WE WILL CHANGE THE WORLD WITH THE STORIES WE TELL.

MADE WITH LOVE IN SUNNY LOS ANGELES. 100% COTTON. WASH COLD, TUMBLE DRY LOW. DO NOT BLEACH. DO NOT IRON.

Giddy children screamed in unison across a Paris night in January. Fire lurched toward the sky, triumphantly exploding in dazzling display of color and wonder. Men cheered and shivering women wore warm smiles as history was made in an innocent instant. Into the frozen evening smoke lingered, leaving behind foreshadows of Lady Liberty's cloudy destination.

Centuries later a man named Adams, seeing both the weight and fortune of that Lady's standing liberty, interpreted with triumph that she had enabled America to grow up as it saw fit. "It's men and women," he said, "are free to be unhampered by the barriers of their forefathers and unrepressed by their ancient class-driven social order." America had become the land of the freedom to dream, and home of the bravery to infinitely attain.

But, just as every rule bears an inevitable exception, so too is every act of grace spread wide open for abuse. Gracefully given, our Lady's liberty is the preciously inherited liquor of the American experience. When cherished it is sweet, full, and rich, but when guzzled like one glass too many it coaxes even the most respectable of men into stealing their way into gain. Instead of reflection and gratitude, they slosh along slippery trails toward sex, money, and power while their wives, children, and homes slide like pebbles into canyons of bitter regret. Today, the “American Dream” has become a simple excuse to ignore what matters most. It has become an opportunity to cut the throats of the weaker so that a cold bank account can die alongside the stronger with just one more dollar.