Introducing Open Pen

A new website has been launched for NE Tennessee!  Open Pen is a news and information site that was created by a group of concerned people who wanted an alternative to local newspapers, which tend to be a bit partisan, you might say.  

Here is what Open Pen has to say about itself:

OpenPen Media was founded February 18, 2009 by a group of volunteers that met in Johnson City, Tennessee during the Obama presidential campaign. We were overwhelmed by the areas lack of understanding of political issues, the rampant levels of poverty, cultural isolationism and racism and wanted to address the issues confronting this area. Historically the area has been governed by a culture that at its fundamental core is fear driven and a carryover of a time long since relegated to history as bleak and heavy handed.

Eastern Tennessee remains a cultural misfit in a world that has moved on from the socio-conservative, isolationist, hate wielding ,fear mongering ideology that once defined our nation, and yet, still defines this area.

All members of OpenPen and its authors are volunteers and are of all political,social and religious persuasions.

It is an ambitious project, and I am excited to be involved in it.  As a regular contributor, I will be writing every week or two on topics that concern and interest me and the people of this beautiful region.  As the site grows, you can look forward to locally produced podcast programs that reflect the real interests of people in the area, not just the interests of those selling newspapers.

I hope you will include Open Pen as a part of your daily routine.