As a reader, I am disappointed each time I learn that there are some who do not understand, let alone appreciate, the contribution the Journal makes to the greater Shawangunk community. After printing an open letter to Sen. Bonacic in the "Opinion" section of December 10's issue that questioned his stance on gay marriage, a few commenters on the paper's website claimed that the Journal, and particularly reporter Brian Rubin, demonstrated bias and lacked objectivity.

To me, it seems that the real bias lies with such "readers." Only someone committed to a particularly narrow, limited, and widely-broadcasted idea of what the press is and should be could fail to see the fairness with which the Journal presented Mr. Rubin's opinion. Rather than running the letter as an editorial, which would state Mr. Rubin's position as that of the paper as a whole, the Journal chose to run the epistle under the boldface title of "Opinion" and assign individual accountability. Moreover, the Journal's editors and staff gave equal time and space to an opposing view, a gesture that is not only increasingly rare in the landscape of corporately-owned media outlets, but one that also accords a great deal of respect to both Sen. Bonacic, who was granted the privilege of advanced notice and copy and the opportunity to respond immediately, and the community at-large. Any thoughtful, truly critical reader knows that the paper did its utmost to present an open forum for dialogue and maintain its adherence to journalism that is actually fair and balanced.

Even more troubling than the misreading of that week's issue and the mistaken, misplaced accusations of bias and a lack of objectivity that followed is the notion that journalists do not have the right to an opinion. One online commenter suggested that Mr. Rubin's letter would have been acceptable had he not identified himself as a "reporter," but rather as a "citizen." In direct contrast to the well-documented practice of corporately-owned media hiding the true author of news and opinion, whether it come in the form of privately-produced advertisements presented as news-stories or the form-letters generated by large special-interest groups and passed off as the opinions of community members, both the Journal and Mr. Rubin show their commitment to a high-level of journalistic integrity and their corresponding adherence to transparency, openness, and honesty; in acknowledging his position as a reporter at the paper while expressing his own opinion, Mr. Rubin demonstrated a respect for the Journal's readership, providing the context necessary for readers to be able to formulate their own informed positions and respond in kind.

More importantly, the idea that a citizenship and journalism are mutually exclusive practices, the notion that once a reporter puts on a fedora with a press-pass tucked behind the band she or he ceases to be a citizen, is unfortunate, misguided, and dangerous.

In order to have the pure, participatory democracy for which citizens like Mr. Rubin and Mr. Bonacic work requires that all have equal access to voice the opinions and positions that result from their specific thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Newspapers like the Journal and reporters like Mr. Rubin are an integral, important part of a responsible citizenry and a well-functioning democracy, not only in providing an account of our civil discourse that is as full and true as limited resources will allow, but also by holding those who engage in civic life accountable for their words and deeds. Whether known primarily as a reporter or a Senator, whether identifying as a heterosexual, homosexual, or otherwise, a true democracy does not work if each citizen cannot equally, openly, and honestly express his or her uniquely diverse standing in our communities. Denying anyone the ability to respectfully and responsibly engage in public matters because of who they are or what they do prevents all of us from experiencing a full and meaningful civic life. Likewise, anyone who fails to engage in public dialogue in an open and honest way denies us the ability to live up to our full potential as citizens. Far from being attacked, Mr. Rubin and the Shawangunk Journal should be applauded and appreciated because of their continued commitment to providing a trustworthy and responsible publication for the benefit of the Shawangunks, and I thank them, not only as a reader, but as a citizen.