November 18, 2009

The Twenty Seventh Amendment.

No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.


Short and sweet! This amendment states that any pay raises for legislatures will not take effect until after an election. This is great so that they cannot keep voting for themselves to get pay raises, etc.





I LOVE Alec Baldwin! This is him reading the 27th amendment.





Just another video from that random guy broadcasting from his room talking about the twenty seventh amendment!

The Twenty Sixth Amendment.

Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.

Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.


The twenty sixth amendment is one of my favorites! It ensures that any United States citizen 18 years and over could legally vote. I think this is an incredible addition to the constitution. I think now the younger voters are beginning to turn out more and more and that is amazing!




The importance in voting!!!





This is a video aimed at the younger viewers! 18+!!


The Twenty Fifth Amendment.

Section 1. In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.

Section 2. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.

Section 3. Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.

Section 4. Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.

Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.


The twenty fifth amendment basically shows the presidential line of succession. It shows what would happen and who would take charge if something should happen to the president while he was still in office. The succession goes: vice president, speaker of the house, president of senate, secretary of state, secretary of the treasury, secretary of the defense, and then the attorney general. It goes on to list more and more people however I think the chances of all six of these people dying at once and having to move further down the line of succession is HIGHLY unlikely.



Just a silly video about a robot eating the president and what would happen if the president did in fact get eaten by a robot. Hah!




Alec Baldwin reading the twenty fifth amendment! Posted for no other reason other than the fact that I love Alec Baldwin!

The Twenty Fourth Amendment.

Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.

Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.


The twenty fourth amendment eliminates the poll taxes. I think this is a VERY important amendment because many people could not afford to pay a poll tax but that does not mean that they should not have the right to vote. This also goes into play with the civil rights movement because poll taxes were often used as a way to discriminate against African Americans and not allow them to vote-- by requiring such a high poll tax that only well to do white people could vote.




This is a video from MSNBC talking about a "new" poll tax. There are many of these videos coming around comparing various things to the old poll taxes...kind of interesting.





This is just a random video I found of a high school history project. It was pretty much the only one I could find on this amendment!

The Twenty Third Amendment.

Section 1. The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as the Congress may direct:

A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a State, but in no event more than the least populous State; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the States, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to be electors appointed by a State; and they shall meet in the District and perform such duties as provided by the twelth article of amendment.

Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.


This amendment basically states that the District of Columbia has three electoral votes for president. There's really not a whole lot I have to say about this amendment-- it's pretty cut and dry. I could get into the whole electoral college system and how I think that is quite outdated and needs to be revised but let's face it...nobody wants to read me ramble on about that!




This is a cut and dry explanation of the twenty third amendment by an attorney.




This is the same random guy I have been posting quite a few videos of. Apparently he is going through every single amendment on youtube and explaining and stating his opinion on it. Surprise, it's NOT for a class!

The Twenty Second Amendment.

Section 1. No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.

Section 2. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several states within seven years from the date of its submission to the states by the Congress.


The twenty second amendment essentially limits the president to two terms or 10 years. If something happens to the president, the vice president will take over the job as president and continue on the previous president's term-- a new one will not be started for him. This is a great amendment because it ensures that a president cannot continue on for fifty years and that there is always a chance for a fresh perspective to come into the white house.


Basically, I just thought this video was hilarious because the video maker obviously does not know much about the twenty second amendment and actually thinks that statement from Barack Obama means he is thinking of abolishing the twenty second amendment, HAH!



This is just a simple straight to the point explanation of the twenty second amendment by an attorney.

The Twenty First Amendment.

Section 1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.

Section 2. The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.

Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress. Effect of Repeal



The twenty first amendment basically repeals the eighteenth amendment. It makes it so that the production, sale, and consumption of alcohol would no longer be illegal. I think that when they created the eighteenth amendment they expected everyone to simply obey the law and not drink alcohol however it sort of backfired on them. Because everyone was making and consuming liquor illegally, crime began to rise and the government began to realise that it would be more beneficial to make alcohol legal once again.




This is an interview with a wine sales rep on his opinion on the twenty first amendment. It is an interesting point of view-- you can bet he is happy this amendment was passed!




This is a video of an average guy explaining the twenty-first amendment. It seems that everyone knows about this amendment-- at least a lot of college guys! ;)

The Twentieth Amendment.

Section 1. The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.

Section 2. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.

Section 3. If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President. If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President elect shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President or Vice President shall have qualified.

Section 4. The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the House of Representatives may choose a President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them.

Section 5. Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October following the ratification of this article.

Section 6. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission.


Yet again, another LONG amendment! This amendment basically sets a new start date for the president as well as congress. It also lays out the responsibilities of the Vice President as well as states what is to happen if the president were to die before his term was over. I think this is an incredibly important amendment because of all of the information that is packed into it.




This is a Keith Olbermann special on Sarah Palin and her lack of knowledge on the twentieth amendment. Ah, Sarah Palin!!




This is Leah Kauffman ("Obama Girl") reading the twentieth amendment.


The Nineteenth Amendment.

"Section 1: The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.

Section 2: Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation."


My favorite amendment!!! This amendment was the smartest thing the US government ever did (ha just kidding). This amendment gave women the right to vote. It's so crazy that it took this long for this amendment to come about but I am so thankful that it did.




This is the nineteenth amendment read by Amber Peach brought to you by Constitution Live.




This is a pretty entertaining video on the nineteenth amendment! He totally gets the point across but does so in a pretty amusing way!

The Eighteenth Amendment.

"Section 1. After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.

Section 2. The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress."


The eighteenth amendment stopped alcohol in the United States-- it prohibited to be sold, manufactured, or consumed in the United States. This was in my opinion, one of the worst ideas! This amendment didn't stop people from drinking and selling alcohol, it only stopped them from doing it legally. People began making their own alcohol and feeling the need to sneak around, it really didn't stop anything. In my opinion it did far more bad than good.




This is a pretty creative video someone made for their history class. I think it's very amusing and has a great amount of footage from various movies that support the amendment.




This is a video of Bill Irwin in 2004 reading the 18th amendment for the People for the American Way's Constitution reading in New York City.


The Seventeenth Amendment.

"Clause 1. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.

Clause 2. When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of each State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.

Clause 3. This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution."


This amendment seems to be way longer than it needs to be. This amendment is basically laying down how the senators are to be chosen. It shifts the election of senators from state legislatures to the people of the states-- the people in the states vote on the senators. I don't really have much of an opinion on this amendment it's sort of a "house keeping" amendment to me-- something that needed to be said but not something that seems to cause much controversy or talk what so ever.




This is a very cut and dry interpretation of the seventeenth amendment from an attorney.




Here, Thomas DiLorenzo explains why the seventeenth amendment is necessary and important to us today.

The Sixteenth Amendment.

"The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration."


The sixteenth amendment is a pretty crappy one in my opinion. It allows the federal government to collect federal income tax to be collected without regard of the size of the state the person lives in.





This is a video of an interview with a constitutional attorney talking about the sixteenth amendment and what it has to do with taxes.




This is a cartoon/music video pertaining directly to the sixteenth amendment and taxes.

The Fifteenth Amendment.

"Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation."


This amendment ensures that race cannot be used as a criteria for voting. This allowed African American's the right to vote. This is probably another one of the amendments that stands out in most people's minds as it has a lot to do with the struggle for civil rights.




This video is a very dramatic reading of the fourteenth and fifteenth amendment read by Ruby Dee. This was for the People for the American Way's reading of the Constitution in New York City in 2004.




This is basically some guy talking and giving his opinion on the fifteenth amendment...in his garage from what it looks like in the background.

The Fourteenth Amendment.

"Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Section 2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the several states according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each state, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the executive and judicial officers of a state, or the members of the legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such state, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such state.

Section 3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any state, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any state legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any state, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.

Section 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any state shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.

Section 5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article."


First of all, this amendment is ENTIRELY too long. But, aside from that...this amendment ensures that all citizens within the United States have the rights of the federal government as well as the state they live in-- one state's laws cannot knock out the other. Also, this amendment abolishes the 3/5ths compromise. It also ensures that the United States will not be held responsible for debts that its states may owe.




This is a video speaking on the fourteenth amendment-- commenting on the day it was made, the civil rights that it gave African American's, etc. I really like this video-- he is pretty entertaining and a little bit edgy which I like since most of these amendment videos tend to be pretty bland. The video also does a really great job of explaining the amendment while poking fun at many politicians and states.




This is a short lecture on the fourteenth amendment-- it's pretty short but really helps at explaining the fourteenth amendment. I think this teacher does a great job of keeping it interesting, short and to the point, but also not leaving much out so we can really grasp what the fourteenth amendment is all about without being bored out of our minds.

The Thirteenth Amendment.

"Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation"


This is probably the amendment that most people are familiar with. This is the amendment that abolishes slavery in the United States. It's a pretty simple amendment stating that slavery or "involuntary servitude" will be illegal in the United States except as punishment for a crime. This amendment freed the thousands of slaves in America and protected future generations from facing this sort of hardship.




In this video, Fox news claims that president Obama as well as The House of Representatives are ignoring the thirteenth amendment and creating "involuntary servitude" by passing "The Give Act".




This video simply shows Art Douglas reading the thirteenth amendment in a part of "Constitution Live".

October 27, 2009

The Twelfth Amendment.

"The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and all persons voted for as Vice-President and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate.

The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted.

The person having the greatest Number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President.

The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States. "


Although the twelfth amendment is extremely long it is relatively simple. All it is really saying is how the president and vice president will be decided in the United States. It speaks on the popular vote as well as the electoral college-- basically laying out how the nation will decide upon it's leader.




This video explains the electoral college and how it works in "picking" the president.





In this video, a man voices his opinion of the eleventh amendment and more specifically the ticket of Bush/Cheney. This video is nearly two-years old but I thought it was rather amusing and he poses some interesting points.

October 08, 2009

The Eleventh Amendment.

"The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State."


This is an extremely cut-and-dry amendment. This amendment was written to protect the states from having foreign countries bring a suit upon them or from having citizens of another state sue them.




This video clearly explains the eleventh amendment and why it is important to our nation.




This is basically some random guy on youtube explaining the eleventh amendment. It was pretty difficult to try to find a second form of media on the eleventh amendment so this will have to do!




The Tenth Amendment.

"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."


This Amendment sort of works in contrary to the Ninth Amendment. It is basically stating that the powers that are not stated and given to the national government within the constitution will be decided by the states government or "to the people". When this was written I believe that the founding fathers were wanting very little federal government and for more power to be held within the states. This amendment gives more power to the states in that sense-- for example, states can decide for themselves whether or not to legalize gay marriage, not the federal government. This is one example of what the tenth amendment is speaking about.




In this video, Charles Key, a representative from Oklahoma, states his opinion on the tenth amendment and states his concern that the federal government is over stepping it's bounds and not taking into consideration what the tenth amendment clearly states. He speaks on behalf of many people in Oklahoma attempting to rid itself of the federal government meddling in the state's business.





This is a video of yet another state-- Kansas, rallying for sovereignty citing the 10th amendment to back it's argument.

The Ninth Amendment.

"The enurmeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people."


To me, the ninth amendment is sort of an afterthought to the rest of the constitution. It basically says that not every right is going to be laid out for you in the constitution. It is essentially saying that your rights are but not limited to those listed in the constitution. For example, people have the right to have children and travel but those rights are not listed in the constitution. This amendment says that just because those two rights are not listed in the constitution it does not mean they are still not your rights just the same.





This is a pastor speaking on his point of view on the ninth amendment. It is a very religious interpretation of the 9th amendment.




This is a completely different take on the 9th amendment--this attorney is refuting the claim that the ninth amendment over-rights the ninth amendment. It's a pretty interesting argument that I had never thought of before.

The Eight Amendment.

"Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted."



In theory, the eight amendment protects citizens from an "excessive" bail and fine and also provides protection from "cruel and unusual punishment". Although this seems just great, there is no definition to the words "excessive" and "cruel and unusual". To me, an "excessive bail" may be $5,000 but to the judge, that may seem quite reasonable. There have been many cases in which judges impose several million dollars bail on people who can clearly not come up with that sum of money. There is also no definition on what is "cruel and unusual punishment" so this is always up for interpretation. I believe that the eight amendment in theory is great, but in reality almost the entire amendment is up for interpretation and therefore really does not protect anyone.








This first video is just a funny skit on bail bonds and the 8th amendment's "excessive" bail.




In this video Michael Badnarik explains the 8th amendment and shares my same view-point on the usefulness of this amendment.

The Seventh Amendment.

"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 re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law."




The seventh amendment is pretty cut and dry to me-- it garuntees most citizens a trial by jury in civil cases. I really don't have much to say about this amendment but I found a video in which an attorney in Illinois has VERY strong feelings on the seventh amendment and the fact that it protects no one.





In this video an attorney shoots down the seventh amendment stating that it is basically useless in the United States today.












This video is just a basic explanation of the 7th amendment and a bit of the video makers opinion on the topic.

The Sixth Amendment.

"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 defence."



The sixth amendment guarantees the right to a speedy trial-- this means that the prosecution has a set number of days to bring their case against the defendant. It also states that citizens has the right to an impartial jury if they so choose to have a jury, meaning that the jury would be made up of people who had no personal ties to anyone that was a part of the trial and would also have little to no background information on the case at hand. Along with this, the accused is also allowed to see those who are testifying against them. They are also allowed to confront these witnesses in person. Lastly, the six amendment ensures that the accused have the right to speak to an attorney as well as be notified of all charges he or she is being charged with at the time. The sixth amendment protects all people who may be going into the criminal court to make the trial as fair and impartial as possible. However, there are always exceptions to the rule. OJ Simpson's case for example-- how easy would it be to find an "impartial" jury for that case?





This video depicts that sometimes a "speedy" trial is not really as speedy as the accused would like. Sometimes cases can take years to finally go to court.






This video is an attorney explaining the sixth amendment in very simple terms.

The Fifth Amendment.

"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 offence 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."



The Fifth Amendment is probably the most well-known amendment due to the popular phrase, "I plead the fifth". This amendment ensures that American citizens have the right to a trial by jury, they cannot be tried for the same crime more than once, and they do not have to speak about anything that may incriminate themselves. This amendment also states that they will not be deprived of "life, liberty, or property". In the last statement, "...nor shall private property be taken for public use,without just compensation" it is said that the government cannot take your private property to make room for roads, etc. without first giving you "just compensation". Although this all sounds ideal, there are always many complaints about what truly is "just compensation" and if the American people are truly receiving it when their property is taken from them.





This court room video shows an attorney pleading for fifth amendment rights on behalf of his client.






This second video is a wonderful video on the fifth amendment. It is a law professor going through in detail and explaining the fifth amendment from a defense attorney's point of view. This video helped me understand the fifth amendment a little bit more in depth.


The Fourth Amendment.

"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."


In my opinion, this is one of the most important amendments in the constitution. This amendment protects American citizens from being searched without probable cause or a warrant. It also protects the citizens property. Without this amendment, a police officer could enter your home and search it for any reason-- even taking items from your home without your permission. This could also lead to larger things such as police officers being able to seize an entire car or house without probable cause. This amendment protects not only your persons and property but also your privacy in that the police cannot barge into your house without first going through the proper measures.





This video shows how the fourth amendment can be interpreted to mean something else. In Boston, the police are now able to enter homes and search children's bedrooms to make sure there are not guns present. The lawyers on the panel discuss the blatant disregard for the forth amendment in this situation.





This second video is from June 20, 2008 when the Senate voted to invalidate the 4th amendment. This video shows some of what the senators had to say about the Bill HR 6304.

The Third Amendment

"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."


This amendment is a pretty straight-forward one. It protects the American people from having to house soldiers against their will. This amendment may seem a bit silly right now-- but back when it was written it lifted a huge weight off of the citizens. Imagine having a pack of soldiers show up on your door step and you would have no choice but the let them live in your house and eat your food. What an incredible burden that would be on families! While some families would be more than happy to take in soldiers if they had nowhere else to sleep, some families just cannot to do that. This amendment protects those people.










These two videos show the same idea. Without this amendment soldiers could basically show up on any doorstep and demand to be housed!

The Second Amendment.

"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."

At first glance this amendment may seem like one that would create little to no controversy. Most American's do agree that a well regulated militia is in fact necessary to the security of our country. However, few issues in America truly generate as much debate as the right to keep and bear arms. There are extremes on both sides as well as those who linger somewhere in the middle of this heated debate. Some, such as the members of the NRA, believe that it is every American's right to own just about any small arm that can be manufactured. There are also those on the other side of the debate who believe that no American should have the right to own a gun-- they believe that guns are dangerous and will inevitably kill. In my opinion, people should have the right to own some form of gun if they feel necessary and go through the necessary legal proceedings to obtain one. However, I don't completely agree with the NRA...what average person really needs to carry around a large caliber gun?






This is a video by Penn & Teller-- this video most depicts my opinion on the right to bear arms issue. It's extremely short and I believe that it speaks for itself.





This is a video that is very much on the opposite side of the spectrum from the Penn & Teller video. This is an interview with Ted Nugent who is very passionate about the general public having the right to bear arms.

September 10, 2009

The First Amendment.

"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."


In the beginning, the main opposition to The Constitution was it's lack of "adequate guarantees for civil liberties". In order to provide these guarantees to the people, and appease the citizens, the First Amendment and the Bill of Rights were added to The Constitution.

The First Amendment makes three main "promises" to it's citizens. People usually site these as, "Freedom of speech", "Freedom of religion", and "Freedom to peaceably assemble". These promises are those that lead people to refer to America as a "free nation".

We are free to have our own opinions-- and voice those opinions in any way we see fit; so long as,
"by their very nature, involve danger to the public peace and to the security of the state." (Edward Sanford).

We are free to practice any religion. Also, the government is not allowed to impose a national religion or church, such as the Church of England.

And finally, we are able to peaceably assemble. We are able to disagree freely with our government, and voice those disagreements by protesting or with a petition. This is HUGE-- in other countries this is unheard of!

Essentially, the First Amendment promises it's citizens a "free" nation. The citizens are free to form their own opinions on anything and everything including religion and the government. And beyond that, they are able to voice those opinions in almost any way possible.






I love this video of Henry Rollins talking about free speech. He may come off a bit strong to some, but I love his personality and the message he is sharing. I tend to be a pretty outspoken person, so to me the opinions that he voices in this video aren't over-the-top at all. However, my friend listened to it and thought he was completely crazy so...to each their own-- the beauty of freedom of speech.





This video basically speaks for itself. This is a fairly well-known video of Penn Teller regarding the First Amendment. I felt this video was most appropriate for this amendment.

September 08, 2009

The Preamble.

" We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."


Although this document was written over 200 years ago, the message is still very much alive today. The preamble of The Constitution serves as an introduction for the entire document. It provides a sort of outline of what the founding father's were to write about in more detail throughout The Constitution. By reading this small paragraph, we are able to understand some of what The Constitution promises it's citizens and what the founding father's wanted the United States of America to be based upon.




If you search "preamble" on Youtube, thousands of videos turn up. More than half of those videos are of children 2-6 reciting the preamble. Although The Constitution as a whole can be somewhat confusing, the preamble is incredibly simple to decipher.