FEEDBACK: “”Whenever tyrants want to take over a country, the
first thing they go after is the press. I am frightened, but not
surprised by the current bashing of the media.””[neWLine]

No, this is not one of our frequent quotable quotes but,
instead, the sentiment of an RTS reader responding to our somewhat
preachy column on the 4th of July about the value of a newspaper –
intrinsically and as a vanguard for freedom of the
press.[neWLine]

The comment was via e-mail from Harold Pier who “”heartily””
agreed with our message.[neWLine]

Even though a couple weeks have passed, we wanted to share a
couple comments we received.[neWLine]

Lynda Lore of Ridgway writes, “”I just read your Round the
Square editorial and I get more than my money’s worth plus the
benefit of freedom of the press. Thank you.””[neWLine]

Gale Abbott says, “”What a joy it is to read my Era online every
day, especially ‘RTS’ and I save even my 50 cents a copy and $15
delivery charge. Life is good!””[neWLine][neWLine]

2ND THOUGHT: Gale Abbott also has this to say on the occasion of
that biggest of patriotic holidays:[neWLine]

“”Independence Day was always such a special day when I was a
kid. Every family bought tons of fireworks to shoot off until they
were outlawed wisely and put only in the hands of
professionals.[neWLine]

“”I recall one 4th in particular, probably in the mid-30s when
Ringling Bros. brought their circus to town.[neWLine]

“”As they paraded down Main street, some knucklehead tossed a
firecracker or something by a horse which panicked and took the
life of a young girl watching the parade, which ruined the whole
day for everybody.[neWLine]

“”Today there are still some communities that have wonderful
firework displays, and there are lots of concerts, also – but
mostly it is a day of ‘gigantic sales’ at department stores. That’s
progress.””[neWLine][neWLine]

AND ALSO: We also got this sweet e-letter from Sonny Grill: “”I
grew up in Bradford and spent my first 36 years there working at
the B&S until it closed its doors. I now am retired and living
in New Philadelphia, Ohio, and read the Era online and become very
homesick. Thanks so much for your great work and the Around the
Square column makes my day. Thank you so much. It’s my trip back to
Bradford and I need it like I need to breathe fresh air.””