Date: Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:55:01 -0400
From: Robert Waldrop
Subject: Free Speech In Chatham – From The “singer” in Bynum On Friday Night
Hi Morrie,
I’m glad you enjoyed the music and the evening on Friday. It was our pleasure to perform for you and yours.
Our views and opinions in no way reflect those of the good folks who donate their time and efforts to putting on the Bynum Front Porch Music Series nor to the folks that live in Bynum. Please do not hold my song verse which was: “Ain’t gonna fight for George W” against them. That venue is not for any set of political views. It is just a venue. Unfortunately history tells us music and art bring controversy. If you don’t want controversy, stop listening and stop looking to all music that you don’t agree with. I don’t like rap so I don’t ever listen to it. Hitler encouraged those choices by force because he knew their power.
Should you want to volunteer to screen all of the song lyrics in advance, the Bynum Folks may be interested in having you do that. That would prevent anything controversial (from a “conservative” or “liberal” point of view) from slipping by and influencing the children present or those with no opinion at all waiting to be told what to think. We could just sing the word “deleted” in the place of those words. “Ain’t gonna deleted for deleted deleted” would be tough to sing but it would work OK I guess.
My band mates shared the feeling of what I sang. One of the singers served in Viet Nam and was shot three times but went back each time after he recovered. He agrees completely with that little lyric. Let’s review that song I was singing, it included “I ain’t gonna study war no more” and “I’m gonna lay down my sword and shield”. It only bothered you when I mentioned our president’s name….or was it his ? I could have meant meant George Washington as my family were Bridges from England and were Tories so I hear (Sorry, couldn’t resist that). History told us who was right in that war. The song was written ~ 1920 or so and obviously is to protest war in general because it is bad. Sometimes it in necessary, many times not. I recall learning it from a Methodist Hymnal not all that long ago. I suppose we need to clean up that book as well ? Any other vile hymns in there ?
My great grandfather was a deserter from the Confederate Army near Plymouth, NC in the Civil War while another great grandfather built Ironclads in Wilmington, NC after being a privateer (aka pirate) for the CSN. The latter was a staunch defender of the lost cause until he died. History decided who was right in that war but I am proud of both men because they thought they were doing the right thing. History will decide who was or is right in our current war. I will stand my ground now and defend my right to free speech and opinion. That sir is America and Chatham County is part of America.
I remember being at a rather conservative public demonstration against government gone astray here in Chatham some years back. I had my 3 year old in my arms because it is the American way. Some rough looking fellows rode up in a very beat up looking pickup truck, slowed down and rolled the window down. I expected a bottle or a pistol and thought “I shouldn’t be here with my boy now as he has no choice”. The driver leaned out and yelled “GOD BLESS AMERICA” and I had tears come to my eyes, because he had it right. I simply had pre-judged him wrong. At that point I realized “that is way I came to this”. It is the American way and I need to teach them. Our forefathers protested, revolted, fought and won. Should we just shut up
and sit down now or any other time ?
When it’s broke we need to fix it and we should start at home.
So I will fly my flag (yes I really do so, respectfully), say the war in Iraq is wrong, wish our president had not gone down the path he did with our country in tow and sing my little lyric. I respect your position and your right to debate should you choose to do so.
May god bless America and our precious First Amendment.
Robert Waldrop
Proud American, native North Carolinian and Chathamainian for 22 years
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