With a new initiative, Defending America, The Epoch Times seeks to remind Americans of the goodness of our country. Such a reminder should not be needed.  From its beginnings, America has offered its citizens the most important freedom: freedom of belief. It has been a nation where the faithful can practice their religion without fear of persecution. By protecting fundamental rights, Americans have asserted the dignity of each individual, and have guaranteed the rights of speech, press, assembly and protest, and property, among others. And so have opened the door to individuals to seek to better themselves. With everyone free to pursue their dreams, we have been an inventive, prosperous, and generous people. From around the world, the best from other nations have been attracted to the United States: those who had the courage to risk everything to come breathe the air of freedom; those with talent who simply wanted …