. Bad. He singled out respected members of our community listed their CHP status, and implied that some elected officials are people to avoid angering. That's just rude. I think Mr. Trejbal should write and publish his own apology, in addition to that which the Times published this morning. He should apologize for the harm he's done to the general reputation of CHP holders and for likening them to sex offenders. He should apologize specifically, and with additional personal letters, to those individuals he singled out. He should put out a good effort to let the readers, the CHP holders, and the general public know that he really believes he [and the Times] made a mistake. And he's _got_ to make us believe that.

After that, maybe we can reevaluate "sufficient."

Frankly, I'd like to see him go back to Oregon and stop stirring up controversy here in the NRV. That's just my opinion, and I thank you for letting me offer it.

# 5

[March 25, 2007 5:26 PM]

TJ

Mark,

Interesting article (as usual, you have a solid grasp on things) here. The "apology" from the Roanoke Times doesn't go far enough, nowhere near enough. Here's what is missing:

Where is the apology for comparing lawfully Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) holders with sex offenders?

Where is the apology to the 138,000 CHP holders for outing their information in such a public fashion?

Where is the reason for releasing the information in the first place?

Just to let you know, VCDL's President, Philip Van Cleeve, is being interviewed by CNN on Monday Night. It will be appearing during Paula Zahn's show at 8PM EST.

But, in short, the Roanoke Times' apology is too little too late. I am not buying the paper's "spin" on this. This should have been out the next day, not two weeks later.

Thank you,

TJ

# 6

[March 25, 2007 5:29 PM]

DaveyC

I notice a distinct lack of apology for Mr. TRjbal's paralelling CCW holders and sex offenders. This holds no water with me and won't until he no longer writes for them.

# 7

[March 25, 2007 5:34 PM]

"gunner"

Thank you Mark, frankly I enjoyed your outing with the girls far more than another of Mr. Gerbil's rants, but then I'm a Granpa who is teaching an 11 year old granddaughter to shoot a pistol so you'll see I have scant sympathy for the likes of Mr Whatizname. Best regards to you and the adventuresome young ladies. "gunner"

# 8

[March 25, 2007 7:07 PM]

Gary Stanton

The Times' "appology" is weak and does not address Christian Trejbal's twisted journalistic practices such as comparing child molesters and gun owners. I guess your usage of the word apology excuses your paper from all consequences of your practices. It seems as though you still feel it was justified to print the list? I also feel justified in not beleiving anything printed in your paper. It should be a crime to twist the facts as your paper does. The backlash you received for this article was well deserved.

# 9

[March 25, 2007 9:13 PM]

jlbraun : →http://thehighroad.org

Not good enough. Fire Trejbal.

Several (very large) email lists have been compiled containing the emails of the board members and managers of companies that advertise in the Roanoke.

Gun owners are continuing to write the advertisers of the Roanoke informing them of a boycott that will continue until either Trejbal is fired or an individual company stops advertising in the Times.

Fire Trejbal, and this all goes away.

# 10

[March 25, 2007 9:46 PM]

Mark Taylor

Thanks for all the comments. I hadn't even turned on my computer since this morning but I wanted to get this first round of comments approved.

I promise I'm getting my thoughts together on this. But it's late and I'm pretty tired. And, as we saw with Zumbo, it's not safe to blog while tired.

MT

# 11

[March 26, 2007 9:22 AM]

Bob

That was not an apology, THIS is an apology - "We were wrong. We screwed up. We are sorry." Not lawyerish paragraphs as to why actions were justified, and why anyone complaining strongly is an outrageously hysterical loon. The arrogance and contempt for the readership isn't even thinly disguised. It oozes from vurtually every sentence. The editorial staff ought to grow some onions and just come right out and say what they obviously REALLY think - "We fear and despise firearms and the Neanderthals who own them, and we won't be happy until both no longer exist".

# 12

[March 26, 2007 10:23 AM]

Wylee

Whew! What a mess.

Can we get back to the good stuff now? Things like triathlon and taking girls fishing?

# 13

[March 26, 2007 10:32 AM]

William Mounts

First - the "apology" was just as stated earlier - just propaganda for why the press doesn't have to behave responsibly. And, apparently, to the Roanoke Times, the comparison of CCW holders to sex-criminals wasn't out of line. Lastly, I find it ironic that Trejbal (and everyone else from the Roanoke Times) refused to be interviewed by CNN for a story they are running this evening (3/26, 8PM). Wasn't this whole incident about "openness"? What a bunch of arrogant, elitist hypocrites!

# 14

[March 26, 2007 11:22 AM]

Joe

Quite frankly I was all set to unload "with both barrels" so to speak, but there is no way I could do any better than the comments by "P Williams".

# 15

[March 26, 2007 12:27 PM]

Larry Womble

"comments approved"

Editing unwanted comments-- come on Ya'll print anything, as has been proven.

LW

# 16

[March 26, 2007 1:00 PM]

Doesn't Cut It

This non-apology doesn't cut it. You've made a ton of enemies by showing your true colors.

There's only one way to deal with The RT - economic punishment. Rest assured I'm doing all I can to see that your revenue stream is significantly reduced.

BTW, did anyone read that boob Trejbal's lastest column? Someone please take a collection for a plane ticket back to wherever he came from. I'll even frive him to the airport, hope he likes my bumperstickers...

# 17

[March 27, 2007 9:17 AM]

Ron Mexico

Too bad the list of CCP holders didn't stay up longer. This would have given burglers and robbers the chance to develop a list of people to avoid, ie: armed and trained citizens.

# 18

[March 27, 2007 9:31 PM]

C.Kreidinger

Want to send a statement to the Times but can't seem to do w/o it? Cancel your subscription for 1 month; get your friends to do likewise. You can read it on-line anyway. The only thing that an organization like this understands is when something hits them in the wallet. Make this cost them real $$.

# 19

[March 27, 2007 10:26 PM]

David Jewel

What amazes me is that Mr Trejbal even still has a job. Its obvious once again that a liberal bias is excused for real news. His comparison of Sex offenders to gun owners is the best part. Heck truth be told Mr Trejbal would rather have a registered violent child molester living next to him then a law abiding citizen who happens to exercise their 2nd Amendment rights. Mr Trejbal you need only look to Washington DC as a prime example of what handgun control gone amuck does. It simply leaves the law abiding citizens unable to defend themselves against that sex offender with a gun because lets be honest if somebody is gonna break the law whats one more felony to them in the end?

# 20

[March 27, 2007 11:00 PM]

R. Adams

Mr. Mexico, By your logic, the rest of Virginia was put at risk through the publishing of the list. Either way, what is the benefit to the General Public in knowing where a CHP holder lives if that person doesn't desire it? None. Do risks exist? Yep. Sounds like a good reason to close the list. As to the apology. As a fair and honest man. Apology accepted, but now let's talk restitution. Recommend a letter to each and every person in the CHP list with both the Article and apology as published. I would accept that, and it would benefit the USPS.

# 21

[March 28, 2007 10:23 AM]

Mark Taylor

Thanks for all the comments.

As I see it, we're dealing with two distinct offending issues here.

One is the publication of the database, and I consider the names listed in the column as part of that.

Two is the column itself.

Sunday's apology was all about the database. Some of you were satisfied; many weren't. Given the emotion of this issue, that doesn't surprise me. I suspect even Bob's suggestion of "We were wrong. We screwed up. We are sorry," wouldn't cut it for some.

There continues to be a call for further action, primarily the dismissal of Trejbal.

So, do you justifiy firing him based on the database?

The column?

Both?

# 22

[March 28, 2007 2:53 PM]

Mike E

Yes, Trejbal should be fired. Not only did put thousands of Virginians at risk, but his latest column shows what a Virginia hater he is. Why on Earth would the Times let him keep writing anything? Controversy? Well, if that's it, say bye-bye to the Times.

# 23

[March 28, 2007 4:07 PM]

R. Adams

Fire C. Trejbal?

Absolutely NOT.

This area and Virginia in general does not need or desire a shock-jock in paper form. But...

1. He stirs folks from their complacency resulting in thought and/or action.

2 He sells newspapers and/or generates web hits. (advertisers love high sales and web hit numbers)

3. He's helping Gun Rights and Privacy Rights organizations with membership.

So, Fire him? Nah, keep him around.

# 24

[March 28, 2007 4:23 PM]

Phil B

Trejbal should be fired because of the body of his work. I still haven't gotten over "Southwest Virginia is for Haters".

It's OK to have an opinionated person to write editorial columns - it's almost a requirement. But you want editorial columns to make people think, not to make people angry. And his columns are shallow, sanctimonious, snide, and self-righteous. His columns are everything you do NOT want in editorial opinion pieces.

He needs to go, for the sake of the Roanoke Times and its readers.

# 25

[March 28, 2007 4:42 PM]

P Williams

I suspect like myself may people who have been offended or even terrorized by this publication, could find forgiveness if it had been done out of just plain stupidity. You almost have to forgive stupidity, because it is in many ways immutable, ignorance is a little harder to forgive, because people can overcome it through education. I took the time to look back over Mr. Trejbal's writings, and I read his posts on this and other subjects. This is not a stupid man, and he is not ignorant.

This act was not done out of ignorance or stupidity. This was done out of hatred with the specific intention of terrorizing, demonizing and/or humiliating a targeted segment of the citizens of Virginia, who are exercising a lawful RIGHT. This is EXACTLY what the nazis did to the Jews in europe. Every article I can find that has been authored by Mr. Trejbal is just dripping with the same kind of hatred, and bigotry toward others that do not (in his view) hold his opinions. It is one thing to say these things, or even to print them, he has that right, even if it offends people. It is quite another when those attitudes are placed into action, and done so specifically to cause harm to come to people, or to demonize them in the eyes of others. That is terrorism!

That is what has happened here. Through this act Mr. Trejbal, and The Times, crossed the line between saying hateful and bigoted things about people, and acting on that hatred to intentionally cause actual harm to people. Somehow the Times editors just cannot seem to understand the difference.

I grew up in Virginia. There was a time when bigotry was rampant and even institutionalized. Not just against African Americans, but lots of groups that were perceived as "different". I have fought and argued against that all my life. I have personally risked my life in that fight. My Father fought it all his life, and he risked his too. Virginia may still have a long way to go in this area, but at least we all thought we had made some progress. In particular progress in eliminating institutionalized bigotry. Well the Times has just proved that idea to be very wrong. And I am sorry, I CANNOT forgive bigotry and senseless hatred.

For some reason the editors do not see that either. By standing with Mr. Trejbal, defending what he has done here, and continues to do, and failing to act to eliminate him from their ranks, they now stand as an institutional icon openly supporting bigotry and hatred in the community. If you don't think that is important, or you don't think it matters then consider this. In 1935 there were 5,000 nazis in Germany, and no one thought this was a problem. In 2000, there were 5,000 nazis in the united states, and nobody thinks they are a problem. Hate is like a cancer. If you do not treat it when it appears, it will spread. Mr. Trejbal is supplying comfort and justification to these elements of society.

Well from my point of view hatred in any form is a problem. Isolating individuals, or groups because of their beliefs, their ethnic heritage, their voting preference, their religion, or anything else, and advocating that they be treated harshly or different from others is just wrong. When it goes beyond advocacy and is put into action as Mr. Trejbal has done, it must NOT be sanctioned, it must NOT be tolerated, and strong actions should be taken to end it. And it does not matter WHO the target group is.

As I said, I and many others could forgive a lot of things. Virginians by and large are a forgiving people. But nothing has changed here. What the Times did was simply say to all of us,

"Oh we are sorry. We had a right to publish, We did not break any laws, we are sorry. We do not care if some were offended, we are sorry."

Then they and Mr. Trejbal went right back to work. Well that was NOT an apology, so I have nothing to accept. And Mr. trejbal is still spewing poison and putting his words into action against others by his own admission. Read it for your self in his last diatribe.

Do I think he should be fired? YES he should be fired! He should have been fired two weeks ago. Maybe even before that. While he has a right to speak his venom, he does NOT have a right to act on it against others and suggest others do so as well. The Roanoke Times has a civic and a moral duty to take a stand on bigotry and hate mongering. Either they support it and keep Mr. Trejbal, or they condemn it and him along with it, to the trash heap of history.

# 26

[March 28, 2007 7:08 PM]

A Hoffman

I am in the very strange position of defending Mr. Trejbal and recommending that he not be fired. Before any one hauls me away for mental evaluation, please let me explain.

I am a CCW permit holder and gun owner. In fact, I probably represent many of the things that Mr. Trejbal is against. My name and address were in the online database that was posted on the Roanoke Times web site.

Mr. Trejbal wrote an article that expressed his opinion. I found his opinion to be offensive. Mr. Trejbal obtained a list of CCW permit holders and their home addresses. There have been FOIA requests for the CCW permit holder list from others besides Mr. Trejbal. A recent FOIA request for a list of those who have made an FOIA request for the CCW permit list revealed that between 02/15/06 and 03/13/07 there were 27 requests for the CCW permit list. The list of those 27 requesters has been posted in some of the online firearms discussion groups. I do not believe that any of the above is basis for being fired.

Once again don’t get me wrong. My opinion from what I have seen of Mr. Trejbal is that he is the north end of a southbound horse. We would probably not hang out together. Was his article offensive? Yes it was. Did he, by himself, post the names and addresses of Virginia CCW permit holders in an online searchable database? No, I don’t think so. He had to have the approval and assistance of others within the Roanoke Times. They have already admitted that it may not have been a good idea. I have a great deal of sympathy for those of you who were caused problems, large or small, by the posting of your private information in an online database. If there were anything I could do about it, I would. But there isn’t. Done is done. Firing Mr. Trejbal will not make it any better.

I think the Roanoke Times should keep Mr. Trejbal around. His actions have created more sympathy for and awareness of CCW permit holders and gun owners than ever before. His stunt of comparing CCW permit holders to convicted sex offenders caused that sympathy and awareness. Because of Mr. Trejbal the FOIA policy for personal information in the Commonwealth is being studied at this very moment. There is a very good chance that the Legislature will change the way personal information is handled throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. None of this, I repeat, none of this would have happened without Mr. Trejbal and the Roanoke Times.

I am not making light of the serious situations that some of you were placed in by having your personal information made public. All I am saying is that we can get some good out of a bad situation. We can make sure this never happens again in the Commonwealth. We, as CCW permit holders, gun owners and those who now support us, need to take advantage of this opportunity. We need to hold our Legislators responsible and accountable for how our personal information is handled. Mr. Trejbal and the Roanoke Times have given us more than we could have ever hoped for. We need to encourage Mr. Trejbal to write more. We need him to write about hunters, fishermen, trappers, semi-automatic weapons owners. We need to get him to write a scathing editorial on the “Alaska carry” system. We need Mr. Trejbal and the Roanoke Times. Mr. Trejbal is on the brink of becoming the best friend Virginia CCW permit holders and gun owners have ever seen. Let’s go easy on the little fellow.

Molon Labe

A Hoffman

# 27

[March 28, 2007 9:08 PM]

D Dierolf

That so called apology sounds more like their only sorry they got caught and that people actually fought back. Through the entire article they kept reminding us that they had every right to do what they did, it was only the matter in which they handled it that was wrong. I say people need to keep boycotting this paper and the writer. It is very obvious that the apology is just a half hearted attempt to playcate all those offended.

# 28

[March 28, 2007 10:48 PM]

R. Adams

Ok, understood, folks do not like the actions of Mr. Trejbal.

Let's consider for a second the operations of a newspaper. The folks that write, do just that. They do not have approval to print.

The paper has someone who is in charge and is approving content and actions. This is who we should be mad at.

This publishing of the database may have been Mr Trejbal's idea, it may not. It was the someone else's approval decision that has allowed every action Mr. Trejbal has made.

Are the readership being played? Possibly, and it's time to realize it. In a stretegic sense, don't call for the firing of a 1st line writer, call for the firing of the approval authority, for their lack of sound judgement, and the rest will take care of itself.

# 29

[March 29, 2007 9:04 AM]

Lynn

Why fire Trijbal? That would make all of the people complaining about the paper, the column, their rights taken away, their privacy, etc., have to deal with something else in their own life. This way they get to focus on continuing to blast at the RT and Trijbal.

# 30

[March 29, 2007 12:15 PM]

TJ

I am in the database, I am still livid that it was published in a searchable format. For that, I blame the Roanoke Times. The paper's "apology" was half-hearted at best and should have addressed the heart and soul of reader complaints.

Do I think Christian Trejbal should be fired? To be completely honest, I don't know. Part of me is screaming for him to be fired, but part of me thinks its his "right" to be an idiot and should he be punished for that? That's up to the publishers and owners of the paper to decide. To be honest, and this is going to be a strange point of view here, we should probably thank him for showing us some of the glaring holes in the VA FOIA law. If nothing else, he generated a lot of discussion and deep thinking about what information needs to be kept private. Of course, this goes in the complete opposite direction of what he was trying to do (have EVERYTHING in the open). However, as he has proven again and again he doesn't think things through and can enjoy the consequences of his actions.

So, in short, thank you Mr. Trejbal for your enlightening column on Sunshine Week. Your actions have exposed a glaring shortcoming in the VA FOIA law and has identified an additional exemption to put into the law come the next General Session.

v/r,

TJ Parmele Alexandria, VA