Do you want Liberty County to be the kind of place where not only unpopular opinions, but unpopular facts can be shouted down? Do you want it to be the kind of place where people are afraid to speak up for what they believe is right for fear of the backlash they anticipate, including the threat of physical violence?
I ask because that is exactly the kind of place Liberty County is right now. Since launching Hoots & Howling Madness last March, I have had a number of people decline to send in their own pieces for The Backtalk page, fearing the hate they expect to be directed at them for merely expressing their opinions.
If you want to live in a functioning democracy, where you have access to facts, and where you are yourself free to speak your mind, then you must support those who are willing to speak up. Go with them to the city council and school board meetings. Express your agreement. If you do not agree, at least defend their right to speak. When you see a name you know on a letter to the editor, send that person an email with a few encouraging remarks. Don’t force anyone who speaks out to go it alone.
Support independent local journalism, too. Besides trying to earn a living and get a new business up and going, part of my reason for starting Hoots & Howling Madness is to help make Liberty County a place where there is nothing to fear from speaking your mind, a place where the truth can be told and not shouted down.
I dislike asking for money. I have trouble doing so even when I’ve earned it. But Hoots & Howling Madness needs more time to grow, more time than my own resources can give it. First, I ask that you subscribe because it’s a good read. Once you’ve subscribed, I ask that you consider making a donation of whatever you think it’s worth. I want this journal to grow and become a real force for good in Liberty County. I want it to be a local institution that will survive me. Please help if you can.
Hoots & Howling Madness 