During the run up to election 2004 all of us here at the Daily Kos were very happy to hear that Crawford, Texas' local paper endorsed Crawford citizen Dubya Bush's opponent, John Kerry. We were amazed as we later found that the Iconoclast was being 'run out of Dodge' by right wing Iconoclast advertisers who were pulling their advertising dollars and trying to bankrupt the small paper. Well we helped rally some contributions and subscriptions and kept the presses rolling.
The blast to the past lies in the diaries of yesteryear listed here: AllorNothing's diary, tlh lib's diary, This one cuz it makes me laugh is by demchick, and MSOC's is here.
More below
This letter arrived in my email box on the 7th, so using fuzzy liberal math, it took me two weeks to check my email and open this little gift. The Iconoclast is still cranking out the truth and still suffering from the right wing boycott. We helped feed the machine to keep it up and running in 2004, we can help again. Don't do a thing if you can't afford the book or don't want it. Buying the book is a suggestion only.
From the Iconoclast:
Thank You, from the bottom of the birdcage.
The Lone Star Iconoclast staff wants to thank everyone who sent us words of encouragement during the days following publication of our endorsement editorial in 2004. The neo-cons came after us, fully loaded, and you helped us feel as though we weren't alone in the quest to bring truth to public discourse. Unfortunately, the editorial was prophetic in that many of the issues upon which we touched have evolved into a nightmare for our nation. (emphasis mine for those who helped spread this story back in the day)
We also want to introduce you to a book that our staff has written called "The Vigil -- 26 Days In Crawford, Texas."
The Iconoclast reported thoroughly on Cindy Sheehan's August 2005 visit to Central Texas. We have compiled details of this coverage, including play-by-plays, exclusive interviews, editorials, and our reporters' impressions of the history-making events into the 192-page book, published by The Disinformation Company, New York.
One reason we wrote "The Vigil" is because it is a textbook example of how a peaceful revolution can be started, from a detailed eyewitness point of view. The nuances, dangers, surprises, and strategies are revealed, as is the heartbreak that attaches itself to universal emotions on all sides of the issue of war.
What could have been another Kent State was capably handled by Texas peace officers, even when emotions reached their boiling point in the hot Texas sun. In Crawford, Sheehan gave birth to the first viable anti-war movement of the 21st century and jolted the mainstream media into again asking some tough questions.
"The Vigil" provides an interesting look at history in the making, as it happened.
The book sells for $9.95 per copy. It is available from Amazon and is in many bookstores. We ask that you consider buying copies for yourself, friends, and as a donation to your community library. This will help us immensely in defraying some of the costs of publishing the Iconoclast, which is still being boycotted in and around Crawford. Please feel free to forward this message to others whom you feel might be interested in the book.
The link to our book on the Amazon.com website (where you can also leave a review, if you wish) is: Amazon/Vigil
As for the newspaper, The Iconoclast continues to carry stories that might be hard to find elsewhere -- not to mention hard-hitting editorials and commentary. Please visit us frequently at The Iconoclast
Here's thanking you in advance for any help you can provide.
Respectfully,
W. Leon Smith
Publisher
The Iconoclast
The Iconoclast is a beacon in the night. And in 2004 when we needed the light it was shining its light our way by standing up to the bullies and operating with true journalistic integrity. More of that could be used at present.
To all the authors who referenced these stories back in 04 I am salute you and to those who weren't mentioned with a link, I apologize.
Due to the lag in posting from receipt of the letter please inform me if this has been diaried. I ran a search but maybe wasn't using right keywords.