Endowed by Their Creator

Endowed by Their Creator
What Article 2.1 of the Declaration of Independence actually says:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

What President Obama, in his recent speech to the Hispanic Caucus Institute said:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, endowed with certain inalienable rights: life and liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

Source: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office Posted September 15, 2010    [3rd to last paragraph]

So, did the President just skip the critical reference that the Founder’s purposely included as a foundational principle of the Declaration of Independence, or did he purposely eliminate it (and any reference to the Creator) or did he miss the teleprompter? Probably reason number 2, as the full speech and context is posted on the official White House Web site (still up on the web as of 9.23.10).  Words matter.   And the words of the Founding Fathers really matter.   And the omission of words is a choice.   The President made the wrong choice.   And attempted to change what our Founder's said, "by their Creator".  

© 2010, Jasper Welch, Four Corners Media, www.jasperwelch.org