Since I am blocked from a Blog, I will write my comment here in response to what some people label the "Mainstream Media."

Freedom of the press always meant that different forms of media, including radio, tv, newspapers and magazines could report the news to the American public without censorship. Obviously, even the most politically neutral reporter has a personality and will, therefore, add some flavor to the news with his/her editorials, comments and reactions to news stories. However, a good reporter should always tell the truth.

Throughout the past 6 years, sources that have disagreed with policies of the current administration have been labeled as being radically Liberal, pro-Democrat, or even the Clinton News Network. In fact, I've read on this board many times that "Fox is the only news worth watching." So what does that tell you about the person who wrote it? I just don't know how anything can be "fair and balanced" when it leans so far to the right, but it's certainly one source of information and I have watched it with an open mind.

I began to feel concerned about my freedom of information well before the new Military Commissions Acts was signed last week. Beginning in 2002, several reporters were fired from their jobs after protesting the invasion of Iraq. Some celebrities who questioned the President's decision were banned from appearing on some television and radio stations. If you questioned our position in Iraq, the events of 9-11 or WMD, you were called un-American, un-Patriotic, un-Christian...lots of "uns." The new self-indulgent "Christian" media asked its readers to support violence and aggression. Whatever happened to "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God?"

I don't know how many reports are censored every week before going to print or airing on television. There are many of them. Although we might never get the whole story, the only way to keep the news that reaches us fair, honest and ethical is to rely on a variety of independent sources and research groups. The Mainstream Media is about making sure that such diversity exists and that all points of view are heard. The day I get my news from only one place without analyzing and reviewing the facts from a variety of reliable sources is the day I pledge my allegiance to a dictator and I'm not ready to give up my freedom just yet.