Your Rights

Attention citizens.

In the coming years, there may be some doubts as to your rights and obligations as a citizen of the United States. I have consulted the source documents. They are brief, and they are clearly written. Should anyone attempt to tell you different, they are wrong.

Also included are some brief thoughts on how these rights might best be exercised in the coming months and years.

These source documents are still available from the Federal Government. I like the National Archives Site myself.

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.

This is pretty clear. The bill of rights was written in order to limit the powers of government, not to expand them. At least for the first 10, then, we have totally clear intent.

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.

You have the right to peaceably assembly. Anarchists and loser-window-breakers take note. If you want to crap on our parade, please go elsewhere. You belong in jail.

You have the right to speech, to the press, and to protest and petition. Please exercise these rights. Note that there are no caveats in this amendment. The very first thing that the founders wanted to be sure of was that we would be able to gather, to speak, to protest, and to pray together without government interference.

Marriage seems to me to be an “establishment of religion.” I’m not sure what the hell these people are trying to pull with all the recent attempts to legislate the manner in which I bind myself to the person of my choice.

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.

Sorry folks, there it is. You may keep and bear Arms. That means weapons. That means that the government can’t come along and disarm you just because you’re a freak. You want different, change the constitution. Going armed is not a privilege (like driving a motor vehicle, or receiving social security benefits) it is a right, on the order of unrestricted travel between the 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.

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 also totally clear. “Persons, houses, papers, and effects.” Please note, this is a right to privacy unless there is a damn good reason, supported by a specific, public oath or affirmation. The entire patriot act needs to be scrapped, right now. Said oath needs to describe the persons or things to be seized. No fishing trips.

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 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.

Read it and think about the “detainees” at our bases worldwide. Read it and think about the secret courts we’ve been hearing about. Read this damn statement, intended to prevent government abuses of power.

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 defence.

Speedy trial. Public trial. In the state and district where it was committed. You have to be informed of your crime. You get to see the witnesses against you. This is not difficult people. If you are accused, you can compel witnesses to appear on your behalf.

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 re-examined 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.

Is death cruel and unusual? If so, we need to have a chat with God.

Is is cruel and unusual to subject someone, for life, to a never ending series of requirement in which his name is forever listed as a criminal. To prevent him from buying homes, from holding employment, and eventually to push the felon to the edge of society? In my mind, it would be more humane, just, and reasonable to simply kill our felons than to punish them with shame and degradation for life.

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

If we missed something, that doesn’t mean it’s not a human right.

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.

Think about that one. Anything that’s not explicitly granted to the federal government is supposed to remain at the state level or below.

SUMMARY: We need to drag the federal government out behind the barn and kill it with an axe.