That is what we all do, it is what we are supposed to do.

While most newspapers and news websites don't deal in satire on a regular basis, we do occasionally, recognizing its power to, if not change minds, at least get people to think or talk.

For this website, it goes on the opinion page, as the home page is devoted strictly to news. When we see an opportunity to explore something satirical on the opinion page we do so and we write on.

Before news of the French tragedy broke Wednesday, there were two other stories I read with great interest that were attempts to assassinate the free press.

One was from Maryland, about an arrogant Frederick County councilman by the name of Kirby Delauter who threatened legal action if the Frederick News-Post printed his name. He has since apologized but the newspaper did a yeoman's job in an editorial on the matter.

Then there was a case in Maine where a judge had to apologize for restricting media coverage of a defense attorney's domestic assault case, telling reporters initially they couldn't report witness testimony or anything said by the defendant's attorney.

The Portland Press Herald wrote on as they should have done. Judges are not above the law so we write on.

Fortunately, local politicians here haven't put us in that kind of situation.

About the only thing we've encountered is an occasional off-the-record uttered in a public meeting, which there is no such thing.

Fortunately, the comments made were so insignificant there was no need for them to be off-the-record in the first place.

The other thing we may take issue with at some point is the whispering we often witness among elected officials during public meetings. Go ahead and stop it now because you are conducting public business.

We write on and we will continue to challenge, when deemed appropriate, closed sessions on issues we feel are inappropriate to go behind closed doors to discuss. We rarely win these battles, but our objections are noted.

When cops don't give us what we think is enough information we will continue to go to the clerk's office and sift through search warrant affidavits and use the Pacer system when local cops become tight-lipped on matters that go through the federal system. It is what we do.

We see ourselves as a brotherhood.

I have received my share of threats of bodily harm, middle fingers extended to me, expletives hurled at me, have even been hinted at being a racist in the last few weeks. The only thing to do is write on.

The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that in 2014 there were 61 in our brotherhood killed.

Those left behind honor them, perhaps with a quick prayer, meditation or putting our thoughts in print to remember their legacy and fight for the right of a free press.

We stand by our fallen brothers in Paris. We stand by our brothers in Portland, Maine, and those on the editorial board of the Frederick News-Post.

We will write on. It's what those who died protecting the rights of a free press would want us to do — Lance Martin