David Clark, the populist writer and singer whose editorial column appears on these pages from time to time, recently established an online discussion board called "Simply America Conversations," in hopes that all the people who read his work will begin to gather and discuss both what he writes about as well as their own topics.

As a paid supporter of his work, members will have access to Discussion Forums about his columns. He has posted all of this year's columns and 2004's columns on the Discussion Board and will be posting other prior years. Access to these columns and the discussions about them is limited to actual column subscribers.

“Feel free to write me private messages anytime you choose to as you may have done in the past,” Clark said. “But if something in a column strikes you, and you want to comment on it in a public way, please use this discussion board.”

“I have wanted to begin a "National Conversation" for a long time now, and this software version of a "Town Hall Meeting" is as good a way to accomplish this as I have found,” he added.

Clark went on to say, “I believe a National Conversation between real people is a good way to help change and save America. There are many people who feel they have no place to go, no place where their voice is heard. Many people feel as if the extremes represented by today's political climate leaves them without any recognition. The intention of the Simply America Conversations Board is a way to solve these problems, to find our common and middle ground, and for all my American neighbors to meet one another and visit. We have much more strength together than we know, if we only exercise it.”

All users will be required to register when they access the discussion board. Clark also says it wouldn't be a bad idea to drop him an email as well letting him know you've registered so he can make sure the Administrator provides you with access to the limited-access areas, and that you'll be emailed when it's ready.

There are other purely public areas where you are free to visit, as well as a section for downloading important historical documents and otherwise good reading. Clark has posted several things to download and read, and will be posting more as time allows. Some of these postings are essays (such as Thomas Paine's "Common Sense,") and some will be complete books (such as Benjamin Franklin's "Autobiography).

To access this Discussion Board, go to: www.simplyamerica.org.