We never took All That Remains for an especially political band, so we were a little surprised when singer Phil Labonte submitted a guest blog about staying free in an increasingly oppressive environment. Surely, ATR aren’t about to turn into Rage Against the Machine or anything, Labonte’s just finding it hard to stay silent amidst the freedom-eroding turmoil. And he wants you to hear his cries and join his struggle — or at least speak your mind and adhere to your convictions. Anyway, here’s Phil:
There’s really only a handful of things I care much about: my band, Halo, Marlboros, Jim Beam, Red Bull, and Liberty.
Lets talk about freedom. What is freedom and what does being free imply? Freedom isn’t given. It doesn’t come from being American, British, Canadian, or being from any other “free” country. It is the natural state that all creatures are born into. The only time freedom is taken away is when it benefits someone or something else to take it. Yet every day, people all over the world give up their freedom in small doses.
To arbitrarily give up your freedom, even in small amounts, invites despotism and tyranny. And it doesn’t take long. Hitler took power in less than a generation, and were it not for the people from many other nations who took a stand, he may have taken over all of Europe. Thomas Jefferson said, “All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.” Few statements have been truer.
Your government (any government) is the first establishment that will try to take your freedoms. Every piece of legislation that is passed takes a little bit of your freedom away. Thomas Paine, author of “Common Sense” said, “Society in any state is a blessing. Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.” Freedom needs to be protected by all who have it and by any means necessary.
Attacks on freedom come from everywhere and are usually in the guise of what’s best for society, but what’s best for society is freedom — the freedom to do what you want with your life and not have to ask the government if its okay; the freedom to say what you believe without someone saying you can’t think that way. We see it every day on TV. People with unpopular opinions or politically incorrect views are shunned. That’s not freedom. Again I’ll quote Thomas Paine: “He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from opposition; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach himself.” Liberty is not only for the popular opinion, but for all opinions.”
Protect your freedom, speak your mind, let no one take liberty from you.
Heed, those wise words and watch the band’s new video for “Not Alone”:
