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Monthly Archives: May 2009
It’s About Us
While posting about Cheney’s Worldview, Tim Lynch captures the perspective that drives my thinking on subjects such as torture and indefinite detention: So we shouldn’t let the terrorists see us get “caught up in arguments” about the wisdom of our … Continue reading
Constitutional Amendment VIII
Like the second amendment, the eighth Amendment leaves no room for exceptions. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. There are those who would argue that not all the rights in … Continue reading
Posted in National
Tagged amendments, Bill of Rights, Constitution, documents, Elevated, history, torture
8 Comments
Constitutional Amendment VII
The seventh Amendment really intrigues me: 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 … Continue reading
Posted in General
Tagged amendments, Bill of Rights, Constitution, documents, history, questions
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U.S. and CA Supreme Court News
The news came last week that the California Supreme Court would issue their ruling related to Proposition 8 so I expected to have a reaction to that news today. I saw news this morning that President Obama would make his … Continue reading
Posted in National
Tagged California, gay marriage, New York Times, Obama, Prop 8, Supreme Court
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Use the Proper Tool
I have written before about our national propensity to use government when it is not the proper tool for the job. Scott summed my point up very succinctly in a recent post: There is a proper tool for every job. … Continue reading
Posted in culture
Tagged children, connections, Education, Elevated, family, government, ideal, NPR
2 Comments
Constitutional Amendment VI
In our information age sometimes the right to a public trial guaranteed by Amendment VI interferes with the opportunity for an impartial jury also guaranteed there (especially in the district wherein the crime was committed). In all criminal prosecutions, the … Continue reading
Constitutional Amendment V
We’ve all heard the concept of taking or pleading “the fifth {Amendment}” in court but there is more to that amendment than simply not testifying against yourself. No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous … Continue reading
Posted in General
Tagged Bill of Rights, Constitution, documents, history, laws, liberty
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Constitutional Amendment IV
Aside from any room for interpretation of the word “unreasonable” Amendment IV is pretty simple: 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 … Continue reading
Posted in General
Tagged amendments, Bill of Rights, Constitution, documents, history, liberty
6 Comments
The Huntsman News
By Monday afternoon this is, of course, old news but if you visited here you must have been at least marginally interested in my opinion on the fallout from Huntsman being tapped to become the ambassador to China. First of … Continue reading