Sat, Nov 07 2009
|
|
Published July 03, 2009 09:03 pm - While we declared our independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776, it took us more than nine years before we would sign the U.S. Constitution and another four years to put the Bill of Rights — the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution — into effect. In our view: Genius of Founding Fathers While we declared our independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776, it took us more than nine years before we would sign the U.S. Constitution and another four years to put the Bill of Rights — the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution — into effect.
It is the First Amendment, written because America’s first citizens demanded a guarantee of their basic freedoms, that, in our view, provides us with what is the very best about being an American. These 45 words, written by James Madison, say it all: “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.” Justice Robert Jackson, in W. Virginia v. Barnette in 1943, wrote that the First Amendment ensures that “if there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or force citizens to confess by word or act their faith therein.” Just as American is our dispute over First Amendment rights. Our attitudes over our freedoms change depending on circumstance. We debate, we declare, we protest, and we picket. All because we can. The genius of the Founding Fathers was in providing us with the framework for a government where we can express those viewpoints. Even when there aren’t always as set of right or wrong answers. Perhaps the greatest gift our forefathers gave us 233 years ago was the room to grow as a country. The simple fact is our government works, and it is by far the best system of government ever developed. Happy birthday, America. 
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
More from the Editorial section
In Our View: Fort Hood tragedy
Guest column, Miranda Lewis: Americans are at war with diabetes Guest column, Tim D. Ripperger: MDC working on communication Guest column, Larry Dablemont : Encroachment not intent of man’s gift |
Print this story
E-mail this story
Post to del.icio.us
Discuss this story
Watch the day's top political stories unfold
 |
 |
: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
 |
|
|
Published by Newspaper Holding, Inc. 117 East Fourth Street, Joplin, MO 64801 Using our site is your agreement to the terms and conditions. News: news@joplinglobe.com • (417)623-3480 Advertise with the Joplin Globe Copyright © 2006 The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO All rights reserved. 
|
Popular Business directory links - Joplin Apartments | Joplin Attorneys | Joplin Auto Dealers | Joplin Auto Parts | Joplin Auto Repair | Joplin Beauty Salons | Joplin Car Rental | Joplin Dentists | Joplin Doctors | Joplin Flowers | Joplin Hotels | Joplin Insurance | Joplin Loans | Joplin Mortgages | Joplin Movers | Joplin Pizza | Joplin Realtors | Joplin Restaurants | Joplin Storage | Joplin Tax Preparation | Joplin Travel | Joplin Featured | More...
|
|
Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. • CNHI Classified Advertising Network • CNHI News Service |
