|
|
Constitutional ConfettiJun 25 '02 Write an essay on this topic.
Popular Products in Books
The Bottom Line Freedom should not be sacrificed for security.
(Note: I wrote this not too long ago. With what's been happening lately it's even more appropriate.) In a recent editorial cartoon, Attorney General John Ashcroft was shown feeding the Bill Of Rights into a shredder. The cartoon was an accurate illustration of the fear that many Americans seem to have that Ashcroft and the Bush administration may start trampling over civil liberties in the guise of catching terrorists. Ashcroft and the rest of the Bush administration are likely to defend their actions based on the fact that it’s all in the name of security. However, I think Mr. Ashcroft is going a little overboard. He does not need to shred the Bill Of Rights. What he needs to simply do is compose a quick rewrite of it. And since I know you’re a busy man John, I’ve done the re-write for you. Here it is. The New Bill Of Rights: Amendment 1: Congress shall make no law that infringes on the fundamental right to American free speech, barring circumstances in which the material is deemed to be in poor taste or is unfairly critical of the President, Justice Department or Attorney General. All such cases will be decided on an individual basis and punishment will be handed out according to the severity of the offense. In other words, saying that the President or attorney general is ignorant is now a hanging offense. Amendment 2: The right of the people to keep and bear arms is restricted to areas farther than a 5-mile radius from an airport. Guns are still legal for the purpose of shooting anyone who resembles a terrorist. Knives and forks are still legal except on airplanes. Amendment 3: Americans should feel a certain debt of gratitude to their soldiers and servicemen. Therefore, in the event that soldiers need a place to stay and vegetate for a few days, Americans should feel obligated to give the soldiers their home. They should also be grateful for the added security. Amendment 4: All rights of Americans to be free of illegal search and seizure will be handled on a case-by-case basis. If you look, talk or act like an average small town American, you’re probably home free. If not, you may be out of luck. Amendment 5: If you fall into the latter category described in Amendment 4, be prepared to be subjected to various possible forms of torture including electroshock treatment. Pleading the 5th will no longer work for you. Amendment 6: In criminal cases where the people are not “normal Americans” the right to a trial by jury is hereby revoked. Instead, all people who fall into that category will be tried and convicted and given stiff penalties. Amendments 7 and 8: Lawsuits against all ordinary people shall be handled the normal way as was done in the old bill of rights. All not normal people will be subjected to lawsuits that can financially break them. Excessive bail will be imposed on all people who are either outside of mainstream American society or who criticize, mock or in any way make critical statements about the President, Congress or Supreme Court. Amendment 9: This Constitution is one that is for the people, except in mitigating circumstances. Which means that it cannot be changed unless the people vote for Amendments or if the President, Congress or Attorney General decides at random to change it. Amendment 10: Outside of the relegated powers of the President, Congress and Supreme Court, the majority of the rest of the power goes to the attorney general. The small amount of power that is left goes to the states and shall not be infringed upon unless deemed necessary by the President, Congress, Supreme Court or Justice Department. There you are Mr. Ashcroft. The brand new Bill Of Rights for homeland security. If you believe in keeping the homeland secure, ratify this as soon as possible. If you make no move in that direction, thousands of Americans will be beating on your door demanding that you do it.  |
| Read all comments (3)|Write your own comment |
- Top 500|
Ads by Google
|
