The right to protest is one of our fundamental freedoms, but what about speech that leads to violence and social disorder? This presentation considers the expansions of free speech over the course of the 20th century. With greater protection for violent rhetoric how can we build civic trust?

The Constitution affords us many places to disagree. We can argue on the local level, the state level, and the national level. But how can we disagree better? This presentation looks at how free speech and due process nudge us towards more productive deliberation.

The Pursuit of Happiness is an unalienable right that is often cited but barely understood. In this final session of a four-part series, we will look at ways to expand our imagination to include people who we are reluctant to trust.

The Constitution affords us many places to disagree. We can argue on the local level, the state level, and the national level. But how can we disagree better? This presentation looks at how free speech and due process nudge us towards more productive deliberation.

The Pursuit of Happiness is an unalienable right that is often cited but rarely understood. In this third in a four-part series we’ll look at how common action turns political opponents into civic friends.

The Constitution affords us many places to disagree. We can argue on the local level, the state level, and the national level. But how can we disagree better? This presentation looks at how free speech and due process nudge us towards more productive deliberation.

The Pursuit of Happiness is an unalienable right that is often cited but rarely understood. In this second in a four-part series we’ll look at how moderation and temperance can reduce our emotional and material loads.

The Declaration of Independence acknowledges a most volatile right: the people's right to rebel. But must that right always be so violent? We'll consider how the language of the Declaration guides social movements, across the political spectrum, to institute a government that seems most likely to protect each other's unalienable rights.

The Pursuit of Happiness is an unalienable right that is often cited but rarely understood. In this first in a four-part series we’ll look at how suffering offers the tools for the Pursuit of Happiness.

Juneteenth celebrates the day in 1865 when Union soldiers informed Texans that slavery was no longer legal. Almost one hundred years prior, the Declaration of Independence informed the world that liberty was unalienable. This presentation considers the two paths to freedom: one innate and the other by executive order.

The Declaration of Independence acknowledges a most volatile right: the people's right to rebel. But must that right always be so violent? We'll consider how the language of the Declaration guides social movements, across the political spectrum, to institute a government that seems most likely to protect each other's unalienable rights.

Since its inception, the Constitution has been criticized for not doing enough to protect basic freedoms. Even with the addition of the Bill of Rights, slavery persisted. Abolitionists were divided on whether the highest law in the land could ever be redeemed. Neither a divine document nor a tool of elites, the Constitution might also be seen as an invitation to develop the habits of civic friendship.

The Constitution affords us many places to disagree. We can argue on the local level, the state level, and the national level. But how can we disagree better? This presentation looks at how free speech and due process nudge us towards more productive deliberation.

The Declaration of Independence acknowledges a most volatile right: the people's right to rebel. But must that right always be so violent? We'll consider how the language of the Declaration guides social movements, across the political spectrum, to institute a government that seems most likely to protect each other's unalienable rights.

The Pursuit of Happiness is one of our unalienable rights but what does that actually mean? We’ll look at the original meaning of this phrase and the wisdom it offers for our current political malaise.

When the Declaration of Independence was penned, the Pursuit of Happiness meant something very different than it does today. The nation’s Founders understood that freedom depended on civic virtues, not material possessions. We’ll look at ways to reawaken a pursuit of happiness in our current civics programs.

Watch an excerpt from The American Revolution and then consider how service fits into the Pursuit of Happiness. Could it be that by giving away our time we gain a better public?

Since its inception, the Constitution has been criticized for not doing enough to protect basic freedoms. Even with the addition of the Bill of Rights, slavery persisted. Abolitionists were divided on whether the highest law in the land could ever be redeemed. Neither a divine document nor a tool of elites, the Constitution might also be seen as an invitation to develop the habits of civic friendship.

Since its inception, the Constitution has been criticized for not doing enough to protect basic freedoms. Even with the addition of the Bill of Rights, slavery persisted. Abolitionists were divided on whether the highest law in the land could ever be redeemed. Neither a divine document nor a tool of elites, the Constitution might also be seen as an invitation to develop the habits of civic friendship.

The Pursuit of Happiness is one of our unalienable rights but what does that actually mean? We’ll look at the original meaning of this phrase and the wisdom it offers for our current political malaise.

We often think of rights as something the government can’t do. But what responsibility do these rights entail? We’ll look at the civic virtues listed in the Vermont Bill of Rights and consider ways to revive them in our common life.

In 1969, the Supreme Court made it harder to put extremists in jail. This presentation weighs and considers the arguments in the Brandenberg decision. On the anniversary of the attack on the Capitol, it’s worth asking ourselves how do we benefit when we tolerate extremist speech?

The Declaration of Independence acknowledges a most volatile right: the people's right to rebel. But must that right always be so violent? We'll consider how the language of the Declaration guides social movements, across the political spectrum, to institute a government that seems most likely to protect each other's unalienable rights.

An exhibition hosted by Brattleboro Indivisible, featuring a panel, moderated by Meg Mott with Gemma Seymour, Tristan Roberts, and Susie Webster-Toleno. A lively discussion that builds bridges on a contentious issue by thinking more sharply and listening more kindly.

The Preamble to the Constitution describes the fruits of a democratic republic: justice, tranquility, welfare, defense and liberty. But how do we get human beings to opt for these public goods and not succumb to partisan fears and grievances? This presentation considers how the design of the Constitution nudges us towards better outcomes even as we are losing faith in ourselves.

The United States Constitution reduces the power of government through a system of checks and balances. But what does it have to say about civil society? This presentation considers how the Constitution can help us develop the habits of friendship with our political opponents through never-ending contestation.

The United States Constitution reduces the power of government through a system of checks and balances. But what does it have to say about civil society? This presentation considers how the Constitution can help us develop the habits of friendship with our political opponents through never-ending contestation.

The United States Constitution reduces the power of government through a system of checks and balances. But what does it have to say about civil society? This presentation considers how the Constitution can help us develop the habits of friendship with our political opponents through the key principles of free speech and due process.

The United States Constitution reduces the power of government through a system of checks and balances. But what does it have to say about civil society? This presentation considers how the Constitution can help us develop our capacities to understand, to act, and to judge.

The Declaration recognizes the right of the People to alter or abolish their government. In 1776, that meant taking up arms against the King. In the 1960’s that work looked like non-violent direct action. We’ll consider the virtues needed in both approaches.