There is a rumble when the bedrock of free civilization is shaken, and few heed the warning - just prior to the earthquake, when relentless forces threaten to destroy the foundations of freedom. That rumble echoed, ignored, the morning of June 29, 2004, when John Kerry stepped to the podium for rehearsal of his acceptance speech for the Democratic Party's nomination. He turned to his audience of reporters and spoke, specifically to them: "Members of the Fourth Estate, I have called you here to tell you that your reign is over." According to eyewitness accounts, there were titters of laughter,...