William Barr extract:
So where does that leave us? It might not seem like it, but I am actually an optimist, and I believe that identifying the problem is the first step in correcting it.
Our nation’s greatest days lie ahead, but only if we can alter our course and pay heed to the lessons of the past.
This means fostering a culture that is truly pluralistic. It means all viewpoints must be treated fairly – not simply the viewpoints favored by our cultural elites. And it especially means giving our respect to religion as a vital pillar of our society. Religion is something we should celebrate, not disparage.
This also means working to devolve democratic choice to the lowest possible level. While the wizards in Washington might think they know best, the reality is that there is no unified “best” for every community and every person in our vast country. The solution to social ills is not to exhaust ourselves devising the perfect rule for everyone; it is to let our villages, cities, and states set the rules for their communities. That allows people with principled disagreements to peaceably coexist, and prevents politics from becoming zero-sum nationwide.
And finally, this means encouraging diverse voices to speak out – whether on television, over the radio, or in print. When Tocqueville visited America, there was “scarcely a hamlet which has not its own newspaper.” We need to get back to that. We need to support local journalism and local voices, and each of you needs to continue the great work you are doing.
In sum, your voices and your perspectives are essential to reversing the different trends I have discussed today. I look forward to working together to restore the separate spheres that have long sustained our society. It is not too late to stem the tide, but we need to get to work.
Thank you all for the opportunity to talk with you today.
No no thank you William for identifying and removing vendors of perpetual pain. I am looking forward to watching the unsealing of the sealed indictments and the ensuing drama.
Your tempered manner is solid and truthfully clear.
I love you.