Bill of Rights

Bill of Rights (abbreviated version in the Desert Advocate - full article below)

Some think Bill of Rights is politically ailing
by LeeAnn Sharpe

VALLEY – Americans, if they fail to remain vigilant, are in danger of losing the hard‑won freedoms guaranteed in the Bill of Rights, some say.

Freedom of speech, of religion, to assemble, to petition the government, and the freedom to keep and bear arms are all at‑risk because the Bill of Rights these days isn’t the exactly the picture of perfect health, say some Valley citizens who last month gathered at the Goldwater Institute in downtown Phoenix to celebrate “Bill of Rights Day.”

That day marked the 215th anniversary of the Bill’s ratification and it served as an opportunity for some to raise concerns about the security of long‑cherished personal and political freedoms in America.

The event drew well known Arizona politicians and activists. Among some of those attending were: Former GOP gubernatorial candidate Don Goldwater; state Rep. Russell Pearce; KTAR meteorologist Ed Phillips; Second Amendment advocates Richard Stevens, Landis Aden and Gary Christensen; Executive Director of the Arizona American Civil Liberties Union Alessandra Soler Meetze, and Tom Jenney, Executive Director of the Arizona Federal Tax Payers Association.

Bill of Rights

by LeeAnn Sharpe

A group of about a hundred patriotic citizens gathered at the Goldwater Institute in downtown Phoenix to celebrate “Bill of Rights Day”. Most American’s probably didn’t know that Friday December 15th was Bill of Rights Day. The Bill of Rights was ratified on December 15, 1791, after many years of debate and discussion over the need for and number of amendments needed. At one point there were 47 amendments considered and in the end 12 were actually presented, with 10 being ratified. Of course today we have 27 amendments to the US Constitution.

Organized by author Alan Korwin, such notable citizens as Don Goldwater, recent Republican contender in the gubernatorial race; Russell Pearce State Representative from District 18; Ed Phillips, KTAR meteorologist and coffee shop owner; Richard Stevens, Jews for the Preservation of Firearm Ownership; Landis Aden and Gary Christensen, both of Arizona State Rifle and Pistol Assoc.; new ACLU Director Alessandra Soler Meetze; Tom Jenney, Executive Director of the Arizona Federal Tax Payers Assoc., and many more were in attendance and made comments about their deep and abiding love for and concern about the Bill of Rights in America today.

The Bill of Rights limits the power of the government and protects the rights of the people. Several of the original states would not ratify the Constitution without the Bill of Rights. The freedoms we all cherish including the freedom of speech, press, to read, assemble, pray, petition the government, keep and bear arms are all guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.

After a luncheon, Ben Barr, a Constitutional Policy Analyst for the Goldwater Institute and author of numerous articles on the state of government today, addressed the gathering with a witty discussion of the outlook for the future. Barr speaking on the health of the Bill of Rights asked, “Is there a doctor in the house?”

A poll of the room found most giving the Bill of Rights health in America today a score of 5-6 out of 10 being perfect health and 0 being dead.

Dr. Lance Hurley, author of “Endangered Documents” (www.hurleypatriot.org) and a dramatic re-enactor took up the persona of Patrick Henry to discuss his case for the need for the Bill of Rights and the battle to get the rights ratified. His informative and humorous presentation held the audience’s attention with a historic description of the process our forefathers went through to forge a document that would hold together a union through two centuries and still works today.

After a solemn reading of the Bill of Rights, a friendly animated discussion to try and define “what is a right” produced a wide range of opinions. All agreed that we must demand and defend our rights, otherwise they are lost. And that the absolute necessity of the 2nd amendment is crucial to the preservation of all the rest.

Don Goldwater, rated the Bill of Rights health at 4, expressing, “for rights to be upheld there must be participation in the process.”

Apathy was a common concern among those gathered, with several students present commenting public education is lacking and often slanted toward blindly accepting government’s actions.

Gary Christensen rated the Bill of Rights health at 10 a year ago, gave it a 7 this year, saying, “the demands on the rights have changed.”

Advocates of designating December 15 as Bill of Rights Day to declare America's commitment to civil and human rights to the world suggest a special day would annually remind politicians, bureaucrats, prosecutors, and judges that their authority and power are limited and that the government serves Americans.

December 15, Bill of Rights Day, reminds us of the liberty we have and what it costs to keep it. By celebrating Bill of Rights Day every year, perhaps we shall never forget.

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Photo: Alan Korwin author of the Gun Law books http://www.gunlaws.com is master of ceremonies at the Annual Bill of Rights Luncheon Dec 15th at the Goldwater Institute. by LeeAnn Sharpe





The Bill of Rights -

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.