Giving up freedoms

I think this is something you should read, sit back and think about. This isn't so much political than it is about the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. I will try my best to stay on point.

The Constitution and Bill of Rights are the foundation of our nation. These documents have sustained the nation and maintained our freedom. The first ten amendments to the Constitution were set down because the Founding Fathers knew they were basic freedoms that all citizens would need as long as the United States existed. The Bill of Rights is our guarantees our freedom.

As our nation grew, new amendments were added to keep the  nation and it's citizens to ensure our continuing freedom. Since the  Signers ratified the Constitution, only one Amendment has been repealed, the 18th Amendment, what we remember as Prohibition. The 18th Amendment was repealed by the ratification of the 21st Amendment. The 18th Amendment was ill conceived from it's inception. It was not one of the original ten.

Now, there is a movement to remove the 2nd Amendment. The 2nd Amendment was necessary, as the Founding Fathers believed, was important to allow all citizens to protect the nation from invasion and themselves from a corrupt and tyrannical government. But, this is not the main topic of this op-ed. The Second Amendment is a freedom guaranteed by the original Bill of Rights.

We value our amendments. They are prized highly because they set down that guarantees our freedom with exception those that concern congressional term limits and taxes. All amendments are of equal standing. The only amendments that have supremacy are the Bill of Rights. What if we lose an amendment? The majority of amendments ensure our rights and our freedoms. Some additions, have clarified to enforce the "All men are created equal..." of the Declaration of Independence.

Some of the amendments do not exactly effect your rights. Term limits only effects those in office. Would it bother you to have one of these amendments were repealed? I might be inclined to say, "No." But, I would leave it. I would not want to set a precedence.

Would you support the repeal of the 5th Amendment? (As a reminder, the 5th Amendment guarantees our right to due process, prevents self-incrimination and double jeopardy.) The 5th Amendment protects us from a corrupt judicial system. How about it? If you have ever been arrested, you know the 5th Amendment prevents the police from asking incriminating questions.  With the addition of warnings mandated by Miranda vs Arizona, your rights are explained to you and  it enhances the 5th Amendment. I bet you would go ballistic if the 5th Amendment were repealed.

Let's put a finer point to it. How would you feel if the Right of Religion was removed from the 1st Amendment? No explanations of the importance of the first of our freedoms is requited. An immediate uprising! We would not stand for one of our most precious amendments and, with support of the military, rebel against the government.

Lets consider the 2nd Amendment. The 2nd Amendment was added to the Bill of Rights for several reasons, to protect and defend the nation from outside invasion; to deal with an abusive and tyrannical government; and for the protection of family. We know and understand these reasons. Regardless of advances of technology the 2nd Amendment has shown its need. The French Indian War, the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Civil War and the Indian Wars were partially fought with civilians and their firearms. Then only difference between then and now is the mobilization of a full-time national army. Still the need was there for a man to protect himself and his family from outlaws and the occasional indian raid. Firearms were vital to the provisioning of meat. The importance of 2nd Amendment is vital when you consider practical application of firearms.

We would not allow our Bill of Rights, our freedoms, to be so abridged. What about the 2nd Amendment? Why is there such an idea of repealing it so desirable? All of the Bill of Rights have equal merit including the 2nd Amendment.

Peaceful and lawful assembly

Every group in the United States has the right of peaceful assembly. In some states, Tennessee for one, it is illegal for pedestrians to be on the interstate. Protesters on I-40 in Memphis violated state law by being on I-40. (Oh, the law is in Tennessee Code Annotated 55-8--127*.)  It's not about the protest, but about the law.  Like free speech, the right to assemble is not absolute. The government can place some restrictions on when, where and/or how it is conducted. Black Lives Matter had the right to protest, just not on I-40.

The sign below is typical at on ramps to Tennessee interstates.

                                       






TCA 55-8-127.  Restrictions on use of controlled-access roadway.   (a) The department of transportation and local authorities may, with respect to any controlled-access roadway under their respective jurisdictions, prohibit the use of that roadway by pedestrians, bicycles or other non-motorized traffic or by any person operating a motor-driven cycle. (b) The department or the local authority adopting any such prohibitory regulation shall erect and maintain official signs on the controlled-access roadway on which the regulations are applicable, and when the signs are erected, a person who disobeys the restrictions stated on the signs commits a Class C misdemeanor. 

Blocking of I-40

All these illegal protests does not bring better understanding. All it does is polarize you opposition.

These folks do not know that it is illegal for pedestrians to be on the interstate. Such acts only inflame opposition. Trucks on the interstate carry needed medical supplies and food. What about ambulances? What if a person is in an ambulance needed to be transported to a hospital dies? Is that negligent homicide? 

Race

Race is one of those topics that is must discussed but little understood. Race is genetic. The genetic material provides the mental picture that whatever is different is bad. This intrinsic vision of acceptance is why humans and animals babies inprint the faces of their mothers. This is common human nature.

What we consider race is several thousand years old. In the millenniums past, races were divided by national and ethnically differences such as Hebrew, Egyptian, Babylonian and Nubians. Hundreds of years after the fall of Rome when humans looked to skin color as differences of race. After the death of Muhammad did race became tied with race. If you were white many would consider you a Christian. If you were black or in the many shades of black many would assume you were a Muslim. Only those that lived along the borders between Christian and Muslim knew the only difference between them was skin color.

In the last decades of the previous century, it is habitual to see those of different skin as alien, corrupt and evil. Today, we are slowly beginning to see all humans as equals. This change has had problems,  it still does and will in the near future. This change, however cannot be forced. Force always meets resistance. Time is necessary for permanent change.

In conclusion, a few aspects of my comment are simplified. Please do your own research.

See what happens....

See what happens when you try and escape a hornets nest full of pissed off hornets. A year ago that is exactly what I did and stepped in a hole tearing ligaments and tendons. After VA dicked around for a year, I was finally allowed to have surgery to have my injuries repaired.

For the last two weeks I have had stitches in a soft cast. This week I had the stitches removed and my foot and ankle were put in a hard cast for four weeks. I have been going to Vanderbilt for my treatment. So far, I am 100% satisfied we their care and professionalism.

Hillary's accomplices

There is much talk about Hillary receiving secrets in her private emails. But, I want to know about those that sent the emails! Those who willfully removed the secret letterheads and warnings  then sent them to Hillary or through a chain to her were in violation of federal law. Where they censured for their actions? Did Hillary show her disapproval and indicate penalties for their actions? If she did none of these, Hillary was party to a conspiracy! 

These questions, I am sure, would he convict or absolve Hillary. If there is such a conspiracy, it should and must be made public! And, those involved punished.

Catch up

Let me catch up with all the crap that is going on. The country is going to shit. Whose fault? Democrats/Socialists. Crybabies and idiots the lot of them.

More to come.