There is a fear of communism and there is a fear of change like in the town of Summerville that is leery of the migration of Katrina victims who would be doing a minimal community work for rent free lodging, in order to buy back their freedom. When it comes to celebrated folk singers or when it comes to the translocation of blacks to another town because their homes were wiped out, America has become paranoid. I used to think that th Dostoievsky's Russia was the land of psychotics and irrational fears. Now I am convinced that there is a larger conservative or Republican sector suspicious of anyone opting for peace and disfavoring governments that fuel military expansionism.
Such was the case for Pete Seeger a peace activist who contributed largely for the cleaning up along the Hudson River. His initiative brought attention to the polluted river such that its popularity has been restored. The singer was accused of favoring communism since he was anti-war and opposed the Vietnam involvement. How could he not have been patriotic by wanting to contribute to his own homeland?
The same can be said for Bruce Springsteen who has also been dubbed as non-patriotic. Yet he is also concerned with the improvement of life in areas of America that have become downtrodden.
There are other performers, now long gone who were also accused of being unpatriotic like Charlie Chaplin. Unfortunately his move back to the UK was a loss to Hollywood as far as I am concerned.
Republican politicians should be aware of these gifted artists and others who contribute to their country through peaceful means. They should be reminded about their own Bill of Rights where diverse opinions and political opinions can be expressed. War has never been a lasting solution for peace and taking away one's freedom to speak freely is not a democratic solution for peace either.
