Comments on: Telephone Records and FOIA

By: Steve Plunk

Steve Plunk — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 15:41:29 +0000

In this case the university needs watching as well. If you are going to pay these guys millions and allow recruiting violations (as some schools do) there needs to be an outside watchdog to keep an eye on things. I wouldn't trust the school to investigate or report on it openly.

Schmoes of the street can be pretty smart and have the public interest at heart.

By: Bithead

Bithead — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 14:58:05 +0000

Still, it's being paid for with tax money.... and the openess of reporting is the idea behind the existing law. I'm not sure that's a bad thing, frankly. I make no judgements about the policy, I'm simply suggesting that's the jist of the policy. Now it'd be even more entertaining, if such openess applied to, say, the lawmakers.... as in Congress. Of course, it does not.

By: David Harris

David Harris — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 13:19:20 +0000

Have to agree with Dr. Joyner here. If there is rumor of impropriety, the school administration should be reviewing phone and text records, not the public at large.

By: James Joyner

James Joyner — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 13:00:18 +0000

Presuming the cell is being paid for by the university, so what? It's not being provided solely for official business but as a perk of a executive level job. He likely gets a free car, a free house, and all manner of other non-salary compensation as well. That doesn't give the public the right to his trip itineraries or to snoop around his house to see what he's up to.

By: talboito

talboito — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 06:37:58 +0000

From what I've heard, it was a University cell phone. The public does have the right to know what sort of calls its paying for.

By: Dave Schuler

Dave Schuler — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 03:05:18 +0000

Was the phone supplied through work?