GARTH BROOKS: COUNTRY COOL

In country music superstar Garth Brooks' new album, _The Chase_,
a rousing song titled "We Shall Be Free" makes it clear that
we'll be unshackled only "when we're free to love anyone we
choose" -- a line Brooks says is meant to include same-sex
couples. (The song also addresses racism and other inhumanities.)

In a _Newsweek_ interview Brooks said, "I don't know where
someone gets off telling human beings they can have some rights
and not others... For those people that feel religiously that
homosexualit is wrong... I say, 'Hey, man, stay on your own
side.' To penalize someone for being homosexual, I don't think
that's our place."

This message from conservative Nashville is most welcome, and
support for gay family values couldn't be more timely. Give him a
pat on the back by writing to:

        Garth Brooks
        c/o Liberty Records
        3322 West End Avenue
        Nashville, TN 37203