Constitution Day

[Sumpter250]

On this day, September 17th, 1787......223 years ago, The Constitution of The United States, was adopted.

It has been modified over the years, in the section titled:
Articles In Addition To, and Amendment Of , The Constitution of The United States of America, Proposed by Congress, and Ratified by the Legislatures of the Several States, Pursuant to the Fifth Article of the Original Constitution.

This is otherwise known as," The Bill of Rights ".

To be defended against " all enemies, foreign and domestic ", Then....Now....and for ever.
It truly is, and must always be, the supreme law of the land.

The one right, that is not guaranteed, is the assumed right to impose one's beliefs on others, in the form of laws ( and yes, I do find that the most difficult part of supporting and defending the Constitution ).

CPO, USN, Retired

[Russ Bellinis]

On this day, September 17th, 1787......223 years ago, The Constitution of The United States, was adopted.
The one right, that is not guaranteed, is the assumed right to impose one's beliefs on others, in the form of laws ( and yes, I do find that the most difficult part of supporting and defending the Constitution ).

CPO, USN, Retired

Actually since that "right" is "assumed" but not guaranteed, we don't need to support that right to support the Constitution. Fortunately we have a Supreme Court whose sole responsibility is to rule on the Constitutionality of all laws.

[Gary S]

And may the Constitution continue to be the governing document for another 233 years.

[P5se Camelback]

This morning I sent an email to many of the people for whom I have email addresses. It was early ... I never thought to post it here! I will do so now.

Good Morning!

Today, Friday, September 17 is Constitution Day .

Have you read the Constitution of the United States of America lately? If not, why not? Next to the Declaration of Independence, it is the most important document in our land!

Do you really know what it says, what rights it guarantees you, what protections it offers you? Do you know that, as per the Constitution, the Federal government exists solely to protect the States from invasion or attack by foreign sources and to maintain a competent military force to carry out that responsibility? [Article I, Section 8]

Are you aware that the Constitution clearly states that all “powers not delegated to the United Stares (Federal government) by the Constitution, nor prohibited it by the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.” [Amendment Ten]

Are you knowledgeable enough about the foremost governing document of the Land to realize that our Constitution is being ignored and, yes, trampled on by those that we have unfortunately elected to represent us in the Federal government? Are they ignoring the Constitution on purpose or are they ignorant in regard to the document they swore to uphold when they were sworn into office?

If you love this Country, do yourself, and your Country, a big favor today! Get a copy of the Constitution of the United States of America today and read it … TODAY! Refresh your memory as to what it says. Are those things that our Founding Fathers laid out on paper to guide this great country being adhered to … or are the being ignored, side stepped, trampled on by those who would transform this great land of Freedom to be the best that you can be into a land of those in “the Ruling Class” and everyone else, a land where government tells us what we can and cannot do, what we can and cannot eat, where we can and cannot live, what we can and cannot drive … a land where Freedom of Choice is superseded by government decree.

Celebrate Constitution Day by re-educating yourself about the Constitution.

BiL

"We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." -- Benjamin Franklin, Founding Father, at the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

[yellowlynn]

Well said Bil. A copy came in this mornings paper. I am still in the process of going over the amendments. It is great reading, and very enlightening to read and reread.

Lynn

[shaygetz]

Carry a copy in my briefcase everyday...still trying to find the words "separation", "church" and "state."

[Ralph]

Carry a copy in my briefcase everyday...still trying to find the words "separation", "church" and "state."

It's not there but this link provides info about our tradition of using that phrase. Interesting stuff. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.usconstitution.net/jeffwall.html">http://www.usconstitution.net/jeffwall.html</a><!-- m -->

[nachoman]

It's not there but this link provides info about our tradition of using that phrase. Interesting stuff. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.usconstitution.net/jeffwall.html">http://www.usconstitution.net/jeffwall.html</a><!-- m -->

There was also a little blurb about it on "History Detectives" a few weeks ago. I like that show.

[steinjr]

Are you knowledgeable enough about the foremost governing document of the Land to realize that our Constitution is being ignored and, yes, trampled on by those that we have unfortunately elected to represent us in the Federal government? Are they ignoring the Constitution on purpose or are they ignorant in regard to the document they swore to uphold when they were sworn into office?

Bil - are you really sure you want to get into a political debate on a model railroad forum?

Constitutions are not holy scripture, handed down on stone tablets by a big hand from the sky. They are compromises, worked out by human beings, and changed as we go along - either formally changed, or de facto changed by the way we interpret them over time.

The first administration to go beyond "just foreign policy and common defense" was the George Washington administration.

Ever heard of the "whiskey rebellion" of the 1790s?

How about the "national road"?

Heard about the civil war in the 1860s?

The homestead act?

Putting American citizens of Japanese descent in concentration camps?

The Interstate highways?

Having a central government taking a larger part than initially envisioned by the people who signed the constitution while representing the separate states is not a recent and radical development. It is the way things are and have been for a long time.

Grin,
Stein, who probably knows more about American history than a lot of Americans :-)

[nachoman]

Stein has a good point. I'd hate to have constant political arguments ruin another good forum. I don't mind getting off topic, but political arguments usually lead nowhere except frustration and members leaving. Just be respectful and realize others may have different opinions, and ask yourself what you hope to accomplish by stating a political opinion. If you want to talk politics that have nothing to do with trains - there are plenty of more appropriate forums. Frankly, many of us have hobbies to escape the constant drone of political nonsense and campaign commercials. If you want to talk politics that have to do with trains, such as the USRA or transcontinental railroad, then go right ahead but it is best to focus such discussions on the past. Also remember this is not a USA only form. Many members here are Canadian and European, and now have a few members from other corners . I am sure many of them have better things to discuss than USA politics.

By the way, Stein- My mother has worked as a girl scout leader and trainer for years. Another trainer and friend she has known for years is from Austria. She moved here in her 20s, got married, and is now in her 60s and continues to live n the USA even after the passing of her husband, but she never applied for citizenship. A few years ago, the girl scout council gave her a lifetime award, and the woman who introduced her said, "this woman probably knows more about the US flag code than anyone you will ever meet, and she is not even an American Citizen!"

[P5se Camelback]

I posted once ... For Constitution Day.

I could give you some rather pointed responses, Stein, backed up with solid historic fact, but ...

I enjoy this forum and the friendship of all of you too much to get into political debate ... or or a discussion on religion!

Let's get back to miniature railed transportation systems! :mrgreen:

[shaygetz]

I will confess that my post was intended to have a small barb in it but was not intended to offend. I actually do carry a copy of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution in my briefcase right next to my Bible. I've gotten used to several forums where we discuss both our hobby or trade AND politics/religion/whatever...it works well, it's carefully monitored in the sense that no incivility is tolerated and it makes for a more well rounded fellowship as there are few venues left for folks like me who can't/don't go to the local pub or civics club---we are more than our hobbies/livelihoods...or at least I hope so.

I fully agree that tension sources should be eliminated and have no part in a leisure forum. Anyone who has ever offended me on these forums would never know it anyway. If turning aside from these things is found to be the best course for this forum, then by all means, let's get back to trains.

[P5se Camelback]

A beautiful example of Modern Steam, there, ShayGetz ... nicely done!

[shaygetz]

A beautiful example of Modern Steam, there, ShayGetz ... nicely done!

Thanks...one of my favorite pieces. Came to me in less that pristine condition, the tender is actually off of a '90s Challenger...I numbered it to match, then played with Walmart craft paint and powdered pastels to weather it so that the whole smack looks like it always was the same loco.

[Steamtrains]

Amen to that.....

Love that Y(?)....