THE
NEW
BILL OF RIGHTS
Nearly everything has changed
in the United States since the Bill of Rights was written and adopted. We still
see the original words when we read those first 10 Amendments to the Constitution,
yet the meaning is vastly different now. And no wonder. We've gone from a country
of a few million to a few hundred million. The nation's desire to band together
was replaced by revulsion of togetherness. We exchanged a birthright of justice
for a magic bullet, and replaced the Pioneer Spirit with the Pioneer Stereo.
We're not the people who founded this country and our Bill of Rights should
reflect this. As we approach the 21st Century, it's time to bring the wording
up to date showing what we are and who we are.
AMENDMENT I
Congress shall make no law establishing religion, but shall act as if it did;
and shall make no laws abridging the freedom of speech, unless such speech can
be construed as "commercial speech" or "irresponsible speech" or "offensive
speech;" or shall abridge the right of the people to peaceably assemble where
and when permitted; or shall abridge the right to petition the government for
a redress of grievances, under proper procedures.
It shall be unlawful to cry "Fire!" in a theater occupied by three or more persons,
unless such persons shall belong to a class declared Protected by one or more
divisions of Federal, State or Local government, in which case the number of
persons shall be one or more.
AMENDMENT II
A well-regulated military force shall be maintained under control of the President,
and no political entity within the United States shall maintain a military force
beyond Presidential control. The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall
be determined by the Congress and the States and the Cities and the Counties
and the Towns (and someone named Fred.)
AMENDMENT III
No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the consent
of the owner, unless such house is believed to have been used, or believed may
be used, for some purpose contrary to law or public policy.
AMENDMENT IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects
against unreasonable searches and seizures may not be suspended except to protect
public welfare. Any place or conveyance shall be subject to search by law enforcement
forces of any political entity, and any such places or conveyances, or any property
within them, may be confiscated without judicial proceeding if believed to be
used in a manner contrary to law.
AMENDMENT V
Any person may be held to answer for a crime of any kind upon any suspicion
whatever; and may be put in jeopardy of life or liberty by the state courts,
by the federal judiciary, and while incarcerated; and may be compelled to be
a witness against himself by the forced submission of his body or any portion
thereof, and by testimony in proceedings excluding actual trial. Private property
forfeited under judicial process shall become the exclusive property of the
judicial authority and shall be immune from seizure by injured parties.
AMENDMENT VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to avoid prosecution
by exhausting the legal process and its practitioners. Failure to succeed shall
result in speedy plea-bargaining resulting in lesser charges. Convicted persons
shall be entitled to appeal until sentence is completed. It shall be unlawful
to bar or deter an incompetent person from service on a jury.
AMENDMENT VII
In civil suits, where a contesting party is a person whose private life may
interest the public, the right of trial in the Press shall not be abridged.
AMENDMENT VIII
Sufficient bail may be required to ensure that dangerous persons remain in custody
pending trial. There shall be no right of the public to be afforded protection
from dangerous persons, and such protection shall be dependent upon incarceration
facilities available.
AMENDMENT IX
The enumeration in The Constitution of certain rights shall be construed to
deny or discourage others which may from time to time be extended by the branches
of Federal, State or Local government, unless such rights shall themselves become
enacted by Amendment.
AMENDMENT X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution shall be deemed
to be powers residing in persons holding appointment therein through the Civil
Service, and may be delegated to the States and local Governments as determined
by the public interest. The public interest shall be determined by the Civil
Service.
The Pen is mightier than the Sword.
The Court is mightier than the Pen.
The Sword is mightier than the Court.
- Rey Barry -
Last updated:Wednesday, September 2, 1998