Bev Owens' TV8 viewing experience gives me an opportunity to explain what a public access station is all about.

A cable public access station is what is known as a “designated public forum” – the proverbial soap box in the park or rant on the courthouse steps.

A public forum is open to all local residents for any legal and noncommercial use. What is seen on TV8 represents 100 percent of all legal content that residents want to show to the public. No one is turned away. If your interests aren't there it's because you or someone like you didn't submit a video expressing them to TV8.

There is no way anything on TV8 can be un-American. In the context of the democratic process, a pro-American position is any that is offered honestly for consideration and debate.

The un-American stand is one that is promoted while advocating that dissenting voices be silenced.

Dante DeAmicis lives in Clearlake. He's a volunteer with TV8.