quote:

Originally posted by Lilith It isnt a direct democratic nation, the USA has an always has been one of the oldest constitutional republics which is a completely different thing, a Constitutional Republic runs on the rule of law which restricts their behaviour in between the times that voting is allowed, Direct Democracies run on collective decisions. To some degree in a constitutional republic you can enact some direct democracy via a referenda. I mean what the hell are they teaching you kids in bloody school these days? How to use a TV guide and a remote control for education?

I have no clue why you said that, but:

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First 10 Amendments to the United States Constitution (aka Bill of Rights) First Amendment – Freedom of speech, press, religion, peaceable assembly, and to petition the government. "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."

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"The Greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge." -Stephen Hawking
"First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me— and there was no one left to speak out for me." -Martin Niemöller

3. The exercise of the rights provided for in paragraph 2 of this article carries with it special duties and responsibilities. It may therefore be subject to certain restrictions, but these shall only be such as are provided by law and are necessary:

(a) For respect of the rights or reputations of others;
(b) For the protection of national security or of public order (ordre public), or of public health or morals.



Which tend to be punted around rather losely lately by the administration.

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Originally posted by shaolin_Z I have no clue why you said that, but:

You know me well enough by now I don't start swinging unless I can back it up.

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Originally posted by Lilith You know me well enough by now I don't start swinging unless I can back it up.

But you do seem to start swinging for no aparent reason at times .

___________________
"The Greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge." -Stephen Hawking
"First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me— and there was no one left to speak out for me." -Martin Niemöller

I'm using the ladies 1st amendment of being able to flip out and whack on something as my perogative see's fit at that particular moment in time!

(Its not a written law by the way, just kind of like the law of nature or something... )

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Originally posted by Lilith 3. The exercise of the rights provided for in paragraph 2 of this article carries with it special duties and responsibilities. It may therefore be subject to certain restrictions, but these shall only be such as are provided by law and are necessary: (a) For respect of the rights or reputations of others; (b) For the protection of national security or of public order (ordre public), or of public health or morals. Which tend to be punted around rather losely lately by the administration.

Yeah, but their policies and actions have nothing to do with eigther one of those, and you know that too. How exactly is ripping the constution to shreds, which the President in his/her inauguration is obligated to swears an oath to protect, help our national sercurity? That's really mind boggling, keeping in mind the propaganda in mind about the motives of the terrorists. You know, the whole "They attacked us because we're the brightest beacon of freedom and they hate freedom," while the current administration ensuring the turn this country and everything it's supposed to stand for upside down.

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Article II, Section I of the U.S. Constitution: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

EDIT: Oh, just saw your response .

___________________
"The Greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge." -Stephen Hawking
"First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me— and there was no one left to speak out for me." -Martin Niemöller

Yep, 'interpretations' of constitutions are funny things arent they, it has had its moments but mostly you just get some slimey, selfish bastard that grabs same said consitution and while they don't 'rip' it to pieces so to speak, they do twist the wording around to suit themselves.

This munchkins, is why you pick your poison in office very carefully or they will come back and bite you and probably be legally able to do so...

Course, constititions have their 'fun' things too, like firearms ownership which was written back in the days of blackpowder and ball, being sort of twisted around to owning something that is technically the same 'weapon' but instead of a range of 50metres, it can blow the weeny off a bee at 700metres

Something presidents of constitutions shoule be wary of...

Well, fortunately, you cant have a 100% democracy, because you need law and order. People need to know their limitations and limits are imposed as to maintain the society. Otherwise people would be going around doing anything they want and the law will be powerless to stop it. Makes a bit sense?

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Whenever you go and buy something, you are affecting someone somewhere, be it environment, a person, or a community - you're making a statement with what you buy. So make it a smart choice ... Its a big picture

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Originally posted by Lilith Course, constititions have their 'fun' things too, like firearms ownership which was written back in the days of blackpowder and ball, being sort of twisted around to owning something that is technically the same 'weapon' but instead of a range of 50metres, it can blow the weeny off a bee at 700metres

They also drop off the " well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State," first line of Amendment II.

At a time when there was not a standing army heavily funded by the taxpayers, and imminent threat of invasion, the well established militia was the basis of the national security at the time.

Some will argue that a militia is just as important now, though those people are usually only willing to fight in the hypothetical situation that has the government sending its armed forces to wage war on the populace at home. Most of them are unwilling to join the military and fight to uphold the freedoms of others as well as themselves.

MrS

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Click the sig to see MrSquirrel

-"Reality" is the only word in the language that should always be used in quotes.

Does the US still maintain some sort of 'Well regulated militia' independantly organised defence forces in a sense or has that been more or less rolled in with the local reservist type forces? (National Guard I think theyre called) It's been quite awhile since I spoke to any of the US gun-nuts.
On principle of personal security I've owned firearms all my life except when I lived in England for awhile and was little, even then there where shotguns and stuff about the farm. Still do own a couple, if I was in the US I'd probably be consider being self-armed a practical part of life.

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Originally posted by MrSquirrel Some will argue that a militia is just as important now, though those people are usually only willing to fight in the hypothetical situation that has the government sending its armed forces to wage war on the populace at home. Most of them are unwilling to join the military and fight to uphold the freedoms of others as well as themselves. MrS

Put more simply, to maintain a free state and prevent it from becoming a totalitarian one, or a tyranny. That's been happening in small increments for a while now, as it always does, or not so small increments ever since this administration came to power. The saddest part is the ignorance, apathy, and denial that's prevelant today. IMO, we're probably screwed in most likelyhood .

___________________
"The Greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge." -Stephen Hawking
"First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me— and there was no one left to speak out for me." -Martin Niemöller

'Probably'

Thats a bit generous
I would have said the US population has been taking it in the [woohoo] so long you've learned to like it.


Damn I'm crude... sorry