Divided We Stand

Here’s another installment from my Tucson Festival of Books series.

This lecture explored political party affiliation, ideological beliefs, and the exercise of First Amendment freedoms. Highlighting significant divisions within American society, the authors approached these topics from diverse perspectives. 

This event was recorded if you’re interested in watching the panel discussion.

The lecture began with Jonathan Turley announcing that today was James Madison’s birthday, an event he typically celebrated. I took a peek at his website and will copy and paste some of what he posted:

“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.

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).”

Rather than delve into all the lecture’s details, I will again refer to the taped recording. I encourage readers to take some time to listen to this fascinating conversation about the erosion of our democratic principles.

My books Memory Road Trip (e-book or paperback) and Time Traveled (e-book or paperback) are both available! You can also find them at most major international book sites.