Nearly everything has changed in the United States since the Bill
of Rights was written and adopted. We still see the original words
when we read those first 10 Amendments to the Constitution, yet the
meaning is vastly different now.
And no wonder. We've gone from a country of a few million to a few
hundred million. The nation's desire to band together was replaced
by revulsion of togetherness. We exchanged a birthright of justice
for a magic bullet, and replaced the Pioneer Spirit with the
Pioneer Stereo.
We're not the people who founded this country and our Bill of
Rights should reflect this. As we approach the 21st Century, it's
time to bring the wording up to date showing what we are and who we
are.
AMENDMENT I
Congress shall make no law establishing religion, but shall act as
if it did; and shall make no laws abridging the freedom of speech,
unless such speech can be construed as "commercial speech" or
"irresponsible speech" or "offensive speech;" or shall abridge the
right of the people to peaceably assemble where and when permitted;
or shall abridge the right to petition the government for a redress
of grievances, under proper procedures.
It shall be unlawful to cry "Fire!" in a theatre occupied by three
or more persons, unless such persons shall belong to a class
declared Protected by one or more divisions of Federal, State or
Local government, in which case the number of persons shall be one
or more.
AMENDMENT II
A well-regulated military force shall be maintained under control
of the President, and no political entity within the United States
shall maintain a military force beyond Presidential control. The
right of the people to keep and bear arms shall be determined by
the Congress and the States and the Cities and the Counties and the
Towns (and someone named Fred.)
AMENDMENT III
No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house
without the consent of the owner, unless such house is believed to
have been used, or believed may be used, for some purpose contrary
to law or public policy.
AMENDMENT IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses,
papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures may
not be suspended except to protect public welfare. Any place or
conveyance shall be subject to search by law enforcement forces of
any political entity, and any such places or conveyances, or any
property within them, may be confiscated without judicial
proceeding if believed to be used in a manner contrary to law.
AMENDMENT V
Any person may be held to answer for a crime of any kind upon any
suspicion whatever; and may be put in jeopardy of life or liberty
by the state courts, by the federal judiciary, and while
incarcerated; and may be compelled to be a witness against himself
by the forced submission of his body or any portion thereof, and by
testimony in proceedings excluding actual trial. Private property
forfeited under judicial process shall become the exclusive
property of the judicial authority and shall be immune from seizure
by injured parties.
AMENDMENT VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to
avoid prosecution by exhausting the legal process and its
practitioners. Failure to succeed shall result in speedy
plea-bargaining resulting in lesser charges. Convicted persons
shall be entitled to appeal until sentence is completed. It shall
be unlawful to bar or deter an incompetent person from service on
a jury.
AMENDMENT VII
In civil suits, where a contesting party is a person whose private
life may interest the public, the right of trial in the Press shall
not be abridged.
AMENDMENT VIII
Sufficient bail may be required to ensure that dangerous persons
remain in custody pending trial. There shall be no right of the
public to be afforded protection from dangerous persons, and such
protection shall be dependent upon incarceration facilities
available.
AMENDMENT IX
The enumeration in The Constitution of certain rights shall be
construed to deny or discourage others which may from time to time
be extended by the branches of Federal, State or Local government,
unless such rights shall themselves become enacted by Amendment.
AMENDMENT X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution
shall be deemed to be powers residing in persons holding
appointment therein through the Civil Service, and may be delegated
to the States and local Governments as determined by the public
interest. The public interest shall be determined by the Civil
Service.
The Pen is mightier than the Sword.
Thee Court is mightier than the Pen.
The Sword is mightier than the Court.
- Rey Barry -