Journalist Izzy

In honor of the American investigative journalist I. F. Stone I’ve created a fan page called Journalist Izzy with links to information about him. (see it up there in the top menu?) If you visit the page and find I’m missing a link let me know in the comments.

There are two new books out about I. F. Stone. The Best of I. F. Stone and “All Governments Lie” – The Life and Times of Rebel Journalist I. F. Stone. I suppose its because of the eerie similarities between McCarthyism and Bushism.

Stone wrote from an anti-war perspective and covered Washington when McCarthy was in full swing fucking shit up. Right now I’m reading The Best of I. F. Stone. It’s a collection of stories from his newsletter I. F. Stone Weekly. I think the Weekly is out of print or hasn’t been released in its entirety.

Recently I heard someone describe Stone as a Proto-Blogger. Even though he didn’t use blog software or the Internet the description fits, sorta. He self-published a weekly newsletter on a tiny budget, had a loyal readership, and wrote passionately about politics. All attributes modern bloggers can appreciate.

I think its very important for modern people to learn about Stone and investigative journalism. The legacy of the First Amendment guaranteeing Freedom of Speech and the Press is in serious jeopardy. If we don’t study multiple histories our world will suffer. As the saying goes, ‘Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it!’