Newspaper Tree Needs Our Support

Was nice to see a couple columns on Newspaper Tree's site yesterday. it's been awful quiet lately and now we know why.

Unfortunately, a great alternative to the El Paso Times has folded to the pressure of our economic times and it is a sad day of many in El Paso and also our sister city of Ciudad Juarez.

Sito Negron and David Crowder, among others, brought a smart and professional paper to the forefront of online papers and was a meeting site for many here in our region.

The two were at the forefront of investigative reporting in a time where no other papers in our region have time/money/commitment for follow-through.

The Newspaper Tree celebrated everything El Pasoan, Mexican and American- I guess you could say they were pro human rights. They kept the spotlight on Juarez and its many untold stories of struggle, El Paso's own struggles in keeping its autonomy as a border city but reminding everyone we are part of the U.S. and not just a dusty old Western town overtaken by tumbleweeds and they also shined the spotlight on free thinking Americans. They welcomed bloggers with all their different viewpoints and through their blog, other blogs, and reader comments El Paso had open discussion on so many topics of importance.

In fact, I will go as far as to say that because of online papers like the Newspaper Tree and its support of different viewpoints and the open forum it allows Americans and other readers of other nations in discussing hot, taboo or controversial topics we are moving forward and realizing that changes are needed and the air is thick- healthcare reform, narco-wars, celebration of culture and marijuana decriminalization or legalization are some subjects that stand out.

And I will go even further by saying that papers like these are even more important than mass/cable media on tv. So much tv media has gone the way of entertainment and what will fit into sound bytes that I feel much of the credibility has been watered down for quick sensationalism. It is papers like the Newspaper Tree that was in our own backyard that spoke from our hearts and gave hope that reasoning, transparency and commitment were more important than one man's agenda on op-ed that now passes for news to many that are too busy to do their own research or form their own opinions.

The niche for Newspaper Tree has been dug and we will not be happy until they can find the proper backing to keep this paper or a new alternative going. This kind of paper is far too important to be let by the wayside.

"one is content until he sees better, one isn't appreciative until he sees less" Henry Mulzac Peace Corps volunteer '75- '77 Belize