Originally posted by: Bowfinger
Originally posted by: Crimson
[ ridiculous generalizations and other nonsense deleted ]
Greetings, Comrade Crimson. Welcome to the United States. Since you seem to be new to America, let me bring you up to speed on our culture.
Here in the United States, we place a special emphasis on personal freedoms. Having suffered the tyranny of old England, we committed to forming a new society where the people were kings and the government served us. We codified a set of fundamental rights we believed were essential for a free country, and we enumerated them as the first ten amendments to the United States Consitution. Perhaps you've heard of them; we call them The Bill of Rights.
At the very top of the list of these fundamental human rights is something called Freedom of Speech. We were angry that King George's minions would imprison or even kill fellow patriots who spoke up about his injustices. We knew we could not prevent government tyranny if we could not speak about it freely, if we could not tell our brothers and sisters when we were dissatisfied with our representatives. We explicity granted our citizens the right to Free Speech (and a Free Press) precisely to allow Americans to criticize our leaders, to rebuke our government, to call out from the steeples and hillsides whenever we feel our leadership has failed in its obligations to be lawful and just and fair.
I realize this noble ideal may seem foreign to someone like you. We know too well that fascist countries like China and the old Soviet Union try to control their citizens' hearts and minds by controlling what they see and hear. That's simply not how we do things here. We are united in our commitment to freedom. It is why we are the great country we have become.
Yes, these freedoms are often incovenient to government lackeys and even to some elected representatives who have been drawn to the dark side, who lust for power instead of public service. We know you might be a little confused by the neo-facists who have undue influence in our government today. Nonetheless, these are transient problems that cannot persist. We will not allow it. We will not return to the dark days of King
George. Our rights and freedoms transcend petty politicians and petty politics. They are the very heart and soul of America.
Again, welcome to America, Comrade Crimson. We will help you see the light. Here's a start:
THE BILL OF RIGHTS
Amendments 1-10 of the Constitution
The Conventions of a number of the States having, at the time of adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire,
in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added, and as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government will best insure the beneficent ends of its institution;
Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two-thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States; all or any of which articles, when ratified by three-fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the said Constitution, namely:
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.
Amendment II
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.
Amendment III
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.
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.
Amendment V
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, 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 in jeopardy 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; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy 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.
Amendment VII
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.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment X
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.
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