Editorial

First, some matters of organization. This issue was delayed, in part, because Victoria had to spend the time to send stuff to me from New York. That’s five days. It would be easier if you would send your pieces directly to me. The address is 176 South Raintree Lane, Louisville, CO 80027. I’ll work things out with Bill Ritch from there.

Secondly, a matter of policy. As you’re reading, you may (in fact, probably will) find opinions with which you disagree. I did. Please remember that the opinions in any piece not expressly signed by me are not necessarily my own.

As I typed this issue, there arose several thoughts which I wanted to share with you all, prompted by an Ayn Rand quote, something on the order of “Judge—and prepare to be judged.”

I want Prometheus to be an open forum. This means that, unless libelous, I will publish whatever I receive, whether I agree with it or not. But censorship is neither my inclination nor my job. I will not (except privately) take sides, criticize, label, or otherwise leave myself open to attacks of the “you published x but not y, why do you hate y?” variety.

One of the things we should all do when we read a piece is ask ourselves some things about the writer. What, for example, does he want to accomplish with a specific piece? Is he picking apart one particular author, while saying nothing constructive? Is she showing off? Is he making a point, but in such an offensive way that it’s buried in personal garbage?

Naming names—or not—always tells me something. What’s gained in naming an author, reviewer, or fellow LFS member and honestly telling everyone who cares to read your piece what your gripe with that person is? Conversely, what’s accomplished in not naming the person, but in faithfully detailing the complaint?

I’m always curious, too, about the purpose of “criticism”, especially among libertarians. Webster’s has two definitions. The first is “the act of making judgments, analysis of qualities and evaluation of comparative worth.” The second is “a finding fault; censuring; disapproval.” I can’t help but wonder what those who write in the second style, rather than the first, are working toward. Is it a noble and honest aim, like clarification of thought? A unification of the libertarian movement? Amplification of libertarian ideas?

Or is it author-bashing for no better reason than that someone has had the guts—and luck—to get a book published?

The point here is, give what—and who—you read in Prometheus, like everything else, the consideration it deserves.

For Liberty,
—Len Jackson