two anniversaries

The twelve articles of amendment were adopted by Congress on this day, September, 25, 1789.  I remember having to memorize and recite the Preamble to the Constitution for my eighth grade history class, but a child of 13 was kinda not expected to fully grasp the certain inalienable rights of man.  The amendments are cited as rights, all the time.  I believe that knowing our founding principles and developing a discerning ear to ensure that things aren't taken out of context, are as important now in our everybody-sue-everybody world as they were when the documents were drafted.  I'm a deep roots kind of person: I like to get to the heart of the issue, no matter how overboard I go with my own dialogue, and seek simplicity.  The shades of gray, or smoke and mirrors, in the theory of subjective reality, are the detractors which have derailed us as a society.

Article the first ... After the first enumeration required by the first article of the Constitution, there shall be one Representative for every thirty thousand, until the number shall amount to one hundred, after which the proportion shall be so regulated by Congress, that there shall be not less than one hundred Representatives, nor less than one Representative for every forty thousand persons, until the number of Representatives shall amount to two hundred; after which the proportion shall be so regulated by Congress, that there shall not be less than two hundred Representatives, nor more than one Representative for every fifty thousand persons.




Article the second ... No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.



Article the third ... 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.



Article the fourth ... 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.



Article the fifth ... 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.



Article the sixth ... 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.



Article the seventh ... 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.



Article the eighth ... 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.



Article the ninth ... 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.



Article the tenth ... Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.



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



Article the twelfth ... 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.



Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg, Speaker of the House

John Adams, Vice-President of the United States and President of the Senate



Attest John Beckley, Clerk of the House of Representatives

Sam. A. Otis Secretary of the Senate

*I would like to take a moment and reflect upon another important item in our history, related closely to our rights as Americans.  Women were granted the right to vote in August 1920, which was 90 years last month.  I do believe in women's suffrage and women's lib, and I also believe that women were made different from men, and bring something wonderful to the world by genuinely being women.  Our sisters before us fought and lobbied diligently for the right to be heard.  Please ladies, vote.
 

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

I had the pleasure of seeing a Hollywood blockbuster star portray a real human being in the film The Pursuit of Happyness.   I am writing this blog to encourage people and rally the American spirit within each heart.  So it is that I would love a recent film depicting the rags-to-riches biography of a man who lost everything but his son and his dream.  The United States was founded on dreams, dreams won over by blood and toil.  My family has been on this continent for 400 years, so let me ask you if fighting for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness isn't in my blood?   We have so very much to be thankful for as Americans, as citizens of one of the few nations on earth to be truly "free."  This is the place where a person, irregardless of race, gender, religion, or creed can go after their dream.   We are a country of risk takers, and we are a country which still attracts those who have been oppressed in their own lands. 

I thought about writing a blog entry for September 11th, but then I do not need that day to express what we all felt.  I encourage you to open your hearts and feel, to stay in the awareness of, what it means to have your rights and way of life nearly taken away.  Terrorism isn't necessarily about death: terrorism is a threat, an "our way or else," which is exactly why the United States of America was founded.  We are living in a safe haven for freedom from tyranny.  We are living in a place where a man and his young son, who have nothing, can hold these truths dear and rise above. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bklNWWoJyzE&feature=related
Please copy and paste this clip's URL into your browser and watch. 

Tenacious

I would like, very much, to discuss the founding document of our country.  We are a nation divided at this time in our history, just as we have been torn on issues in the past.  I would like to add that this country was founded by immigrants and descendants of immigrants.  What's so great about freedom?  I've begun to scratch the surface with this blog.  One of the most important founders, Thomas Jefferson, had a separate family with a slave woman, and upon his death was so riddled with debts that he could not free everyone.  The "founding fathers," were a group of people who believed that slavery would eventually come to an end.  I am speaking of this issue, because I do, with all of my heart, contend that every person is created equal under God.  Enslaving another person, keeping them under one's heel so to speak, does not match the right of equality for all.  It is not what you have or what your status might be: it is the content of your character which is your value.  This is how men are not equal: character matters.

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
-The Preamble to the Constitution

The word "tenacious" was given to me by my friend, Geri, to speak to my relentless clinging to morales and ideals.  It is a compliment to be considered tenacious for standing my ground: integrity is a very important thing.  Standing one's ground and following through, being accountable, are rare things these days, but ordinary people can act upon integrity and be considered heroic.  The founders of this great country said, "Enough!" and took their desire for freedom to the next level.  I'm speaking of everyone who joined the fight, not just the fellows whose names are signed at the bottom of the paperwork.