Lately it seems that we, as Americans, have become lemmings. I'm guilty of it. We listen to the news and read the papers and simply react with an ambivalent response like "man, that stinks." or "someone should do something about that." or "good for them". Rarely are we, as regular ol' Americans, responsible for doing anything about the things we've become almost de-sensitized to.
Now, don't get me wrong. There are lots of people out there who DO speak their minds.
Are you one of them?
I'm not. Not when it comes politics, touchy issues, or anything else that might make feel like I've taken a particular side. And I know I'm not alone. We (the post baby boomers) have grown up in a very sheltered world. In terms of national and sometimes local affairs, we almost unknowingly depend on others to make decisions for us.
We live in a great Country. It's a Country built on being able to speak your mind.
Do I? Do you?
I, for one, do not.

Sorry to get off on a soap-box, but a little time with Merle will do that to you.
He made a career out rattling the cage, speaking for those without a voice. But even he has been silenced for a couple of decades.
He admits it. Lately, He's just been sittting and listening as well.
But if our recent conversation is any indication of things to come - Merle ain't done rattling cages yet.
I'm not saying Merle will be leading any pro-activist marches any time soon. Nor will I.
But maybe, just maybe, we could all use a little excercise in how to excercise our freedoms.

If you're one of those people out there who is actually doing something to change things you don't like about this Country - good for you!
And if you like everything about this Country and are speaking out about it - good for you, too!
Both sides deserve to be heard.
But lately, all I've heard is a bunch of political figureheads telling us which side of the party line we should stand on.
I personally think things should be a little more organic than that.
It's up to us (the "little" guys) to speak up.

Ok, I'm done. Sorry for the rant.

Funny...after reading what I just wrote I realize that I haven't said a thing, other than to go out and and say something.

"SOMETHING!"

There. That's a start.

in case you're wondering....
my six male living legends of country:
willie, merle, ray, george jones, kris kristofferson and Charlie Daniels. Toss Jerry Lee Lewis in for good measure.