I�m back. Yes, after almost 2 months of deep cover work, languishing in my own private hell of Bad Paranoia trying to find meaning in all the worlds insanity (both inside the world of music and outside it), I have returned to bring you The Wisdom. The Knowledge, as it were.

This column marks the 3 year anniversary of my debut here on antiMUSIC and I�d like to think that in that time I have proven one thing: I am a STRONG supporter and believer in a person�s RIGHT to Free Speech. To me, this RIGHT is the MOST important Freedom we have. But, it would seem that in today�s world of Fear, Loathing, Bad Paranoia, War and Terrorism this right is being tossed aside and the Weasels are holding the open minded and freethinking over a barbecue pit.

A joke with a biblical reference, sickening thoughts kept in ones own journal and an opinion on Marijuana laws are all examples of this nations current, seeming, obsession with stomping out speech that They don�t agree with. They is a big and powerful force without a real name or a real face, but it has overtaken our daily lives. Seems the only way once can speak his mind or have an opinion most would consider �bad� is in the privacy of his or her own MIND. But, I imagine it won�t be long till John Ashcroft and his Crew find a way to invade even THAT.

Ok, I�m rambling. Let us cut to the heart of this thing, we�ll do it one by one.

1)A Joke With A Biblical Reference

Richard Humphreys was a man who just wanted a beer. So, he stopped off at his local bar in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to do just that. While doing this, he struck up a conversation with a truck driver who was at the bar.  During the course of his conversation, the Bartender that called the Gustapo, er, Police said that he overheard Humphreys speak about a �burning Bush.� and the possibility of someone pouring a flamable liquid on George W.  Bush and lighting it. Remembering that Prez Bush was scheduled to visit Sioux Falls the next day, The Bartender called the Police and Humphreys was ARREASTED for THREATENING THE PRESIDENT. At his trial, Humphreys said; �I said God might speak to the world through a burning Bush.� Humphreys was sentenced to more than THREE YEARS in PRISION. He is currently appealing on the basis that his comment was protected by the First Amendment.

2)Sickening Thoughts Kept In One�s Own Journal
Brian Dalton of Columbus, Ohio is a man who needs help. He has a problem with child pornography. Dalton was on probation after serving time in prison for poseesing pornographic photos of children. After he was released, he kept a private journal in which he wrote his fantasies about the sexual abuse and torture of fictional children with made up names. The journal was never shown to anyone else, or intended to be seen by anyone else. It was just the ramblings of a man with a problem. BUT, one day his probation officer came for a visit, searched his home, and found the journal. 14 pages of imaginary encounters with three fictional children. Dalton was arrested, sent to trail, and sentenced to 7 years in prison PLUS 18 months for violating his parole.

3)An Opinion On Marijuana
Ed Forchion (aka The New Jersey Weedman) was out of prision 16 months after he was sentenced to 10 years for pleading guilty to possession of 25 pounds of marijuana. Last summer, he was thrown back into prison for violating his parole. His crime? Another 25 pounds?? Nope, all he did was ADVOCATE reform of Marijuana laws. His way of advocating was using his right to free speech by filming several Public Service Announcements expressing his opinion on the Marijuana laws in America. This is made more sickening when you consider that none of these PSA�s even AIRED! Not once. Never.

So, ok, we have THREE examples of Free Speech. And three examples of men going to JAIL for exercising their right to such. Now, whether or not you agree with any or all of these is beside the point (For the record, I think the guy in example number 2 is very SICK and in need of some serious help), what is important is that these men brought NO harm to anyone by either thinking or speaking their Opinion or Fantasies. But, I guess they brought harm to feelings of those In Charge and that�s all that matters.  Speak a dissenting opinion, protest a War, advocate Marijuana, crack a joke, piss off the New Gestapo and off to jail you go. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. It�s the NEW America. �Land of the Scared, Home of the Quiet�  at least that�s how it seems that THEY want it to be.  Hell, at this rate, the First Amendment will get abolished before that outdated piece of law known as the Second Amendment. But that, friends, is another rant for another day.

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