Saturday , 19 October 2024

Shredding Our Rights

It seems I have to remind people, almost on a daily basis, that the issues with which OWS takes issue are not liberal issues, but American issues, and the same goes for Tea Party issues, they are not conservative issues, they are American issues, and our rights are being shredded.

You should be in support of OWS if for no other reason than they are exercising rights laid out for us in the US Constitution, the 1st Amendment in particular. There is no reasoned argument that can be made that makes the case of OWS evictions. Maybe you don’t agree with them, but you should support them.

On that note, here is another person you should support:

As reported by the Kansas City Star, Emma Sullivan, of Topeka, KS, exercised her right to free speech and tweeted her distaste for her state governor. Only to be ordered, that’s right, “ordered,” to apologize in a formal letter to the governor. I’m sorry, WHAT? Apologize, for what, for saying what you think? And what right does the government have to order you to apologize? None, that’s what.

The school, acting as Speech Police, is giving the young patriot talking points, and is attaching a report of the incident to her transcripts, potentially marring her college career before it even starts.

I know there are millions of people out there that publicly announced their distaste for every president the United States has ever had, and now, we’re forcing Americans to apologize, this is crazy.
This is just another example of our rights slipping away and nobody is taking notice, this is censorship in its purist form.

I urge everyone to speak their mind. That is what forums such as Soldiers for the Cause is for, that is the power of Facebook, Twitter, Google+, even Myspace.

Speak your opinions and don’t back off them. It’s your constitutional right.

If you don’t know what your rights are, here is the first 10 amendments to the Constitutional, affectionately known as the Bill of Rights, for good reason, if you know no others, know these:

1. Freedom of Speech, Press, Religion and Petition

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.

2. Right to keep and bear arms

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.

3. Conditions for quarters of soldiers

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.

4. Right of search and seizure regulated

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.

5. Provisions concerning prosecution

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.

6. Right to a speedy trial, witnesses, etc.

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.

7. Right to a trial by jury

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.

8. Excessive bail, cruel punishment

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

9. Rule of construction of Constitution

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

10. Rights of the States under Constitution

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.

About mattbaker

Matthew Baker is a veteran of the United States Navy and was stationed aboard the USS Ronald Reagan from 2002 to 2006. He holds a Doctorate in Education from the University of Oklahoma. Baker has worked as a reporter and photographer for The Purcell Register in Purcell, Ok, and is currently teaching English and Journalism to high school students in Norman, OK.

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