When : Always December 15
Today is Bill of Rights Day. To Americans, the Bill of Rights are key amendments to the U.S. Constitution, that protect our individual rights.
On March 4, 1789, the Constitution of the United States of America was ratified by the (former)13 colonies, and went into effect. States and individuals were concerned that the Constitution did not properly cover and protect a number of rights of individuals. The Constitution was signed by the original 13 states with the requirement, or understanding, that a Bill of Rights would be created, amending the new U.S. Constitution.
On September 25, 1789, the First Congress of the United States proposed to the state legislatures 12 amendments to the Constitution. 10 of these amendments were added to the Constitution on December 15, 1791.
The Bill of Rights includes these Amendments:
Amendment 1- Freedom of speech, press and religion
Amendment 2 – The right to bear arms
Amendment 3- Protection of homeowners from quartering troops, except during war.
Amendment 4 – Rights and protections against unreasonable search and seizure
Amendment 5 – Rights of due process of law, protection against double jeopardy, self incrimination
Amendment 6 – Rights of a speedy trial by jury of peers and rights of accused
Amendment 7 – Rights to trial by jury in civil cases
Amendment 8 – Protection from cruel and unusual punishment, excessive bail
Amendment 9 – Protection of rights not specified in the Bill of Rights
Amendment 10 – States rights, power of the states
Of the 12 original amendments, which ones were not approved? Amendments # 1 and 2. These dealt with the number of representative to congress, and compensation to representatives.
On Bill of Rights Day, we hope you celebrate you American Citizenship, and spend a few minutes reflecting upon the freedoms that you enjoy. These freedoms do not exist in many countries of the world.
Archive for December, 2009
Happy Bill of Rights Day!
Tuesday, December 15th, 2009Realer Than Real
Monday, December 14th, 2009Finally, another reality show I should consider trying out for: America’s Top Shot. Why would I consider applying? Here’s why.
…Applicants must be at least 21 years of age, a resident or citizen of the United States and reasonably proficient with shooting and marksmanship. Further eligibility requirements are listed in the casting application…
It’s just me, but I would think that the best shooter in America would be more than “reasonably proficient.” The first show I considered was Junkyard Wars. We even had a team name, “The Idle Hands.”
Nick of Time
Sunday, December 13th, 2009This useless blog update is brought to you by Michael’s drive to update his blog daily. And the number THREE. And the letters W, T & F.
Tomorrow I will try to put something meaningful into words, or I might write about myself.
Predictions
Saturday, December 12th, 2009UFC 107 will be on shortly. My predictions: Wiman, Belcher, Struve, Fitch, Florian, Mir, Penn
UFC 107
Friday, December 11th, 2009We didn’t get to make the UFC 107 weigh-in this afternoon, but the fighters & UFC staff that I follow via social networking seem to be living it up in Memphis. They seem to have been eating continuously since dawn, yet still going strong. Claire & I are looking forward to seeing some good violence tomorrow night.
I really wanted to meet Frank Mir, one of my favorite fighters, but I will have to suffice with seeing him destroy “Cup Cheick” Kongo.
Discouraging
Friday, December 11th, 2009Well, my push to return to daily blogging isn’t off to an auspicious beginning. We took a trip to my ophthalmologist to see why my eyes were irritated and painful. I had guessed it was sleep interruption or allergies, and boy was I off base! I have a staph infection in both eyelids, left worse than the right. That’s Blepharitis in case you are curious. Sexy, huh?
Because of my cataracts and glaucoma risk I cannot use corticosteroids, so we can’t reduce the swelling. Due to potential drug interactions I’m limited to what antibiotics we can use, limiting us to a single drug therapy. So, my doctor took his best guess, wrote me some ‘scripts and sent me on my way with instructions to return in a week and call immediately if I get worse.
The ointment makes my vision blurry, but I have to admit the relief, though relatively brief, is extraordinary. I didn’t realize how much my eye hurt until it stopped. Of course things again get interesting when it starts again, but what’s a guy to do?
No, it isn’t wildly contagious, but I would like to know why I seem to be contracting all these childhood diseases now that I’m into my 40′s.
For more information and gross eyeball video click HERE.
Dear reader,
Wednesday, December 9th, 2009What would you like to see out of this blog? I’m not shooting much these days due to weather and health, and farm drama isn’t really drama at all. What do you want to know?