Monday, October 21, 2013

"Bill of Rights" Part 3 & 4

  The third amendment to the Bill of rights states:

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  http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/bill_of_rights_transcript.html

  This is a pretty clear statement that our homes cannot be used as places to quarter or house military personnel unless we as the owners of the home allow it.  Even in times of war our rights to privacy are protected. 

 The fourth amendment states:

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.

  This is a statement of rights to private correspondence and to the sanctity of our homes.  There are established ways that a member of law enforcement may search or seize certain information, however this has to be established to a judge by proving that there is a specific reason to the invasion of our privacy. 

  Do you feel that our government is honoring these two amendments? Are some of the actions taking place in our country contrary to these amendments? Let's open the discussion and help our children and friends understand what these laws mean.

Monday, October 14, 2013

"The Bill of Rights" Part 2

The second Amendment to the Bill of Rights States:

"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."

  A few years back our forefathers set this amendment in place so we as citizens of The United States of America could defend ourselves and our country from unlawful processes. The definition of militia is "A body of "citizens" as opposed to professional soldiers".  I think that is a fairly clear statement.

  When this amendment was set in place we had just fought the war of Independence from a government who thought they knew better than the people of the country. We were being saddled with tremendous and unfair taxes. We were being regulated unjustly and our freedoms were being taken away from us. Our forefathers objected!

  So, what does this amendment mean for us in today's society? In reading the law I understand it to mean that the government does not have any rights to take away or limit the arms of lawful citizens. I am not talking about drug dealers or people who are mentally incapable of making sound decisions. We have the right to be able to defend ourselves and family from anyone or anything that tries to take away our liberty. We should not stand powerless in front of criminals who would take our lives or the lives of others. We should be able to stand against others who would take our liberties that were fought so hard for!

  It is vitally important that the intent of this amendment not be damaged! What do you or your children think?

Monday, October 7, 2013

The Bill of Rights Part 1

The Bill of Rights
 
   Learning about the different ways our fore fathers sought to protect us from government control is an important part of being a responsible citizen. In the 1700's the people of the now United States of America rebelled from over taxation and control from England. We fought the war of independence and set up a government that was fair to the people of our nation. It is important that our children understand the rights given to them under the constitution and the why each right was established.
 
   "
The Bill of Rights: A Transcription
The Preamble to The Bill of Rights
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 best ensure the beneficent ends 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.
" http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/bill_of_rights_transcript.html
 
  The very first amendment to the Constitution dealt with the rights of religion, free speech, no interference with the press, our right to peacefully assemble and a way to tell the government that we were not happy with what they were doing.
 
  So what does that actually tell us? You have the right to worship in whatever manner you want to and the government can not tell you otherwise. You have the right to voice your opinions and talk to others about those opinions with no interference. You can congregate with others so long as you are peaceful. You have the right to tell the government that they are infringing on your rights!
 
  Do you feel that the current government is respecting the first Amendment? Why or why not!