To what extent is our Declaration of Independence used in our government schools as a teaching device; our children being imbued with an understanding that this is the foundational, defining proclamation of the identity of the U.S.A., the open acknowledgment to ourselves and to all the world of the source of our rights?
Even more importantly, as a parent I failed to dioscuss and explain this to my children. And I suspect that few of us do much better.
We are hosting a gathering today with friends and family, baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and Sam Adams lager. We will be reading the Declaration of Independence aloud. I have printed up many copies of the transcription from the National Archives to distribute to our guests. I have made it clear that anyone who does not wish to participate is not welcome, and anyone who who interrupts will be told to leave. It’s for the children, after all.