Let the Sun Shine In ...

WARNING: The following post contains material supplied by the "Mainstream Media." Proceed with caution, and use at your own peril ... unless you're already a debauched harlot of the MSM, like myself. Then, there's no harm done.

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The Associated Press Managing Editors Association encourages journalists to join the national Sunshine initiative for greater public access to government and information.

"Sunshine Sunday" and "Sunshine Week: Your Right to Know" kick off March 13, 2005, and continue through the following week.

Participating daily and weekly newspapers, magazines, online sites, and radio and television broadcasters will feature editorials, op-eds, editorial cartoons, and news and feature stories that drive public discussion about why open government is important to everyone, not just to journalists.

"We all have a stake in open government that responds to the needs and wishes of the people it serves," said APME President Deanna Sands, managing editor of the Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald. "That's the challenge and opportunity for citizens of a representative democracy. We must pay attention either through our own efforts or through those of skilled journalists who act as watchdogs. Sunshine Week is a way to remind us how important vigilance is."

Find out more about the initiative at:
http://www.apme.com/news/2004/121404sunshine.shtml

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While the invitation above is extended to those affiliated in some way or another with APME, it really is something of tremendous concern to ALL producers and consumers of news and information.

It is also of tremendous importance to any of you out there who might agree with me that citizens ought to break from the herd from time to time, to rear-up on their hind legs and ask questions of our governing bodies ... especially those questions they prefer to keep in the dark.