Monday, December 15, 2008

Bill of Rights Day

Today is the 217th anniversary of the final ratification of the first ten amendments to the Constitution .

217 years ago today Amendments one through ten (a.k.a the Bill of Rights) of the Constitution of the United States of America were ratified.
As a U.S. citizen you have a right to
Freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom to peacable assembly, freedom to petition government for redress of grievances (I)
Keep and bear arms (2)
Have no soldier quartered in your house without your consent in time of peace, nor in time of war except as prescribed by law (3)
Security of your person, your houses, your papers, and your effects; protection against unreasonable search and seizure; warrants issued only under probable cause (4)
Grand jury indictment for infamous crime; no double jeopardy at law; refuse self-incriminating testimony; just compensation for property siezed for public use. (5)
Speedy and public trial by impartial jury in the state and district wherein crime committed; confront witnesses against you; to force testimony of witnesses in your favor; assistance of counsel in your defense. (6)
Trial by jury in suits at common law (7)
Reasonable (not excessive) bail, fines; avoidance of cruel and unusual punishment. (8)
Retain to your self those rights not enumerated in the Constitution. (9)
Keep powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution to your state or to yourself. (10)

We should be celebrating.

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