partisan (n) -- an adherent or supporter of a person, group, party, or cause...   I guess it could be argued that Civil Beat is indeed a “partisan” for a cause:  accurate reporting with an interest in covering issues that have the potential to inspire intelligent, democratic, compassionate, progressive debates.  Partisan that way, and Hallelujah for that!  However, it's also true to say CB is nonpartisan when it comes to endorsing one politician over another, the more common meaning for the word "partisan."  Semantic games don’t change what something is, just what it's called.

I’d like to make a suggestion, CB.  I wish you would require paid membership to be a condition for comment posting capability.  I don’t want to read chatter from people who aren’t interested in the kind of reporting that CB provides.   I think Star Advertiser does this -- only subscribers can post.

Good luck on new financial status.

-- Ms. Vanessa Ott