William Duby

The American Spirit Newspaper is a grass roots effort by a few people to share their insights and opinions regarding the topics of interest to the American People. Fortunately, we live in a land that professes free speech. As long as the first amendment is upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court &emdash; the Land and the People stand a good chance of someday enjoying their life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. I believe that freedom is the essence of life. Freedom to express greatness by learning to tell it like you see it without fear of reprisal.

It was William O. Douglas (1898-1980), U.S. Supreme Court Justice who wrote in dissent of the Earl Caldwell case (1972): "The function of the press is to explore and investigate events, inform the people what is going on, and to expose the harmful as well as the good influences at work. There is no higher function performed under our constitutional regime....A reporter is no better than his source of information. Unless he has a privilege to withhold the identity of his source, he will be the victim of governmental intrigue or aggression. If he can be summoned to testify in secret before a grand jury, his sources will dry up and the attempted exposure, the effort to enlighten the public will be ended....

The intrusion of government into this domain is symptomatic of the disease of this society. As the years pass, the power of government becomes increasingly pervasive. It is power to suffocate both people and causes. Those in power, whatever their politics, want only to perpetuate it. Now that the fences of the law and the tradition that has protected it, are broken down, the people are the victims. The First Amendment, as I read it, was designed precisely to prevent that tragedy."

We, as a People, must come to understand that governments come and go but People will live on forever in the form of a family member designated by the Almighty to take over and stand in our place. Therefore, we must ensure that the empowerment of the People to arise in consciousness to help bring forth a better tomorrow can only help the world be a better place to live in spite of the appearing circumstances seeming negative today. Everyone should live as though they are living for another to benefit and prosper because of their life upon earth. Only in this attitude can the next generation learn to carry forth the upright attitude of a charitable heart.

The Press is a vital link in the uplifting of consciousness should it contribute in rewarding itself with demands of instilling American Ideals in its reporters. I feel it is my duty to share the best view I can regarding the subject of circumstance. Only by doing so can I feel satisfied that I am giving with the intent of sharing what needs to be said regardless whether certain elements in this society agree or disagree. Freedom of speech is something so precious that we should not waste a moment in downgrading what we already know needs upgrading for well being.

I hope that every reader of the American Spirit finds what they are looking for in the newspaper. It is our love offering to every American Citizen that has the power to enjoy the publication.