The Oligarchist Bill Of Rights
[posted by TC]
The Ten Original Amendments to the Constitution of the United States
Passed by Congress September 25, 1789
Ratified December 15, 1791
Amendment I 1791
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; [unless you are a Christian] or abridging the freedom of speech, [not withstanding McCain-Feingold] or of the press [to expose all the nation's national security secrets]; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances [especially if they are illegal aliens]
Amendment II 1791
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. [Unless your intention is to use them as needed in defense of that state... Weapons suitable for military use are generally prohibited or, at least, ownership is very much infringed unpon by forcing law abiding citizens to register their posessions while criminals flout these laws]
Amendment III 1791
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. [It amazes me that we've almost completely obeyed this Amendment.]
Amendment IV 1791
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not beviolated, [unless it's for the officer's safety, in which case he or she can lay hands on a citizen and examine their pocket's contents before they write a speeding ticket] 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. [Once upon a time it was the witness or informant who had to be credible, now it merely takes a police officer with a good story to go before a magestrate and get a warrant sworn]
Amendment V 1791-->-->
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, [We excised this section yesterday... Hooray for the SCOTUS, the UCMJ is now obsolete] 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 injeopardy 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; [Unless someone complains about a "domestic disturbance" in which case they can lose property and rights without anything more than a misdemeanour conviction] nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. [unless the local authorities are assured that some OTHER private citizen will devlop the property in such a manner as to increase the tax base.]
Amendment VI 1791
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to aspeedy 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. [Nothing in here about fifty appeals, the government paying for counsel or an awful lot of the stuff that accused criminals get... including having signed confessions tossed out.]
Amendment VII 1791
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. [But the juries are no longer told their responsiblity is also to try the law, finding for justice in the case of an unjust law... and some judges have jailed people who disturbed their courtroom by providing that information.]
Amendment VIII 1791
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. [Cruel and unusual having one definition during the Founders' time... but now consisting of air-conditioned quarters if the thermostat is set too high.... and other terrible conditions.]
Amendment IX 1791
The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. [Unless a liberal justice decides that only the ones written down count!]
Amendment X 1791
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. [Just try enacting a law, with 80% of the state voting "aye" the people who know what's best for the rest of us will tie it up in federal court forever.]
The Ten Original Amendments to the Constitution of the United States
Passed by Congress September 25, 1789
Ratified December 15, 1791
Amendment I 1791
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; [unless you are a Christian] or abridging the freedom of speech, [not withstanding McCain-Feingold] or of the press [to expose all the nation's national security secrets]; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances [especially if they are illegal aliens]
Amendment II 1791
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. [Unless your intention is to use them as needed in defense of that state... Weapons suitable for military use are generally prohibited or, at least, ownership is very much infringed unpon by forcing law abiding citizens to register their posessions while criminals flout these laws]
Amendment III 1791
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. [It amazes me that we've almost completely obeyed this Amendment.]
Amendment IV 1791
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not beviolated, [unless it's for the officer's safety, in which case he or she can lay hands on a citizen and examine their pocket's contents before they write a speeding ticket] 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. [Once upon a time it was the witness or informant who had to be credible, now it merely takes a police officer with a good story to go before a magestrate and get a warrant sworn]
Amendment V 1791-->-->
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, [We excised this section yesterday... Hooray for the SCOTUS, the UCMJ is now obsolete] 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 injeopardy 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; [Unless someone complains about a "domestic disturbance" in which case they can lose property and rights without anything more than a misdemeanour conviction] nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. [unless the local authorities are assured that some OTHER private citizen will devlop the property in such a manner as to increase the tax base.]
Amendment VI 1791
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to aspeedy 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. [Nothing in here about fifty appeals, the government paying for counsel or an awful lot of the stuff that accused criminals get... including having signed confessions tossed out.]
Amendment VII 1791
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. [But the juries are no longer told their responsiblity is also to try the law, finding for justice in the case of an unjust law... and some judges have jailed people who disturbed their courtroom by providing that information.]
Amendment VIII 1791
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. [Cruel and unusual having one definition during the Founders' time... but now consisting of air-conditioned quarters if the thermostat is set too high.... and other terrible conditions.]
Amendment IX 1791
The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. [Unless a liberal justice decides that only the ones written down count!]
Amendment X 1791
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. [Just try enacting a law, with 80% of the state voting "aye" the people who know what's best for the rest of us will tie it up in federal court forever.]
posted by JASmius at 10:45 AM
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