Defending The Constitution

On this July 4th, it is clear that the American Constitution is in grave danger. Consequently, Nation editor and publisher Katrina vanden Heuvel argues in Editor's Cut that "It is time to make the defense of the Constitution a national theme for all candidates in this year's electoral contests."

"Some will shrink from defending the Constitution out of fear that the public is not interested in such a discussion or lacks a real commitment to constitutional government--that it's a losing issue." But they, writes vanden Heuvel, should "have more faith in the American people. Given a clear choice, Americans will choose defenders of the Constitution over those who would destroy it. But the choice must be put clearly before them."

Thomas Jefferson and Frederick Douglas would agree, as evidenced by John Nichols' Online Beat remembering Jefferson's Fourth of July advice given on his deathbed 180 years ago and Jon Wiener's Notion look back at the July 4th words of the great abolitionist.

Finally, don't miss The Nation's salute to America's true patriots: librarians on the frontlines of free inquiry, the Bill of Rights Defense Committee and peace activists across the nation.

Happy Holidays,
Peter Rothberg,
The Nation