Politics

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Then-Secretary of State John Quincy Adams elaborated on Washington's admonition against objectless, gratuitous wars in his July 4, 1821 Address to Congress. He explained: "[America's] glory is not dominion, but liberty. Her march is the march of the mind. She has a spear and a shield: but the motto upon her shield is, Freedom, Independence, Peace. This has been her Declaration: this has been, as far as her necessary intercourse with the rest of mankind would permit, her practice."

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An NAACP petition filed through MoveOn.org calls for the Justice Department to file civil rights charges against George Zimmerman, acquitted in the death of Trayvon Martin. (MoveOn.org)

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Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada (left) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky are sparring on the eve of a session to change Senate rules to remove a 60-vote threshold for President Obama's nominations to win confirmation. Mr. Reid says the changes are minimal; Mr. McConnell says Mr. Reid would be "breaking the rules in order to change the rules." (Associated Press)

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Phil Mickelson from the US, gestures, as he walks down to the 18th hole, during day four of the Scottish Open, at Castle Stuart Golf Course, in Inverness, Scotland, Sunday July 14, 2013. Phil Mickelson birdied the first playoff hole to beat Branden Grace and win the Scottish Open on Sunday, ending his 20-year wait for a victory in Europe. (AP Photo/PA, Kenny Smith)

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Texas state troopers remove pro-choice protesters from the Texas Senate gallery as the chamber debates abortion bill HB2 on Friday, July 12, 2013, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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James Evan Muhammad, front left, of the New Black Panther Party, shouts slogans after the verdict of not guilty was handed down in the trial of George Zimmerman at the Seminole County Courthouse, Saturday, July 13, 2013, in Sanford, Fla. Neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman was cleared of all charges Saturday in the shooting of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed black teenager whose killing unleashed furious debate across the U.S. over racial profiling, self-defense and equal justice. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

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Demonstrators react after hearing the verdict of not guilty in the trial of George Zimmerman at the Seminole County Courthouse, Saturday, July 13, 2013, in Sanford, Fla. Neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman was cleared of all charges Saturday in the shooting of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed black teenager whose killing unleashed furious debate across the U.S. over racial profiling, self-defense and equal justice. (AP Photo/Mike Brown)