Even more than usual, the news cycle has the grim jostling with the ghastly.
But as we head into the holiday weekend, let’s pull back for a longer and deeper look — and remember what July 4 was really about: the rejection of kings and tyranny, and a commitment to freedom and the rule of law.
On today’s “To The Contrary” Podcast I’m joined by Judge J. Michael Luttig to talk about his essay: “The Self-Evident Truths of Freedom—and of Tyranny” which marks Independence Day, 2025. Judge Luttig’s essay was published on Ryan Lizza’s Telos News Substack. Writes Ryan:
It is not an essay or op-ed or polemic of any kind. Rather, it is a statement of truths that we Americans hold to be self-evident on this July 4—the eve of America’s founding and the celebration of its 250th anniversary—and it’s a jarring exposition of how closely the modern-day truths parallel the American Colonists’ original list of self-evident truths of freedom and of tyranny.
This is not a piece that should be skimmed or scanned. Luttig is writing for the ages. I recommend you take some time away from the crush of news, find a quiet place without distractions, and read this piece carefully. That’s when the power of what Luttig has written will hit you. I believe Luttig’s piece will be of historic significance, and Telos News is enormously proud to publish it. Please share it widely.
I cross-posted it last night, so you should have it in your inbox… Print it out. Share it. Read it on July 4.
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Twenty-seven truths about the American Idea
When the tyrannical reign of King George III became destructive of the ends of government by law under which all persons are equal and endowed with certain unalienable rights, the American Colonists declared their independence from the British King, chronicling 27 grievances of self-evident truths about tyranny as reasons for their declaration of independence.
On this July 4, 2025, the eve of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of America’s declaration of independence and the founding of this Nation, “We the People” hold to be self-evident these 27 truths about freedom—and about tyranny.
— All persons are endowed with certain rights, liberties, and freedoms that are unalienable and that are the bulwark against tyranny by government.
— Government should secure, protect, and preserve our unalienable rights, liberties, and freedoms.
— Government is instituted and its powers derived from the consent of we, the governed, in order that government will secure, protect, and preserve our rights, liberties, and freedoms.
— Government power is limited, and government is obligated to conform its every act to the requirements of law, which acknowledges our creation as equals and enshrines our equal and unalienable rights, liberties, and freedoms.
— Every person’s rights, liberties, and freedoms—as well as the rights of the majority and minority—are best secured and safeguarded by separation of the respective powers of the Legislature, the Executive, and the Judiciary. By separation of the powers of each of the branches of government from the powers of the others, the powers of each of the three coequal branches of government are limited and checked and balanced by the powers of the others
Some highlights of our conversation
In this country, the Law is King.
Maybe this moment can be one of the blessings of liberty, because it reminds us…
A word from our readers
July 4 Dogs
Moses loved the July 4 parade in Cedarburg, Wisconsin.
Our friend Leo…
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