We are emboldened.

Critics of the administration have long been derided for somehow strengthening America’s enemies by criticizing the president. We think this is absurd and we are reclaiming the term from those who would use it against us.

The abject failure of President Bush to govern within the confines of the law and the spirit of American democracy, combined with the absence of a coherent Democratic opposition to his transgressions, has emboldened us as bloggers and patriots. We have been compelled to speak out in the name of our republic. We will not accept being labeled as giving comfort to the enemy, but instead turn the epithet back on our accusers.

We are emboldened and we will not forfeit our rights in order to preserve them.

We are deeply troubled by the state of politics in America. The mission of The Baltimore Group is to effect Progressive change using online tools like blogs, social networking, and fundraising.

“But our disappointment must be overcome by our love of country.” The frustrations that arise from being a thinking person in a country overrun by headline politics are profound, but we persevere thanks to our grounding in our country’s history of triumph over indifference. Being an American comes with the tremendous responsibility of citizenship–a personal mission separate from Party, ideology, and idolitry. TBG is one group of friends’ effort to fullfil their responsibility and drive their country back to its roots in idealism.