FROM THE EDITOR: FROM REFLECTION TO RESOLUTION TO RENEWAL

December 23, 1776. THESE are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Thomas Paine: American Crisis – USHistory.org These are turbulent times for sure. Anger and accusation seem to be the most popular forms of communication; blame serves as the parlor game for our leaders and outrage has become the substitute for curiosity. Technology has us living in a world of sound bites, immersed in information overload and constant interruption – from our smartphones, the insidious apps that hover inside waiting to grab a moment’s attention, to the 24-hour news cycle that bombards us with images of traffic accidents, whole cities destroyed by fire, and politicians speaking “the party line” ad nauseum. I heard a promo from a local TV station last night hyping “What law enforcement doesn’t want you to know about ankle monitors.” My reaction to that was not what was intended. I was supposed to tune in to see what nefarious deeds law enforcement is up to now that was risking the safety of me and my fellow citizens. And the sound bite? Law Enforcement = Untrustworthy Criminals running rampant through our communities = Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid! Instead I was immediately hit with how irresponsible (read angry/accusatory) that pitch was because it was designed to incite curiosity (read outrage) rather than simply report on an issue that might be of concern to viewers and may require further investigation. Manipulation of emotions or “hitting hot buttons” as its known in the world of marketing has become the required approach to the dissemination of information. So. where is all this leading? We are a week away from the start of a new year. Christmas and Thanksgiving are usually times for reflection and maybe a little self- examination; preparing us to move toward resolution. With the new year comes a feeling of renewal – fresh starts – a different approach. Here at The Post we are committed to bringing our readers news that uplifts, encourages, educates, and celebrates our little corner of the world and the people in it. We have followed Doc Amey on his journey of faith and self-reflection. We have learned about everything from Ladybugs to Pumpkins with Bridgett Buffa and The Texas City Garden Club. Susan Wilson, Principle of Calvin Vincent Elementary has pulled back the curtain…just a little…on being an educator of children; sharing insights and lessons she has learned on her journey. Mary Vinnedge has shared the work of so many local artists who, in turn, shared their craft with us. So many individuals across the mainland and Galveston proper have taken the time; invested the effort, to share their thoughts, lives, experiences with us so that we can be constantly reminded of all the good people, the talent, compassion and commitment to keeping all that anger, blame and insinuation at a distance with their belief in the importance of getting up each day and simply “doing the next right thing” as a dear friend of mine puts it. In the coming year, The Post is recommitting to bringing our readers much more than just the good news. Encouragement, Education, Celebration are all vital to what we do. But it is time we add to that with a commitment to Insight – not ours…yours. We will be concentrating on four specific areas that we believe are critical to the continued growth of our communities. We will be seeking out leaders in our communities to share with us what is happening in Industry, Education, Government, and Safety. It is our genuine hope that each of you will take an active part in helping us create an opportunity for our readers to reflect on the news we share. With an eye toward gaining new insight, stimulating opportunities for reflection and a resolve to renew our curiosity, we can: question what we hear, examine without anger, converse with others who may not share our beliefs and find renewal in a shared desire to take a different approach to how we get information and more importantly how we react to it and what we do with it. Our very sincere thanks to every person who has contributed to The Post over the last year. May your numbers grow so that we may benefit from the wealth of knowledge, learning and experience that make us who and what we are. To become a part of The Post family of readers, simply go online to: thepostnewspaper.net and subscribe or give us a call at: 409-943-4265. We can’t wait to hear from you!