"You need only reflect that one of the best ways to get yourself a reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating the very phrases which our founding fathers used in the struggle for independence." --Charles Beard

"The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence." --John Adams I've said it once, and I'll say it again: the prescience exhibited by the Founding Fathers never ceases to amaze me.

Politicians of all stripes, take note:

"Laws are made for men of ordinary understanding and should, therefore, be construed by the ordinary rules of common sense. Their meaning is not to be sought for in metaphysical subtleties which may make anything mean everything or nothing at pleasure." --Thomas Jefferson

Well, we might as well go for the trifecta:

Yesterday we wondered what David French's "brilliant answer" was when a Cornell Law School job interviewer asked him, how, in light of his evangelical background, "is it possible for you to effectively teach gay students?" French e-mailed us with the answer:

I was surprised and pleased to see that you quoted from my talk to the American Enterprise Institute regarding intellectual diversity (or the lack thereof) and censorship on campus. I noted that you want to know my "absolutely brilliant answer" to the improper interview question. Before I tell you, I just want to make clear that the "absolutely brilliant" comment was made tongue-in-cheek in the speech and was played for laughs. I'm not really quite so full of myself. The truth is that I was fortunate to get the job perhaps in spite of my answer. I responded to the interviewer with the following statement:

<p>"I believe that all human beings are created in the image of God and should be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of whether I agree with their personal conduct or beliefs. I will treat all my students well, but I can't guarantee that they will treat me well when they learn that I'm a dreaded 'Christian conservative.'"</p>

<p>She responded with a long silence and then said, "I never thought of things from that perspective."</p>

There are lot of perspectives from which those who run our institutions of higher learning have never thought of things.

"[T]he opinion which gives to the judges the right to decide what laws are constitutional and what not, not only for themselves, in their, own sphere of action, but for the Legislature and Executive also in their spheres, would make the Judiciary a despotic branch." --Thomas Jefferson

"Tell me what are the prevailing sentiments that occupy the minds of your young people, and I will tell you what the character of the next generation will be." --Edmund Burke There is some hope from young people out there. I'm privileged to know one. (I suppose what's also sad is that I'll be 33 in December and apparently no longer see myself as a "young person.")

"The London Guardian found documents showing Paris fed intelligence to Baghdad before the war. Iraq got diplomatic secrets and military guidance from France. Who else could have taught the Iraqis how to lose their entire country in two weeks?" --Argus Hamilton

"This flag...the symbol of the hopes of man. This cloth of dreams for freedom, justice and opportunity. Its stars like beacons guiding us through shoals of adversity. Its red stripes like wounds of struggle. "The good in it cannot be had for nothing...like any garden, it must be tended...like any loved one it must be held. Hold high this flag and keep its promise bright, for in it lies the best of hope for all of us." --Mort Walker, Beetle Bailey creator (Thanks, Carrie.)

"Whatever enables us to go to war, secures our peace." --Thomas Jefferson