The EASTON GAZETTE thanks all of those who fought and sacrificed for the FREEDOM we have in our country, not the least of which is FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. Without that freedom, there would be no opportunity to share our thoughts, opinions, and beliefs.
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Some people think this is divisive. They would prefer we sit quietly in our homes and keep our thoughts to ourselves.
We had someone write us the other day and question WHY we would write an article disputing something that was said in a recent town meeting. Here is what this person wrote:
Pity the poor resident who dares to publically opine something that you disagree with. Can he or she now expect a 1500 + word rebuttal, complete with the almost obligatory complaints about prior town managers, Commissioners and town projects.
The person then called us "divisive."
Our response? Dismantling a person’s argument, point by point, with facts and proof, is a necessary part of healthy debate. It's also important to cite prior events that show a contrast between what is happening now versus what happened in the past. It's the whole "those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it" idea. As for debate causing division, if showing the flaws in someone’s arguments is division then perhaps no one should ever debate anything.
We take for granted that open debate is often passionate, argumentative and messy. It is also hard work and not always pleasant for everyone.
We respect the person who challenged us. That is their right. We also reserve that right to challenge someone. We do it out in the open, not via special list driven emails or private affairs and meetings. We publish online, sign our name, instead of using some silly made-up pseudonym or anonymous handle.
We don't threaten others or say things that aren't true. In fact, we work hard to find accuracy. Anything else is nothing more than background noise in any argument.
Our forefathers knew what it was like to have a tyrannical government/society that forced them to resort to clandestine speech measures. That's why they put this amendment first:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
They didn't want to operate in secret anymore.
The EASTON GAZETTE will continue to challenge what is said with facts, opinions, and sometimes humor.
People don't always like that. That's okay. The Founders didn't espouse free speech that everyone agrees with. They wanted FREE SPEECH and DEBATE. Period.
THE EASTON GAZZETTE is a local news outlet under CD Media. Our small outlet doesn't have a staff of writers and/or contributors. Sometimes we get stretched thin. But, it is our mission is to give an outlet to people in our small town/area who are tired of being shut down and shut out because their thoughts and ideas didn't match those of other news outlets.
That sometimes comes at a personal cost to us, but we take that mission seriously will continue to strive every day to meet it!
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE AND FREEDOM DAY!
