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Friday, Aug. 07, 2009

Tom Frazier: Don't shoot the messenger

Our forefathers were very perceptive when they framed the Constitution.

They created three branches of government, each with separate and distinct powers.

Then they gave us the First Amendment to the Constitution, which stipulates Freedom of the Press.

Thomas Jefferson made his feelings clearly known when he penned, "The basis of our government being the opinion of the people, the very first object should be to keep that right; and were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate for a moment to prefer the latter."

The press, mainly newspapers back then, thus became known the fourth estate, to keep an eye on government.

The same is true today -- both at national levels and yes, even local levels.

Joe Rivero, at last week's Atwater City Council meeting, chastised the Sun-Star for printing the story about racist e-mails. I think he meant that the e-mails containing the offensive "jokes" should not have been printed, but the story itself was acceptable.

He did not exactly say that.

Others have made it very clear on blogs or comments on stories. They blatantly blamed the Sun-Star for "dragging Atwater through national disgrace."

What's up with that?

I don't picture the publisher and editors of the Sun-Star rubbing their hands together like cartoon villains. Instead, I would suggest there was much discussion and verification before the story was printed.

I don't think I would want to be in the reporter's shoes, proving beyond a doubt that it was a legitimate story from a legitimate source.

Rumors have suggested that this whole fiasco was driven by Cal Fire -- trying to "get even" with Councilman Gary Frago. In case you don't follow Atwater politics, Frago has been very critical of Cal Fire's performance.

Suppose the rumors are true. Does that really change anything?

I'd like to see this episode fade into history, but I have a feeling that won't be the case.

Just like Watergate, the most notorious investigative reporting in our history, the paper should keep digging. That's not only their charter, but it's their responsibility to us, the readers.

We can't be everywhere. The media need to be our eyes and ears -- and keep us informed.

While I applaud the Sun-Star for doing its job -- and doing it right, I also slap their wrists for their treatment of Joe and Jeff Rivero.

Just as it was Mayor Joan Faul's right to come to the paper to impart her opinion, it is also their (both Riveros) right to remain silent.

And by the way, it's not "the Rivero brothers" or the "bobsie twins" as some bloggers have called them. They are two citizens who were elected who happen to be brothers.

Heck, I know some families where siblings belong to two different political parties.

Let's give Joe and Jeff a chance to be two individuals.

And please don't shoot the Sun Dog, I'm just the messenger.

Tom Frazier writes Sun Dog and can be reached at sundog@promessage.com.