turf
, an important distinction considering that it’s been more than two hundred years since we have had to worry about “one if by land, two if by sea.”
So, for example, the Third Amendment, which reads, “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,” doesn’t really have any effect on us nor will it for the foreseeable future, barring some cataclysmic reversal of planetary fortunes.
On the other hand, there are some amendments in that original ten that are getting a great deal of attention. Let’s roll through a few of these as a slight refresher, shall we? If you’re anything like me, it may have been a while since you actually considered the letter of the law as opposed to whatever it is your favorite pundit has been spouting.
The First Amendment: “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.”
Oh, hello. I believe the first part of this amendment refers to a notion I applaud loudly, the separation of church and state. Practice the religion of your choice, as you’re free to do, and keep it out of the public arena. It seems worth remarking upon that this was the very first protection Madison awarded us American citizens. PS: Those of you trying to recruit people to your religion may not be violating theactual written law, but you’re certainly pissing all over the laws of common decency. Jesus would hang his beautiful Nubian head in shame.
The second section, the one making mention of “freedom of speech,” has been of particular benefit in my life. For example, I am free to pen the sentence “Jesus would hang his beautiful Nubian head in shame” without fear of imprisonment, lynching, or, in the case of the Spanish Inquisition, being subjected to the Judas Chair, the Spanish Donkey, or the Crocodile Shears, all of which I would recommend you do not look up if you care to retain your lunch. These monstrous torture devices (in the name of the greater glory of the Catholic Church, no less) were once all the rage for punishing a blasphemer like myself, but not in America, you hypocritical sons of bitches. Thanks to our Founding Fathers, we can finally speak the truth without fear of chastisement on the part of our government. Generally speaking, that is. There have been periods in our history when subjects like communism, racial integration, Dixie Chicks lyrics, or most recently terrorist activities/Muslim leanings could land you in some literal hot water(boarding). Excepting those indiscretions or lapses in constitutional policy (whoopsie!), we are free to speak or print the truth and also to speak or print utter bullshit, and it’s up to the individual listener/reader to decide what he or she will swallow. Only in such a climate can free ideas be aired and exchanged, making the slow evolution of decency in our country possible.
The Second Amendment: “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.” Okay. This one has proven to be aregular can of worms. Let’s just break it down. I think guns are an awfully nifty piece of engineering, and I have seen a great many examples of beautiful handwork in both the metal and wood surfaces on firearms of all sorts. Further, I support the wild-game hunter much as I support the fisherman (or -woman). Beyond that use, I’m afraid the angry defenders of this amendment lose me.
The preface to the part about “to keep and bear arms” makes reference to “a well-regulated militia” as the prerequisite to the second part. In other words, our civilians, as members of the militia who had been fiercely and proudly defending our
, an important distinction considering that it’s been more than two hundred years since we have had to worry about “one if by land, two if by sea.”
So, for example, the Third Amendment, which reads, “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,” doesn’t really have any effect on us nor will it for the foreseeable future, barring some cataclysmic reversal of planetary fortunes.
On the other hand, there are some amendments in that original ten that are getting a great deal of attention. Let’s roll through a few of these as a slight refresher, shall we? If you’re anything like me, it may have been a while since you actually considered the letter of the law as opposed to whatever it is your favorite pundit has been spouting.
The First Amendment: “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.”
Oh, hello. I believe the first part of this amendment refers to a notion I applaud loudly, the separation of church and state. Practice the religion of your choice, as you’re free to do, and keep it out of the public arena. It seems worth remarking upon that this was the very first protection Madison awarded us American citizens. PS: Those of you trying to recruit people to your religion may not be violating theactual written law, but you’re certainly pissing all over the laws of common decency. Jesus would hang his beautiful Nubian head in shame.
The second section, the one making mention of “freedom of speech,” has been of particular benefit in my life. For example, I am free to pen the sentence “Jesus would hang his beautiful Nubian head in shame” without fear of imprisonment, lynching, or, in the case of the Spanish Inquisition, being subjected to the Judas Chair, the Spanish Donkey, or the Crocodile Shears, all of which I would recommend you do not look up if you care to retain your lunch. These monstrous torture devices (in the name of the greater glory of the Catholic Church, no less) were once all the rage for punishing a blasphemer like myself, but not in America, you hypocritical sons of bitches. Thanks to our Founding Fathers, we can finally speak the truth without fear of chastisement on the part of our government. Generally speaking, that is. There have been periods in our history when subjects like communism, racial integration, Dixie Chicks lyrics, or most recently terrorist activities/Muslim leanings could land you in some literal hot water(boarding). Excepting those indiscretions or lapses in constitutional policy (whoopsie!), we are free to speak or print the truth and also to speak or print utter bullshit, and it’s up to the individual listener/reader to decide what he or she will swallow. Only in such a climate can free ideas be aired and exchanged, making the slow evolution of decency in our country possible.
The Second Amendment: “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.” Okay. This one has proven to be aregular can of worms. Let’s just break it down. I think guns are an awfully nifty piece of engineering, and I have seen a great many examples of beautiful handwork in both the metal and wood surfaces on firearms of all sorts. Further, I support the wild-game hunter much as I support the fisherman (or -woman). Beyond that use, I’m afraid the angry defenders of this amendment lose me.
The preface to the part about “to keep and bear arms” makes reference to “a well-regulated militia” as the prerequisite to the second part. In other words, our civilians, as members of the militia who had been fiercely and proudly defending our
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