AGR needs your support to continue to tell the truth

At the Nuremburg Trials, after the conviction of newspaper man Julius Streicher for crimes against humanity, the prosecutor stated, "It may be that this defendant is less directly involved in the physical commission of crimes against Jews. The submission of the Prosecution is that his crime is no less the worse for that reason. No government in the world... could have embarked upon and put into effect a policy of mass extermination... without having a people who would back them and support them.... It was to the task of educating people, of producing murderers, educating and poisoning them with hate, that Streicher set himself.... Without him [and those like him], the Kaltenbrunners, the Himmlers... would have had nobody to carry out their orders...." What kind of a world do we wish to live in–one where a few corporations and money control the media, where propaganda for corporate and government policies, sensationalist stories and Hollywood happenings dominate the media– one where a racist, sexist ideal prevails? That time appears to be dangerously close. In an age where corporations (fewer and fewer corporations) and money rule the media, it is more important than ever to step away and search for a more balanced perspective. We at AGR, believe we help to provide that perspective. The AGR website received over 50,000 hits a week in Sept. While the print edition is considerably smaller, we have always felt that the paper should also be available in hard copy for those who do not have internet access. We have increased our distribution this year, as well as the number of locations around Western NC where the paper is available. We are also trying to reach an even broader audience with our new URTV show. The AGR was recently voted the favorite free newspaper in Asheville's Mountain Xpress readers' poll. We thank you. That showed us that our local readership does indeed value us and the information we work so hard to provide you with every week. It's hard for most of our staff to toil in our low-paying service industry jobs and then devote much of our free time volunteering to collect news stories, edit and write. It is a labor of love and also of principle. Unfortunately, the bank account of AGR does not reflect our intrinsic value. Already we are looking for ways to cut back on our spending to try to hang on for a few more weeks in the hopes that our loyal readers will hear our pleas and continue to provide us with the financial support we need to keep publishing. We do not like to beg for money, but without your donations, AGR will very soon cease to exist. Every little bit helps. Thank you.