Last Best Hope? Date: Thu, 4 Oct 2007 17:31:11 -0400 (EDT)


October 4, 2007 Dear Common Dreamer, Writing for CommonDreams.org this week, historian and social commentator Mark Klempner, says: "I consider the Internet to be one of the world's great wonders. And also America's last hope for a free press." No argument here. For the past decade, CommonDreams.org has harnessed the power of this 'great wonder' to inform and inspire, to motivate progressives like you to stand up for human rights. To speak out against unjust wars. To hold our leaders accountable on everything from global warming to illegal wiretapping to freedom of speech. We've provided a sane alternative to the media giants who have sold ordinary citizens like us down the river – the huge conglomeraates who have chosen lucrative advertising contracts over truth and fairness in reporting. We've brought you the best news and progressive opinions money can't buy. How is that possible? Because you, our readers, have always come through. Today, I'm asking for your help again. Can you pitch in to help CommonDreams.org through another quarter? CommonDreams.org brings you inspiring stories of successful grassroots activism from small-town newspapers . . . and the insightful analysis of reporters in the US, and from around the world, including the UK, the Mideast and more. We publish the work of some of the world's brightest visionaries and most courageous advocates for change . . . along with the heartfelt sentiments and piercing commentary of lesser-known, 'regular folks' whose inspirational words and creative ideas might otherwise have gone unheard. And we do it 365 days a year. We love what we do here. But as we grow and extend our reach, our expenses also continue to grow. Many of you write to tell us how reader-friendly CommonDreams.org is, how the site's uncluttered style makes it easy for you to find the articles that interest you most. No scrolling through distracting advertising images and messages. We want to keep it that way. Klempner ends his latest commentary on this hopeful note: "One household at a time, we'll escape the grasp of the Rupert Murdochs of this world . . . ." Corporate media may be able to outspend us, but together we can – and must – out-shout and outwit them. > Can you help? One household, one donation at a time? Please take a minute to think about how much reading CommonDreams.org is worth to you, and contribute what you can. We value every donation - large and small. You can make your secure, tax-deductible online donation right now here. Or, you can print our donation form and mail it back to us with a check here. Thanks so much. We can't do it without you. With thanks and hope, Katherine Paul for the CommonDreams.org team P.S. Does your employer have a matching gifts program? Please ask! A matching gift from the company you work for will make your contribution twice as valuable! All contributions to Common Dreams, a 501(c)(3) organization, are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
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