Drew, you put the hard questions out there, don't you. I'm no expert of any kind, but I'm old, and therefore have seen real life for many years. I can tell you that you are one of the lucky ones. You do have an outlet. Song writing, writing, writing and more writing. The only thing better is singing, laughing and talking, talking, talking.

I suspect that all those other guys think a lot like you and just don't say anything for the same reason that you are telling us about it and not talking with them directly. You keep doing what you are doing and, Man, you are going to be OK. Please share your outlets with your friends just enought to bring out some of those bottled-up guys and encourage them to find non-destructive outlets. Bad %!#$ bottled up inside a person will churn around and eventually explode. Please encourage them to seek help, talk with friends, counselors anyone. Maybe your could even write songs about getting counseling. I can see "a soldier sitting on a porch getting counseling from an old man" as a pretty good opening scene for a song.

A very hard question you asked "What do folks think of them?" I personally admire and feel sorry for them. Most of you guys (and I realize gals, too) are too young to have control of your emotions before you get involved in a culture that forces you to lock them down. That can't be good from the inception. But you are brave and strong and freedom needs you. I wish there could be a happy medium, but that's where we start back into the make-love-not-war thing and I'm all for that. Heck, I sign off evertime with....

Peace, Love & Hippy Beads,
Rhonda