Editorial

Saturday morning November 4, 2000.
wdbonner@pacbell.net

Good morning to all of you! Great morning lots of sunshine here! Grab a cup of your favorite brew and bear with Ol'wdb a couple of moments while I refresh your memory as to why this is a great day.

It is the day before national election day in the United States. And just in time to make those monumental decisions of who to trust to guide your country's powerful engines of economy, environment, and safe well being of all citizens. To know the issues and be prepared before you cast your ballot, be it absentee or at your local designated voting place. To vote `helter skelter' is a waste of your voting privilege. So take a few and read the issues in your voting packet; then make a list to shorten your time in the booth.

Many men and women have given their lives so you can have that privilege, (thousands and thousands); and millions more have fought beside them. Freedom is not easily won, don't waste it in total disregard because your plate is full now... To do so may cause an empty belly later. The rights we enjoy did not come on a silver platter, rather by the most devastating destruction free men could devise to stay free. Look forward to your privilege in casting your vote, it is the one that counts!!!

An excerpt from Darrell's requested submission in Letters to Editor

"Uhm, Warren, a friendly bit of advice for you, you might want to reconsider publishing "supermarket tabloid " articles like the one Mr. Grant sent you. It really makes Fidonet look cheap and sleazy, and heaven knows, Fidonet is in enough trouble as it is.

That's it Ol' WDB! Have a great day and keep up the good work!

Signed: The Region12 Nodelist Clerk!"

Editors note: Accepting your "friendly bit of advice", Darrell, and it is taken with reciprocal friendly feelings. However, how can I `accept' your article for publication and not put my other foot into the same sand box? Letters to the editor are just that, and if requested, this editor-pro-tem will print them as long as they are civil in language, and meet the MakeNews.exe's parameters.

My personal opinion has no place politically on ANYONE's message. I will not "tamper" with the content of a request, whether I like it or not. The content is the author's and not mine to change, if I find reason to believe it likely to be disruptive to the harmony of Fido, I will return it to sender for modification.

Also, in my opinion, contrary to your belief that it diminishes Fido to publish submitted letters of opinion; I think it gives voice to those who otherwise have no voice. That may be good for Fido... And it may bring many back to the table. To limit freedom of speech would be the death knell of fidonews.

JMHO
Ed