Achtung!

Let us take a look at the first ten Amendments to the US Constitution, better known as the Bill of Rights:

Amendment I– 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.

Amendment II– A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III- No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV- The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V- No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI- In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

Amendment VII- In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII- Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX– The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X– The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

There’s a reason for this exercise. It turns out that the police departments in Denver and Minneapolis are none too fond of this document- based soley upon their recent actions.

In Denver, the police made a point of attacking and harassing protesters in the vicinity of the Democratic party convention. This includes jailing and harassing legal and media observers who were not part of the protests.

In Minneapolis, still a day before the start of the Republican party convention, the police have been raiding the homes of suspected protesters. They’ve been seizing computers and other electronic devices, and arresting people for violating the fire code.

Let’s see now: These are good examples of government violations of the 1st and 4th Amendments. Go ahead and check the list above. I’ll wait.

See what I mean? The heat signatures from the Founders spinning in their graves is probably detectable from space. Conducting police raids on the homes of people suspected of planning to peaceably assemble in protest is chillingly similar to Orwellian thoughtcrime. The last time I looked, organizing a protest was not an act of terrorism. I think it’s very interesting that the police ended up charging the dangerous criminals they rounded up with something as ridiculous as fire code violations. Check me on this: Do fire code violations really require the use of a SWAT unit?

This pathological quest for security by the Government is patently at odds with the very existence of a free society. Our free society. Our liberties are being eroded in the name of security, and nobody seems to care. We, the People, need to speak out against these byzantine abuses of government power. The Government is getting perilously close to forcing the People to the use of the Fourth Box.

The Government agencies responsible for these outrages must be identified and brought to justice forthwith. There is no excuse for this sort of behavior on the part of public servants against members of the public.

All that is required for Evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing. If you sit and quietly accept the evils being committed in your name by your Government, you are permitting Evil to flourish. We, the People, still have a chance to save this country from itself. Make use of the first three boxes forthwith. Support those who are victimized by our Government, and don’t be quiet about it. If you allow the Government to squash dissent in this manner without resorting to every peaceful means of opposition at your disposal, you will be complicit in the destruction which would inevitably result from the People resorting to that Fourth Box. We’re getting closer and closer to the precipice. Please pay attention. And act.

Current status: Concerned

Current music: Xanadu by Rush