As the Editor of Alle-Kiski Today I set the guidelines for our content. I have a few simple rules that I attempt to follow in our monthly deliberations over what qualifies; 1. If you can't say anything good about someone don't say anything at all. 2. Do not publicize or glamorize what evil is doing, thinking or speaking. 3. Give honor where honor is due. 4. Lift-up-to-be-seen what is admirable and encouraging about the people and organizations of our region. 5. Never give place to rumors, gossip or accusations.

With such a list of qualifications there is a good amount of news that will not make our monthly magazine. And indeed the temptation is always there to deviate from our rules. In the usual course of preparing content for Alle-Kiski Today we fall upon many "juicy" unreported news stories, and we are constantly approached to cover the same types of stories by very sincere readers who have particular passions about particular issues in our region. I am not naive to the reality of darkness and evil amongst us. I just cannot bring myself to give it any more space than I must in our magazine. In the face of all that is encouraging around us this just does not seem a beneficial use of paper and ink. Indeed evil lurks about us. We know it is there. We can see its effect in our society, our communities, our organizations and yes even our churches, homes and our own hearts. My opinion of it is that it is very weak in the face of what is "good". Therefore to me it seems a better thing to deal with evil by giving the good things about us the honor and publicity such treasures deserve. And yet I am not beyond the understanding that evil needs to be exposed. To let evil hide is a deadly error. I have just found that the greatest exposure of evil and darkness is to stand up what is good and true right next to it. In the face of such exposure evil is always easily seen.

There is so much to be thankful for in our region. So much good. I do not claim to be an authority on such things but to me the greatest stories are born in the hearts of men and women who face the moral and social challenges of our day victoriously. Their dedication produces a living legacy of admirable standards to live by and the blessings given us through them work to raise the bar for future generations. Let it always be so.