The World Wide Web has freed people from the shackles of the Fourth Estate. Every man, woman and child with an idea or an opinion on something can now publish it to the world free of media filtering. Contrary to what the control freaks say, this is a good thing.

This is not to say that the world wouldn't be better off without some of the stuff on the Internet. And some will no doubt say this site belongs in that category. But it is our hope that folks will find this site either intriguing, entertaining, informative, inspirational, challenging, or useful. If we're lucky, some will find it to be all of the above. It's inevitable that some will find it to be none of the above.

Nevertheless, here we are! We'll try to scoop the local news media when possible and report the "rest of the story" when it's not. We'll present all sorts of material: straight news, features, meet-your-neighbor pieces, sports, satire, humor, essays and so on. Unlike the traditional media, we admit up front that our reporting will be slanted. Of course, we think all reporting is slanted, and we take a good deal of pride in our biases.

Let us hasten to emphasize that we'll have plenty of opinions and editorials. We will provide a FORUM in which you can write and read about mostly anything. We will try to keep a Message Board running [The Green Screen we call it] where visitors, without having to identify themselves unless they choose to, can exchange opinions on the news and issues that are important to them.

The Green Screen, however, should not be used for senseless chatter of little to no value to the wider audience. Here's a good rule of thumb: if a large number of people do not know what the hell you're talking about or clearly have no interest in the issue you are beating to death it doesn't belong on the Green Screen. Use the telephone, e-mail, instant messengers or one of the many message boards around that cater to the infantile if you want to carry on private conversations or play with one another. The Green Screen is primarily a place for you to editorialize or opine about virtually any subject of general interest. "Of general interest" is the key.

We cannot vouch for the truth of the stuff that appears on the Green Screen , however, and would remind you that some language and content is prohibited. (See Boardhost's Usage Terms at the bottom of the Green Screen AND our guidelines elsewhere on the site.) No need to elaborate further on this. I am the judge and jury and Chief Whacker there, and you will just have to live with that or go somewhere else to waste your time. In short, we do not seek the truth here so much as your version of it.

Finally, we will be trying to sell stuff to help pay the bills, including advertising. If you are interested, click on the "ad info" link on the home page or the "Buy Ad " link at the top of the Green Screen . That will take you to a page where you will find the particulars. If you have no need to advertise but still want to help with expenses, we will even accept a few dollars in the mail. No evidence more convincing of your support than a check in the mail! We even accept credit cards via the PayPal service.

So if the place is worth anything to you, send us a buck or two. Or place an ad with us. If you cannot bring yourself to doing any of that, fair enough! You are just as welcome as anybody else. For there is one thing for certain: no amount of money can buy our favor or the lack of it lose it! Your presence here is honor enough.

David B. Shields
Editor-Publisher