Constitution

The House Judiciary Committee yesterday raised the overarching question of our generation: will the American Constitution stand?

The oath of the uniformed services, taken by every living veteran in this country, including each and every one that we honor today, is clear and to the point: "To preserve, protect and defend THE CONSTITUTION of the United States." Think about that. The oath is not to "preserve, protect and defend the United States of America." It is not to "preserve, protect and defend the United States Government." The oath is specifically to "preserve, protect and defend THE CONSTITUTION of the United States."

Amidst the international humiliation and farce we have suffered with our abortive war with Syria, there are two good things the President has done, and they need to be noted. Last night, he stepped back from an international crisis that could have had catastrophic consequences, by deferring to the Russian diplomatic initiative. Thank God. And last week, he stepped back from a constitutional crisis, by deferring to Congress the decision over whether to go to war - as the Constitution requires.

It seems that in the last few years, America's thoughts are returning to that remarkable man and searching him for answers to the questions that now perplex us in our own times.