“As if freedom was a question of might
As if loyalty was black and white
You hear people say all the time–
'My country wrong or right'
I want to know what that's got to do
With what it takes to find out what's true
With everyone from the President on down
Trying to keep it from you
The thing I wonder about the Dads and Moms
Who send their sons to the Vietnams
Will they really think their way of life
Has been protected as the next war comes?”

Writing in — what? — '85 or '86 (I can't remember), Browne's lyrics referred to the Reagan administration, which was bad enough, but the lines are also dead on in the present day, perhaps even more so.

I support Earle and Browne as kind of “voices in the wilderness” (in the great tradition of John the Baptist), in the hope that someone who can make a difference wakes the fuck up before my (8-year-old) kid comes of draft age. I'm far from being hopeful, but people like Earle and Browne provide respites of hope.

Rob
EightE1

PS: I hope Earle plays “The Revolution Starts Now” when he plays Harrisburg, PA on April 12. I'll be the first one on my feet.