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Declaration of Constitutional Principles
http://www.constitution.org/consprin.htm ^ | 3/13/05 | unknown

Posted on 03/13/2005 10:22:40 AM PST by P_A_I

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To: P_A_I

There are some good points within this essay. But the point calling for violating laws believed to be unconstitutional is problematic at best. We can't even get that much agreement HERE much less among people who differ even more than those here. Most of us believe almost all gun control laws are unconstitutional but cannot ignore them without great peril to life and limb.

Another contention is that the title "Esquire" given lawyers is a foreign title which Americans are forbidden to accept per the Constitution.

Some argue that the 16th amendment, the income tax, was never legally adopted but stand to lose everything should we act upon that belief. Reigning in court power is a great concern but Judicial Review was accepted even before the Constitution set up a federal judiciary.


41 posted on 03/14/2005 2:17:14 PM PST by justshutupandtakeit (Public Enemy #1, the RATmedia.)
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To: justshutupandtakeit
justshutupandtakeit wrote:

There are some good points within this essay. But the point calling for violating laws believed to be unconstitutional is problematic at best. We can't even get that much agreement HERE much less among people who differ even more than those here.

We don't really need 'agreement'. Booze prohibition failed because everyone ignored it, and in most cases officials refused to enforce it. Gun prohibitions could be countered in the same manner.

Most of us believe almost all gun control laws are unconstitutional but cannot ignore them without great peril to life and limb.

We are even more in peril for our liberty - [thus ultimately life & limb], if we ignore infringements.

Another contention is that the title "Esquire" given lawyers is a foreign title which Americans are forbidden to accept per the Constitution.

?? -- I don't see that discussed in the section I've cited. In any case its a petty non-issue.

Some argue that the 16th amendment, the income tax, was never legally adopted but stand to lose everything should we act upon that belief.

Yep, pledging ones life, fortune, & sacred honor to fight tyranny is dangerous indeed..

Reigning in court power is a great concern but Judicial Review was accepted even before the Constitution set up a federal judiciary.

So it was. Is there some point to that comment?

42 posted on 03/14/2005 3:40:31 PM PST by P_A_I
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To: P_A_I

Prohibition is not an example to be followed wrt other laws one disagrees with. It's repeal was as much a result of the violence associated with the provision of illegal booze as anything. And it did not fail everywhere in any case. Mississippi didn't allow the sale of booze even as late as the 60s. My home county in Arkansas, Ashley, is to this day "dry" though it now allows "private clubs" to sell.

The danger to our liberty is greater when extra-legal actions are taken and justified though appeals to resist "unconstitutional" law. Freedom can only be retained when there is respect for the Rule of Law even laws with which you do not agree.

It is foolish to believe that the elected representatives of a Free People (and we are the freest to ever live) are the equivalent of unelected monarchs from 3000 miles away ruling over subjects not citizens.

I gave examples of differing opinions as to what is unconstitutional they did not come from your post. Their relevence is to show that people differ in their interpretations of what the document means.

The point is that Judicial Review was not the creation of an overwheening federal judiciary but a part of American history prior to the creation of the federal government.


43 posted on 03/15/2005 10:20:56 AM PST by justshutupandtakeit (Public Enemy #1, the RATmedia.)
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To: justshutupandtakeit
justshutupandtakeit wrote:

There are some good points within this essay. But the point calling for violating laws believed to be unconstitutional is problematic at best. We can't even get that much agreement HERE much less among people who differ even more than those here.

We don't really need 'agreement'.
Booze prohibition failed because everyone ignored it, and in most cases officials refused to enforce it. Gun prohibitions could be countered in the same manner.

Prohibition is not an example to be followed wrt other laws one disagrees with. It's repeal was as much a result of the violence associated with the provision of illegal booze as anything. And it did not fail everywhere in any case. Mississippi didn't allow the sale of booze even as late as the 60s. My home county in Arkansas, Ashley, is to this day "dry" though it now allows "private clubs" to sell.

As usual, you are quite happy to divert the issue away from our duty to resist unconstitutional acts, [IE, - prohibitions] to arguing that prohibitionary acts are OK. - So it goes.

Most of us believe almost all gun control laws are unconstitutional but cannot ignore them without great peril to life and limb.

We are even more in peril for our liberty - [thus ultimately life & limb], if we ignore infringements.

The danger to our liberty is greater when extra-legal actions are taken and justified though appeals to resist "unconstitutional" law.

Hype. -- Our system acts at its best when it is challenged by dissenters. Dissent brought an end to slavery; -- and to Jim Crow. The planned Montana dissent may bring gun infringements to a halt.

Freedom can only be retained when there is respect for the Rule of Law even laws with which you do not agree.

How specious. Our various levels of government are showing very little respect to our rule of Constitutional law, yet you claim that MY disagreement with their acts is the "danger".

It is foolish to believe that the elected representatives of a Free People (and we are the freest to ever live) are the equivalent of unelected monarchs from 3000 miles away ruling over subjects not citizens.

We won the battle over Monarchy long ago, and have been fighting tin pot politicians ever since, who are backed up by sycophants urging us to just shut up, and take it.
-- Political groupies are very strange people.

Reigning in court power is a great concern but Judicial Review was accepted even before the Constitution set up a federal judiciary.

So it was. Is there some point to that comment?

The point is that Judicial Review was not the creation of an overwheening federal judiciary but a part of American history prior to the creation of the federal government.

I see no reason for you to make that point here, to me.. Can you explain?

44 posted on 03/15/2005 5:08:28 PM PST by P_A_I
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To: P_A_I
Perhaps you should link, or excerpt "Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of 1825", so that the rest of us can share the point you are imagining you've made.

You previously informed me that you could not read 'pdf' files. Now it appears you can not use a search engine. It appears you might be best described as helpless (and/or 'clueless' ;>)...

45 posted on 03/15/2005 5:10:38 PM PST by Who is John Galt? ("I'll be your 'Lightning Rod of Hate!'" - Colin Mochrie)
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To: Who is John Galt?

Whatever. --

-- Although it appears you can't back up your imagined 'point'..


46 posted on 03/15/2005 5:25:45 PM PST by P_A_I
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To: P_A_I
Although it appears you can't back up your imagined 'point'..

For my handicapped friend ('although it appears you can't use a search engine' ;>):

Thomas Jefferson's "Declaration and Protest on the Principles of the Constitution of the United States of America, and on the Violations of Them"

http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/jeffdec1.htm

It's from the Yale Law School web site (no doubt a 'new' web site for you, given your demonstrated disdain for historical documentation ;>)...

47 posted on 03/15/2005 5:36:21 PM PST by Who is John Galt? ("I'll be your 'Lightning Rod of Hate!'" - Colin Mochrie)
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To: Who is John Galt?
Perhaps you should read Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of 1825. I recommend it...
;>)
37 galt


______________________________________


Perhaps you should link, or excerpt "Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of 1825", so that the rest of us can share the point you are imagining you've made.
39 P_A_I


______________________________________




Draft Declaration and Protest of Virginia 1825
Address:http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/jeffdec1.htm






Nice enough Declaration. --

-- Why do you imagine it makes a point about anything Jon Roland has written, that I've posted?
48 posted on 03/15/2005 6:39:47 PM PST by P_A_I
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To: P_A_I
Nice enough Declaration. --
-- Why do you imagine it makes a point about anything Jon Roland has written, that I've posted?

A few points:

1) You started this thread, entitled Declaration of Constitutional Principles. Are you suggesting that a document written by Thomas Jefferson, entitled Declaration... on the Principles of the Constitution of the United States and of the Violations of Them is somehow irrelevant to the subject at hand?

2) If Mr. Roland is the author, why did you list the author as "unknown?"

3) Did you know that Mr. Roland was the author of the following comment regarding Marbury v. Madison (which I quoted in part on a different thread)?

"... [Mr. Justice Marshall's] dictum explaining the duty of the court to rule a statute unconstitutional if it was in conflict with the constitution was sound, as far as it went. The problem was that it left the impression that this was the exercise of a power of the court that only the court had. The misleading statement was, "It is emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is." It is misleading because it connotes that as the "province" it is exclusive of the other departments... When one of the laws in conflict is the constitution, then the duty is of constitutional review, which is only judicial review when it is judges that happen to do it. It is not an exclusive power of the courts..."

;>)

49 posted on 03/16/2005 3:46:29 PM PST by Who is John Galt? ("I'll be your 'Lightning Rod of Hate!'" - Colin Mochrie)
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To: Who is John Galt?
Nice enough Declaration. -- -- Why do you imagine it makes a point about anything Jon Roland has written, that I've posted here?

A few points: 1) You started this thread, entitled Declaration of Constitutional Principles. Are you suggesting that a document written by Thomas Jefferson, entitled Declaration... on the Principles of the Constitution of the United States and of the Violations of Them is somehow irrelevant to the subject at hand?

Reading TJ's document makes it evident that the only commonality with Roland's essay is the words of the title. You need to get a grip on your pointless hyperbole.

2) If Mr. Roland is the author, why did you list the author as "unknown?"

I didn't bother to track him down... So sue me.

3) Did you know that Mr. Roland was the author of the following comment regarding Marbury v. Madison (which I quoted in part on a different thread)? "... [Mr. Justice Marshall's] dictum explaining the duty of the court to rule a statute unconstitutional if it was in conflict with the constitution was sound, as far as it went. The problem was that it left the impression that this was the exercise of a power of the court that only the court had. The misleading statement was, "It is emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is." It is misleading because it connotes that as the "province" it is exclusive of the other departments...
When one of the laws in conflict is the constitution, then the duty is of constitutional review, which is only judicial review when it is judges that happen to do it. It is not an exclusive power of the courts..."

As I said on that other thread, -- I don't think that Marshall thought review was "an exclusive power of the courts..." -- either, -- and said exactly that in other parts of Marbury.
-- Roland misinterprets Marshall's intent, just as many others have over the years.. -- Which is no big deal except to nitpickers desperately looking for an arguing point.

50 posted on 03/16/2005 4:49:52 PM PST by P_A_I
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To: elbucko
"I wonder how many federal congressmen and senators, as well as the 50 state house representatives, would agree with the "Declaration of Constitutional Principals? Not many, I presume."

More to the point, how many representatives or Senators have ever even heard these principles........principles, by the way, that they raised thier right hands (many more than once) and swore to God to uphold?

51 posted on 03/16/2005 4:52:51 PM PST by RightOnline
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To: P_A_I
Reading TJ's document makes it evident that the only commonality with Roland's essay is the words of the title. You need to get a grip on your pointless hyperbole.

No “commonality” except the “title?” You have posted the one ‘declaration,’ and I have posted the address for the other – I’ll let other FReepers be the judge.

;>)

I didn't bother to track [the author of the item I posted] down... So sue me.

Obviously, you DID “bother to track him down” – but only after you had posted his Declaration (see your Post #18). Also, I don’t “sue” people over their unsubstantiated posts.

“You need to get a grip on your pointless hyperbole.”

;>)

Roland misinterprets Marshall's intent, just as many others have over the years..

Actually, Mr. Roland is exactly right. Given your lack of documentation to the contrary, it appears to be you who “misinterprets Marshall's intent, just as many others have over the years”…

;>)

Which is no big deal except to nitpickers desperately looking for an arguing point.

Sorry, my friend, but you were obviously the one “desperately looking for an arguing point” (see your ‘invitational’ Post #4). As I’ve stated via FReep-mail, I believe we agree on more issues than we disagree. And, unlike you, I have never suggested that I disagree with Mr. Roland (in fact, I link to his web site via my FR home page), or that Mr. Jefferson’s Declaration was inconsistent with what you posted on this thread. In short, the terms ‘desperate’ and ‘argumentative’ certainly describe your posts more than mine...

;>)

52 posted on 03/17/2005 4:28:20 PM PST by Who is John Galt? ("I'll be your 'Lightning Rod of Hate!'" - Colin Mochrie)
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To: Who is John Galt?
I didn't bother to track [the author of the item I posted] down... So sue me.

Obviously, you DID "bother to track him down" – but only after you had posted his Declaration (see your Post #18). Also, I don't "sue" people over their unsubstantiated posts.

Not true. Here's the sequence of posts I made, leading to your petty 'unsubstantiated' stink:

_____________________________________


I should have titled this to read; -- A Declaration of [Some] Constitutional Principles..

The essay I copied this portion from is much longer, but well worth the read.
Whoever wrote it [anyone know?] has a very good grasp of our Constitutions original principles, imo..
1 P_A_I

_______________________________________


Hmmm, not much interest in the principles of our Constitution this fine morning.. Oh well, they've survived over two hundred years of neglect, whats another day matter..
4 P_A_I

______________________________________


sourcery wrote:
The author is Jon Roland. Constitution.org is his site.

_______________________________________



As I said on that other thread, -- I don't think that Marshall thought review was "an exclusive power of the courts..." -- either, -- and said exactly that in other parts of Marbury.
-- Roland misinterprets Marshall's intent, just as many others have over the years..
-- Which is no big deal except to nitpickers desperately looking for an arguing point.

Actually, Mr. Roland is exactly right. Given your lack of documentation to the contrary,

Marshall's words are clear in Marbury, just as I documented them for you on the other thread.

it appears to be you who "misinterprets Marshall's intent, just as many others have over the years"… ;>)

Which is no big deal except to nitpicking neener/neener types desperately looking for an arguing point.

Sorry, my friend, but you were obviously the one "desperately looking for an arguing point" (see your 'invitational' Post #4).

I invited your comments, hoping you would over-react. You have. --- Thanks.

As I've stated via FReep-mail, I believe we agree on more issues than we disagree.

As I replied; - I am not your friend, and I don't agree with your political style.

And, unlike you, I have never suggested that I disagree with Mr. Roland (in fact, I link to his web site via my FR home page), or that Mr. Jefferson's Declaration was inconsistent with what you posted on this thread. In short, the terms 'desperate' and 'argumentative' certainly describe your posts more than mine...

Whatever. I'll let our peers judge our respective positions.

53 posted on 03/17/2005 6:40:37 PM PST by P_A_I
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To: P_A_I
Not true. Here's the sequence of posts I made, leading to your petty 'unsubstantiated' stink...

Unfortunately for you, you can not edit your posts on this forum – and you listed the author as “unknown.” It’s there for the world to see. Case closed...

;>)

[P_A_I’s misinterpretation of Mr. Justice Marshall’s opinion] is no big deal except to nitpicking neener/neener types desperately looking for an arguing point.

I prefer to stick to the facts, and avoid ‘misinterpretations.’ Your preferences are obviously quite different.

;>)

I invited your comments, hoping you would over-react. You have. --- Thanks.

“Not rue.” Allow me to reiterate (see my Post #52):

...[Y]ou were obviously the one “desperately looking for an arguing point” (see your ‘invitational’ Post #4). As I’ve stated via FReep-mail, I believe we agree on more issues than we disagree. And, unlike you, I have never suggested that I disagree with Mr. Roland (in fact, I link to his web site via my FR home page), or that Mr. Jefferson’s ‘Declaration’ was inconsistent with what you posted on this thread. In short, the terms ‘desperate’ and ‘argumentative’ certainly describe your posts more than mine...

Those are the facts – perhaps you should learn to live with them...

;>)

As I replied; - I am not your friend, and I don't agree with your political style.

Now you’ve hurt my feelings again...

(As for politics – it’s the written law, documented historical fact, and reality that matter, not “style” - unless you're a Clinton knee-pad-wearing toadie... ;>)

I'll let our peers judge our respective positions.

Thank you for following my lead – see my Post #52...

;>)

54 posted on 03/18/2005 3:08:02 PM PST by Who is John Galt? ("I'll be your 'Lightning Rod of Hate!'" - Colin Mochrie)
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To: P_A_I

Outstanding post and article - thanks.


55 posted on 03/18/2005 3:37:45 PM PST by lodwick (Integrity has no need of rules. Albert Camus)
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To: P_A_I
The jurisdiction of a criminal offense is determined by the location of the offender's head when the offense was committed, not by the location of the effects of the crime. The crime is the mental act, not the outcome.

So if terrorists outside the U.S. mail anthrax into the U.S., we can't prosecute them?

56 posted on 03/18/2005 3:40:10 PM PST by Lurking Libertarian (Non sub homine, sed sub Deo et lege)
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To: lodwick

My pleasure... Thanks for the bump.


57 posted on 03/18/2005 3:45:55 PM PST by P_A_I
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To: Lurking Libertarian; Who is John Galt?
Roland wrote:
"The jurisdiction of a criminal offense is determined by the location of the offender's head when the offense was committed, not by the location of the effects of the crime. The crime is the mental act, not the outcome."

So if terrorists outside the U.S. mail anthrax into the U.S., we can't prosecute them?
56 Lurking Libertarian

I agree, - that wouldn't make much sense, would it? -- Good catch..

I have no idea what Constitutional principle that line is supposed to illustrate. -- Perhaps an expert detail man like Galt can set us straight.

58 posted on 03/18/2005 4:08:04 PM PST by P_A_I
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To: P_A_I
I have no idea what Constitutional principle that line is supposed to illustrate. -- Perhaps an expert detail man like Galt can set us straight.

This starts out with some good constitutional privileges, but then throws in a lot of unnecessary and extraneous things.

59 posted on 03/18/2005 4:17:16 PM PST by Lurking Libertarian (Non sub homine, sed sub Deo et lege)
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To: P_A_I
You cited Mr. Roland on a more recent thread (this thread, actually ;>) than did I - '[p]erhaps an expert detail man like P_A_I can set us straight'...

;>)

60 posted on 03/18/2005 4:25:02 PM PST by Who is John Galt? ("I'll be your 'Lightning Rod of Hate!'" - Colin Mochrie)
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