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Above the Noise, Not Part of It

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March 28, 2024

I Carry A Loaded…


Copy of the Constitution.

Don’t believe me? Stop me on the street, in the market or anywhere else. I can draw it out almost as fast as I can my weapon. The “pocket” versions of ALL of our foundaing documents are available from many sources. I got mine from the Heritage Foundation, (www.heritage.org), for a $1 postage fee. Yes, it’s worth more. MUCH more. A buck for the ability to stop people, (Left or Right), COLD in a debate? “Priceless”.

You see, it appears that Mark Twain was right, all those years ago, when he said “It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.” I am not a Constitutional “scholar”, nor do I play one on TV. Or in our podcasts. I do, however, consider myself at least as well versed in it as any American citizen should be – but so few are.

A recent poll conducted in honor of Constitution Day, (17SEP17), by The Anneneberg Public Policy Center* showed that about one third of Americans can not name all three branches of our government. Twenty-seven percent could name ONE, thirteen percent could name TWO and twenty-six percent could name all three. Can you? I’m curious. How many know the number of articles in The Constitution or how many amendments comprise the Bill of Rights?

That same study showed that a staggering thirty-seven percent couldn’t name any of the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment. In the vernacular, “you can’t swing a dead cat without hitting” someone going on and on about the First amendment, these days. Sure. Some forty-eight percent got the “free speech” part, (when prompted), but the freedoms of religion, (15%), press, (14%), assembly, (10%) and petition, (3%) are absolutely pitiful! These days, I find myself shaking my lowered head, (although I won’t admit it, there are also moments of quasi-maniacal laughter), when I hear people discuss different events of the day from the perspective of having no idea of the the actual rights protected. The cited survey goes into issues of the Fourteenth Amendment as well. It is worth the time of every American citizen to read it. Especially with the current back-and-forth over the DACA order / border wall.

So some people carry a Bible and are quick to jump in when someone says “it’s in the Bible”, or, conversely, “that’s not in the Bible”. I liked the idea so much that I long-ago adapted it to the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights. It has been said that “The Declaration was the promise and the Constitution was the fulfillment”. Much like the O.T. and N.T. of the Bible.

You really should read them again. Really. You might even go so far as to get a “conveniently sized for pocket or purse” copy to carry around the way I do. I don’t want to make you feel bad, but you’re enjoying your rights while shirking your responsibility to know what they actually are. Also keep in mind…should you encounter or engage me…remember…I carry a Constitution and I know how to use it.

(Yes. You’re right. The BoR question IS a “trick question”. If you knew that, give yourself a hearty pat on the back!)

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