Thursday, September 07, 2006
it applies to all or it isn't worth the paper it's printed on
Our Constitution.
The Document that makes us a democracy.
A document that proclaims to the world that we beleive we are free men.
Amendment I gives us some rights.
We are free to worship in the manner in which we as individuals chose. We are free to speak out against injustice. We are free to print our opinions. There is nothing in that amendment that says we must agree with everyone else, nor does it say we can prevent anyone from "the free exercise thereof"
The Declaration of Independence.
A great document declaring that we, as a nation, believe that all men are created equal.
All men (masculine by preference as exhibited by the time in which the document was written). Not all Americans. Not all colonists. Not all Englishmen. All men.
So why do so many in America want to "defend" our rights by denying others theirs?
The Constitution and Amendments and the Declararation of Independence never mentions that "rights" are only for Americans.
All men.
Polish, Chinese, Afgahanis, Samoans, Japanese, Brazilians, Hondourans, Saudis, Isralis, Irish, Dutch, Germans, French, British, Australians, Canadians, Mexicans, Spainards.....ALL men.
Even those accused of terrorism. Even those who are not evangelical Christians. Even those who would hate us.
All men.
If you believe in Democracy you must believe in ALL of it. Even the parts you don't like.
And you must defend it - for ALL men.
The Document that makes us a democracy.
A document that proclaims to the world that we beleive we are free men.
Amendment I gives us some rights.
We are free to worship in the manner in which we as individuals chose. We are free to speak out against injustice. We are free to print our opinions. There is nothing in that amendment that says we must agree with everyone else, nor does it say we can prevent anyone from "the free exercise thereof"
The Declaration of Independence.
A great document declaring that we, as a nation, believe that all men are created equal.
All men (masculine by preference as exhibited by the time in which the document was written). Not all Americans. Not all colonists. Not all Englishmen. All men.
So why do so many in America want to "defend" our rights by denying others theirs?
The Constitution and Amendments and the Declararation of Independence never mentions that "rights" are only for Americans.
All men.
Polish, Chinese, Afgahanis, Samoans, Japanese, Brazilians, Hondourans, Saudis, Isralis, Irish, Dutch, Germans, French, British, Australians, Canadians, Mexicans, Spainards.....ALL men.
Even those accused of terrorism. Even those who are not evangelical Christians. Even those who would hate us.
All men.
If you believe in Democracy you must believe in ALL of it. Even the parts you don't like.
And you must defend it - for ALL men.
