RICK HALL

        You see, boys forget what their country means by just reading The Land of the Free in history books. Then they get to be men they forget even more. Liberty’s too precious a thing to be buried in books, Miss Saunders. Men should hold it up in front of them every single day of their lives and say: I’m free to think and to speak. My ancestors couldn’t, I can, and my children will. Boys ought to grow up remembering that. (Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, 1939)

Instead of watching the DNC Convention on Tuesday night, I chose to Jimmy Stewart’s classic movie, “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.”  This line has been stuck in my head ever since.

Yes, Mr. Smith.  Liberty is too precious of a thing to be buried in books.  We should hold it up in front of us every single day of our lives and say:  I’m free to think and speak.  My ancestors couldn’t, I can, and my children will.

That’s certainly a mantra to live by.