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Happy Independence Day!

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Me we each renew our commitment to our best aspirations.

“And crown thy good with brotherhood….”

Have a terrific day!

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PS: If you want to have a brief semi-political moment today, read the smart essay written by my friend and Annenberg colleague, Roberto Suro, in the Washington Post, in which he makes a provocative pitch for dumping the Emma Lazarus poem from the Statue of Liberty, the crown of which has finally been reopened today for the first time since September 11.

Whether you agree or disagree (I’m actually pretty attached to the poem, myself),
Roberto has an intriguingly thought out rational for tossing those fourteen famous lines, including an historical rundown on how the poem, “The New Colossus,” came to grace the base of our Lady of Liberty in the first place.

All of the above provides a perfect jumping off point for a spirited 4th of July argument….uh…discussion…while you’re waiting for the fireworks.

Then for an alternate point of view of Lazarus’ sonnet, here’s what poet Robert Pinsky had to say about those same familiar lines: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to……”

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