NLA Discussion: Public Forum

[Paul Clay]

> Thus I did not wish to be quoted.
>He said that the internet was "public domain" and he could quote my message
>if he wished. I asked for a change in the wording of the message and he
>would not agree.  I suspect he is legally correct. This raises an important
>issue for a policy listserv where people freely express their opinions.  If
>it is true that in posting a message we are "going public", how can we
>express ourselves from the heart?  How can public officials participate if
>they know they are automatically "on record?"  In any case, members on the
>list should know the situation.

Perhaps you could contact the editor to "head-off" the story and enthusiasm
of the reporter.  If not, you could make it clear to the editor that using
you as a source will impact the material posted here and/or will lose the
support of your office to this publication.

Paul