Wow, that last post was depressing. To counter it, I feel that this bit of language offers us hope and comfort, and might one day be indicitive again of the discourse in our government.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Sometimes, even if it was 214 years ago, they get it exactly right.