Since the abrupt resignation of Democrat Jim Jacks as representative of Washington’s 49th legislative district on March 25, it has become almost as if he never existed. A total blackout on word about him suddenly quitting immediately went up.

His website was scrubbed and his name removed from the roster even before word of the sudden abandonment of constituents was made public. Speculation on the ‘why’ was heavily discouraged in the comments section of the local paper, the Columbian.

Two requests for public records that might shed some light on his rapid exit were rejected with the notice of, “Your request makes assumptions about both the existence of records and our ability to provide them. Without commenting on the existence of any such records, I should point out that this request encompasses records which are not public records as defined by state law.”

Supporters of Jacks maintain that now that he is a “private citizen,” anything he may have done is “off limits” to the public. Wrong! Whatever it was that happened to bring about the abrupt quitting of a seat he was just reelected to, happened while a public official. Emphasis on the PUBLIC.

The Columbian’s Lou Brancaccio tried to spank me and others for seeking the truth on Jack’s abruptly quitting with his April 9, 2011 column, One’s history will never be forgotten when it comes to the public which served to fuel speculation even more.

Lou’s column today, What’s going on with former Rep. Jim Jacks? which seems more like an effort to feed a minimal amount of information to sweep it all under the rug with an admission from Jacks of “I resigned because I’m an alcoholic,” clears up nothing as explanation of why we in the 49th were abandoned in the midst of the legislative session by who recently won the seat.

While I hope is receiving treatment for the disease, part of it is to admit what you did while drinking and make efforts at amends. That means admitting to your inappropriate behavior while under the influence of alcohol. While what Jacks does today is as a private citizen, what he did before was as an elected official and supposedly on behalf of all of us in the 49th district. That’s one pitfall of becoming a PUBLIC official.

Lou gives a little teaser in today’s column of “Jacks’ exclusive interview continues in another Press Talk column only in The Columbian print edition” Sunday.

I’m sure I’m not the only person looking forward to what will be said tomorrow and yes, I’ll break down and actually buy a copy of the paper.

But I’ll also say more efforts at a whitewash will not work.

The paper has had no problem in the past blasting and exposing every little lurid detail when a Republican is caught in scandalous or inappropriate behavior.

They have already shown their unwillingness to apply the same standard to Democrat Jim Jacks.

The admission by Jacks of being an Alcoholic is a good first step for him in recovery.

An admission from the Columbian of their application of double standards in coverage between the elected officials of the parties might be a good first step in their own recovery.

When PUBLIC elected officials have to abruptly quit their position, the public has a right to know why, whether they are Democrat or Republican.

I will follow this up after seeing what is said in tomorrow’s column.