Access to Government Emails

[Wilbur]

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectID=13&articleID=20080316_1_A10_JRAss46672

Surely we can find a happy medium here.  Before the government can gain access to your email, they need a search warrant issued by a judge and demonstrate who/what/why..... to comply with the 4th amendment.  

I'm all for open government, but surely people/press need more then 'right to know' before going on a fishing expedition, which certainly is way outside the 4th amendment.

Who here is perfect in everything they do related to email?  Who here wants the media to have free access to all their email accounts, reading every message they send and receive, then drag your name through the mud for being human?

I'll admit the cases cited in the article needed exposure, but even I would be against the Tulsa World requesting every email in the Mayor's Office being open (they'll never have the guts to make that request).

[CoffeeBean]

Why should e-communication by elected officials be treated any differently?

If an e-communication is transmitted via a public system, paid for and supported by public funds, the communication is riding on the backs of taxpayers.  

Regardless of the subject matter, be it public or purely private, shouldn't the public have a right to know the number and type of taxpayer supported communications?    

One might argue that private communications on public systems enjoy even less protection since they lack any rational or legitimate connection to any public concern.  

To use Eliot Spitzer as an example, if he comunicated with a hooker via state supported email - it's a purely private comunication, but certainly a communication of interest to the general public.

Furthermore, elected officials are the employees of we the people.  Employees have no expectation of privacy in their communications on employer sponsored systems.  Why should elected officials be treated any differently?  Of course exceptions must be made for certain law enforcement records, or records to prevent disclosure of certain financial dealings, but generally speaking, these are our records.    

Bottom line - if you're an elected official, don't abuse the trust vested in you by the public, and don't be surprised when the public comes calling for your emails.