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Monthly Archives: May 2009
A Real American Hero
Lost in all the political bickering about the torture memos is are two significant questions. Does torture work? And is it compatible with American values? As an experienced interrogator who worked in Iraq Matthew Alexander has been speaking out on … Continue reading
Constitutional Amendment III
Amendment III is very straightforward and needs no explanation: 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 … Continue reading
Our Broken Debate
The big question in the debate over torture right now is “who knew what and when did they know it?” That question is being used by Republicans right now to implicate Speaker Nancy Pelosi as having done nothing with what … Continue reading
Pre-Announcement
Looks like Mark Shurtleff just made an accidental pre-announcement about running against Senator Bennett: Of course what his choice is should be a surprise to nobody. I thought it interesting that he’s talking up how much he will be raising. … Continue reading
Constitutional Amendment II
Amendment 2 is worded as an absolute: 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. The prohibition on infringing upon the … Continue reading
Posted in National
Tagged amendments, Bill of Rights, Constitution, documents, history, liberty
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Constitutional Amendment I
The beauty of the amendments in the Bill of Rights is that they are all short enough that I will be comfortable quoting each amendment in its entirety as I write about it. That may not hold as I get … Continue reading
Posted in National
Tagged Bill of Rights, change congress, documents, history, liberty, religion
2 Comments
Constitution of the United States
Having completed a review of each of the 85 Federalist Papers I am excited to finally write about the Constitution of the United States that they were written to promote. My goal is to reduce the Constitution to a very … Continue reading
Posted in General, National
Tagged change congress, Constitution, documents, history, laws
2 Comments
Federalist No. 85
In the last of the Federalist papers, Federalist No. 85, Hamilton concludes by arguing that the preceding papers should demonstrate that the proposed constitution is fundamentally sound, and that it should be ratified regardless of any few faults or reservations … Continue reading
Posted in National
Tagged change congress, connections, Constitution, documents, federalist, history, unconstitutional
2 Comments
Federalist No. 84
In his penultimate federalist paper, Federalist No. 84, Hamilton ties up a few loose ends and once again shows his prescience. As I was reading this thought on the need (or lack thereof) for a Bill of Rights: a minute … Continue reading
Posted in General
Tagged Bill of Rights, change congress, civic participation, documents, federalist, history
1 Comment
Federalist Nos. 80 – 83
Some of the items of discussion in the federalist papers are so obvious that I must conclude that the purpose of these papers was not onyl to answer critics of the proposed constitution, but also to endeavor to generally educate … Continue reading