To be clear, the Western values of free speech and open discussion have been redefined as “fonts of misinformation” and “threats to democracy.” But of course, they are the basis of democracy. When free speech is suppressed, we have not democracy but tyranny.

Getting at the truth is difficult and always has been. Truth can upset and make angry as many or more people as it enlightens. An existing belief is tenacious. Most people want their beliefs confirmed, not challenged. This makes indoctrinated beliefs stable. Historians cover up truth for career reasons, as do politicians. Prosecutors cover up truth in order to obtain convictions. Media cover up truth for advertising revenues and in exchange for “sourced" leaks.

I have spent my life in service to the truth. This is not a claim that I always get it right, but that my agenda is truth whether I get there or not."
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The only indications I have whether the risks I take as a truth-teller, risks that have materialized in dangerous and expensive harassments of more visible truth-tellers, such as Julian Assange, Ed Snowden, Matt Taibbi, Kash Patel, and Peter Brimelow, are readers financial and vocal support. If this support is not forthcoming, it tells me I am taking risks for nothing and am bringing difficulties to myself by attempting to inform those who are neither interested nor committed to their independence as free people.
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My lifetime of struggling for truth has left me wondering if truth is a Quixotic adventure. My site is read by many all over the world, and my columns are reposted by many other sites and in translations. Yet those who support the website, financially or with encouraging words, are a small percentage of the readers. The unwillingness of most readers to give even $5 to support truth is discouraging. One problem truth tellers have is that, in our times, the deceptions are so overwhelming and awful that many people simply cannot stand the pressures of knowing the truth.