This is a fascinating time indeed.

We continue to live during a time when the link between cause and effect is increasingly reversed. When media believes their job is to report only information that will lead to their version of a better world the result will be exactly the opposite.

Democracy cannot survive without robust, respectful debate. Robust, respectful debate is impotent if media outlets filter everything through their lens of acceptability.

Part of the solution may be to begin to ignore the "mass media" and start to embrace the kind of local debate and dialogue that used to happen during town meeting day. It's much harder to silence and shame your next door neighbor for something you disagree on when you still have to return the chainsaw you borrowed.

As always, another stellar essay from Monica Harris! Thank you!!!