I've made a new pledge.

I will not write songs about politics. I will most likely not take political advice or uneducated political commentary from musicians and certainly not actors.

Now, let me clarify that I have no problem with musicians who write songs about politics. I have some very good friends who write and record lots of songs about politics. I may not always agree with them but I respect their views. Often they're perspectives are rooted in justice rather than politics. I respect that even more. Lots of times I do agree with them. With this genuine respect stated, I will most likely not buy albums that spend too much time on politics (except when supporting the above stated friends I've mentioned). Yes, its hypocritical but I have the right.

I am not bitter or angry. I'm just in a place where I want to be moved by music and not talked to. I want to feel emotion good, bad, and ugly. I want to connect with timeless music that doesn't bind itself with an era or bath in uninformed conjecture. I don't want commentary on the days events. That is why I watch both forms of 'liberal' and 'conservative' news, both forms of talk radio, and read various extremes of periodicals/online sources. That is my approach in hopes of digging out something balanced and truthful.

I try to be well read on issues of the day. I can talk of world events and consider myself a well rounded individual who tries to balance my faith, politics, and moral perspectives with some form or sanity---but certainly not with any assumption of perfection. Therefore, I am not qualified to speak with the confidence of an expert on issues of the day. This is not my new adherence to some form of pluralism. Its more of an issue of qualification. I certainly have strong opinions. I will occasionally discuss those opinions with close friends but you just won't hear it in my songs. Thats all I'm saying.

The 'most recent plays' on my ipod will not ring of politics nor will the notes on my guitar. Hopefully it will ring of love lived and lost, God, sadness, happiness, dreams, rockin', rollin', fighting, making up, making love, making the world better, and making the most of the simple things.

For those about to rock real life in their music, I salute you. For those rocking on the Bush-bashing, Clinton-hating, republi-can-it, demo-crab-it, liberalistic, conservo mania I salute you too for using your free speech. I just might not buy your records.

Music is my break from all that. My escape. I will protect it as my passion. Later peeps.