EMSNetwork News note: What started the controversy- This reply by Sen. Dave Aronberg is in response to this article and return comments

I respectfully disagree with your editorial against my bill to keep private the home addresses and phone numbers of paramedics and EMTs.

Your newspaper says that such attempts will be "futile" because of the Internet. By that logic, however, no sensitive information should ever remain private. Social Security numbers are often available on the Internet. Does that mean that the state should publicize those as well? (We used to do so, but fortunately not anymore.) The Internet should not give government an automatic license to disseminate all of our personal information, even if it is available elsewhere.

In addition, your editorial minimizes the real threat of gangs. The editorial mocks the thought of a "gangbanger" making a public-records request to retaliate against the EMT who treats a rival gang member. But gangs today are closer to organized crime than Bennie and the Jets. Today's gangs have networks that stretch into private businesses and government agencies. The girlfriend of that gangbanger can be the young person who inputs your personal data at your insurance agency or government office.

It may indeed be inevitable that a determined person seeking our personal information will eventually get it, but the state doesn't always have to make it so easy.

SEN. DAVE ARONBERG
Tallahassee