At last night's music we got into a long discussion about this very subject. I'd been bragging about Juneau's mellowness- and a couple of them told me that it ain't necessarily so...

One told me that a few months ago when a local activist went public with his anti-war views he got a late night call warning him that both and his family would have to watch their backs, if the caller found out where he lives.

One local musician, Buddy Tabor, who writes and releases many protest songs says he feels very vulnerable, especially since his name and his CDs have been specifically mentioned in the local newspaper letters columns. Buddy's views on greed and invasion and war mongering, power-mad administrations come through clearly in his music. He has an old song that infuriates some people: Mr. Basketball Shoes; more recently he has written a powerful one that he calls Brand New Jesus. (Chorus: Brand new Jesus, Brand new plan, Brand New Jesus, Right Wing Man) He is an articulate, prolific writer.

I agree with Guest- this mood comes from fear, and sadly enough, feeds on fear. Last night there was a feel-better musical gathering at a local church- I wasn't able to go this time, but maybe there needs to be more of that kind of thing.

Unless it's gone too far. Frankly, I just don't see a happy ending to all this. But I haven't given up- still working on trying to visualize a potential outcome to give me hope.