Carpenter’s Column: Looking ahead to the Tricentennial

Ninety-eight percent of the adults in this country are decent, hardworking, honest Americans. It’s the other lousy two percent that get all the publicity. But then, we elected them. — Lily Tomlin

I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for that reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually. — James Baldwin