Nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb. (Amend. V)
Bill of Rights Quotes
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial. (Amend. VI)
The Framers of the Bill of Rights did not purport to “create” rights. Rather, they designed the Bill of Rights to prohibit our Government from infringing rights and liberties presumed to be preexisting.
If there is a bedrock principle of the First Amendment, it is that the government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable.
There are only two things we should fight for. One is the defense of our homes, and the other is the Bill of Rights.
The Ten Commandments contain 297 words. The Bill of Rights is stated in 463 words. The Lord’s prayer has only 67. The story of creation in the Bible uses only 200 words. Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address contains 271 words. On the other hand, a recent Federal directive to regulate the price of cabbage contains 26,911 words.
Bill of rights give assurance to the individual of the preservation of his liberty. They do not define the liberty they promise.
I have often thought that the Bill of Rights should have stopped after the first five words: “Congress shall make no laws . . .”
The Bill of Rights is a born rebel. It reeks with sedition. In every clause it shakes its fist in the face of constituted authority… it is the one guarantee of human freedom to the American people.
One more thing about the Bill of Rights. Please keep faith in its purity. Those who say it needs editing must admit Americans are no longer worthy of its blessings. Those who say it’s archaic must admit this country can’t live up to its Founders’ dreams. Those who say they know better, let them go […]