We root for our favorite sports teams. We get to know the names on the roster. But what do we really know? Some of their lives are none of our business. Other parts of the personalities, that become public, are out there for scutinizing.
The media, professional and amateur, seek out information for the endless commentary shows to which we are all drawn. Human nature has common denominators! Dissecting someone's life has always been with us. Who is the most famous person in history? He only had a public life for three years.
When one of my life decisions became public, I decided to remain public. No doors to hide behind. Kudos to the parents in my former school district to ask questions at a public board meeting! Most did not believe what was told at an invitation only, private meeting. I addressed their concerns at a public microphone, editorials and my book.
I use my experience to lay the foundation of many of my posts. Random reasons to read may confuse some who do not know anything about me.
There is a method to my "madness", righteous anger being one motivating factor and education.
So why the title of this blog?
Unless, a rock is your roof, or you live in the sand, the media of all types and persuations are covering the recent trial in Texas of a defendent found guilty of murder, by a jury. The decision is controversial, but legally based on Texas law.
The controversary, in my opionion, is contrived.
In a trial, witnesses get called. Evidently, FERPA. (see previous posts) came into play in order to call student witnesses.
To educators and parents, I am not sure why FERPA, in this case, came into play. School is a public setting. Behavior on public property is public. School settings have special rules for access, but not a right to personal privacy. Why didn't the police get witness names at the time of the stabbing? Why wasn't the setting locked down? The suspect ran. Why didn't the response team treat the setting, the whole field, as a crime scene? Did they? Gag orders strangle the truth.
If you question the fact that school property is a public setting just think about how many students post videos on line of school classrooms, legally.
Why was FERPA, per the link below, needed to call witnesses?
I have questions that may never be answered.
It is a school setting once again that has made national news for a murder. FERPA does not protect public behavior. The letter sent to the parents in Frisco, Texas is listed in this link. It involves FERPA.
I am thankful for the media who ask questions. That gag order should have us all question, why. And no cameras, in this courtroom, for this murder trial, protected whom?
I will be posting links to pundits and news reporters at some point related to this trial.
The defendent is appealing. I hope there are civil cases with no NDA because some are, and have been, race baiting for publicity.
Per other posts, I am still working on posts related to the medical field's obligation to report.
Stay tuned.
Marian R. Carlino
June 11, 2026