Abuse Of Freedoms May
Lead To Restrictions
It is customary on and around the celebration of Independence Day to wax nostalgic about the sacrifices of the men and women who helped America gain and retain its independence and about the freedom we enjoy because of their efforts. But having existed with unparalleled freedom for 220-plus years, perhaps America should reconsider just what that freedom means.
So accustomed are Americans to freedoms that not only are they taken for granted, but they are also taken to extremes. The freedoms of speech and press and the (somewhat debated) right to bear arms are being taken to such extremes that it is likely the day will come when the public will demand that those rights be curtailed.
Freedoms abused will be freedoms diminished. The plethora of sexually explicit web sites on the Internet, nude dancing and worse under the guise of freedom of expression, the sale of automatic weapons and even grenades and rocket launchers, and periodicals and web sites promoting hatred all fall under constitutional protection at present. It is inevitable that if they continue to multiply, people will demand that the government act. And the only way the abuses of our freedoms can be stopped is by amending the Constitution.
That poses the gravest danger to our freedoms.
If the founding fathers had been able to envision the extreme liberties taken with our constitutional freedoms, they would have made the Constitution less vague and severely limited some of those rights. When the time comes and public sentiment results in amendments to the Constitution or, worse yet, a constitutional convention, rights now protected will be lost.
Perhaps that is just evolution in a democratic society, but on Independence Day we should consider that the rights we so cherish could one day be taken away in reaction to those who abuse them. Just as defending our country against foreign enemies requires constant vigilance, so we must be eternally protective of our constitutional rights so when our great-great-grandchildren celebrate Independence Day in 100 years they will have just as much to celebrate.

Concert Was
Great; But It
Can Be Better
The third Bill Anderson concert was the best yet, both from the size of the crowd to the quality of the artists. Understand now, that country music isn't my thing, but I've become a big Bill Anderson fan because of what he's doing for this community.
Here's a guy who has made it big and he donates a night a year to helping Commerce build a much-needed performing arts center, bringing major talent with him.
Steve Wariner is a top-drawer country music act. Anyone who begrudged the $5 to hear him is an idiot. That he would spend a night in Commerce when he could have played on any stage in North America shows the kind of clout Anderson has in Nashville ­ and says good things about Wariner.
But there are some things that can be done, must be done, for the sake of this event. Here are some suggestions:
·The football stands were far too dark. With so many elderly people walking up and down the steps, it is a miracle no one fell and got hurt. Not only do we need to prevent the injury, but neither the school system nor the Commerce Business Association wants to see a lawsuit. Lighting is an absolute necessity.
·Make the event shorter. The number of acts Anderson brings will be the defining factor, but with four Nashville acts and two local sets, something should be curtailed so the concert time will be reasonable. Six and a half hours, with no air conditioning and limited restroom facilities, is too long.
·Eliminate the fireworks. There is no longer a connection with an Independence Day celebration and fireworks at 12:30 in the morning disturb the rest of Commerce. Move the fireworks to July 4.
·Start on time. This would also help shorten the event. In three years, the concert has not started within 40 minutes of the time it was scheduled to begin. A lot of the people who arrived at 6:00 expecting music to start at 6:30 got up and left before or during Steve Wariner's set. Maybe they came just to see Anderson, but maybe it was just getting too late.
·Given the number of handicapped people, most of them elderly, more handicapped parking must be provided. I helped park cars, and had to tell several elderly people who asked about handicapped parking that it was full. They had to walk in from beyond the tennis courts.
·The stadium needs better rest-room facilities - at least for women. The line to the bathroom was 50 people long at times. Too long.
·If there is any hope for the concert growing, we're going to have to find more parking. If the fireworks are eliminated, more parking will be available by the elementary school, and when the renovation of CHS is finished, there will be more room in the back parking lot. Still, there is not sufficient parking for a crowd of 10,000.
These problems are solvable. Anderson is providing the talent. WJJC and the Commerce Business Association are providing the labor to pull it off, and the concert is growing. You don't have to be a country music fan to appreciate what Bill Anderson is doing for Commerce or to have a good time at the City Lights Concert.

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