As I stood for the National Anthem at a salute to veterans this weekend the question at the end of the first verse struck me in an unusual way, “…does the Star Spangled Banner yet wave, o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?”

I have always though it appropriate that our National Anthem ended in a question, because in a free society the question always presents itself- shall we be free tomorrow? This question will always be with us, because freedom requires the action of the people.

Many sing without hearing the words thus they do not realize that ours is the only national song that ends with such a question. Those who do know that the final stanza answers the question, and assume as I traditionally have, the answer to be yes. But this day in 2009, I must admit that a lump rose in my throat as the song ended… it is difficult today to say that the banner does indeed wave over the land of the free.

Freedom can be defined simply as the lack of the physical coercion of another. This of course does not mean that the rights of your neighbor do not limit what you can do; he has the right to defend his property. But, to be free, he may not force you to (continue reading…)