I'm not going to talk about that right now, however. Because as entertaining the first paragraph of our Constitution is, it gets better. I am talking about our Bill of Rights of course, the original ten laws our Founding Fathers thought our country couldn't take its first steps without. Lets skip to that, shall we?
Amendment 1: 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.
In other words, the same law that allows FOX news to spread all the horrible lies they believe also protects the Muslims they hate and lie about. Because according to the first amendment, everyone has the right to practice whatever religion they chose to, and the press is allowed to say whatever they want without the government changing the content. I love irony.
Amendment 2: 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.
Put simply: Every dumb-ass can own a gun. According to newer laws, this gun can't be hidden, so wear them proudly! Then get a tour of the police station when 20 people call the cops about the psycho with a gun. This law might have worked back when it was written. They carried muskets, which take several minutes to work, had bad aim, and couldn't be concealed due to size. But this is the 21 century. They have invented shooting pens. Time to rethink this law.
Amendment 3: 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 law I like. Put simply, in modern English, it says you don't have to let anyone into your house, even authority such as police, without a warrant. Of course, nothing says suspicious like refusing to let a cop in, but even when they come back and search your entire house with a judge's permission, you will know that you were allowed to refuse them.
Amendment 4: 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 a broader look at amendment 3. This says you can refuse to be searched, have your house searched, be forced to show them your papers...wait. Funny. So not only is Arizona violating citizens privacy with this new anti-immigration law, but also the US Constitution? Interesting. Were you aware of this, Arizona officials? You have read the Constitution, right? Of course you have. You're politicians. Its just easier to ignore the fourth official law our founding fathers created to "protect" our country.
Amendment 5: 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.
This, as a teenager, might be my favorite law. This law states that one doesn't have to answer a question, or state a fact that might might be self incriminating. This isn't only what this amendment says, however. Also, that capital offenses have to be tried in front of a jury, and insists on due process of law, to ensure that someone won't be tried twice on the same matter. Its genius. However, like refusing entrance to cop, nothing looks more incriminating than pleading the fifth. There is always a downside.
Amendment 6: 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.
Another court oriented law. This one says that there has to be a jury, a fast trial is allowed, and that the accused is allowed an attorney, which according to US law, while be supplied if the accused doesn't already have one. This amendment also allows witnesses for and against the accused at the trail.
Amendment 7: 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.
This, I honestly think America could have waited on. It protects American's right to a jury in civil cases, which are normally decided in a small claims court. It also puts a limit on the judge's power to overturn the jury. Not as exciting as the last two, but also law oriented.
Amendment 8: Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
No cruel and unusual punishment, huh? Funny, both Arizona and the Bush Administration misread the Constitution. Because US according to Dick Cheney, there is no torture. In the US, at least. The constitution doesn't say anything about American officials torturing suspects outside of the country border. So if we hide it well, it won't matter, right innocent people tortured at Guantanamo purely because of suspicions of racists? We'll just pretend this isn't happening.
Amendment 9: The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
This amendment gets argued over a lot, because its meaning was originally that the rights listed in the Bill of Rights were not the only rights Americans had the right to protect. But since these other rights aren't listed, there is some argument. I thoughts are, if you can argue it in a court of law, with a jury of your peers, and think you have a chance of winning, its worth protecting. Its your right to protect it. Go nuts.
And finally...
Amendment 10: 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.
There are pages of the Constitution regarding where power goes, how the government works, and power of the State vs. the power of the Feds. This amendment is for all the people that skimmed or skipped it. This isn't a right. This is protection of power, the power of the States. This is so that the government would remain a government, and not become a monarchy, or worse, a fascist nation.
Reading through our original laws, and the hopes of our Founding Fathers have really made me realize this though; America has changed. A lot. George Washington must be spinning in his grave.
-teenageliberal
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