May 1, 2008
Your Hub: As American as Freedom of the Press
By Stan Dyer
Who could not love America? It is the Great Experiment, the Modern Republic, and the bastion of Western Democracy. Sure, it is far from perfect, but therein lays its perfection. It is a perfection arising from Constitutional Freedoms. Although it is just one of many freedoms, the freedom of speech as represented by Freedom of the Press stands alone. Nothing in today's society allows access to this freedom better than Your Hub. In this election year when people focus more on the wheels of Democracy, explore your own freedom of the press and explore Your Hub. Few things in modern society are more American and few things in modern society have such deep roots in history.
One of our greatest founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin, cut his teeth in the business world working a printing press at a newspaper. Later, when a fledgling Democracy debated how best to move forward, Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson squared off in rival newspapers to voice their opinions. Before computers, before text messaging, before CNN and even before typewriters, there were newspapers. When people had things to say, when people wanted to know what was going on, and when people needed to communicate, they looked to the newspapers for those links. Even in today's high tech society, newspapers remain a major source of information and an accessible medium of expression. Your Hub makes newspapers more accessible now than ever.
At Your Hub, Freedom of the Press comes alive. Anyone with access to a computer can voice an opinion on any subject. Sure, the rules of civility, mutual respect and courtesy apply, but, beyond that, writers are free to choose their subjects, express their points of view and allow their voices to be heard. Every article that anyone takes the time to write is posted there at the website for the Universe to read. It does not matter if your opinion is popular, or even if your spelling and grammar are proficient; if you write it, you can post it. Readers also have instant access to comment and respond to postings using the same rules of civility. I do not know why more people do not take advantage of the opportunity, but you can get started today, and you need neither a story nor a computer.
Right now, this minute, take a piece of paper and write the following:
Dear Editor:
Thank you for the Your Hub section I read weekly. It is a wonderful means of expression in the spirit of the founding fathers.
Sincerely,
(Sign your own name)
That is all you need, but if you want to use your own words and write your own story, go ahead. It is OK to exercise your own Freedom of Speech. Thomas Jefferson would have done it, Alexander Hamilton would have told him he was wrong, and Benjamin Franklin would have been willing to print both sides of the issue. Mail your letter to: Editor, The Denver News Agency, 101 W. Colfax Avenue, Denver, Colorado, 80202-5177
If you are on-line or if you have internet access, steer your computer to YourHub.com, find your hub, (or any one that suits your sense of freedom), and send either a similar message to the "hub host" or write your own article. Even if all you want to do is to tell me what a "you-know-what" I am, I applaud both your freedom and your willingness to use it. Better yet, direct your email to
ourreaders@denverpost.com ,
ourreaders@rockymountainnews.com, or, go right to the top and editor Gregory Moore,
gmoore@denverpost.com. These people value your opinions and they want to know that you truly are paying attention. Join me and get the word out.
When it comes to history and tradition in America, few things speak as loudly as Freedom of the Press. When it comes to Freedom of the Press, few venues have the power and voice of Your Hub, but the power comes from the people who use it. In this election year, and any time at all, use your power, use your freedom and use Your Hub. What could be more American?