The Center for Grassroots Oversight

The History Commons is working steadily to improve and expand. We are working to become the Internet's top site for collaborative, citizen-based journalism and reporting. In recent weeks, contributors to the History Commons have published new material on 9/11, the CIA's use of waterboarding, the administration's continuing assault on civil liberties, the nuclear threat from Pakistan, and other areas. Additionally, there are two new projects that will soon be launched—an investigation into human trafficking and a historical examination of the Watergate conspiracy.

But we have only raised 61% of our fundraising goal for this quarter. We are operating on a shoestring budget made up of a small but steady stream of donations (thank you to those who contributed!) and at the moment, are completely dependent on unpaid volunteers to maintain and expand the site. We have great plans for this project, but our lack of funds is drastically restricting our efforts. Please help us meet our fundraising goal and donate today.

If you are short on cash, we could still use your help. If you have solid research and writing skills, please consider contributing material to the History Commons.

Lastly, we are in serious need of help with programming. If you are a skilled Java programmer, and have some time available, please lend us a helping hand. There is a ton of work that needs to be done.

Your efforts will help the Commons be the leading source of grassroots research and reporting on the Internet. We accept no advertising and depend solely on our visitors to exist and grow. Join us.

Why is our website so important?

The History Commons makes it possible for people at the grassroots level to assume a dominant role in public and private sector oversight. By supporting this effort, you are helping civil society end its reliance on the corporate media, which has failed in its presumed role as a government and corporate watchdog. Since January of 2007, more than 8,442 new events have been added to the History Commons bringing the total number to 15,139. These entries dealt with a variety of topics ranging from NSA wiretapping, global warming, free trade, 9/11, “the war on terrorism,” civil liberties, the Iraq war, the Iran confrontation, and more.

What people have said about the History Commons project

“Your organization and your web site truly realize the potential of the Internet for collaborative study, research, and understanding. This is one of the best, if not the best, resource on the Web for detailed, unbiased, and unfiltered analysis of recent events.”

“… absolutely brilliant website, of great value to all! Splendid work.”

“I just want to let all of you know what an absolutely amazing website [the History Commons] is.  It has been the most informative site I have come across and I tell EVERYONE about it. I can not even begin to imagine the time and effort put into making this site what it is, and it amazes me how much it has grown over the past year (after finding it while doing research for an English paper for college.)  Keep up the outstanding work, I can speak for many people when I say it is appreciated and making a difference.”

“…yours is the very best site I have found.  And you gave me hope when it was hard to come by.”

“I consider your project as one of the most important web-based projects aimed at combating what I call political amnesia.”

“I have to tell you that your information is devastating in its completeness and I have already in about the first 15 minutes of reading the time line learned about Joe T. I didn't know a damn thing about this character and the role he played in the propaganda of wmd. In short I want to applaud all that you've created .”

We can only get this done with your support!

Please send us your tax-deductible contribution now