Summary:
The Constitution is the document that shaped our government, and the Bill of Rights is the document to protect people from the government.
INTRODUCTION
In 1776, our founding fathers, in order to create a more perfect union wrote the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The Constitution is the document that shaped our government, and the Bill of Rights is the people's rights that protect them from the government. Little did they know, their documents and their visions help build a new, strong, and glorious nation, called the United States of America.
This project is about the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights is the rights of the American people against the government. Examples of some of these rights are Amendment #1, freedom of speech. Another example is Amendment #4, the right to search and seizure. There are 27 amendments in the Bill of Rights, but I only researched the first original ten amendments.
I enjoyed reading and learning each amendment. I learned many things from my research. I realize how fortunate I am to be an American. I learned all of the different right's I have as an American citizen.
As you read this paper, I hope you learn and enjoy the Bill of Rights as much as I did. This project is a collection of different newspaper articles that deals with each amendment. The left page is a brief analysis of the amendment and the article. The right page is the news article.
Now, turn to the Bill of Rights...
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably assemble, and to petition the government for redress of grievances."
- Freedom of Religion
- Freedom of Speech
- Freedom of the Press
- Right to Assembly
- Right to Petition
Freedom of religion is a major right here in America. It is a major right because, due to all the different nationalities and backgrounds, not all religions are the same. For example, many oriental people are Buddhist, just like many Irish people are Protestant or Catholic. If America was based on one religion, (like many Middle Eastern countries are governed and based on the Islamic religion) our country, political views, and just every day life would be much different from what it is today.
I choose this article because of this particular religion. I never heard of African American Methodist Episcopal Church. This article shows a group of people preaching what they believe without having to worry of being persecuted because of their religious beliefs. I also reviewed a religious service directory, which shows the many religions in San Diego County. There are many, many, many religions in San Diego County; but can you imagine how many there are in the state, country, world, or even the universe? Thank God for our freedom of religion because without it, all these religions wouldn't exist.
Without freedom of speech, Americans would have to watch what the say. Why? Because maybe a secret police would arrest us and we would never be seen again. Many times this has happened in other countries because they did not have the freedom to speak. Freedom of speech allows us to express our opinions and thoughts without worrying about being arrested, executed or having to leave the country. If we didn't have freedom of speech, we would be a representation of communism, like China or North Korea. In these countries, people cannot protest and they cannot have their say in anything. So as Americans, we are lucky to have this freedom.
I choose this article because this man was able to criticize President Bush and this country with out fear. This man is an example of an American that expresses his thoughts and feelings with out worry. Bottom line, you can say just about anything here in America.
Just like Freedom of speech, the press, can report anything they wish without the government's permission. On the other hand, in other countries, like China and North Korea, the press does not have this freedom. The government tells them what they can and cannot report. The government does not want the people to know the truth about what the government is really doing. This lead to "underground" newspapers. So the American press is very fortunate to have this freedom.
I choose this political cartoon because the creator drew his feelings and thoughts about the recent terrorist attacks instead of writing them. In this cartoon he is criticizing airline security, and was able to publish it without no problem and without the permission of the government.
We are fortunate in this country to have a party, or meeting, or any other event involving many people without a limit. In some countries you can only have a meeting with ten people only. Before the American Revolution, Britain created a law that people in the Americas cannot have meeting with no more than three people. This was ridiculous.
I choose this article because many people have come together to support the rescue workers and military. Supporters hold signs like "United we stand" and "God bless America." Since the attacks, America has assembled together as we mourn the great tragedy. This amendment guarantees the right to assemble, without limitation.
In America, if we the citizens don't like something, we can ask our local or federal government (depending on the situation) to change it. If they don't want to change it, then we as citizens have the right to petition. A petition is a large number of signatures of unhappy citizens. Once a petition is presented, the government must listen to the people.
I choose this article because it shows that these nurses had a problem and started a petition to change and get what they want. These nurses wanted to be represented by the California Nurses Association. The nurses got the more than required 30% of the signatures or 550 signatures. These nurses wouldn't have been able to do this without this right.
RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS
"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."
In the colonial days it was okay to carry a gun, because the colonials lived in an environment in which they did not know. They did not know when wild animals or Indians were going to attack. The also needed them to hunt. So the colonials needed guns to help them survive and defend themselves. But does present day Americans need guns? As people continue to argue over whether we should or shouldn't have guns, regardless of what you think, the second amendment guarantees that all Americans have the right to bear arms.
I choose this article because it discusses the problems we have with guns and gun control. The adults in the article are reaching out to children and telling them the truth about guns. I think that the only people that should have guns are the military, peace officers, CIA, FBI, and federal agents. Although this is what I feel, the second amendment protects the people who want to have guns, from people like me, who don't want anyone to have guns.
HOUSING OF SOLDIERS
"No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in manner to be prescribed by law."
The third amendment, I think, is a very interesting one, but it is also very confusing to me. Basically, it means that nobody from any military during a time of peace can live in a private home without the owner's permission; and no member of any military can live in a private home when war is officially declared, unless Congress has given permission. Why did the founding fathers come up with this amendment? Because, during the Revolutionary War, American troops were camped uncomfortably in the camps, while British troops stayed warm by forcing colonial citizens to let the British troops stay. Any owner that would refuse to let them stay was tried for treason and was shot or hanged. Their property was taken over by the British.
In this article, the "Ready Brigade" is in an eight-week rotation; where eight weeks the live at base and then afterwards, they are allowed to live at their private home. Although they are at their private homes, they are always on call, because any moment they could be receiving a message saying they must return to base.
RIGHT TO SEARCH AND SEIZURE
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants, shall issue, but upon probable causes, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and persons or things to be seized."
The fourth amendment protects the people from unreasonable searches; but due to the recent terrorist attacks, people are willing to give up their fourth amendment right. For example, security in airports and in general, has sky rocketed. The American National Guard will now be patrolling the American airports. They will be checkpoints to search through everything.
I choose this article because due to the recent terrorist attacks the security has risen. The National Guard will have the right to open up your suitcase and look at everything in it. The National Guard will be patrolling terminals, ramps, garages, and air traffic control facilities. They will also search through vehicles, carry-on bags, and luggage. Although security in public places has increased, the fourth amendment still protects the people from unnecessary searches.
RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED PERSONS
"No person shall be held to answer for the capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, with out due process of law; nor shall private property taken for public use, without just compensation."
In America if you are accused of a crime, the fifth amendment protects you in many ways. For example, you can take the fifth (you cannot be forced to be a witness against yourself), or your due process cannot be violated.
I choose this article because a police officer was wrongly accused for indecent conduct towards Shaun Stainistreet and Barbara Joyce. They later found out that it was a false accusation (the police officer's due process was violated) and the two accusers are now facing misdemeanor counts.
RIGHT TO A SPEEDY FAIR TRIAL
"In all criminal prosecution, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the assassination; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense."
The sixth amendment is the amendment that is violated the most. Basically the sixth amendment means that the defendant has the right to make their case public or not, to be held quickly, to have a non biased jury, to have the right to call witnesses and to have a lawyer to defend him/her.
I found this case about an African American man who was on trial for second degree burglary. When it came time to choosing a jury, the prosecutor used his peremptory challenges (peremptory challenge is when the prosecutors can remove anyone they wish from the jury) to eliminate four African Americans from being on the jury. The jury was all white people and the suspect was convicted. The court found out that the prosecutors violated the suspect's sixth amendment rights.
CIVIL SUITES
"In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of common law."
If there is a case and its not criminal, then we call it a civil case. A civil case is usually a dispute between two parties or people. For example, "Person A" maybe suing "Person B" because "Person B's" dog ate "Person A's" cat. This would be a civil case or suit. Usually for a civil suit there is no jury, just the judge. The judge comes up with the verdict. In this case, police officers killed a mental patient and the family of the victim is going to file a civil suit.
I choose this article because it is perfect example of a civil case. There is a dispute between the police officers and the Gonzalez family (victim's family), and the Gonzalez family is suing the police officers and the city of National City. Arturo Gonzalez was mental patient. He escaped from the hospital, and when the police found him they shot him to death. He allegedly attempted to attack the officers with a sixteen-inch butcher knife. The Gonzalez family says was completely harmless.
BAIL AND PUNISHMENT
"Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
When the police arrest a suspect, they bring the suspect to jail. The suspect waits in jail until his trial begins. Someone can get him/her out of jail by paying a certain amount of money. They later bring the suspect to court to see if he/she stays free or he/she goes back to jail. This is called a bail.
I choose this article because the Rabbi (a rabbi is a Jewish priest) that was in jail is now free because his case was a mistrial. But the prosecutors say that they will retry the case as a death penalty and would not accept any bail applications. This means that the Rabbi wouldn't be able to get bailed out of jail. This is violating his seventh amendment right.
POWERS RESERVED TO THE PEOPLE
"The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people."
The ninth amendment protects the rights of the people that are not mentioned in the Bill of Rights. For example, if someone illegally enters the country and they are caught, there are rights that protect him/her in the U.S.
In this article, the Algerian immigrants are being accused of illegally entering the country. Prosecutors say that they used illegal passports and residency. Although they claim themselves as American citizens, they are being tried as illegal immigrants. They are protected by rights that are not mentioned in the Bill of Rights, like they are given a fair trial, innocent until proven guilty, and they are allowed to stay here until their trial is over.
"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people."
Although the Constitution does not mention how the states are governed, the states govern themselves. Powers not mentioned in the Constitution are allowed, if accepted by the states. The states can raise taxes, cut taxes, cut jobs, create new state laws, and more. The states run themselves, but if the federal government wants to change or add something in the Bill of Rights, it applies to all states.
I choose this article because it shows examples on how the state of California governs itself. Examples are 250,000 aerospace and other job cuts, and a $2.2 billion cut in spending. The states can legally do this because the tenth amendment allows the states to have this freedom.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Author Unknown. "In prayer and song." San Diego Union-Tribune. October 19, 2001.
Troliger, Steve. "Rescind legislative banning assassination of terrorist." San Diego Union-Tribune. October 25, 2001.
Ainsworth, Bill. "Military action enjoys huge support." San Diego Union-Tribune. September 20, 2001.
Berhman, John. "Palomar Pomerado nurses say they can force on union." San Diego Union-Tribune. October 30, 2001.
Magee, Maureen. "140,000 students discuss gun safety, youth violence." San Diego Union-Tribune. October 18, 2001.
Price, Mark. " 'Ready Brigade' would be first to fight." San Diego Union-Tribune. September 20, 2001.
Eckart, Toby. "More Guard troops will patrol airports." San Diego Union-Tribune. November 10, 2001.
Associated Press. "Wrongly accused cops lose a recourse." San Diego Union-Tribune. October 31, 2001.
Ensor, Deborah. "Trial date set in family's suite over man killed by police shots." San Diego Union-Tribune. November 12, 2001.
Associated Press. "Rabbi's murder case a mistrial." San Diego Union-Tribune. November 14, 2001.
Continuation of Bibliography
Thronton, Kelly. "Algerian pair plead not guilty to passport charges." San Diego Union-Tribune. November 20, 2001.
Sterngold, James. "Experts: Sate may lead nation out of recession." San Diego Union-Tribune. November 19, 2001.
This is the complete article, containing 2,793 words
(approx. 9 pages at 300 words per page).
