zsdersw
Lifer
- Oct 29, 2003
- 10,505
- 2
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I wouldn't say it's better in the UK but it is different.
In many cases the US sees things as WAY too black and white, with us or against us, hate it or love it, love it or GTFO, agree or die, you know the drill..
I think that many Americans REFUSE to see the Constitution for what it is, it's an ancient document that isn't supposed to be absolute but more of a guiding document. I love it in all of it's simplicity but to me it's obvious that the writers meant for people to use some common sense when legislating and have it remain a living document, not a stone tablet that is absolute.
I don't think the writers intended to protect speech that interferes with mourning families when they bury their dead, it doesn't take more than common sense to understand that no sane human being would intend that.
Well except for those who are themselves insane, they are the Taliban of the US constitution, the fundamentalists of the constitution...
But i'm an Englishman so what the fuck do i know...
Like all documents of its type, the Constitution has both absolutes (specific rights) and abstractions (everything else) that are subject to interpretation. On the whole, it is not meant as a beginning and end, but as a reference for dealing with future concerns. Some matters cannot be addressed by applying the Constitution, but most can. In those few where the Constitution can offer no guidance, either an amendment to it or (preferrably) laws can be written to fill the gap. Laws are preferable to amendments in those cases because they're more malleable.
