This is a response to an earlier article printed in the June 6 St.Petersburg Times about Citizens for Sanity . That article follows after this response. tlh

Greetings SPTimes,

Just wanted to bring to your attention our feelings and actions in regards to your failure to even respond or allow for Citizens to respond to this editorial and your continued slanted coverage of our group, it's positions and actions over the last 10 years.

Truly back when the newspapers were the main source of people's news of the day you were able to influence the public's perception of the events of the day. Fortunately we live in a changing world where the tools of influence have changed and your biased, slanted reporting is NOT the only game in town.

More importantly is the fact that we, the public have fostered other more widely and reliable sources of accurate reporting of the news: the internet, blogs, alternative publications and radio. Even more the use of word of mouth, through networking and the "tree effect", those who receive this email forward it on to others throughout the state, so that it grows exponentially.

Like here, this is being shared with a HUGE elist (Bcc) where those participating know to post this information to web sites, blogs and alternative publication in an effort to get the truth out. That is not to mention how many people belonging to groups and organizations throughout the bay area will forward this out to their membership lists.

This becomes an important means of getting the truth out, setting the record straight and exposing how our supposedly "liberal" newspaper isn't at all. Not only are they NOT liberal or progressive but unfair with biased and slanted reporting that ignores the truth while seeking to disparage and demonize those seeing to create positive change in their communities by fighting for what is right and in the public's best interest.

Not to worry, when you failed to even have the common courtesy of a response, we began circulating this response. Then found it posted on blogs and web sites thruoghout the Bay area in places where people who want real and accurate news go to find it.

Lastly, we do find it most amazing that this paper has in the past allowed for those whose group/organization or individual were disparaged by your "news"paper were given equal time to respond but not ours or me. We have been fodder for your "creative writing", misrepresentations, slants and outright lies for all too long. So in the future when you want comment from our organization here it is: "NO COMMENT!"

Thanks for your time and consideration.

With highest regards,
Clay G. Colson