From The Pensito Review
Penny Award for the Most Worthless Piece of Paper in 2006: The Bill of Rights
Posted by Buck | Jan. 6, 2007, 2:50 pm
The Bush administration’s assault on personal liberties in 2006 rendered one of the most cherished documents in the United States — the Bill of Rights — virtually worthless. In case you haven’t check in with the BOR lately, you can find it in its entirety here.
Following are a few examples from last year and the specific amendment they rendered worthless:
* Ten Commandments, Intelligent Design, Stem Cell Research. 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.
* Secret Wiretaps, Internet Records, Opened Mail. 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.
* Reditions, Secret Prisons, Guantanamo Bay.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 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.
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 defence.
* Waterboarding, Abu Ghraib, Jose Padilla. Amendment VIII: Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
* Signing Statements. Amendment IX: The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Read all of it with links to the background here.
