What a difference a year makes. A year ago we were full of hope as we celebrated the

inauguration of President Obama; Now, we are tempted to despair the loss of a Democratic

seat in the Senate and we fear the future political landscape with the Supreme Court decision

giving corporations the right to make campaign contributions. But let’s keep all of this

in perspective—we’re still better off than we were two years ago. Maybe this is the wake-up

call we need to remind us that Obama can’t solve all our problems alone. Each one of us

needs to do our part to shape the political landscape today. In this issue we tell you a variety

of ways that you can take action. It’s not too late to make new year’s resolutions. Make a

commitment to get involved in causes that matter to you and help create the hope that we

all celebrated a year ago.

Over the past year The Guardian has given a lot of attention to the subject of health-care

reform. If you listen to the pundits, you might begin to believe that health-care reform died

with the election of Scott Brown. In the immortal words of Bruce Hornsby, “Don’t you believe

it.” Now more than ever we need to speak up and let our elected officials know where

we stand on the issue of health-care reform.

This issue of The Guardian is focused on the subject of natural gas drilling. Some people

I talk to are so alarmed by the prospect of what is to come that they are considering leaving

this area; others are shrugging their shoulders and hoping for the best. I have no intention of

leaving this area; it is my home. And it is my hope that this issue inspires a third response in

our readers. Gas drilling is coming to this region; we can’t stop it. But we can work to slow

the rush and advocate for the best environmental practices to protect all the things that make

this area so precious to those of us who call this place home. In this issue we highlight some

of the important things that you need to know about gas drilling, and we share ways to get

involved and to keep informed. The information in this issue is just the tip of the iceberg.

We hope that reading it will encourage you to seek out more information on this topic. We

also encourage you to get involved. Write letters to our government officials and let them

know how you feel about gas development. Join organizations that are working to safeguard

our environment and promote responsible development.



As this issue goes to press, the natural disaster in Haiti is in our thoughts, and we offer

some ideas about how we can each be part of the relief effort. The people of Haiti have been

in need of our aid for many years. It’s unfortunate and ironic that it takes a catastrophe to

rally us into noticing.



We also encourage you to lighten your spirits with “The Art of Romance,” a First Friday

event at the Pajama Factory on February 5. There will be lots of food and fun along with

great art. I’ve heard rumors that Cupid will be making an appearance. While you are here,

stop by the Guardian office to say hello.



The April issue of this paper will focus on our favorite natural areas in this region and

the many ways to enjoy them. This seems like an important follow-up to this issue, since it

is those very natural areas that are at stake. We welcome your submission of articles about

and photographs of the natural resources of our region.





Slavery is the legal fiction

that a Person is Property.

Corporate Personhood is the legal fiction

that Property is a Person.

— Molly Morgan of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom