Bill Of Rights

[Skinski7]

No nation in the world today or throughout history for that matter has so blatently recognised the Creator endowed rights of the individual and so blatently put that recognition to paper when establishing the governing apparatus which was to be utilised in protecting those Creator endowed rights.

For those who have never read or really thought about the Bill of Rights for the United States Constitution now is the time to spend a little time studying this historical and pertinant document. Pay particular attention to the preamble which plainly states that the Bill of Rights are a set of restrictive clauses, these restrictions limit strictly the power of the administrations who govern under the law.

Remember these rights are only as good as the paper they are printed on. If people do not actively assert their rights then they are of none effect when an authority unlawfully intrudes upon them.

Do you support freedom?



High resolution photo of the original document available here...
http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-..._downloads.html

The text of Amendments 11-27 can be found here...
http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-...ents_11-27.html


Bill of Rights for the Constitution for the United States of America


Congress of the United States
begun and held at the City of New-York, on
Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.

THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.

RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.

ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.

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 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.

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 defence.

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 re-examined 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.

[tsoldrin]

It is noteworthy, especially in our present state of affairs, that originally many people opposed the Bill of Rights. Not because they didn't want everyone to have those Rights, but because they feared that it could somehow be misinterpreted to be a list of our ONLY rights, which would be a reverse reading of the intent. This is exemplified in The Federalist Papers No. 84 by Alexander Hamilton. Strangely, and sadly, here we are today with barely any rights outside of the Bill of Rights and many of those codified therein have been trampled upon and disregarded.

I doubt having them was the cause, I think there are other flaws in our form of Government at the root there, but it is interesting to note that they were worried about these things way back then.