[Patrick1]

It will never last. People can't govern themselves and I don't understand why they haven't already had elections.

[So Cal Rocket]

This document would be banned today, due to these references:

the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them

that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights

appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions

[Billthedrill]

These people are headed straight for a quagmire.

[stainlessbanner]

well done, Signers!

[StoneColdGOP]

I still get the chills down my back reading this.

[aimhigh]

John Kerry objects; the U.N. wasn't consulted first.

[Van Jenerette]

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights...

Rights from GOD, not men.

...that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness

These RIGHTS, especially LIFE, also belong to pre-born children!

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed...

Representative government, not JUDICIAL RULE from the bench!

...That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter...

The 1st Amendment provides the 'ALTERATION' means...

...or to abolish it, and to institute new Government

The 2d Amendment provides the 'ABOLISHMENT' means...and the people get to start all over again.

Happy Birthday USA!

[Congressman Billybob]

Trivia point: per the Journal of Congress, the Declaration of Independence was actually passed on 2 July, not 4 July, 1776. The document remained at the desk and open for signature through at least August. Most of the signatures were added late.

The Monticello Foundation, based at Jefferson's home, sells both a silk tie and a silk scarf that bear all the signatures from the Declaration, with Jefferson's emphasized by being the only one in white. The tie and/or scarf can be ordered on line. I recommend those highly.

Congressman Billybob

Latest column, "I Did It ... Because I Could"

If you haven't already joined the anti-CFR effort, please click here.

[Mike Bates]

If liberals were in Philadelphia in 1776

[MosesKnows]

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

And with the Constitution it would have worked. However, the 16th and 17th amendment to the Constitution eliminated any chance for the vision to succeed.

[RonF]

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

I have tried to memorize this. Whenever the topic of multi-culturalism or "pluriform truths" come up, and people ask, "Well, what do Americans agree on, anyway?", I quote this.

[Beckwith]

This is the defining document of the United States of America.

The phrase, "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights" is interesting.

Since the rights of "all men (and women) come from "their Creator", do atheists have rights in the United States of America"?

I would argue that those that deny the existence of "the Creator" also deny the existence of any rights.