Election Day & The Bill of Rights
Happy Election Day. It’s looking good for us to get some subpoena power today in the house. My friend Curtis Robinson, of Washington DC told me today that the rumors are that many Republican congressmen are on the market for apartments and such in the far corners of Europe and the handful of countries where they won’t be extradited as easily. VOTING WISDOMWho can a trusting human being vote for? Who is old enough and who is wise enough, who is so devious and cunning that they can perceive our darkest unspoken desires? Who can outwit the barbarous hordes beyond the boundaries of a place we call home and who can give our trembling soul the sense of security we only ever knew at our mother’s breast?How can we vote for the noblest and best when we want the most manipulative, the most ruthless, the most sadistic? Who is man or woman enough to fulfill our widest and most elastic desires? Who dares step forward to represent and quench our appetites?Only an effigy will suffice — a graven image we can imbue with heat seeking instincts, computerized, unanswerable and indelible — a pervert."—Ralph STEADman, © copyright 2006
THE BILL OF RIGHTS
Amendment I
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.
Amendment II
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.
Amendment III
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.
Amendment IV
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.
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a 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 offense 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.
Amendment VI
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 wherein 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.
Amendment VII
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 reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment X
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.
