Well Frank I'm an odd one to be telling an American this but as Jack Lemmon said in the movie "Missing": "No, it's not my privilege, it's my RIGHT!!!"

And I reckon it's your right as a human being, not just an American.

I think people take more leadership than they might want to admit from their entertainment icons... starting with choosing who to admire. And we know, having followed someone's career for a long time, whether they are consistent, serious, and articulate about their opinions, or are just testing the waters. For example Susan Sarandon, Steve Earle, Bruce Springsteen--these people are serious about their principles, they're not just blowin' in the wind.

You might like Tom Clancy, I prefer John LeCarre, whose books show a fascinating evolution of consciousness from Cold Warrior to rational leftist.

Natalie Maines and her bandmates have taken a courageous stand, considering the general political slant of the country music industry, which drapes itself in the flag at every chance. I'm waiting to see where they go with it, it's a good start, nothing more or less.

Willie-O