Freedom

Sitting around the coffee shop I can complain about the President, his wife, his girlfriend, any U.S. Senator I want and not worry about looking over my shoulder. I'm free to do that.

If I were to be arrested and charged with something I have a right to defend myself against my accuser. I'm free to do that.

And pholks, as a writer I can write about any of those things and a hell of a lot more and not worry about being put away just because of what I might write. I'm free to do that.

Also I can read what others say then express my verbal or written opinions and not have to look around to see who might be watching or listening. I can stand in front of thousands and do that if I want. I'm free to do that.

I can protect myself, if I need to. I can use a gun to defend myself--if I do it right--'cause I'm free to do that.

I can buy any book, magazine, or newspaper I want and read anything I choose to. I'm free to do that.

I can worship whomever or whatever I want to when and where I want to and with whom I want to and as long as I want to. Yes, I'm free to do that. I can buy property if I can afford it. I can sell any property I own to anyone I want to. I'm free to do that.

I can watch any movie, television show, listen to any radio station I have access to or I can make any movie, produce any television show or broadcast which isn't illegal. Guess why. You got it, because I'm free to do that.

I can vote for whomever I want to or vote against someone I don't want or I can choose not to vote. That's because, pholks, I'm free to do that.

I can go to school wherever I can afford to, after surviving 12 years of "free education" and learn how ever much I'm able to soak up. That is because I'm free to do so.

I can laugh at whatever stupid movie or television show strikes me funny. I can complain about how stupid I think any politician appears to be and even write him or her a letter telling them just that. I won't have someone harming my family because I did that. That's also because I'm free to do that.

I can watch a local July 4th celebration, and get teary-eyed as military veterans are honored and taps are sounded. That's my right to do so.

I can stand at attention as the flag of my country passes, salute, and watch in solemn awe as an honor guard moves ever so slowly and with impeccable precision as the American Flag is folded in the manner it is supposed to be at a military type funeral service. I'm damned free to do that.

I can complain when my country, The United States Of America, acts in a way I don't like. I can write, phone or E-mail my concerns to those whom I hold responsible. There is no guarantee that anything will be done. But again I have a right to do that. It is an important freedom.

I can applaud when my county, The United States of America, does something I'm proud of. I can tell anyone I want to how proud and honored I am about what has been done. I'm free to do that.

I can sing "God Bless America" whenever I want. If I have the talent and the ambition, I can write my own song, compose my own poem, or perform either of them whenever and whereever I please. I'm free to do that.

The older I get, the more often I stop and think about these things and consider how much the generations before me have accomplished and how many lives have been given to protect our ideas and ways of life.

After all pholks, it is "The land of the free and the home of the brave."