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It's here !
First issue of the "Free Press
Advocate" rolled off the
presses September 10th, as promised. Enthusiastic readers
say that the
40,000 first-run will be snapped up quickly.
The editorial: "A new day, a familiar call to arms", of this
first issue of the "FREE PRESS ADVOCATE", was quick to draw
significance of the September 10th timing of its press run, compared to
events of 65 years ago.
Prime Minister MacKenzie King ---65 years ago, to the day--- made
his famous call to arms against the Second World War threat to
freedom and democracy. He stated:
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"There is no home in Canada, no
family, and no individual whose fortunes and freedom are
not bound up in the present struggle. I appeal to my
fellow Canadians to unite in a national effort to save
from destruction all that makes life itself worth
living, and to preserve for future generations those
liberties and institutions which others have bequeathed
to us."
-Prime Minister Mackenzie
King, Ottawa, September 10, 1939
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The editorial points out that,
while this time the enemy is within,
it is no less threat to our democratic values, and way of life. It
concludes, "Like the previous generation, we have been dealt a
conflict we neither sought nor initiated. Like them, we accept that
some things are worth fighting for. And, like them, let us commit
for the duration. Let our legacy be that we didn't shy away from the
call. We owe our kids that much. And theirs. ...Step forward
with us. It'll will be quite a ride..."
The back page interview of former
Liberal Federal Agriculture
Minister, The Honourable Eugene Whelan, by Free Press Advocate
correspondent Sarah Trant is outstanding. Here are a few excerpts:
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"Whelan's beef
is a big one: He's simply not prepared to sit idly by
and see the values that built 'this great country of
ours' be eroded 'by a bunch of what I'd call little
despots.'"
..."That's what's
happening to us, you know. Democracy is all but dead and
it's taking common sense and decency with it."
..."I find it
unbelievable. We've forgotten our roots. ...When we
forget our roots and turn our backs on rural culture,
which is the backbone of this nation, when we give up on
the people who are responsible for putting food on
Canadians' tables, then we stand in grave danger of
seeing our country come apart."
..."Today's
top-down government style is putting our great country,
and particularly this province, on a very slippery
slope.
I think it's important for the rural voice to
be heard.
I believe that there are still people out
there who think that too.
What is needed is for rural
Ontario to speak out -- loud and clear and with a single
voice.
The Free Press Advocate may be the way.
I hope
so.
I support it wholeheartedly.
And I wish it all the
luck in the world."
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Free Press
Advocate Editor, Doug Clark, has informed the Rural
Council that rave reviews of this first edition are beginning to pour in. However, in all modesty, he
claims that it was a group effort, and that it all came together
because of the help of many individuals throughout the province
---for which he is most thankful. "THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING!",
asserts an excited Mr.
Clark.
The Rural Council urges all
interested citizens
to support the newspaper with a one year subscription ($50.00),
which will extend to December of 2005, guaranteeing you will never
miss a printing. This will also allow the paper to add more pages,
and to print more newspapers per issue, while advertisers increase
in number.
If you believe in the democratic
values, espoused by the Free Press Advocate, and wish to
support these same values --through one unified voice-- then there
is no better way to do it, than with a subscription.
►Sept.16-2004
Ottawa
Valley News reports on provincial newspaper's debut
►Sept.19-2004
OTTAWA SUN reports, provincewide voice of rurals just got louder
Earlier stories:
►Aug.14 -2004:
“Free Press Advocate” readying to go to
press
►July 12 -2004:
The "Free Press
Advocate" ...refreshing new voice for democracy
Meet FREE
PRESS ADVOCATE Editor, Doug Clark
Website of the FREE
PRESS ADVOCATE
First issue is FREE - (viewable
on-line as a pdf file)
Also gives advertising and subscription information.
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