This just in from Radley Balko (freelance reporter who recently got 'ink' on FoxNews website... what have you started here, Don? Thanks!) Please pass this around wherever appropriate. Print out a copy or two if you have non net-connected friends who might be able to help.
Thanks, ya'll!
Greetings all.
I have some good news. Reason magazine has agreed to give me 3,000 words
in its August issue to go after Straight, the Semblers, and the drug war.
Reason is probably the most respected and widely circulated libertarian
magazine around. It's on the rack at every major national bookstore chain,
and it's read by a pretty influential crowd.
Here's the scoop: I really need your help. I need you to spread the word
for alumni of Straight, The Seed, and their offspring to send me accounts
of anything and everything they can remember. Dates are very important, as
is the city of the facility they were enrolled in. Details are important.
Names of people they served with, of their "oldcomer" mentors, any adult
staff, foster families, etc. Send it all.
I also need copies of all the written documentation you or any alumni can
get your hands on. Whatever you have, send me a copy. Hospital/emergency
room records, enrollment forms, cancelled checks to Straight -- anything
and everything. You can send them to me at my work address, which I've
included at the bottom of this message. If need be, I can reimburse you
for postage.
With a national distribution, a newstand magazine and 3,000 words, I think
we can make some people finally begin to feel very uncomfortable. But I
want this story to be absolutely airtight.
I'm going to call in a few chits when this thing goes to press -- we're
going to see if we can pitch to network producers, syndicated radio, and
syndicated columnists.
I don't want any email on this to get lost in other projects I'm working
on, so I set up a separate account for this story:
[email protected]Yes, I know -- sounds like I have sexual orientation issues. But it's easy
to remember.
Finally, check email frequently over the next month. I don't want to push
my current employer's patience by running up a long distance bill. So I'll
primarily communicate via email. My deadline is July 10.
Best,
Radley Balko
Cato Institute
1000 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001
(be sure to put any mailings to my attention)
