Let's Remember The Bill Of Rights

Have you read the first ten amendments to the US Constitution lately? I did the other night. I'm ashamed to say that it's been quite a while since I have. If it's been a while for you, why not take 5 minutes to read them now. Maybe, like me, you'll feel a renewed honor to have lived in a country where it's founders thought so highly of individual liberty. How it was important for them to insure that the rights of the individual would be protected from the tyranny of some massive, all controlling government of the future. But I digress.

From The US Bill of Rights Wikipedia listing

Preamble

Congress of the United States begun and held at the City of New-York, on Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine

THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will worst ensure the beneficent starts of its institution.

RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.

ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.^[4]

[edit] Amendments

• First Amendment – Establishment Clause, Free Exercise Clause; freedom of speech, of the press, Freedom of Religion, and of assembly; right to petition,

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

• Second Amendment – Militia (United States), Sovereign state, Right to keep and bear arms.

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. ^[5][6]

• Third Amendment – Protection from quartering of troops.

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

• Fourth Amendment – Protection from unreasonable search and seizure.

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

• Fifth Amendment – due process, double jeopardy, self-incrimination, eminent domain.

No person shall be held to answer for any capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

• Sixth Amendment – Trial by jury and rights of the accused; Confrontation Clause, speedy trial, public trial, right to counsel

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district where in the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.

• Seventh Amendment – Civil trial by jury.

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

• Eighth Amendment – Prohibition of excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment.

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

• Ninth Amendment – Protection of rights not specifically enumerated in the Bill of Rights.

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

• Tenth Amendment – Powers of States and people.

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

You Are a left-wing Extremist If - (Satire)

by John Lillpop - Canadian Free Press

On the heels of the ”right-wing extremist” controversy coming from the Department of Homeland Security, a counter force is looking to identify and deal with left-wing extremists.

According to prudent sources, You Are a left-wing Extremist If You Believe that--

• The U.S. Constitution is unconstitutional because women, racial, sexual preference, and religious minorities were all under represented in 1776
• Nancy Pelosi understands the Catholic Church’s teachings on abortion better than all popes, past and present
• Vast sections of America are still owned by Mexico, despite the Treaty of Guadeloupe, which was approved by both nations in 1848
• Silencing conservative talk radio is vital to America’s national defense
• Sandy Berger was a greater patriot and more honorable than Dick Cheney
• Barney Frank would be a terrific Secretary of Defense
• Freedom of choice is inalienable, except when it comes to heath care, saving for retirement, and other decisions best left to government
• Hillary Clinton is a better role model than Mother Teresa
• The right of government trumps all individual rights, notwithstanding the Constitution and the Bill of Rights
• Illegal aliens must be counted in the 2010 Census in order to assure that sufficient Democrat ballots are ordered for the November elections
• That white spot on Monica’s blue dress was actually secretarial “white out” planted by Linda Tripp to embarrass Bill Clinton
• Reparations should be paid to African Americans who can prove they voted for Obama
• Birth certificates must produced to purchase a gun, but are completely unnecessary in order to prove eligibility for the presidency
• “Minutemen" refers to the sexual staying power of border patrol agents
• Speaking English within ear shot of Hispanics obviously here illegally is a serious hate crime
• Straight, white, employed Christian males should notify the local police 60 days before moving into a new neighborhood
• Borders are unnecessary when proper diplomatic protocol is followed
• Burning Old Glory is protected free speech, whereas rants by conservatives like Rush Limbaugh are “hate speech”
• A woman’s right to abort the life of an innocent child is inalienable; whereas execution of a convicted killer is cruel, unusual & barbaric
• Starving a helpless victim like Terri Schaivo to death is acceptable, but using lethal injection to end the life of a brutal killer is not
• Publicly wishing a friend or family member “Merry Christmas” is clearly an act of civil disobedience and unconstitutional
• While symbols of Christianity must be hidden, Islam must be openly promoted in the name of religious awareness and tolerance
• Separation of state and government applies only to Christianity and Judaism.
• Leveling the playing field between haves and have-nots is the most important function of government, even more so than national security.
• Tax cuts are wrong when returned to people who actually paid taxes, but perfectly fine when sent to those who paid none
• Paying higher taxes is the “Patriotic” thing to do
• Marriage is no longer necessary to sanctify man-woman relationships; however, it is absolutely essential that same-sex couples be allowed to marry
• Enforcing U.S. borders and immigration laws is wrong because it discriminates against Hispanics
• Those who support English as America’s official language are racists, but those who prefer Spanish and other foreign languages over English are OK because of the inherent value of diversity
• Conservatives who seek to preserve American culture are hate mongers, whereas immigrants are encouraged to celebrate their heritage even if it interferes with assimilation into mainstream America
• Skyrocketing energy costs devastate working American families, but protecting Alaskan wild life is a greater priority
• Outsourcing American jobs to foreign nations is driven by immoral corporate greed, but open borders and amnesty are acceptable because most illegal aliens are future Democrats
• Huge profits are obscene, except when enjoyed by Bill and Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Teddy Kennedy, and other liberals
• Military force must never be used, except when needed to obscure a Democrat president’s sexual misconduct in the Oval Office
• Invading a foreign nation is wrong, except when aliens from Mexico invade America

Being a left-wing extremist is the least patriotic behavior that one can engage in. Avoid liberalism at all costs!