Bill of Rights, and our Rights

[Guest guest]

Sometimes we forget exactly what we are fighting for, word for word.

Least we forget that not just as Americans (or any nation), but as

humans we have rights: " " that they are endowed by their Creator with

certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the

pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are

instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of

the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes

destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or

to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation

on such principles and organizing its powers in such form... " "

Bill of Rights

Amendment I

 

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 to

assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

 

 

Amendment II

 

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.

 

 

Amendment III

 

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 a manner to be

prescribed by law.

 

 

Amendment IV

 

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 cause,

supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the

place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

 

 

Amendment V

 

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous

crime, unless on a 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, without due process of law; nor shall private property be

taken for public use, without just compensation.

 

 

Amendment VI

 

In all criminal prosecutions, 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 been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of

the nature and cause of the accusation; 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.

 

 

Amendment VII

 

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 the common law.

 

 

Amendment VIII

 

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor

cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

 

 

Amendment IX

 

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be

construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

 

 

Amendment X

 

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.

 

--

" Those fortunate enough to have been touched

by its mystique will agree that once the

strange Oriental magic of the Siamese cat

has been revealed to them, they will forever

remain in its enchanted spell. " Joan Moore