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Tom Kearney
Member since May 8, 2015
Recent Comments
Re: “Courting Disaster: An Erosion of Press Protections in Vermont”
Paul Heintz is absolutely right about the need for a shield law. Once, it appeared preferable to rely on the broad reach of the First Amendment to protect press rights, rather than seek a shield law that could be subject to political whims. But, decision by decision, the right of reporters to gather information without fear of becoming agents of the prosecution — or the defense — became badly eroded. Now, the only solution seems to be a shield law to protect the role of a free and independent press, which is a cornerstone of democracy.
Posted by
Tom Kearney
on 06/22/2016 at 5:00 PM
Re: “Vermont ACLU Leader Allen Gilbert to Step Down”
Allen Gilbert has done an extraordinary job in tracking First Amendment issues and defending the public's right to know and to attend meetings of public bodies. Vermont's laws on public records and open meetings are a rat's next, and Allen has spent years trying to untangle it. Bless him.
Posted by
Tom Kearney
on 02/29/2016 at 7:17 PM
Re: “St. Mike's J-School Gives Away Books; Chaos Does Not Ensue”
Love the book about editing by Baskette and Sissors, two vital pieces of equipment before, oh, 1972.
Posted by
Tom Kearney
on 05/08/2015 at 12:21 PM
Re: “Despite Controversy, Burlington Principal Plans to Vet Student Newspaper Stories”
Hippocracy? You thinking of the Hippocratic oath, maybe?
The BHS principal is no more qualified to make journalistic decisions than I am to teach calculus. This is censorship, pure and simple, in violation of a state law his students helped to pass. The principal is a dope.