Academia, Constitutional Law, Free Speech

Happy Birthday, Jemmy!

Today is the birthday of our greatest Framer and the genius behind our Constitution: James Madison. He would have been 274 years old. I ordinarily celebrate at home (as shown in this picture from last year). However, this year, I spoke at the Tucson Book Festival and celebrated with that very literate crowd. I am now on my way to Berlin from Tucson to speak at the World Forum on free speech. I will be toasting Jemmy on the flight with anyone who will join me.

In my remarks today in Tucson on my book, The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage, I discussed the material on Madison and his powerful defense of free speech in 1800.

James Madison and Jefferson were appalled by the attack on free speech and even used code in letters to protect their own communications. Madison referred to these prosecutions as the “monster” that dwells within our legal system, emerging during times of fear or anger.

Jefferson would ultimately pardon those convicted under Adams. Yet, he would also yield to that “monster” in using the criminal system to target his own critics, though to a lesser extent as his predecessor.

We ordinarily celebrate with a traditional Virginia dinner (with the required Virginia ham), a three-layer cake, and Madison’s favorite dessert of ice cream (I recommend the tripartite Neapolitan).

James Madison, Jr. was born on March 16, 1751 at the Belle Gove Plantation in the colony of Virginia to James Madison Sr. and Nelly Conway Madison.

Despite being only 5’4” and barely above 100 pounds, Madison proved to be an intellectual giant who shaped constitutional theory for generations.

While critics would call him “Little Jemmy,” Jemmy was a nickname used for Madison by others.

As a Madisonian scholar, today is a day of great celebration for the man who is most responsible for our constitutional system, not to mention the Bill of Rights and our 4th President. He was a brilliant writer whose contributions to The Federalist Papers still remain required reading for lawyers and laypersons alike, particularly Federalist No. 10 (on factions) and Federalist 51 (on the separation of powers).

Madison died of congestive heart failure at Montpelier on the morning of June 28, 1836. He was 85 — an advanced age for the time. My favorite story from his death came from his niece who asked him, “What is the matter, Uncle James?” Madison simply responded “Nothing more than a change of mind, my dear.” He then promptly passed.

So enjoy the day and celebrate in true Madisonian fashion. There is no need to be moderate. Madison understood our failings and inclinations. After all,  “if men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.” Just  keep your friends checked and balanced.

As always, while I expect Dolley would not be thrilled, here is our annual sultry send off for James Madison at 274 years young today:

Happy Birthday, Jemmy.

40 thoughts on “Happy Birthday, Jemmy!”

    1. I used to read the New Republic back in the 1970s. If I recall correctly, in a TRB column, the author (I’ve since forgotten his name) reported that Walter Lippmann once opined that James Madison was our last good president. Even then, I tended to agree.

    2. The article body explains that — it was a nickname for him back in the day.

  2. THE WORLD FORUM ON THE FUTURE OF DEMOCRACY, AI / TECH AND HUMANKIND

    MARCH 18 & 19, 2025, BERLIN
    THE WORLD FORUM
    On the Future of Democracy, AI/Tech and Humankind

    with contributions by

    Pope Francis, US President Bill Clinton, Secretary Hillary Clinton, Philosopher Yuval Noah Harari, Heads of State, Nobel Peace Laureates, Godfathers of AI and Artists

    March 18
    The Democracy Gala

    honoring

    US President Bill Clinton as “The Peacemaker of the Century” for ending wars in Bosnia, Kosovo, Yugoslavia, Northern Ireland, Israel/Palestine and East Timor
    &
    Guardians of Democracy

    BERLIN — Democracy, Freedom, and the survival of the human race are at stake.

    On March 18 and 19 THE WORLD FORUM ON THE FUTURE OF DEMOCRACY, AI/TECH, AND HUMANKIND will promote a renewal of democracy and present suggestions, policy papers and law drafts on how to improve the state of the world. THE WORLD COUNCIL ON AI shall create a framework for AI, Algorithms, social media and digital life in order to elevate and not endanger democracy, freedom, and humankind.

    THE WORLD FORUM will commence with remarks by Pope Francis, US President Bill Clinton, Secretary Hillary Clinton, Philosopher Yuval Noah Harari, Geoffrey Robertson KC, First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, Vice-President of the European Parliament Katarina Barley, former Prime Minister of Israel Ehud Olmert, former President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai, former President of Tunisia Moncef Marzouki, Nobel Peace Laureates Oleksandra Matviichuk, Maria Ressa, Tawakal Kerman, Narges Mohamadi (from Iran prison), Russian opposition leaders Vladimir Kara-Murza and Ilya Yashin, the world’s leading scientist on longevity Professor David Sinclair on how to stop aging and extend human lifespan. Among the 200 speakers at The World Forum`s 50 panel discussions are the world’s leading minds in their fields such as the ethicist Peter Singer, the first female Muslim Imam, and Godfathers of AI such as Yoshua Bengio.

    Film Premieres, Special Evenings, and Associated Events

    In conjunction with the Cinema for Peace Gala and The World Forum, a curated program of associated events will take place, such as:

    1. Special Screening “The Click Trap”, March 16, 7 pm The Pioneer (TBC)

    2. Film Premiere of “The Cranes Call”, March 17, 6 pm – with director Laura Warner, investigator Anya Neistat, and executive producers Secretary Hillary Clinton and Jaka Bizilj about the War Crimes investigation of the Clooney Foundation in Ukraine – with Q&A

    3. The World Council on AI – Algorithms, Social Media and Digital Life, Round table on March 18, 2-4 pm, Hotel Adlon, Berlin

    4. Special presentation of “Defining War Crimes in the 21. Century” by Geoffrey Robertson KC, with contributions by Nobel Laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk and by publisher, journalist, filmmaker, producer, and founder of Cinema for Peace and The World Forum Jaka Bizilj

    5. The Democracy Gala – presents Guardians of Democracy and the Noble Prize honouring of “The Peacemaker of the Century” US President Bill Clinton for stopping wars in Bosnia, Kosovo, all of former Yugoslavia, Northern Ireland and Israel & Palestine, and Timor Leste.

    •
    Categories of awards and nominees include:

    • The Noble Peace Prize for the Peacemaker of the Century
    Nominees: Nelson Mandela, Bill Clinton, Mahatma Gandhi, Václav Havel, Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa, and Lech Walesa

    • The Noble Award for Guardians of Democracy (2025-2030)
    President Tsai Ing-wen, Oleksandra Matviichuk, President Salome Zourabichvili, President Maia Sandu, President Jose Ramos-Horta, Nathan Law, Joshua Wong, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Maria Ressa, Vladimir Kara-Murza, Ilya Yashin and Yulia Navalnaya

    • The Noble Genius Prize (2025-2030)
    Ray Kurzweil, Prof. David Sinclair, Demis Hassabis, Geoffrey Hinton, Yoshua Bengio, Yann LeCun, Steve Wozniak, Jimmy Wales, Jensen Huang, Yuval Noah Harari, Robert E. Kahn, Vint Cerf and Sir Timothy John Berners-Lee.

    • The Noble Prize for Humanity and Global Impact (2025-2030)
    Melinda & Bill Gates, Eric Schmidt, Michael Bloomberg, Laurene Jobs, George Soros, Richard Branson, Richard Curtis and Amal & George Clooney

    • The Noble Arts Prize (2025-2030)

    Alicia Keys, Angelina Jolie, Anish Kapoor, Banksy, Ben Affleck, Beyoncé, Bono, Brad Pitt, Bruce Springsteen, Ed Sheeran, Elton John, George Lucas, Jeff Koons, John Lennon & Yoko Ono, Keanu Reeves, Lady Gaga, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lionel Richie, Matt Damon, Meryl Streep, Michael Douglas, Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney, Peter Gabriel, Rihanna, Sean Penn, Shakira, Simon & Garfunkel, Steven Spielberg, Sting, Taylor Swift, Ai Weiwei

    The World Forum and Cinema for Peace have established The Noble Award to recognize and celebrate exceptional contributions to the advancement and well-being of humanity. This award seeks to honor individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact in the fields of culture, peace, human rights, justice, science, innovation in technology and AI—ensuring that those committed to a better world receive the recognition they deserve and may inspire others to follow. Despite a similar sounding name, The Noble Award is not associated with Alfred Nobel, who created the Nobel Prize in 1895. The Noble Award does not only reward an extraordinary, best or unique achievement as for example the Nobel Prize, the Turing Award, the Oscar, or the Emmy, it is also based on having or showing fine personal qualities and high moral and ethical principles.

    –

    Speakers at The World Forum on 18 & 19 March 2025:

    1. US President Bill Clinton on how can democracy be saved in the USA and in the world?

    2. Secretary Hillary Clinton on female leadership

    3. Nobel Peace Laureate Oleksandra Mathviichuk on War Crimes in Ukraine

    4. Nobel Peace Laureate Maria Ressa on “The World Council on AI – Algorithms, Social Media and Digital Life”

    5. Geoffrey Robertson KC on “Defining War Crimes in 21st Century”

    6. Nobel Peace Laureate Tawakal Kerman on human rights and democratic transitions in the Arab world

    7. Russian Opposition leaders Vladimir Kara-Murza and Ilya Yashin on Role of Dissidents and Russian politics

    8. Former Prime Minister of Israel Ehud Olmert on peace plan for Israel /Palestine

    9. Philosopher Peter Singer on the topics of ethics, utilitarianism, animal rights, and effective altruism.

    10. The world’s leading scientist on longevity Professor David Sinclair on how to stop aging and extend human lifespan

    11. Former Chief Prosecutor of Special Court for Sierra Leone Prof. David Crane on Crime of Aggression

    12. Former Head of Hungry’s Supreme Court András Baka on Division of Power and Authoritarianism

    13. First female Muslim Imam in Germany Seyran Ateş on Women Leading Prayers: Breaking Barriers in Islam

    14. Co-chair of Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) Joseph Mooney on how to support Taiwan

    THE WORLD FORUM

    The World Forum organized by Cinema for Peace is an annual forum held in Berlin that unites leaders from politics, civil society, and culture, engaged in the ideas and practices for a better world and fundamental change. The World Forum serves as a platform where humankind’s future is shaped by providing an opportunity for encounters which pave the way for progress on democracy and peace, justice and freedom, and the survival of the human race. In an era where advancements in AI and technology are existential threats, we integrate these tools to drive innovation and meaningful change, critical for the wellbeing of society’s collective future.

    MISSION

    The World Forum on The Future of Democracy, Tech and Humankind is dedicated to confronting the global crisis in democracy and addressing the challenges posed by the rapid advancement of science, technology and artificial intelligence. The Forum will help to shape a future that upholds democratic principles and human dignity in the face of increasing authoritarianism and the transformative impact of technology on society.

    GOAL

    The World Forum will develop actionable solutions to global challenges in democracy, technology and for the future of humankind. By organizing law making workshops after every panel, participants create legislative blueprints which are distributed to governments and influential thinkers around the world to inspire discussions and tangible change on society’s most pressing problems.

    https://www.theworldforum.eu/press-release-1

    Website: https://www.theworldforum.eu/

    1. Tucson Festival of Books | C-SPAN BookTV
      March 15-16, 2025

      Author Discussion on First Amendment Freedoms (Panel Forum)
      Book TV – March 15, 2025

      Amanda Becker (“You Must Stand Up”), David Daley (“Antidemocratic”), and Jonathan Turley (“The Indispensable Right”) discussed the importance of free speech, a free press and other fundamental American rights. This event took place at the 2025 Tucson Festival of Books.Show
      https://www.c-span.org/program/book-tv/author-discussion-on-first-amendment-freedoms/656568

      —

      Author Discussion on Political Polarization (Panel Forum)
      Book TV – March 16, 2025

      Amanda Becker (You Must Stand Up), Joe Conason (The Longest Con) and Jonathan Turley (The Indispensable Right) discussed the causes and consequences of political division in America. This event took place at the 2025 Tucson Festival of Books.
      https://www.c-span.org/program/book-tv/author-discussion-on-political-polarization/656581

      —

      Jonathan Turley (“The Indispensable Right”) discussed why he believes free speech is under threat and took viewer calls.
      This event took place at the 2025 Tucson Festival of Books.
      By: Peter Slen – C-SPAN Book TV ~ March 15, 2025
      [Link] c-span.org/program/book-tv/open-forum-with-jonathan-turley/656569

      —

      Jonathan Turley
      Book Discussions:
      The Indispensable Right – July 8, 2024
      [Link] c-span.org/program/book-tv/after-words-with-jonathan-turley/644056

      —

      Jonathan Turley:
      On the C-SPAN Networks:
      [Link] c-span.org/person/jonathan-turley/18953/

  3. “Happy Birthday, Jemmy!”

    Or is it *belated* happy birthday?

    JM DOB: March 5, 1750 (OS)

  5. You are truly a gem Mr Turley!! I never knew!! I pray someone is raised up to continue these truths for the generations to come!!

  6. Jonathan: I wonder what James Madison would say about the current president’s vast abuses of power, his many violations of his oath of office, the laws and the Constitution, and his conflicts of interest? I don’t think Madison would have any kind words to say about the most corrupt president in American history. To wrap up the weekend here are just two examples of what I mean.

    First, DJT said on Truth Social: “The Radical Left Lunatics…are trying to illegally and collusively boycott Tesla…” Q: How can it be illegal if I choose not to buy a Tesla? If I decide to participate in a demonstration in front of a Tesla showroom how can that be criminal? Isn’t that within my “free speech” rights? Boycotts of Tesla products are not illegal! But in DJT demented mind people should be required to buy Tesla cars and truck to show their “patriotism”. Otherwise, they are acting “illegally”. DJT doesn’t have the first idea about what constitutes an “illegal” act.!

    The only “illegality” was this week when DJT decided to use the WH driveway to do a commercial for Musk’s Tesla cars and trucks. Besides being an astronomical conflict of interest it is a violation of federal law for a president to hawk the products of a private company on federal property. But DJT and Musk were open and brazen in their corruption. After that commercial Musk said he was going to donate another $100 million DJT’s MAGA super pacs. It doesn’t get more corrupt than that!

    Then we have the ramifications from DJT’s abuse of the pardon power by pardoning all 1500 of the Jan. 6 insurrectionists. One of those DJT pardoned was Daniel E. Wilson who was convicted of attacking Capitol police. In 2022 Wilson pled guilty to two separate and unrelated gun charges in Kentucky. Wilson and DJT’s DOJ argued that the original J. 6 pardon should also apply to his other unrelated charges in Kentucky. US District Judge Dabney L. Friedrich, a DJT appointee, was not persuaded. She said DJT could issue a separate pardon for Wilson but “the issue before the Court is whether the language of the Presidential Pardon related to the January 6, 2021 Capitol events covers Wilson’s 2022 Kentucky firearms offenses. It does not”. This week Judge Friedrich ordered Wilson to report to prison to serve out his 5 yr. sentence.

    Now I know the deluded MAGA supporters of DJT on this blog still think their leader is sane and rational. I’ve got news for you. Besides DJT you also need to see a mental health professional!

    1. Madison would probably be too exhausted from the looking at the anti-American abuses of power and hoaxes from the Obama-Clinton-Biden crowd.

    2. Still crazy.

      Since when is REDUCING the power of govenrment – a VAST abuse of power ?
      Trump is back up to 52pts.

      The majority of americans are fine with Trump.

      Real people do not see cutting government spending as an abuse of power.
      They have been begging for it my entire lifetime.
      Nearly every president has promised to cut spending – Obama put Joe Biden in charge of cutting 1.6T is spending – but like everything Boiden and Obama – that was a lie.

      Dennis – Please provide an ACTUAL claim of corruption – something of more consequences than Trump is cutting things I do not like.

      Boycotting Tesla is not illegal – firebombing them is.
      But whatever you want. Unlike the Biden admin – ho one has told you what you can and can not buy, and hopefully we will be ending stupid subsidies – where they rest of us are forced to help Buy YOU the care you want.

      You can participate in a demonstration in front of Tesla. Or anywhere else.
      You can not tresspass or damage any property – and we are seeing LOTS of protperty damage.

      Participating in a protest – whould be your first amendment right to assemble.
      Participating in a protest at the capitol – like J6 would be your first amendmwnt right to petition govenrment.
      What you say at that protest – would be your free speech rights.

      Trump has not ordered you to buy Teslas. He has not directed govenrment – beyond subsidies that congress has unfortunately passed to subsidize anything you might purchase.

      Trump has not said you are required to buy a Tesla, he has done nothing beyond what Biden did and plopped one in front of the Whitehouse and said nice things.

      “The only “illegality” was this week when DJT decided to use the WH driveway to do a commercial for Musk’s Tesla cars and trucks.”
      Was it illegal when Biden was hawking Fords ?

      “Besides being an astronomical conflict of interest”
      How is it a conflict of interest ? Trump is not Musk

      “it is a violation of federal law for a president to hawk the products of a private company on federal property.”
      Then why isn’t Biden in jail ?

      And Musk can donate money wherever he wants.

      Still frothing at the mouth over J6 ?

      You do know you can not support Jailing J6’ers AND oppose deporting Khalil ?

      The Wilson issue is more complex than you note – as Wilson’s sentence reflects the conviction he was pardoned for.
      Regardless – SO WHAT ?

      Dennis – you shoudl not be talking about anyone else’s mental health.

      1. John Say– You, of course, cite NO source for your claims of 52% approval.

        The “issue” MAGA media keeps distorting is what Americans support–which is elimiating waste, fraud and abuse and generally reducing government spending without cutting efficiency of services–but MOST of us do NOT approve of the mass firings or of Musk: From “Forbes”: “More than half of respondents, 53%, rated Musk negatively, while 35% said they have a positive view and 11% had no opinion, according to the March 6-9 poll of 1,206 U.S. adults (margin of error 3.3).

        Musk’s approval rating is below both Trump’s and Vice President JD Vance’s, who are both underwater, with Trump’s overall job approval rating at 45% and Vance’s at 33%.

        More than 60% said Musk—who leads the Department of Government Efficiency tasked with slashing the federal workforce—has neither the experience nor the judgement to carry out Trump’s sweeping changes to the federal government, though there are stark divides in sentiment between those who support Trump and those who don’t, with at least 75% of Trump supporters and less than 10% of those who have a negative opinion of Trump saying Musk has the right judgement and experience.

        While the majority, 62%, of respondents said they’re worried the Trump administration’s cuts to the federal government will go too far, respondents were largely split along party lines: 90% of Democrats and 69% of independents said they are concerned about losing important federal programs, while 73% of Republicans said they’re more concerned fraud and waste will continue to be an issue.

        Four February polls—from Washington Post-Ipsos, Quinnipiac, Emerson and Marist—found disapproval of Musk or DOGE outpaced approval, though a Harvard-Harris poll suggests Americans have an appetite for government cuts generally, with 72% responding “yes” when asked if there should be a government agency focused on efficiency initiatives.

    3. Dennis – a siggestion for YOUR own sanity.

      Go away for 6 months. Do not read this blog or any other political blog. Do not pay attention to any political news.

      Guess what – the world will be FINE when you come back. With near certainty it will be a bit better than it is now.

      People have tuned you and those like you out.

      Democrats are increasingly fighting among themselves.
      They stand for absolutely nothing – except opposition to Trump.

      I would like to see tren de aragua members deported as quickly as can be done legally.
      But I think Trump overreached with his EO. I do not want broad readings of statutes – not from Trump , not from Biden.
      But congress can pass a law to make it much easier to deport tren de aragua members.
      I would imagine such a law would get 90%+ support.

      I have no problems with deporting palestinian students here on Visas who participated in the violent riots on campuses.
      It is not like sending a foreign student back to the country they came from is the same as jailing people for peaceful protests.
      But the law should be followed – and if doing so is too cumbersome congress should change the law.

      People who are being deported should NOT have the same due process rights as US citizens facing criminal charges.
      Illegal immigrants are not citizens and deportation is not incarceration.
      There should be sufficient due process to verify we are deporting the correct person. After that – I am OK with deporting you for antiamerican views – especially if you participated in violent protests. You can excercise your right to free speech back in your own country.

      Do most americans feel exactly like I do – certainly not. Do most feel similary ? Absolutely. If that is not our current law – then Trump must obey the current law – until it is changed. But Trump is free to try to persuade the courts that it is our current law or within his powers as president.

      Most americans when government spending cut dramatically.

      We are all sympathetic to others losing jobs – but sympathy is not the same as agreeing to fund people to do little or nothing.
      Biden grew govenrment by about 38,000 jobs per month. I have no problem going back to the number of federal employees we had in 2020 – and then cutting 50% more.

      The entire contry will be better off when these govenrment employees take actually productive private jobs.

      I am having fun pointing out stupidity like Paying millions for Trans operas in Columbia. But mostly I want government spending slashed.
      If you wish to give charity to Zimbabwee or Columbia -= be my guest. But our government can not engage in charity with other peoples money.
      Nor do I want governemtn subsidizing green energy or black enegry or pretty much anything/
      The rest of us will get it right on our own.

      You want to wear dresses, take pills or get cosmetic surgery – if you are an adult – go for it.
      But govenrment should not be paying for that, any more than it should pay porn stars for boob jobs.
      But leave the kids alone. Quit trying to fondle toddler, quit pushing pornography on teens, quit pushing drugs and irreversable surgey on the one group in the country we already KNOW are droning in hormones.

      People what government spending cut – and they want those of you on the left to pay for your own preferences.
      Govenrment should not subsidize the catholic church – it should not subsidize left wing nut causes either.

      Pay for your own charity, pay for your own elective drugs and surgery. pay for your own education, pay for your own car.

      Most people do not want to keep subsidizing YOUR values.

      Worse – we are really pissed that you have made it so hard to stop paying for YOUR values.
      It should be 10,000 times easier to cut spending than to increase it.

  7. I am pretty sure Madison would not condone government deliberately lying to the People as exercising their “free speech”, nor candidates competing for an office of trust. Why? The consent of the governed is imaginary if obtained through trickery and deceit.

    The limits of “free speech” come into focus when you go beyond your wish to have no limits placed on your own expression, but are forced to think critically about ceding the same unrestrained powers of expression to those who seek to destroy you, your reputation, your children, your livelihood, your family and your freedom. Are you granting your enemies the freedom to dupe and intimidate the public to your disadvantage?….to foment attacking you, your family, your business, your security?

    I didn’t think so, and neither would Jemmy. He would seek a level of speech freedom that preserved the trustworthiness of the public square, and the ability of the electorate to give INFORMED consent to choices of leadership and policy.

  8. Please give my regards to the Brandenburg Gate.

    And to Wilhelmstrasse.

  9. 274 years old? So he’s one of the senior seniors who is collecting Social Security.

  11. I would be hard pressed to say James Madison was a better Founder than George Washington or Thomas Jefferson. Pretty much a tie amongst all three.
    .
    Remember that Thomas Jefferson was fearful of the unelected Federal Judiciary, and that it could become tyrannical and the greatest threat to our Republic! This is now playing out before our eyes. Congress should eliminate judges based upon one of these three scenarios:
    .
    1. Eliminate all Biden appointed Judges as Biden never personally signed nominations and/or appointments, or
    .
    2. Eliminate 25% of all Federal District Court judges to save monies (LIFO/seniority means mostly Biden judges), or
    .
    3. Eliminate all Federal District Court judges.

    1. You sure? That sounds like anarchy. Cut out the cancer and kill the patient. You reps really are no different than dems. Just as rabid and just as crazy.

  12. One of his greatest thoughts was expressed in his motto that was on his ring “VERITAS NON VERBA MAGISTRI, which translates to “Truth not the word of teachers”. We should continue to study and discern what our great founders thought they would establish when they crafted the four corners of the document we call the Constitution. Some thoughts about what SCOTUS has done to it can be found in “The Tyrannical Rule Of The U.S. Supreme Court; How The Court Has Violated The Constitution” and the soon to be released “How The U.S. Supreme Court Has Made You Less Safe!; A Distortion Of Constitutional Proportions”. See https://www.donaldbrockettauthor.com/

    1. (me wonders, how in the world were they able to engrave all that on such a little ring for such a little man, way back @1800?)

  13. “Despite being only 5’4” and barely above 100 pounds, Madison proved to be an intellectual giant who shaped constitutional theory for generations.”
    You know that saying, “Sometimes good things come in small packages.”

  14. I agree with your assesment of Mr. Madison. As you clearly stated, he is more responsible for our Constitution and our Federal Republic than anyone other than Washington. I gave the first nod to Washington because he led our Army through some of the darkest days of our revolution yet in the end prevailed. Often Military victory is lost in peace when hotter heads and factionalism destroys the heady unity of the Revolution. We were so lucky to have brilliant minds on our side with his being probably the most brilliant and their cool heads and lawyerly insistence on a nation of laws rather than imperfect men has prevailed for 200+ years .
    I often get perturbed at some of my fellow citizens and give vent to my darker angels but Madison seemed as close as one can reasonably come to controlling the darker side that we all have. That in itself is noteworthy.

    1. The 87 congress was also a cesspool of hate and envy, nearly destroying what the revolution help cause. Madison and Jefferson were treacherous animals envious (that darker side) of anyone who showed a modicum of smarts. Congress was and still is a a cesspool of hate. Yeah, those imperfect men. Nothing has changed since ratification.
      Historians can dress-up US history all they want, but mans prime driver was and still is envy.

      1. Anonymous5:31PM -Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
        Madison and others had to deal with the dark angels of men also and so does every generation. It’s not that any generation skips those times but how we deal with them that defines us, builds us up or breaks us down. No one is always perfect or always brave or always great in their decisions. Last I looked humanity had not made any great leap into some sort of super being of magnanimity and grace.
        You seem to have a problem with dealing with imperfection in humanity and yourself.

        1. Without sin … Seriously old man, tray a different tact.
          You’re constant pseudo-philosophical meandering are tiresome and transparent.

    1. ^^^^ oops wrong article!

      Happy birthday, Jemmy. I shall read #10 and 51 as Penzance. Lovely tradition, professor.

      1. ^^^ again Penzance..penance .

        #10- I needed notes. A case for “factions” and the cure.

        Back to the notes!

  17. Safe travels and all the best as you trot the globe.
    I think Little Jemmy would be proud of Little Jonny!

      1. lin………..how sweet! Thank you. Doin’ pretty good and hope you are too!

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