[jwalsh07]

This is really none of my business and I see no reason for the state to be opening records of private citizens against their wishes. Even idiot private citizens.

[Alberta's Child]

The day you go the state for formal recognition of your marriage (and/or formal recognition of the end of your marriage) is the day you lose any claim on protection of your privacy.

Think about it: The one good thing about Massachusetts' recognition of "gay marriage" is that we may one day have the pleasure of suing to have Barney Franks' divorce records unsealed.

[RightthinkinAmerican]

If Ryan's records were their business, this is our business. Fire with fire. Dirty bastards ruin Ryan and now they want to get sanctimonious.

[Labyrinthos]

This is really none of my business and I see no reason for the state to be opening records of private citizens against their wishes. Even idiot private citizens.

The bigger question is why were the record sealed in the first place? Except for matters dealing with child custody, in most states divorce records are open to the public unless sealed by the court for compelling reasons.

[G.Mason]

"This is really none of my business and I see no reason for the state to be opening records of private citizens against their wishes. Even idiot private citizens."

I believe, should you check, parts, or all, of divorce records are public information.

At least those parts of a divorce that are litigated before a judge.

You may not wish to be aware of the information, as it may, or may not, relate to a candidate for public office, but I dare say there are others that do.

[rvoitier]

But Kerry is not a private citizen. He's a public servant and could be one who governs us all.

[sarasota]

The public has a right to know in the case of political figures. Ryan/Illinois has had to cough up his records.

[night reader]

This is really none of my business and I see no reason for the state to be opening records of private citizens against their wishes. Even idiot private citizens.

Even private citizens who aspire to become public citizens?

[cinFLA]

This is really none of my business and I see no reason for the state to be opening records of private citizens against their wishes. Even idiot private citizens.

Divorce records are normally public records open to public review.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

This is really none of my business

1. if the documents reveal character flaws that reflect on Kerry's fitness for office, why wouldn't it be your business?
2. civil marriage is an act of the state. Why should those records be sealed any more than someone's criminal records - like W's old DWI?

[night reader]

This is really none of my business and I see no reason for the state to be opening records of private citizens against their wishes. Even idiot private citizens.

Even private citizens who aspire to become public citizens?

[Froggie]

This is not their private business - when it gets to divorce court it becomes a public record just as is every arrest record, etc !! I could be sealed by court order for compelling reasons, but the Ryan case opened this can of worms and now Kerry will likely have to eat those worms unlesss he can convince (bribe?) a willing "non-partisan" judge.

[Bush2000]

This is really none of my business and I see no reason for the state to be opening records of private citizens against their wishes. Even idiot private citizens.

Nah. In my opinion, court records should never be sealed except for juveniles. They're a legitimate part of the public record.