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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by 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.
Legislative and executive branches at state and federal levels frequently attempt to expand their powers at the expense of the people. The courts and the American Civil Liberties Union are the prime defenders of the Bill of Rights.
"I believe in the supreme worth of the individual and in his right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
Although the government's power with regard to these rights is limited, self-control remains.
"I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty."
Guns and Cars
There is no reason why gun ownership should not be treated as carefully as car ownership. The weapons should be individually identifiable and traceable to the owner though a title arrangement in the same way as automobiles. Then the owner can be held responsible for whatever is done with that weapon including any failure to take reasonable care that it not be misused by others.
It is reasonable for the government to require gun manufacturers to provide various forms of safely features as part of the weapon itself or as standard equipment, in the same way that car manufacturers are so required. In a similar fashion whereby automobile operators are licensed only at a certain age and after passing state mandated tests, the right to have possession of a gun should require licensure. It might also be reasonable to require insurance coverage for the cost of any accidental injuries caused by the use of the weapon.
Just as special licenses are required for drivers of trucks, motorcycles, busses and heavy equipment, the requirements for guns appropriate to hunting ought to differ from those for hand guns and other specialized weapons.
However, it is absurd to make gun manufacturers liable for the illegal use of their products by others. That would be an example of misplaced responsibility. Likewise, if a gun is stolen, the owner should be responsible only if he failed to take reasonable measures to secure it.
Piling On--Richard Jewel, Gary Condit, Mark Foley and Sam Adams
Suspected for the Olympic Park bombing in Atlanta; day after day, the media hammered Richard Jewel. It turned out that he had nothing to do with it, other than carrying out his duties in a responsible manner. They said, “tut tut, we were wrong. Oh, well, too bad.” A couple of stories were written about how the media can get carried away.
Than it was Gary Condit’s turn. For a whole year there was no evidence that anyone had done anything to Chandra Levy. The California congressman had nothing to do with her disappearance. Should they be held accountable? One could only wish that would be the case. But they depend on the public forgetting about it. They will do their part by just letting it drop with a, “tut tut, we were wrong. Oh, well, tough luck.” Mr. Condit, now a former congressman, has other ideas. He is suing a bunch of them.
The fact that Mark Foley won't be charged with anything proves that state and federal law enforcement agencies were not investigating any crimes. Contrary to fundamental principles of US justice they were scrutinizing an unpopular person in the hope of pinning something on him. This is the same kind of error that led to racial profiling as in "driving while black" and the harassment of Muslims after 9/11. It is the sort of thing that a witch hunt leads to.
Now it’s the turn of Portland, Oregon mayor, Sam Adans. What will the media say if no criminal charges are ever brought against him? It could be that the story will carried in the back pages, with a “maybe we jumped the gun a little here, well, that’s the way it goes some times, too bad.”
And another thing, why do they beat one story to death while claiming that “everyone” is fascinated. People seem that absorbed because there is so little else that is being reported. Well, it’s a lot easier to thrash the daylights out of one incident than to run around digging up the news of the day.
The media always maintains that it's our fault for listening to them. Said with a smirk. Well, they are right on that one. Partly.
Piling on the Catholic Church
For the most part, the current sex scandal within the Catholic Church is not about pedophilia. The media uses that term, in spite of its inappropriateness, because it is more lurid. But there are almost no prepubescent children or females who are alleged to be victims. Almost all the youths involved, are or were teenage boys at the time that the incidences are said to have occurred. The sex acts were almost all consensual and are crimes only because the adolescents’ consent, by statute, is not valid.
This itself is a highly questionable practice. Here is a new work on the pedophilia frenzy.
Entertaining Violence
Far worse than fictional depictions of violence in film is the real violence encouraged in certain professional sports, most notably hockey, and to a lesser extent in baseball and basketball. These men are, to adolescent males, poor and persuasive models of how a real man should behave. They should not receive dispensation to break the law just because they are engaged in a game.
Assault and battery is a criminal behavior and should be treated as such. If the leagues require it, professional athletes will demonstrate that civilized men keep themselves under control. That they don’t is because they think it will cost them money.
The Y
The Young Men's Christian Association or YMCA isn't just for the young. People of all ages belong to the Y. It isn't just for men, either. And it certainly isn't just for Christians. The organization and the groups that it serves have changed considerably since its founding many years ago.
As a civic entity, it has done the right thing. By being open to everyone, it helps to bring the community together. But the old fashioned and out of date name makes things a little awkward for some folks.
It's time for a change, how about the Young and Mature Community Association? Then it will still be the YMCA. We need more of this sort of inclusive organization and a lot less of the exclusive variety.
For more of Juan’s comments go to Juan comments on the news .