In fact, we are the orphans
of a reality that came too late
and which is only, like truth,
an “official report” in “delayed time.”

Excerpt, Radical Thought by Jean Baudrillard

Yesterday, while driving, listening to an interview on NPR, I heard this story.  In Kane County where I presently live, the county government has a program of rehabilitation for anyone who is arrested with a drug addiction condition.  The individual is presented with the opportunity to meet with a counselor who will work with them to craft a transition from the misery of alcohol, amphetamines, etc. to a form of life that affirms their soul and body.

Two things came to mind while I listened to the interview.  1) How counter intuitive, contrary to common practice this response to a person accused of violating the law, a person manifestly disabled with addiction is this Kane County response …  Punishment, cycles of incarceration, the assertion of “law and order” forceful to modify behavior — is rejected.  2)  Then there’s the idea of “freedom.”  Of course we revert to our default, fulfill the patterns laid down for us by our parents, by those who surrounded us when we were quite young, malleable, etc.  Of course he/she turned out to be “a pot head,” or “a lush,” etc. since everyone in the family was “addicted to the grape,” etc.. You know how it goes, expectations, everything seemingly conspires to fulfill the pattern.  That’s “reality” for all of us.

What if an intervention happens, a counselor’s kindness and skilled insight/words are offered that point to another direction…  What if a decision is rendered by law enforcement, by the Kane County Sheriff: there’s an alternative to incarceration, another option than punishment…  What if all of this amounts to a tipping point for men and women who have experienced few if any breaks in their past…  Is this what we mean to say, when we use the word, “freedom?”

We think that “freedom” is nothing but illusion, mirage-like.  Or we think that freedom is the effect of reason.  Binary opposites.  What if freedom can be many things depending upon circumstance…?

What if?

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How about a tune to get us through?  This great one was made popular by Janis Joplin:  Me and Bobby McGee.

Me And Bobby Mcgee

Busted flat in Baton Rouge, headin’ for the trains,
Feelin’ nearly faded as my jeans.
Bobby thumbed a diesel down just before it rained,
Took us all the way to New Orleans.
Took my harpoon out of my dirty red bandana
And was blowin’ sad while Bobby sang the blues,
With them windshield wipers slappin’ time and
Bobby clappin’ hands we finally sang up every song
That driver knew.

Freedom’s just another word for nothin’ left to lose,
And nothin’ ain’t worth nothin’ but it’s free,
Feelin’ good was easy, Lord, when Bobby sang the blues,
And buddy, that was good enough for me,
Good enough for me and my Bobby McGee.

From the coalmines of Kentucky to the California sun,
Bobby shared the secrets of my soul,
Standin’ right beside me through everythin’ I done,
And every night she kept me from the cold.
Then somewhere near Salinas, Lord, I let her slip away,
She was lookin’ for the love I hope she’ll find,
Well I’d trade all my tomorrows for a single yesterday,
Holdin’ Bobby’s body close to mine.

Freedom’s just another word for nothin’ left to lose,
And nothin’ left was all she left to me,
Feelin’ good was easy, Lord, when Bobby sang the blues,
And buddy, that was good enough for me.
Good enough for me and Bobby McGee.

Lyrics composed by Kris Kristofferson