Published: August 27, 2008
What Would Thomas Jefferson Think of Presidential Politics Today?
WILLIAMSBURG, Va., Aug. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- During his address at the
Democratic National Convention, formerVirginia Governor Mark Warner quoted
President Thomas Jefferson's hopes for the future: "I like the dreams of the
future better than the history of the past." Warner recalled Jefferson's words
in the context of evoking change, but those very words are also closely tied
to the mission of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation -- "that the future may
learn from the past."
To strengthen the Foundation's message and commitment to promoting
citizenship particularly in this presidential election year, Colonial
Williamsburg turns to another of Jefferson's statements from his 1801
inaugural address, that "Every difference of opinion is not a difference of
principle."
Can the ideals that guided this founding father stand modern scrutiny? New
from Colonial Williamsburg, "Jefferson's Blog" at
http://jeffersonblog.history.org offers quotes from Jefferson's writings for
online discussion about the relevance of the third president's ideas today.
Each week, a Jefferson quote, like the "difference of opinion" passage
that serves for a theme, is posted, and visitors to the Web site are invited
to share opinions on Jefferson's philosophies.
"This political blog has people talking," said Robyn Eoff, director of
Internet for Colonial Williamsburg. "Jefferson's provocative words evoke
passionate responses, and we'd like to think Jefferson would have approved of
the spirited debate we're encouraging."
In advance of the 2008 election, teachers may want to have their students
participate in the blog just as citizens participated in lively debate in
Jefferson's day. Blog subjects have included thoughts on war, military draft,
the meaning of the Constitution, resistance to authority and the
accountability of public officials. Postings are anonymous and are monitored
by Colonial Williamsburg's Web team for appropriateness of language but not
for opinion. Quotes from Jefferson's writings will be added through the end of
November's presidential election month.
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is the not-for-profit educational
institution that preserves and operates the restored 18th-century
Revolutionary capital ofVirginia as a town-sized living history museum,
telling the stories of our nation's founders, located 150 miles south of
Washington, D.C. For more information call 1-800-HISTORY or visit
www.history.org.
Media Contact: Barbara Brown
(757) 220-7280 or bbrown@cwf.org
Agatha Capacchione
(212) 528-1691 or agatha@mfaltd.com
SOURCE Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
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