Posted on 01/11/2010 1:32:16 PM PST by Jim Robinson
Excellent video commentary on the founding of America, our unalienable rights from God and our Constitution.
Part 1 of a six part series to be broadcast this week by FoxNation.
The fact that you are even aware of those cases, makes a statement in and of itself. The U.S. does not condone this and seeks to stamp it out. Sentences for those who have facilitated this, are severe.
Sadly, you didn’t mention other places around the world where slavery is not only accepted, but is a thriving business.
I provided links to some of those in 18 if you’re interested.
bttt
Since the "IRS as slave master" concept is a domestic theme I elected to keep the focus accordingly domestic.
For the record, I'm aware of the status of the slave trade outside our borders, and don't advocate waiting until we have our own house in order to aggressively combat it, but I'm strongly of the opinion that we ought to fight this more aggressively within our borders than we do beyond them until the scourge is eradicated here at home.
Please make this thread, and the subsequent five, stickies at the top.
“Jim,
Please make this thread, and the subsequent five, stickies at the top.”
Dittos on that request, please!
TEXOKIE
Wow. What an unGodly time for those of us out in the mountain time. That would be 5am here. Think I’ll wait till it comes out on DVD. Heh, ha,hah. Thanks, I appreciate it.
BTTT, Jim! You Rock!
But, I believe that the content at the link changes each day--I tried earlier to get Part I at FoxNation, and can't find it now.
I think Fox should make DVDs of this series and package them with the Judge's books.
I do hope they will take my free, yet very valuable advice.
Constitutional Ping!
That sounds reasonable, but I don’t think we’re turning a blind eye by any stretch of the imagination. When evidence of this comes along, we follow through and put an end to it with stiff penalties.
Judge Napolitano's series is probably worth following. If nothing else it might be useful for educational purposes to share with those that don't follow along as closely as most Freepers.
Prayer for for those under the concrete and those who are helping to dig them out ...
Andrew don’t do it for me. He’s one of these idiots who think we need to give foreign jihadists constitutional rights.
I'll confess, and for the record, the judge has given me heartburn on more than one occasion with his position statements. Not sure what to make of him at times but from what I've been able to gather he seems to be a fairly solid strict constructionist and a believer in following the original context and intent of the Founders -- for the most part.
He can be good in that regard, in many cases. Kinda like Ron Paul.
All of which just goes to show that everybody’s got a wart or two.
The judge is the only one that has brought up interstate and instrastate. They are really important as they are a tool used quite vigourously by Congress especially the Senate to abuse America.
While Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, the ideas in the preamble weren't his; they were first espoused by John Locke, and were commonly held beliefs by most men, hence they were “self-evident.”
Also, contrary to the show, Jefferson had NOTHING to do with the creation of the Constitution; he was ambassador to France and living in Paris the whole time. (Which is why it is ridiculous to use him as an authority on the meaning of the first amendment!)
Madison did write most of the document but the convention members, guided by George Washington established what would be in it. Washington, as president of the assembly, had more impact on shaping the new government than any other single member of the constitutional convention.
As for the Bill of Rights, they were borrowed from the Virginia Declaration of Rights established in June 1776. That document was written by George Mason, and his language makes much clearer what the meanings of the rights are. This is especially true concerning Freedom of Religion and the Right of the People to Bear Arms. I encourage anyone not familiar with that document to look it up and read it.
Hamilton and Adams did want a stronger federal government, but they did NOT believe our God-given rights came from the government!
As for the Bill of Rights, they were borrowed from the Virginia Declaration of Rights established in June 1776... I encourage anyone not familiar with that document to look it up and read it.
Apparently borrowed upon heavily by Jefferson, are you submitting the Virginia Declaration is the first declaration ever penned concerning natural rights? In any case, not that difficult to find and post. Why didn't you do it yourself for purposes of discussion???
[On May 15, 1776, the Virginia Convention "resolved unanimously that the delegates appointed to represent this colony in General Congress be instructed to propose to that respectable body to declare the United Colonies free and independent states . . . [and] that a committee be appointed to prepare a DECLARATION OF RIGHTS and . . . plan of government." R. H. Lee's resolution of June 7, 1776, implemented the first of these resolutions and precipitated the appointment of the committee to draw up the Declaration of Independence; the second proposal was carried out by the framing of Virginia's first state constitution, of which this declaration was an integral part. It is notable for containing an authoritative definition of the term militia in Section 13.
As passed, the Virginia Declaration was largely the work of George Mason; the committee and the Convention made some verbal changes and added Sections 10 and 14. This declaration served as a model for bills of rights in several other state constitutions and was a source of the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, though its degree of influence upon the latter document is a highly controversial question. The reference to "property" in Section I may be compared with the use of the word by John Locke, its omission by Thomas Jefferson from the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence, and its use in the Constitution, Amendments V and XIV.
George Mason (1725-92), one of Virginia's wealthiest planters, a neighbor and friend of Washington, is best remembered for his part in drafting the Virginia constitution of 1776. In 1787 he was a leader in the Federal Convention. Refusing to sign the completed document, Mason, along with Patrick Henry and others, opposed its ratification in the Virginia Convention of 1788.]
A declaration of rights made by the representatives of the good people of Virginia, assembled in full and free convention; which rights do pertain to them and their posterity, as the basis and foundation of government.
SECTION I. That all men are by nature equally free and independent and have certain inherent rights, of which, when they enter into a state of society, they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.
SEC. 2. That all power is vested in, and consequently derived from, the people; that magistrates are their trustees and servants and at all times amenable to them.
SEC. 3. That government is, or ought to be, instituted for the common benefit, protection, and security of the people, nation, or community; of all the various modes and forms of government, that is best which is capable of producing the greatest degree of happiness and safety and is most effectually secured against the danger of maladministration; and that, when any government shall be found inadequate or contrary to these purposes, a majority of the community hath an indubitable, inalienable, and indefeasible right to reform, alter, or abolish it, in such manner as shall be judged most conducive to the public weal.
SEC. 4. That no man, or set of men, are entitled to exclusive or separate emoluments or privileges from the community, but in consideration of public services; which, not being descendible, neither ought the offices of magistrate, legislator, or judge to be hereditary.
SEC. 5. That the legislative and executive powers of the state should be separate and distinct from the judiciary; and that the members of the two first may be restrained from oppression, by feeling and participating the burdens of the people, they should, at fixed periods, be reduced to a private station, return into that body from which they were originally taken, and the vacancies be supplied by frequent, certain, and regular elections, in wh ich all, or any part, of the former members, to be again eligible, or ineligible, as the laws shall direct.
SEC. 6. That elections of members to serve as representatives of the people, in assembly, ought to be free; and that all men, having sufficient evidence of permanent common interest with, and attachment to, the community, have the right of suffrage and cannot be taxed or deprived of their property for public uses without their own consent, or that of their representatives so elected, nor bound by any law to which they have not, in like manner, assented for the public good.
SEC. 7. That all power of suspending laws, or the execution of laws, by any authority, without consent of the representatives of the people, is injurious to their rights and ought not to be exercised.
SEC. 8. That in all capital or criminal prosecutions a man hath a right to demand the cause and nature of his accusation, to be confronted with the accusers and witnesses, to call for evidence in his favor, and to a speedy trial by an impartial jury of twelve men of his vicinage, without whose unanimous consent he cannot be found guilty; nor can he be compelled to give evidence against himself; that no man be deprived of his liberty, except by the law of the land or the judgment of his peers.
SEC. 9. That excessive bail ought not to be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
SEC. 10. That general warrants, whereby an officer or messenger may be commanded to search suspected places without evidence of a fact committed, or to seize any person or persons not named, or whose offense is not particularly described and supported by evidence, are grievous and oppressive and ought not to be granted.
SEC. 11. That in controversies respecting property, and in suits between man and man, the ancient trial by jury is preferable to any other and ought to be held sacred.
SEC. 12. That the freedom of the press is one of the great bulwarks of liberty and can never be restrained but by despotic governments.
SEC. 13. That a well-regulated militia, or composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the proper, natural, and safe defense of a free state; that standing armies, in time of peace, should be avoided as dangerous to liberty; and that in all cases the military should be under strict subordination to, and governed by, the civil power.
SEC. 14. That the people have a right to uniform government; and, therefore, that no government separate from or independent of the government of Virginia ought to be erected or established within the limits thereof.
SEC. 15. That no free government, or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people, but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality, and virtue, and by frequent recurrence to fundamental principles.
SEC. 16. That religion, or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and therefore all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity toward each other.
1. The Federal and State Constitutions, Colonial Charters . . . , ed. F. N. Thorpe (Washington, 1909), VII, 3812-14
bkmk
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