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Lisa Small is a public interest lawyer with a strong interest in Constitutional Law, admitted to the bar of the U.S. Supreme Court. She has been admitted by examination to the bar of two states, and maintains active bar membership in one.



There is a Word sweeter than Mother, Home, or Heaven. That Word is Liberty.
-- Matilda Joslyn Gage, feminist; her lifelong motto and epitaph

As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron. -- H.L. Mencken, in column on July 26, 1920, re presidential contest that year

When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag, carrying a cross. -- Sinclair Lewis in It Can't Happen Here, 1935

Churches are becoming political organizations... It probably will not be long until the churches will divide as sharply upon political, as upon theological questions; and when that day comes, if there are not liberals enough to hold the balance of power, this Government will be destroyed. The liberty of man is not safe in the hands of any church. Wherever the Bible and sword are in partnership, man is a slave. -- Robert Ingersoll, 1879, in Section III, "The Politicians" of Some Mistakes of Moses.

No, I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered as patriots. This is one nation under God.
-- George H.W. Bush, press conference, O'Hare Airport, Chicago, August 27, 1987

A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment from a ruler whom they consider to be God-fearing and pious.
-- Aristotle in Politics, 4th Century B.C.E.

Of course the people don't want war. Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece? Naturally, the common people don't want war; neither in Russia nor in England nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany. But after all, it's the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country.
-- Herman Goering, while incarcerated during the Nuremberg trials, April 18, 1946

Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official, save exactly to the degree in which he himself stands by the country. It is patriotic to support him insofar as he efficiently serves the country. It is unpatriotic not to oppose him to the exact extent that, by inefficiency or otherwise, he fails in his duty to stand by the country. In either event, it is unpatriotic not to tell the truth, whether about the president or anyone else.
-- Teddy Roosevelt, 1908 (unsourced yet)

To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or any one else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else. -- Teddy Roosevelt, in the Kansas City Star on May 7, 1918

Since when have we Americans been expected to bow submissively to authority and speak with awe and reverence to those who represent us? -- William O. Douglas, statement on unfair arrests for disorderly conduct, remark made during his retirement speech November 12, 1975

Loyalty to country, always. Loyalty to the government when it deserves it. -- Mark Twain, from The Czar's Soliliquy; 1905; similar language in "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court," 1889

The day may dawn when fair play, love for one's fellow men, respect for justice and freedom, will enable tormented generations to march forth triumphant from the hideous epoch in which we have to dwell. Meanwhile, never flinch, never weary, never despair. -- Winston Churchill, near the end of his last major speech in the House of Commons on March 1, 1955

Sites For More Quotes:
Postive Atheism

Mark Twain: Small Selection