Constitution Day event e-mail from my school...

[malkusm]

Subject Celebrate Constitution Day with Thomas Jefferson and Congressman Mickey Edwards - 9.14.10


To celebrate the history of this living and changing document, join Founding Father Thomas Jefferson and special guest former Congressman Mickey Edwards, who will present a lecture on the role of the Constitution in today's America.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010 - Eisner and Lubin Auditorium, Kimmel Center, 4th Floor

Doors open at 11:35am - Refreshments and snacks will be available.

Seating is first come, first serve - Event will start promptly at 12 PM and end at 1 PM.


What the hell? Living and changing document my ass! :mad: :mad: :mad:

[mczerone]

Subject Celebrate Constitution Day with Thomas Jefferson and Congressman Mickey Edwards - 9.14.10



What the hell? Living and changing document my ass! :mad: :mad: :mad:

"But whether the Constitution really be one thing, or another, this much is certain - that it has either authorized such a government as we have had, or has been powerless to prevent it. In either case, it is unfit to exist." -Lysander Spooner

This mentality of a "living and changing document" is part of the problem of why the constitution itself, as written, is insufficient. It doesn't include specific rules for interpretation, and thus it has changed through time by the courts, congress, the executive and the states taking larger and larger roles for themselves, and none of the rest of the entities were able or willing to hold the others to the written meaning of the constitution.

Working to hold these entities to their role as defined by the constitution is still a worthwhile goal for the populous to seek, but even if these efforts are successful there needs to be a new method to ensure that the governing bodies are truly restrained by a constitution that is fit to do so.

[Pericles]

"But whether the Constitution really be one thing, or another, this much is certain - that it has either authorized such a government as we have had, or has been powerless to prevent it. In either case, it is unfit to exist." -Lysander Spooner


And the same could be truthfully said about any society without a government, as they no longer exist.

[mczerone]

And the same could be truthfully said about any society without a government, as they no longer exist.

I entirely agree, but that doesn't mean that any non-monopoly governance system would also fail, just as Spooner's saying doesn't preclude the existence of some constitution that would be fit to restrain a state.

[FrankRep]

Be Proactive!


http://www.jbs.org/images/stories/Book_Covers/overview.001.jpg (http://www.shopjbs.org/index.php/overview-of-america-public-service.html)


Constitution Day Project: Overview DVD in the Schools (http://www.jbs.org/component/content/article/1009-commentary/6458-constitution-day-project-overview-dvd-in-the-schools)


John F. McManus | John Birch Society (http://www.jbs.org/)
26 August 2010


In 2004, Congress enacted legislation requiring all publicly funded educational institutions to provide students with instruction about the U.S. Constitution. The law (Public Law 108-447) specified that it should be given on September 17, the date of the completion of the Constitution in 1787.

The Department of Education then directed that all schools receiving federal funding must comply. In 2008, we recommended sending copies of the Overview of America DVD to high school and junior high school social studies teachers, reminding them of the requirement and suggesting the use of our DVD. We know that many members acted on our suggestion — both in 2008 and in 2009.

A good member in Montana told us that the teacher to whom he presented the DVD in 2008 ended up showing it to all his colleagues at the school. Many not only raved about its contents; they asked for their own copy. The program was then shown to the students where it was received enthusiastically.

A chapter in Illinois sent a letter and the DVD to 20 high school and junior high school principals and social-studies department chairmen. They then followed with telephone calls to the appropriate individuals. While they didn’t get a positive reaction from all, they know that the DVD was shown in some of the schools. They reported that teachers whom they reached were “very positive” about the DVD and some asked for an additional copy because it somehow “got lost.”

The Illinois members suggested the following plan of action:


1. During the third week in August, send the DVD and a letter (similar to the sample given below) to the principal and social studies teacher of each school in your area.

2. During the last week in August, call the recipients to inquire whether they have previewed the program. Remind them of the legal requirement (Public Law 108-447) that they provide instruction about the Constitution on September 17.

3. Keep calling until you are connected with the appropriate school official.

If you wish, create an ad hoc committee such as “Green County Committee for the Constitution.” Or, any member living in the area can sign the letter. Provide your name, address and telephone number for recipients to contact you if they desire to do so. Sample letter:



Dear Sir or Madam:

As you are undoubtedly aware, the federal government requires that instruction about the Constitution be given in all publicly funded schools on Constitution Day, September 17.

I (We) enclose an excellent half-hour DVD dealing with this very topic. It has already been shown in numerous schools where it has stimulated excellent discussion among the students.

Overview of America has reached the 100,000 level in sales; it has also been shown in part or in its entirety via numerous internet sites; copies have been made by many; and it is estimated that at least five million Americans have enjoyed seeing all or part of the presentation.

Please preview it yourself and, when you see its contents, I (we) expect that you will want to show it to your students.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

Joe Doakes or “Joe Doakes for the Committee”


Get started now so you can mail or deliver copies of the DVD to school personnel as they begin preparation for the coming school year. Also, contact the editor of your local newspaper to supply him or her with the DVD and information about your effort to get it shown to the students. (25 copies/$20.00; 50 copies/$37.50 plus shipping and handling (http://www.shopjbs.org/index.php/overview-of-america-public-service.html).)

Any member acting alone, or any chapter acting as a unit, can undertake this project. Go for it!


SOURCE:
http://www.jbs.org/component/content/article/1009-commentary/6458-constitution-day-project-overview-dvd-in-the-schools

[erowe1]

"But whether the Constitution really be one thing, or another, this much is certain - that it has either authorized such a government as we have had, or has been powerless to prevent it. In either case, it is unfit to exist." -Lysander Spooner

I know that quote is popular. But isn't it totally illogical?

If it is logical, then you could take out the word "Constitution" and put in anything else and prove that whatever thing you plug in is unfit to exist.

"But whether the automobile really be one thing, or another, this much is certain - that it has either authorized such a government as we have had, or has been powerless to prevent it. In either case, it is unfit to exist."

[Pericles]

I know that quote is popular. But isn't it totally illogical?

If it is logical, then you could take out the word "Constitution" and put in anything else and prove that whatever thing you plug in is unfit to exist.

"But whether the automobile really be one thing, or another, this much is certain - that it has either authorized such a government as we have had, or has been powerless to prevent it. In either case, it is unfit to exist."

Exactly - the Spooner quote pre supposes that the Constitution was meant to be self enforcing, which is illogical, and there is no evidence that any founder so thought.

[JamesButabi]

"But whether the automobile really be one thing, or another, this much is certain - that it has either authorized such a government as we have had, or has been powerless to prevent it. In either case, it is unfit to exist."

Doesn't relate. The Constitution was drafted specifically to restrict the governments role in peoples lives. Automobiles were not. The founding documents are supposedly what authorizes the men in robes and men with guns to have any power at all.

[Pericles]

Doesn't relate. The Constitution was drafted specifically to restrict the governments role in peoples lives. Automobiles were not. The founding documents are supposedly what authorizes the men in robes and men with guns to have any power at all.

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

I don't see restrict the government's role in peoples lives in the list. I agree it is a logical consequence securing the blessings of liberty, but it is the job of the citizens to make that happen.

If I fail to fix the leak in my roof, it is not the fault of my hammer that the roof continues to leak.

The Constitution is a tool to be used by the citizens to ensure justice, liberty, tranquility, and defense of the nation occur.