I've never considered G21 and Salon competitors. Even though we compete for the attention of progressive readers and others have compared us, I have not. We come from two separate philosophies about the mission of a Web publication and, frankly, they have the backing of a major investment house and we operate on a shoestring, my personal wallet.

That, in and of itself separates us in significant ways.

Salon goes for boutique journalistic names; we don't. What we do best is present a different view of the world from new voices.

Rod Amis

I don't want to get into a RANT here but, David -- for a lot of reasons -- your pathetic beg in that editorial is just horse-poop, pure and simple!

How you can present yourself as an "independent" like the rest of us, comparing yourself by alllusion to NPR and public radio is beyond me! You exemplify some of the worst attributes of what we call the "Mouthpiece Media" here and I'm about to tell you why.

First of all, you were majorly bankrolled by Hambrect and Quist, so your "independence" is NOT as independent as some of the rest of us out here, including Drudge, who you mention.

Secondly, my fine-feathered friend, if you had to go a day in an apartment with a leaky ceiling like mine, or worry about your next meal, WE ALL KNOW all your fine journalistic principles would dry up like raindrops in the Gobi desert.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, let's look at your line-up of writers. Are you supporting any new talents or voices? NO! Are you bringing more of an international perspective to the World Wide Web. Again, NO!

I just don't see that Camille Paglia, for example, needs any more exposure than she gets by being an agent provocateur.

And as for David Horowitz -- who you also want us to "donate" $30 to your cause each year to send a hefty paycheck -- I find what he's doing under the rubric of "advertising" in college newspapers right now repugnant. He's playing a perverse political game with the idea of reparations for Black people because of slavery and laughing about it! Oh good, Horowitz, spend your fat check from Salon baiting college students who don't have the income (or your media clout) to "fight back" (as you told the New York Times) on a level playing field. What separates you, Mr. Ramparts, from a schoolyard bully?

You may consider this positive "alternative" journalism, David, but we don't.

Thanks for sending him your money, Salon!

Just don't ask me to let you send him mine.

Given, you do offer a semblance of news that some people could use. You're not the New York Times or even the New York Post. But calling yourself a true alternative to the hype-driven, Usual Suspect reporting that we have to endure is like calling the proverbial sow's ear a silk purse. Never happened, never will.

Finally, GET A CLUE! That "advertising revenues are down" rap is as original as "Baby needs a new pair of shoes." WHO told you that advertising would actually support Web journalism when this medium is in its infancy?

And listen, David, maybe the rest of us DON'T believe that Salon.com is as head-and-shoulders above other publications as you hope we do. When's the last time you even published a writer of-color or did anything that might be called daring or new?

I could give you chapter and verse on under-reported stories that your celebrity-journo driven enterprise didn't cover and never will. But why bother?

Do something that truly merits our loyalty and financial support and then give me a call. My e-mail address and phone number are public record. I'll gladly publish any response you have. My line is open.

ADDENDUM - 3/23: I thought I was finished, but I guess I'm not. I do have one more thing to say, David.

It didn't work for Slate -- even with Kinsley and Microsoft's deep pockets -- and it probably won't work for you.

The problem is hubris on the part of you celebrity journalism types.

YOU HAVE COMPLETELY LOST TOUCH WITH PEOPLE WHO DON'T EARN OVER $70,000/YEAR.

AND IT SHOWS.

Why do you think most people think of you guys like car salesman and politicians?

You can be trusted as far as we can throw you.

David, what happened to "comfort the afflicted...?"

And let's not go into how you pandered for the Clinton White House during Whitewater and the impeachment. Some people called you on it. We thought it was too obvious here at G21.

Today Drudge said you are for sale but nobody wants to buy you. YOU might wonder why, but we don't. Your disclaimer about "being proactive" in a buyout notwithstanding, there are better independent news sources on the Internet than Salon. Look around.

Look back to the best traditions of journalism and ask yourself why you aren't on that boat. And then look at what real independents are doing.

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