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The Sun's community blog is dedicated to Thomas Paine, author of the 46-page pre-Revolutionary War "blog" entitled "Common Sense." I've always been a big fan of Paine's and believe he has gotten short shift from U.S. historians intent on writing best-sellers about more prominent Founding Fathers. Paine's words, published in January 1776, moved the minds of country farmers, coastal merchants, blacksmiths and housewives to embrace the concept of freedom and liberty. Seven months later, those words inspired the Continental Congress to enact the Declaration of Independence and to wage a war against foreign tyranny. Paine, you could say, was the nation's first real political "blogger."


I, Jim Campanini, the editor of The Sun, feel honored to follow in Paine's footsteps these two centuries later when the Internet age has transformed the means by which we can communicate instantanly with each other on computers. Paine would probably love the new Information Age, and hold down an exalted spot on MySpace.Com or some other well-traveled Internet address. For the time being, I will be posting items that hopefully will capture your interest and attention. I usually talk to about a dozen or so movers-and-shakers in all walks of life every day. I will tell you what they say when it's relevant and resourceful. I'll try not to bore you. Other times, I will break in with something I've read or experienced. If you want to know how we covered a certain event, ask.

While I consider myself a fair-minded newspaper editor who is open to change, I do subscribe to philosophical and moral tenets that have shaped my life. These opinions are strictly my own and not The Sun's. When I do have an opinion, I will write it with Thomas Paine in mind. Once again, I would encourage you to respond with fresh, creative, insightful thinking. A word of caution. Paine was a master at personal attacks and character assassination when the cause for patriotic vindictiveness was essential. We have won our liberty - and are thankful for it so we don't need to engage in Paine's vitriolic method of communication. Personal attacks will not be tolerated - or posted - on my blog watch.

I am a busy editor, so there will be times when this responsiblity will be turned over to other editors of interest. They will identify themselves properly. While I urge the public to identify themselves in posting comments, it is not a requirement to participate. So in Thomas Paine's memory, let the discussion begin.

JAMES CAMPANINI
Editor

June 2007