"Injustice may pain the body, mind and heart, but the soul shall heal all of these. Indifference - to not care, to just stand by, to look away - this bleaches the soul entirely and justice disappears, leaving the rest as invisible".  W. Santiago

As of this writing, Christian Science Monitor freelance journalist Jill Carroll is being held by terrorists in Iraq. We pray for her release. If her life is taken, she will be added to the list of over 80 journalists
killed since March 2003, according to Reporters sans Frontiers (Reporters without Borders). From the murder of Wall Street Journal writer Daniel Pearl to the terrifying situation facing Ms. Carroll, the safety of journalists all over the world has become a great concern for those who believe in and practice democracy. The killing, torturing and imprisoning of journalists contribute to the inevitable erosion of freedom of speech and expression. Press freedoms are protected in the USA by the First Amendment, and internationally, by Article 19 of The Declaration of Human Rights. Unfortunately these are violated regularly throughout many parts of the globe and even right here in the United States.

According the Worldwide Press Freedom Index, the United States ranks 44th (& 137th in coalition occupied Iraq) out of 167 nations monitored by the Index. In the name of national security and by edict of the Patriot Act, limitations on press freedom have been institutionalized in an effort to curb and control the news. However debatable this may be, the attendant threat journalists themselves face when their rights to inform and be informed are controlled puts them in mortal danger. This is a violation to the very quick of their human rights; this is what most concerns us.

Since 1989 the James Joyce Ramble added to its mission the effort to make people aware of human rights. Because of our namesake, and because writers and free thinkers are frequently targeted by authoritarian regimes that are intolerant of criticism and democratic ideals, we have petitioned on behalf of such writers as Vaclav Havel, Xu Wenli, Aung San Suu Kyi, Wei Jingsheng, Ismail Besikci, Daw San San New, Ngwang Choephel, and Guatemalan journalists--Carlos Rivas, Arnulfo Augustin Guzman, Deccio Serrano, Jose Candido Barrillas, Ana Lucia Ramirez and Nery de la Cruz.

We join Reporters san Frontiers and all human rights organizations in petitioning on behalf of the rights of journalists everywhere to practice this most essential tool of a free society, as well as societies fighting for freedom. To inform and to be allowed to seek information is at the very core of our need to know what our government is doing on our behalf. Journalists in America represent what many consider the fourth branch of government. In this regard, passionate, articulate and thoughtful Journalists are emissaries representing the public’s right to know and the public good itself.

In 2003, we dedicated the Ramble to Daniel Pearl. For this year's edition, we dedicate the 2006 Ramble to Ms. Jill Carroll and others like her who seek the news in conditions of great danger.