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Freedom: George Michael and newspapers

My editor, MaryHelen, asked if the reporters were interested in writing something about ìWhat Freedom Means to Meî and although it quickly struck me as a fourth-grade essay contest, I agreed.
Not that my thoughts here are going to be terribly profound.
Iím not ashamed to admit the first thing I think of when I hear the word ìfreedomî is George Michael.
Yes, Iím talking about the 80s British rock star who split with Wham! to make it on his own.
His rock anthem ìFreedomî was not at all about Americanism, but about shedding the perceptions of what others think you should act like, sound like, look like to make it in this world ñ that the ìmeaning of lifeî really is what we make of it and weíll only get out of it what we put in.
ìAll we have to do now
Is take these lies and make them true somehow
All we have to see
Is that I donít belong to you
And you donít belong to me
Freedom
Youíve gotta give for what you take
Freedom
Youíve gotta give for what you takeî
Now, on a little more serious level, freedom for me means being able to say pretty much anything I want at any time and not facing criminal prosecution.
As a reporter, I cherish the right of the press to keep a check on government and the mostly unadulterated access we have to documents of all kinds.
But I also appreciate the fact that if the public is upset with us, they also have the right to be heard through their letters.
And although, as a reporter, I tend to hold very neutral opinions about most topics, I recognize the rights of others to swing to the far left, far right or land on any other spot on the political opinions line.
More than anything, however, I appreciate people like my husband and many friends who are willing to leave their families and put their lives on the line in service of the country for people like me.
Blame it on my age. Blame in on the TV wars Iíve witnessed instead of the ìrealî thing. Blame it on the fact that I never really had to struggle or fight for what I recognize as rights.
But whatever you do ñ donít take it lightly.
My opinion may seem a little short-sighted. It may appear to be superficial and a vague attempt at sounding the patriot, but donít be fooled.
It seems to me a lot more people my age would have similar views as what Iíve said here.
So while you guys ñ the people I still refer to as adults ñ are celebrating your 4th of July, remember those of us who still have a little ways to go before we may encounter more intense situations that might test our freedom.
And maybe say a little prayer that we never do.
Barbara Brown will observe her right to sleep outdoors this weekend as she goes camping with her family. She can be reached at barbara.brown@ecm-inc.com

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