Growing up I was told not to talk about politics or religion. It was just sage advice from the old folks. They weren’t wrong. You really shouldn’t talk about religion or politics unless you are certain the person you’re talking to will agree with what you’re saying.

I was thinking about that as I read about some country singer, new to me, complaining he has lost fans and money by speaking out against Trump. My first thought was, just sing your songs, that’s why people are listening to you. You haven’t reached the point where you can afford to be political, it’s just business and I might add, common sense.

Back in my day we would call that being full of yourself. You know, when you start feeling that you are somehow smarter, better or more influential than others. Cousin to a braggart it’s not a good look. Today they would say, you ain’t all that! Know your role, is the more fitting adage.

It’s a funny thing to me. There are so many people believing that just saying controversial things makes them special. Did that begin with the shock jocks like Howard Stern? Last I heard about him he was off the air, grieving the loss of his rescue cat. A lot of comedians make a living doing that, using foul language and saying things we shouldn’t really be saying. Gets that nervous laughter.

I’m especially amused by those that say those things and then complain about the backlash. Kathy Griffin is a prime example. She got herself “canceled” and has done nothing but complain about it since. She could have apologized, admitted to just making a very poor choice and maybe people would have forgotten.

A rising country singer making political statements he has to know would go against his base just isn’t smart business. It’s like trying to get a job in a coffee shop while promoting tea!

Yes, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Waylon Jennings and a few others were outlaws. They didn’t conform to the Nashville way, but they weren’t making political statements in between songs. Ask the Dixie Chicks about how that works out.

The way I see it, if you are a celebrity of some type you can’t afford to run your mouth. Now us common folks, like me for instance, have little to lose by doing that. All that happens is I get called a few names, blocked on Facebook or whatever.

None of that is costing me my livelihood, I’m not attempting to gain “followers” or have people send money to a “go fund me” account. I can afford to be a bit more open. Celebrity does come with a price.

When you choose to go public, you choose to be judged! It just might cost you, big time. Discretion, it has been said, is the better part of valor. Silence is often more powerful than screams! You just have to know when to say nothing at all, at least not in public. Common sense.