I was flipping through my songbook last week and randomly opened to one I wrote in 2006 called “How Many Lies?” It was written in the wake of what feels like ancient history; the revelation that were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. The major reason given for going to war with that country after 9/11 was false. The anger I felt towards the leadership of this country got channeled into a protest song to help rally people into action. At that time, many felt change was desperately needed. A fresh face arrived on the political scene and in 2008, the country voted for historic change.
As I read over the lyrics to “How Many Lies?” I was surprised how relevant the themes I sang about then still mattered. Much has changed since 2006. Many good things have happened in terms of social progress, technological innovation, and building a world more hesitant to go to war. But something fundamental to the health and well-being of this country, if not humanity, is at stake: truth. (Coincidentally, the top story on HuffPost Sunday morning was The First 100 Lies: The Trump Team’s Flurry Of Falsehoods.)
Because of factors too numerous to detail here, we have arrived at a point where vast numbers of Americans cannot agree on trusted sources of information and leadership. We do not have a stable foundation to debate differences around important issues and reach a widely accepted consensus.
Society is based on people trusting the institutions we have created and the rules that govern them. As these institutions are attacked and their integrity questioned and eroded, we risk the danger of our social fabric being ripped apart. This leads to conditions being ripe for a strong man to rise up promising that he is one speaking truth and is the only one who can make things right again.
Millions of people have already shared their voices and their bodies in protest against lies and injustice. As I wrote in a previous post, these are the days to stand up and let our voices be heard.
Below, I offer a slightly revised version of “How Many Lies?” to help inspire and remind us of what is at stake in the fight for truth, peace and justice for all. I hope the song helps energize you to continue to do your part. Feel free to share it far and wide!