Livin' FREE isn't always EASY

From the movie Easy Rider
Then and now—40 years have passed, but seeing this may remind you
of the saying, "The more things change, the more they remain the same."


George Hanson (Jack Nicholson): You know, this used to be a helluva good country. I can't understand what's gone wrong with it.
Billy (Dennis Hopper): Man, everybody got chicken, that's what happened. Hey, we can't even get into like, a second-rate hotel, I mean, a second-rate motel, you dig? They think we're gonna cut their throat or
somethin'. They're scared, man.


George Hanson: They're not scared of you. They're scared of what you represent to 'em.
Billy: Hey, man. All we represent to them, man, is somebody who needs a haircut.


George Hanson: Oh, no. What you represent to them is freedom.
Billy: What the hell is wrong with freedom? That's what it's all about.
George Hanson: Oh, yeah, that's right. That's what's it's all about, all right. But talkin' about it and bein' it, that's two different things. I mean, it's real hard to be free when you are bought and sold in the marketplace. Of course, don't ever tell anybody that they're not free, 'cause then they're gonna get real busy killin' and maimin' to prove to you that they are. Oh, yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom. But they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em.


Billy: Well, it don't make 'em runnin' scared.
George Hanson: No, it makes 'em dangerous.

Enough said. -CAC

FREEDOM & RESPONSIBILITY

Looking out over the Tucson Valley
(Click on photos to enlarge)

This past Sunday evening, my wife and I decided to take a little trip up the mountain for a short hike. We went up about 14 miles to an overlook appropriately called "Windy Point".

We parked our car and headed off on one of the many trials leading out to a large boulder field atop a ridge where many go to watch the beautiful sunsets we have here in Tucson.

This is a place with many huge boulders often perched on top of one another. There were people milling about all over these mega-rocks despite the fact that if you aren't a bit mindful of where you're going, you could walk right off an edge to a not so comfortable landing.
















I found myself appreciating our right to do this, to wander around this beautiful place taking responsibility for our own actions and our own lives. If I were to walk off the edge of a cliff here, it would not the fault of the state, forest service, or highway department for not keeping me out—it would be my own fault for being reckless or stupid. In my opinion, that is as it should be.



All to often now, we come to places such as these and find ourselves behind barriers and fences, facing numerous signs shouting "danger" or "no trespassing" and touting various fines for any violations. What we are left with is a chance to put 50 cents in a viewfinder and "experience" it all from a distance.

The freedom to watch out for ourselves and our own has been slowly eroding away. The sad thing is that it all comes from greed and blame—lawsuits.













For now, there art still places like this where we are free. I encourage you to get out there and enjoy them while you still can.

Photos by Monica Van Hall