so the US constitution includes the right to bear arms ie use them, against those who violate your rights? The cops violated my rights so I shot the ***. QED.

If only it was that simple. Cops, black youths in LA, "law abiding" white folks, and folk singers, come in all shades of political opinion, and within and between each group there are differing ethical frameworks and world views. All views on this topic are subjective and formed by the individuals weltanschuung. I come back to the original point, within a healthy society, views which express hatred of another group can only be marginalised and made ineffective *if* they are visible. Pretend they dont exist, censor them so that "decent" folk aren't affronted, and they will take on a life of their own.

Having said that, I must agree with Chet W, whose views on this subject, given his profession, have a weight of experience which most of us lack; about the abscence of a political intent, but I take from previous posts from US residents that the lyrics, whatever the motive for their creation, are an accurate relection of the feelings of that culture. I would therefore argue that the debate is valid.

To me the only people in this world who are dangerous are those who are sure they are right.

Pete M