Freedom of (from) the press
To the editor:
In the first amendment, the founding fathers stated, “Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of the press.” We have come to believe that that means there should be no state or government control over the press. This has been characterized as “Freedom of the Press.” I believe the founding fathers would be spinning in their graves if they could now see how things have evolved. What has happened (and I’ll admit to a much greater extent on the national stage than here locally) is a press trying to influence if not control the political process. What we need now is a declaration of “Freedom from the Press.” I’d judge that the founding fathers may never have contemplated that people drawn to the field of journalism would not try their best to be unbiased, and bring to their readers the clearest and most complete information possible.
The issue I’m concerned about here is the “Contract With Cape Coral” and the terms “We The People” and “The Road Ahead.” First let me state that at least 95 percent (it’s probably more like 97 or 98 percent) of the people I talk to, who pay attention to what’s going on in the city, understand and support all of the above. What we have here is a sincere effort to energize the public, the residents, the electorate, and do the best job possible to represent them and do the things in and for this city that are the best for them. This is truly a “grass roots” effort, and has sought to include anyone and everyone who wanted to participate. Although there was not inconsiderable preliminary work, it was really launched on April 18 this year at the “We The People” meeting at the library. That was attended by some 160 people, many more than had come forward for any event even similar to this before. E-mail addresses were collected from interested residents that have now grown to about 450. The only thing “The Road Ahead” means is simply the e-mail contact for these people. Somewhere along here the concept of a “Contract With Cape Coral” was hatched (thank you, Newt Gingrich). The concept flourished, and input was sought from whomever wished to contribute. The “Contract” was introduced at a meeting at the library on Aug. 15 following a District 2 Town Hall meeting. There were about 170 in attendance at that meeting. Probably two dozen or more people had a hand in crafting the “Contract,” even if it was only a comment of “it looks good, go for it.” The media has allowed numerous disparaging comments about it to be published. They, the media, further challenged people they construed as being spokespersons for the “Contract” to produce the names of those who had contributed to it. A fairly complete list of contributors has been produced and offered to the media in exchange for also publishing what it was to which they contributed, i.e., the “Contract.” One paper said they would, and have not. The other paper has not responded!
One criticism of the “Contract” is that it caters to some “special interest.” I’ll agree freely to that accusation, and I’m proud to be beholding to that “special interest,” because it’s the residents!
Pete Brandt
Cape Coral City Councilman, District 2