As we watch the demise of the newspaper in America amid the rise of blogs, it should be noted that the first newspaper published in America, “Publick Occurrences” in the year 1690, WAS BOTH A NEWSPAPER AND A BLOG.

Publick Occurrences consisted of 3 pages of print articles with a blank back page for readers to write additional news and comments, then pass the paper along to another reader.  Publick Occurrences was essentially a print variation of a blog.

It so frightened the English administrators of the Massachusetts Colony, that they moved immediately and seized the office and shut the newspaper down after the very first issue.

Lessons:  THERE ARE INNOVATIVE IDEAS TO BE FOUND IN HISTORY, THERE ARE FEW NEW IDEAS UNDER THE SUN, AND HISTORY DOES REPEAT ITSELF, e.g., rumors that the current government wants to shut down certain radio shows.  As well as other forms of censorship we are witnessing today of Facebook, Youtube, et.