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.
Freedom of the press? Well, we know how far that goes. The press is completely free as long as it doesn't offend someone. The press is free as long as it doesn't offend the government. We can still have freedom of the press, but unfortunately the freedom to read wasn't included. You think you are free to read what you want? Read the PATRIOT ACT and then ask your local librarian or bookseller. Congress killed legislation that would have exempted libraries and bookstores from the business records provisions of the PATRIOT ACT.
Do your homework and read the history of the late night House roll call vote #339, 2004 and what it was all about.
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.
Oops. Some people in the Senate and House of Representatives must not have ever read this one. If they had read it then they wouldn't have voted for the PATRIOT Act. I wonder if they can be removed from office because they violated their oath to protect the Constitution?
AMENDMENT IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
One more Amendment forgotten, ignored, flushed down the toilet. Remember the concept of common law? That's what this one is all about. Those who wrote this amendment thought it would take care of all the things they just couldn't write down in a lifetime. I guess they didn't try hard enough. Either that or they underestimated the power of stupidity in government.
Oops, excuse me. It's not in the Bill of Rights, so don't demand the right of privacy any more.
I could write forever, but my fingers need a rest.
John Ross Hendrix for United States Senate
http://www.hendrixcampaign.com