Just thinking further about this protest business and why very little gets played on mainstream radio stations these days - maybe fewer people have the courage to play controversial songs - they are not bought by the mainstream, therefore make little money for the record companies who won't put money behind people who threaten to upset the status quo. However, if the songs aren't played, how do people know that they're available to buy? Do protest songs ever really change anything - or do they serve a purpose by giving people the permission to hold similar views? Surely, if enough people unite together with these views, then change will follow. We're just not standing up and being counted for what we believe in. We do have choices and perhaps we need to be exercising our right to make these choices. Take the fuel protesters - they banded together in an attempt to get the government to take notice of them. And what of the farmers in this current crisis. Why should the government slaughter disease free animals. Surely this is taking things just a tad too far! Are the farmers going to stand up to them and prevent it happening - or are the lambs going to go meekly to slaughter? I'm reminded of the lyrics of the chorus of a song written by Mick Ryan called 'I won't take that lying down' which was written about people who took a stand against being downtrodden. Where have all the brave, strong, courageous people gone? I'd love to see this become a national anthem - how about singing it out loud:

Oh I wouldn't lie down and I couldn't lie down And if I'd any pride them I shouldn't lie down I can't lie down and I shan't lie down No I won't take that lying down.

Where's all the pride and the spine gone?