On his show on Tues. July 1, Thom Hartmann read part (all? I tuned in late) of the Declaration of Independence, and discussed some of the consequences that signing this document had for some of the signatories. Many lost their freedom, families, fortunes, and/or lives for a cause that could easily have failed. I believe that up till now I have underestimated the courage it took the Founders to put their names to that revolutionary document.

Even though this painting, popularly believed to depict the signing of the Declaration, really shows the presentation of the Declaration to the Congress by the drafting committee, it still seems appropriate.