I think that dymwyt was just trying to say that its a shame that the people of such a great society are not very interested in how it works, which could, logically but not likely prove detrimental to its future. As far as the failed education system I quite disagree. This generation is learning so much more than it ever has, What people consider important comes from home ; media & other social structures.

I missing something that will become obvious once you explain it. Ignorance of what is the key to what type of success?

Agreed, but ignorance is the key to any such success.

Even though that is quoted from a fictional version of Franklin, it rings true. The quote below is in the same vein, though with less earthy phrasing.

"History affords us many instances of the ruin of states, by the prosecution of measures ill suited to the temper and genius of their people. The ordaining of laws in favor of one part of the nation [England], to the prejudice and oppression of another [America], is certainly the most erroneous and mistaken policy. An equal dispensation of protection, rights, privileges, and advantages, is what every part is entitled to, and ought to enjoy... These measures never fail to create great and violent jealousies and animosities between the people favored and the people oppressed; whence a total separation of affections, interests, political obligations, and all manner of connections, by which the whole state is weakened."
-- Emblematical Representations, Circa 1774

I also mistakenly neglected to put the italics on my comment at the end.

The italics are only obvious to those already familiar with the musical and its four-digit name. Additionally, one need to be reading within a framework that renders the italics distinctively.

I knew the source and I quoted it exactly by using italics on the title 1776.

Who the heck for a conservative listens to NPR on July 4 or their blather at any time?
The only time me dino listens to NPR is when "Mountain Stages" is on late Saturday afternoon or "New Age" music is on Sunday night.
I used to listen to "Prairie Home Companion," but comic/singer what's-his-name, who kept his lib politics to a tolerable minimum, retired a year or so ago.
Such is how I discovered the "Mountain Stages" that replaced it if at least in my area.
Anyway, I'm always doing something else while I have NPR music and music only on. Like going through the week's mail, washing the dishes or some other drudgery. Maybe I'll clean out the fridge this weekend.

Extra bonus points for knowing the source. :)

I almost cannot believe the depths to which the nitwits at NPR have fallen.I'm not going to even bother with why this is stupid, except to say, get on line or go to the library and study up on the American Revolution and while you're at it brush up on what was going on in the world at the time. Then, if you are not too dim to have understood what you read, we might possibly be able to have a conversation.

Unfortunately, this shows just how corrupt our national educational system has become! Teachers teaching something that they do not even understand themselves. Victims of the Hegelian monstrosity that public education is now predicated on. Not being taught "how to think" but rather "what to think"! Political correctness and a Fabian-esque agenda designed to destroy our Republic. Great job academia!!!

Let's be very careful with quotations. That one was said by the character of Dr. Franklin in the musical "1776" and not by the actual Dr. Franklin, although it certainly captures what we would like to believe were his thoughts.

Like Mark Twain, Abe Lincoln, H. L. Mencken and Yogi Berra, “I didn't say all those things I said.”

Point taken, CG. I just ASS-umed anyone following NPR's twitter feed was part of their core audience.
I don't think it is an unreasonable assumption - but not one I should defend.

Misinformed/uninformed snowflakes have no understanding of the history of these United States of America. This is a reflection of our failed education system. Every high school graduate, GED recipient, immigrant, etc. should know and understand our Declaration of Independence, our Constitution and Preamble and why these guiding documents were written. It was called CITIZENSHIP when I was a kid.

The linked article never claims that the critical tweets were from NPR's core audience. An article in the HuffPo claims that "Trump supporters flipped out". I don't think that claim is correct either.

I think the truth is you can post anything on YouTube and Twitter and get a few idiotic responses. You can claim they come from any group you don't like.

I also think many people claim to support the founding documents of the US, but in practice they prefer to keep things stable, even when the status quo is far from what founders wanted. I see the tweets as off-hand stupid comments rather than a manifestation of this.

What I think is tragic that in a time when gov't has grown this expensive and intrusive, people still play these stupid political games over tiny variations within the bipartisan big-gov't consensus. Maybe most of it is from people who are on some form of gov't gravy train plus anyone else they can get riled up.

Not surprising at all.

"Never was such a valuable possession so stupidly and recklessly managed, than this entire continent. Our industry discouraged, our resources pillaged... worst of all our very character stifled. We've spawned a new race here. Rougher, simpler; more violent, more enterprising; less refined. We're a new nationality. We require a new nation."
- Dr. Benjamin Franklin, 1776

This statement is as true today as it was in 1776.

lol. Talk about knee-jerk reactions! [shakes head]

Thought these people loved political correctness. Guess they didn't realize that the very name of the document could be the first instance of political correctness in American history. It could have easily been called a Declaration of Rebellion.

"You should know that rebellion is always legal in the first person, such as "our rebellion." It is only in the third person - "their rebellion" - that it is illegal."
- Dr. Benjamin Franklin, 1776