Previewing Blawg Review #13

Thomas Jefferson, lawyer, statesman, author of the Declaration of Independence, and third President of the United States, was the nation's greatest champion of representative democracy and the rights of man and, today, he's regarded as the foremost authority on the founding principles of American self-government.

As Jefferson himself wrote, "I know my own principles to be pure and therefore am not ashamed of them. On the contrary, I wish them known and therefore willingly express them to everyone. They are the same I have acted on from the year 1775 to this day, and are the same, I am sure, with those of the great body of the American people." (letter to Samuel Smith, 1798) [via: Thomas Jefferson Digital Archive]

Your humble Editor therefor thought, "What better way to celebrate Independence Day than with a special issue of Blawg Review hosted by Thomas Jefferson, himself."

What if Thomas Jefferson were alive today? What if the founding fathers were still around? What would they say about the way we live? Some of these questions are explored when writer of the Declaration of Independence and philosopher behind the American Revolution, Thomas Jefferson, is transported to the year 2003 through a freak time travelling accident, and starts up an internet weblog to record his thoughts and adventures in today's time with Daniel, his all-too-American roommate.

Channelling the father of the Declaration of Independence for us on this occasion is one Phoebus Apollo, at Thomas Jefferson's LiveJournal, an imaginative project that can be read chronologically or as a blog.

So, without further ado, we're pleased to present Blawg Review #13, a special issue for Independence Day.

Update: Professor Bainbridge said, "So, if anyone is prepared to celebrate Thomas Jefferson on the Fourth, it ought to be me. But I can't bring myself to do it." George Lenard said, "In any event, Blawg Review came out today with a special Fourth of July edition that is very imaginatively done, from the perspective of Thomas Jefferson, no less." Kevin Heller called it an excellent job, and Denise Howell added, with unrestrained enthusiasm, "I can think of no better way to celebrate Independence Day than to enjoy the musings of Thomas Jefferson and his roommate Daniel...as they tour the legal blogosphere in Blawg Review #13." Ernest Miller called it "a most excellent (even classic) Blawg Review #13." And one of the co-founders of Carnival of the Capitalists, Jay Solo, said, "The whole thing is quite brilliantly done, now that I have perused it more closely."