When Freedom Becomes a Tyrant

During the American Revoution, and during every armed conflict the American military found itself a principle player-through the war in Vietnam, the ethereal concept called Freedom held a pivotal position.

First, the defining role of Freedome was purely the gaining of it by a rag-tag collection of criminals, mentally ill idealists, and other "undesireables of the realm". In 1776, the young "Colonists" declared its birth for themselves. The new America was hesitantly admitted onto the World stage as nothing more than an interesting, sometimes entertaining oddity among the monarchical, tzarist, and Dictatorial principal players. As an understudy with an amost laughable twist on the well-established notions of societal rule, Freedom's light struggled patiently, waiting its turn, waiting in the wings. Freedom observed its superiors, avidly absorbing the lessons taught through the painful experiences of other nations. Taking note of the losses through the failure of others, Freedom learned these sad lessons. She also learned, t her own preat cost, lessons of cost, and cause.

Yet, as time went by Freedom beame, more and more, a sought commodity. Prima Donnas were seeking her out, and even those arrogant stars of the World stage listened closely, as Freedom spoke her carefully crafted lines, and sang her songs of hope to an all-too-interested audience. From understudy, Freeom became a Star in her own right. Hers was a strong voice, with an undeniable message that required acknowledgement. Her lessons had been carefully, lovingly won at an horrific cost. She was NOT to be ignored.

And, in what seemed to be all-too-short a time, Freedom herself became THE shining star of the World stage. Sought by every house on the Circuit, she was lauded, applauded, and treated as the spectacular sensation which she had proven herself to be.

She was demure, shy and alluring. Freedom never went where she was not invited, and Lady Freedom NEVER strayed far from her home stage. She did not wish to lose her way, her purpose, her humility-or her way home.

She had starring roles in the greatest performances the World has ever witnessed. In virtually every Theatre of note, her song sang out clearly, bringing her light of hope, peace, justice and prosperity to audiences starving-and dying-to know the truth she brought.

Her performances were not always perfect, yet her delivery was so extrememly superior to all the other players on the stage that Freedom inevitably won the admiration of the entire World.

Even those few actores on the World stage who di not admire Freedom gave her respect. And, as she continued her back-breaking schedule of starring role performances, she was consistently viewed as the very best of the very best. Powerful, and full of grace, Freedom stopped the show--every time! One of her finest points in each performance was that, of all the actors on the stage, and of all the roles she was called upon to play, Freedom never had an Understudy of her own. She never missed a Curtain call, or sang a weak note, forgot a line, or took a day off. Who else could take her place? What member of the cast would DARE attempt her role?

While an admitted youngster of the Troupe, Freedom's light shone so brightly as to humble the Sun itself, it was said. She simply had no equal in the cast of (it seemed) in the celestial universe.

One day, following a glorious performance for Europe, and a thunderous ovation in Japan, Freedom finally got a Sunday off. And, on that one lone moment of rest, Freedom made what some today say was a mistake most unfortunate. On that Sunday, Freedom read her Reviews. And Freedom liked-very much indeed-what she read.

To the utter sadness of her most loyal and devoted fans, Freedom began believing her own "Press". She began thinking more of her own worth than she ought. The strain of stardom began to show on her face, and in her performance. Her lines began being delivered as muted, nearly disinterested tones. Her songs got thin, and some said they seemed self-serving. Like the young, incomplete teenager she was, Freedom began showing signs of rebellion.

She refused to play in some Theatres, even when requested many times-because she deemed them unworthy of her talent, her stardom, or her "worth". When she DID accept a role it was to the dismay, embrassment, and humiliation of her dearest fans. Freedom began to require payment in advance, with no guarantee of performance on her part. And, she walked off the stage a time or two, crying that her audiences wer unworthy of her or beneath her. Even against the strongest admonitions of her Director, her Agent, and above all her international repute, Freedom became selfish, demanding, and tempermental To the sad despair of those who needed her most, Freedom slowly developed into a completely self-centered brat!!

Predictably, with no player strong enough, clever enough, or interested enough to offer direction or control over her, Freedom's rebellion grows still yet today. She has started demanding! She requires attention for herself. She displays attitudes of meanness, even to her most loyal and deserving fans. A shocked World watched as Freedom, now a totally self-absorbed young adult, has invited herself onto stages uninvited, playing roles completely of her own design-without the first consideration of her audiene the play, or the players. Declaring herself worthy, simply because of her existence, Freedom dashes on, and off the stage with impunity whenever she wishes. She shoves aside her fellow actors, most often hurling verbal assaults on her way past. When challenged, or when finding no compensation sufficient, Freedom now merely TAKES what she things she deserves with little or no thought of cost, or consequence. Any player who dares to confront her, or to hold her accountable for her selfish behaviour is crushed beneath the still-overwhelming feet that once made footprints the World followed willingly.

Today, amidst the braying and self-aggrandizement of a small number of groupies who count their worth solely by their back-stage passes, and their access to the "diva"'s boudoire, Freedom has learned to love the sound of her own voice. "It is, because I SAY it is!" Thisnewest theme song is out of character fro Freeom, an is a role she is not perfoming well at all. Her movements are stilted and not comfortable for her yet Freedom demands the appalue and adulation of the World. "Or ELSE!!" She pouts, shaking her fist. Freedom threatens now with a promise to appear is she does not get her way, or sufficient payment. She demands those things to which she is not now, nor has ever been, entitled. Her "mandatory" appearance fees are soaring, and are second only to the cost she exacts to stay away.She has become an embarrassment.

Freedom has become a tyrant.

The entire cast knows it, and with each passing moment, they are joyously plotting her demise.

Perhaps the most amazing aspect of this entire epic is the shameful silence of those who are today, as has been the case since Freedom made her debut on the World stage, her keepers.

Freedom was Given her light, she di not create it. Wer words are prepared by a cadre of writers; they re not ditated by her. Hers is, as it has always been, an assigned role, not one she alone may choose. Every person who, since the bginning of her career, has basked in her goodness is her keeper. Freedom has no independent self, or self-worth. She is singular. Freedom has no siblings, and no undestudy. Freeom's glory oes not come from within herself, but from each of those whose sacrifice, dedication, and single purpose have fed, and nurtured her.

Freedom has, indeed, become a Tyrant.

It is we who MUST respond. It is we who have failed, and failed Lady Freedom. It is we who must hold Freedom accountable. And, if she is to survive, it is we, her keepers who must do this incredibly difficult task NOW.