Do we have the right to know?

The linked article, Greg Abbott: Anti-terrorism efforts sometimes trump the public's right to know, was written by Greg Abbott and published on July 13, 2014 in the El Paso Times.  The target audience is the citizens of Texas. The article’s argument lies in the Texas Homeland Security Act of 2003 where it was determined that the location of stockpiled dangerous chemicals/fertilizer should be disclosed to the Texas Department of State Health services and the local fire department but should not be available to the general public.  The reasoning is so the information does not fall into the wrong hands, i.e., terrorists, who could acquire the chemicals, make bombs, and retaliate such as the Oklahoma City Bombing of 1995. The article is clearly trying to justify why it is not the general public’s business to know where these items might be stored. Only those living in communities near chemical storage facilities can access this information directly from the storage facility storing the chemicals or with an online search after entering a zip code. Mr. Abbott is also proposing this information be available at local fire departments for immediately access.   I agree with Mr. Abbot and the rules behind the Texas Homeland Security. If the chemicals pose no immediate danger to me, why should I or any random person need to know about what is being stored and how much?  I think Mr. Abbot’s article of “clearing the air” about a sometimes misunderstood topic.  It comes at an interesting time as he runs for Texas Governor.    In my opinion, it is written on the “proactive” side, possibly to head off any issues as we approach the 2014 election. Take a read and see if you view the article the way I did.