U.S. Constitution - Amendment 1 (Bill of Rights)

Even in a country where democracy and freedom is constantly preached and held in highest regard, our freedoms are constantly being trampled on. Usually, we're handing over our freedoms in exchange for the illusion of safety.


Slowly, we give more and more power to the government officials, and losing power as a people. This country is supposed to be For the people, By the people, but it's becoming more of a dictatorship police state.


I will be posting an Amendment from the Constitution of the United States with resource links and definitions. Words in legal contexts can be hazy & confusing, so I'll try to help. Definitions will come from the Merriam-Webster dictionary. As a people, we can claim our country back from the powerful, who only obtain power from THE PEOPLE.


- Steve

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Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.


Respecting:
1 : in view of : considering
2 : with respect to : concerning

Establishment:
1 : something established: as a : a settled arrangement; especially : a code of laws b : established church c : a permanent civil or military organization d : a place of business or residence with its furnishings and staff e : a public or private institution
2 : an established order of society: as a often capitalized : a group of social, economic, and political leaders who form a ruling class (as of a nation) b often capitalized : a controlling group

Exercise:
1 a : the act of bringing into play or realizing in action : use b : the discharge of an official function or professional occupation c : the act or an instance of carrying out the terms of an agreement (as an option) —often used attributively
2 a : regular or repeated use of a faculty or bodily organ b : bodily exertion for the sake of developing and maintaining physical fitness
3 : something performed or practiced in order to develop, improve, or display a specific capability or skill
4 : a performance or activity having a strongly marked secondary or ulterior aspect
5 a : a maneuver, operation, or drill carried out for training and discipline b plural : a program including speeches, announcements of awards and honors, and various traditional practices of secular or religious character

Abridging:
1 a archaic : deprive b : to reduce in scope : diminish
2 : to shorten in duration or extent
3 : to shorten by omission of words without sacrifice of sense : condense
synonyms see shorten

Assemble:
1 : to bring together (as in a particular place or for a particular purpose)
2 : to fit together the parts of
intransitive verb : to meet together : convene
synonyms see gather

Petition:
1 : an earnest request : entreaty
2 a : a formal written request made to an official person or organized body (as a court) b : a document embodying such a formal written request
3 : something asked or requested

Redress:
1 a (1) : to set right : remedy (2) : to make up for : compensate b : to remove the cause of (a grievance or complaint) c : to exact reparation for : avenge
2 archaic a : to requite (a person) for a wrong or loss b : heal
synonyms see correct

Grievances:
1 obsolete : suffering, distress
2 : a cause of distress (as an unsatisfactory working condition) felt to afford reason for complaint or resistance
3 : the formal expression of a grievance : complaint
synonyms see injustice

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So, once again, let's look at our First Amendment -


Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.


If you feel your rights have been violated, because Law can be interpreted so loosely (but not loosely as some would think!), you should contact a lawyer or the ACLU or some other Human/Civil Rights Organization. If you are preparing to partake in a protest, revolt, strike, or march, consider your Constitutional rights -- our government sometimes tries to use our rights against us, try to keep us ignorant or quiet, makes new laws to give us the runaround, or try to intimidate us.

Good luck!