Saturday, July 05, 2003
Local Time: 12:23:18 PM
SECTIONS
Posted on: 7/4/2003 5:19:00 PM - Columnist
Today all across the country people are celebrating something they no longer have. But they think they do and the illusion is all that matters to these phony Patriots who for the most part have never bothered to take the time to read the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. They instead listen to people with an agenda to brainwash us into thinking everything is as it should be, and just leave it up to others to tell them they are a free people in a free land. They never question just how much freedom they really have. Well wave the flags boys and fire the fireworks because it is circus time in America. Just make sure you beg permission and pay all the required fees before doing anything, otherwise you may find out just how much freedom you don’t have anymore. But what the hell, pass the beer and forget about straining your brain it’s a Holiday so have fun while you still can. If you’re still capable of rational thought, read the rest of the story.
We have long ago lost our real freedom and we have deluded ourselves into accepting what we have is still freedom.
Ok what do you think freedom is?
Is your concept of freedom anything like the Rights as spelled out in the Bill of Rights? Or is that something you were going to read some day?
Yes you still have the freedom to read it, just remember that 9 of the 10 Bill of Rights are either gone completely, or watered down so much you have to pay a fee and beg permission to exercise them.
Do you want to check off the Rights as we go down the list of ten? If so lets start with the Preamble to the Bill of Rights.
Amendments 1-10 of the Constitution The Conventions of a number of the States having, at the time of 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 insure 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, namely:
You will take notice of the following quote from the above.
“in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added,”
It is not an accident that was stated in the preamble. They knew Government has the natural tendency to take as much power as it can get away with, and they knew normal people also had a tendency to ignore little power grabs so they added that statement. Remember that when you become aware of the little power grabs that have over time mounted up to killing 9 out of 10 of your 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.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
Today all churches are government controlled by the insidious IRS, they have to register, fill out forms and keep out of political comment that would question government actions or they may lose their Tax exempt status under 501(c)(3). No church can be built or even expanded, remodeled or even tore down without paying a fee, not to mention complying with some Zoning regulations. So do you Government control of Churches?
or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press;
Free Speech? If you want to go through all the hoops, pay all the fees, taxes, regulations, Political Correctness, Equal Time and hundreds of other FCC rules and Licenses you can have all the free speech you can afford or can stomach. Or you can try a joke about something that some government flunky don’t like or takes the wrong way. Even the kids are caught up in this as they may say something that gets them in deep trouble today which a few years ago was just normal kids being kids.
or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Yep you have those rights, as long as you get your Permit first and do your petition or assemble exactly where, when and how the Government allows.
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.
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state,
Some of you people think the Government can regulate this, well back when this was written Regulation had nothing to do with what we call Regulation today. Then it simply meant a well working mechanism like a clock, it had nothing to do with control by Government. Back then words had meaning. If the State could control it then how could the people ensure a free state? The state would be the Dictator.
the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
It says the Right of the People, a Right is not a Privilege that can be changed, and to keep and bear arms does not imply that Government will dictate what arms you may have, or even what kind, or where you can have them, and the most important part shall not be infringed is not a wiggle word that can be taken to mean anything but what it says. So how do you get over 20.000 Infringements on your Right?
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.
This was until recently the only one that was relatively intact, until Ashcroft and his infamous Patriot Act pretty well done it in by having no knock and secret searches at any time they wish, for almost any pretence and no warrant needed. They may not be soldiers as yet, but if they can come and go through your house anytime they want, they might as well be quartered there.
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.
That is pretty well explained in the one before, but now they don’t need probable cause, they can do with you as they please, thanks again to the Patriot Act.
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.
The grand jury is almost gone, you now can be tried in a federal court and in a state court for the same offence, and they will throw so many charges against you the jury will convict you on something. And that due process of law, again thanks to that Patriot Act and secret evidence and unquestionable witnesses, you will be rotting in jail depending on some Lawyer to get you free, if you are lucky enough to afford one that will fight to your last dollar getting you all the justice you can afford. We could add here Asset Forfeiture which they can take all your property without even charging you with a crime. Oh, you can fight it in court, but they have all your assets so you best have a rich friend or relative to borrow the money needed to fight it. And a few a very few do win, after fighting for years they get back their property or what is left of it.
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.
In all criminal prosecutions, (Now they like to use civil laws to break you and they don’t have to pay attention the rest of this.) But if they want to get you with a criminal offence that is now so easy, (again thanks to the Patriot Act) and others like the power the State has to offered Bribes, they can buy or threaten any witnesses to say anything to save their own butt, or they can offer cash or property bribes to get a conviction. (you can’t even offer a witness a cup of coffee, as that is a bribe) Don’t forget those secret witness and evidence that you can’t see or rebut. And now the Jury is given instructions by the Judge where they must convict. The right of the Jury to question the law and its application is dead. And don’t try and bring up your Constitutional Rights, in most courts they will tell you that’s for an appeal court to decide, if you can afford it and if they will hear it. Good luck they hear about 4 out of every 100 cases and they pick which ones they will hear. Do you feel lucky? You do have the right of counsel, but somehow they have turned it to mean its only a lawyers allowed. It is a closed shop and only members of the Bar are allowed.
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.
Common law is now only used when it benefits the state, and the trial by jury has been watered down to where its powers to judge the Law, or its application has been nullified. And a jury trial verdict can be tossed out whenever a judge decides.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Excessive bail All they have to do is make bail or the fine one dollar more than you have or can get, and what is excessive for a wealthy person is not the same for those who are not.
cruel and unusual punishments Isn’t this what we used hear about when other Dictatorial Governments charged people with a crime against the State? Now most of our un-constitutional laws are Crimes against the State, that is when there are no victims or property damage. Most people get fined or jailed because the act itself is not illegal, they just didn’t pay some fee, tax, get some permit, or beg for permission before doing something. Had they paid the tribute and been given the blessing first, then no crime would have happened. The Mafia would be proud of this racket.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
This simply says that government may not take any power or Right away that is not authorized for it to do in the Constitution, or is retained by the people. The Constitution places severe limits on what any government may do, but places no limits on 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.
This gives the states and the American people the RIGHT to retain "ALL" powers not delegated to the federal government, and which are not prohibited by the constitution to be exercised by the states. This amendment was designed to protect states rights as well as the rights of each citizen. Each sovereign state retained unto itself "ALL" powers that had not been given to the national Government.
So why is the Feds dictating to the States to do something they clearly have no power to do? Both state and the feds are still supposed to be the servants to the people, at least they are if they still obeyed and followed the Constitution.
Maybe you should read the Constitution, find out what that Supreme Law of the Land says?
Today most would have you think the Government has no limits, and we get our privileges from it.
Those that have read through this may start to understand we have nothing to celebrate today on this 4 of July, and haven’t had for many years.
But we do have very much to be ashamed of. Much of what has happened to our freedom was our fault. We didn’t pay attention to the little power grabs that one by one destroyed our freedom so sneaky that we foolishly still celibate what we haven’t had in a long time.
Just think our kids and grandkids will really have something to celebrate in the future 4 of Julys, or will they curse those who let it happen and did nothing but celebrate?
Name me one thing you can do today without someone having to pay a fee somewhere along the way, or asking permission first? Do you think you can live a normal life without breaking some law?
A Right is not something you can change, otherwise it would simply be a privilege. A privilege can be modified or completely revoked at any whim.
Free Men have Rights.
Slaves, Servants and Subjects have Privileges.
What do you think your duty is when you know something is wrong?
If ignorance is bliss, could that be why so many people are satisfied and content?
I wrote this article after listening to a Jackass on the radio this morning who first said we got our rights from God and they are inalienable, and not granted from government, then he went on to say we still have our rights and that is what we are celebrating today. At first I thought he finally got it, but then he made the statement we still have our Rights and I almost lost it.
S Schantz editor LewisNews
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