A samizdat was a document circulated amongst people opposed to soviet communism.  They were often handwritten and circulated in the utmost secrecy.  Writing , reading and circulating a samizdat was an act of resistance against an oppressive regime.  The courage and truth-telling animating that movement inspires this blog.  The dominant culture in early 21-st century America is also oppressive (although in less obvious ways), and the vast majority of the mainstream media of communication profoundly propagandistic.