Bill of Rights
Very important! The Bill of Rights which are the first ten amendments to
the Constitution were approved in 1791 to give us specific freedoms.
First Amendment guarantees the freedom of religion, of speech, of the press, of
assembly, and of petition to the government for redress of grievances. Second
Amendment gives the right to bear arms openly, Third Amendment freedom from
quartering soldiers in a house without owner's consent Fourth Amendment protects
people against unreasonable search and seizure. No searches without warrant or
probable cause. This is also about privacy that people supposed to be entitled
to have their homes and personal effects private and free from searches. Fifth
Amendment no person shall be held for "a capital or otherwise infamous crime"
without indictment, be twice put in "jeopardy of life or limb" for the same
offense, be compelled to testify against himself, or "be deprived of life,
liberty, or property without due process of law." It also prohibits government
from taking private property without "just compensation," Sixth Amendment
guarantees the right of speedy and public trial by an impartial jury in all
criminal proceedings and the right to have legal counsel for the accused and
guarantees that the accused may require witnesses to attend the trial and
testify in the presence of the accused. It also guarantees the accused a right
to know the charges against him. Seventh Amendment guarantees right of trial by
jury in almost all civil cases. Eighth Amendment. Excessive bail, fines "cruel
and unusual" punishment prohibited. Note that today there are people working to
take away many of your rights. We need to be alert to these threats and be
prepared to defend our freedoms. There are presidential executive orders
and the Military Commissions Act that negate many of the above rights. We
must work to have these declared unconstitutional before it is to late.
See the link at the bottom of the main page "Early
Warnings."