Our summer hiatus is over. We’ve been very busy during the break, creating some new BlackCommentator.com elements we think you will enjoy. Here’s a summary of the new features we’ve added:

1 - In this issue we introduce the first BlackCommetator.com Opinion Survey.

We encourage you to email the link to this survey to all your friends and WWW contacts. We believe the opinion survey will not only generate an increase in visitation to BlackCommentator.com, but will provide some illuminating results we will share with you in two weeks. Also, we anticipate that other progressive Websites and individuals will pass the link to the survey around, and encourage them to do so.

2 - With this issue we premier the BlackCommentator.com Readers’ Corner Blog.

Buttons to reach the Blog, such as the one above, appear in the left and right hand margins of all articles and pages on the Website.

With this Google-powered Blog (Blogger), you can also click on a button in each commentary cartoon or piece of art (like the button you see below this paragraph), and be taken directly to the Blog comment page for that article.

The comment page will also allow you to read what other readers are saying. BC will determine which comments are published on the BC Readers’ Corner Blog, editing as necessary.

The Readers’ Corner Blog will feature all the articles of each issue of BC, and contain archives, beginning with issue #287, published on July 24, 2008. We know you enjoy reading the comments of others and the Readers’ Corner Blog will provide you with a place for discussion and debate on diverse issues.

3 - We have installed Ads by Google on the Website and the Blog. We encourage you to support these advertisers, be curious and check our any ads that kindle your interest. The type of advertisement presented is a function of Google using its software to find ads that fit with BC content and themes. An example of Google Ads is below:

4 – Lastly, you’ll now find that a Google search engine has also been added to all articles and navigation pages to make it easier for you to search the archives of BlackCommentator.com and the entire WWW, without leaving BC. (See below)

Custom Search

The Google Custom Search feature includes Ads by Google that relate to the search criteria you enter.

It is a tragedy that less than 10 percent of those who visit BC understand the importance of making a contribution, even as small as ten dollars. However, we do feel confident that the combination of the excitement and importance of the Presidential election, our new content-related elements and the continuing reliable quality and diversity of BC will contribute to an increase in visitations and revenue, and thus, help us to remain on the web. If you are moved to break out the plastic at this moment, please click on the button below to make a contribution.

We sincerely appreciate the time you have invested in reading this message. Thank you very much for your readership.

In solidarity,

Peter Gamble, Publisher

BlackCommentator.com