It appears that some officials really just don't get it. I don't understand why officials are trying to make the act change. What do they have to hide from us so bad that they don't want to share with us what they are discussing in public? If they're trying to hide something, maybe they shouldn't be the ones discussing what we should do for the state. If they are discussing "public" matter, then it shouldn't need to be behind closed doors. If the officials feel that this is violating their freedom of speech rights, maybe they should not be in one of the elected chairs. Because the Texas Open Meeting Act, which was approved in 1967, the elected officials know that they do NOT have the privilege to discuss "public" matters behind closed doors. Personally, I believe this is not interferring with their freedom of speech rights. They are not, and do not, have to discuss private matters in public. The only thing the act states is that they have to talk about public things in public all private matters can be behind closed doors. Like it is stated in this blog: "...they all volunteered for the public offices they hold," meaning any of them have the right to leave at any time.
Concluding, I can agree that if the officials elected do not want to discuss public matters in public, they need to resign.
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ReplyDeleteShelby has brought up a great point about the Texas Open Meeting Act being violated by our government officials. This law was formed so that all citizen can be equally and fairly informed of our state and nations actions. "We the people" is the first the line of our Constitution and with Texas being a state of America we must abide by this. If we are uniformed how are we supposed to make the right decisions for the well being of our state?
ReplyDeleteAs Shelby has stated in her above post, there are a times the public is not allowed to hear the discussion which are considered "private matters." These consist of the purchase of property, security measures, economic development, personal matters, and homeland security. Some of the "personal matters" seem to involve the citizen of this state directly. I do not understand why they believe we are interfering with their freedom of speech, quite frankly I see it more as they are interfering with our rights as citizens. This is a wide range of topics that are protected by the law that they can legally discuss without informing us. What else do they “need” to keep so secret?
The freedom of speech is a human right of all Americans, and cannot be taken away. I know that some government officials don't want us to hear what they have to say because they may lose followers or possibly the respect of the state or nation, but they are FREE to say whatever they want. Having to address public issues in the public eye is not a loss of freedom., it is a way to make sure that we are not being left out of the loop on important matters of our state. Officials are trying to get around the Texas Open Meeting Act by manipulating its people into believing that they aren’t discussing anything that is against written lay, but I beg to differ. If it isn’t a big deal than just talk about it in public. Shelby quoted that they all volunteered for this position and that is 100% accurate. Don't sign up for the job if you don't want to follow the rules.
Over all I think Shelby’s post was an eye-opening one. Many people disregard the manipulation of the government and put it off as no big deal, but it is a big deal. Talking behind closed doors is how corruption in formed. Bringing this to everyone’s attention is crucial in protecting OUR RIGHTS as citizens. Don’t let the government put the blindfold on your eyes. We have the right to know what is being discussed.