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Frank Gillispie

OPINION: Some people have no respect for Constitution

Posted by

Frank Gillispie

in Opinions

Wednesday, June 10. 2009

Comments (9)

There is one single authority in this nation that controls the right of government to make laws. This applies whether the law is for a local community or for the nation. That is the Constitution of the United States of America. One of its primary functions is to protect our God given freedoms such as the freedom of speech and the freedom to peacefully assemble.

Recent news headlines reveal that some people have no respect for the Constitution or our natural rights. For example: “Texas Woman Told to Remove ‘Offensive’ American Flag From Office” Friday, May 29, 2009, at Kindred Hospital in Mansfield, Texas. This lady’s husband and two sons had served in the U.S. military and her daughter was currently assigned duty in Iraq. She had put the flag on her office wall as an expression of her support for Memorial Day. That was a form of speech protected by the Constitution. After a confrontation with her employers, she was allowed to put the flag back on the wall, but there should have never been any question of her right to put it up in the first place.

A similar situation involving a former U.S. Marine has not yet been resolved.

“Homeowners Association Threatens to Tow Vietnam Veteran’s Car Over Marines Decals” Thursday, May 28, 2009, in Dallas, Texas. Frank Larison was showing his support for the Marines by displaying seven decals on his vehicle. The local homeowners deemed the decals to be advertising which is prohibited by association rules. So they made the demand that he remove them even though many other association members had bumper stickers and decals supporting various causes, and political parties. Larison has hired a lawyer to defend his constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of speech.

And then there is this headline: “Couple Ordered to Stop Holding Bible Study at Home Without Permit” Thursday, May 28, 2009 in San Diego, California. The couple was having a few friends come to their home for a meal and a discussion about the bible. The county ruled that they were guilty of making improper use of their homes and that they must apply for a very expensive permit before they can continue the practice. This case violates a long list of Constitutionally protected rights. It includes our freedom of religion, freedom to peacefully assemble and our right to be secure in our homes.

The absurdity of these headlines is that they appeared at the time we are remembering those hundreds of thousands of men and women who died defending our rights to these freedoms. The Declaration of Independence, the first document on which our government is based, clearly states that we are “endowed by our creator” with personal rights, and the Constitution verifies and protects those rights. No level of government has the right to interfere with those rights. Yet the headlines above are just a small example of the way those rights are being stolen away by government at all levels.

While President Obama is seeking a replacement for a Supreme Court Justice, he needs to assure us that his selection will be someone who will actively protect those rights based on the Constitution, not her personal “empathy.”

Our rights come from God and are protected by the Constitution. But we have to actively protect those rights or some government agency will steal them away. Never give up that fight!

Frank Gillispie is founder of The Madison County Journal. His e-mail address is frankgillispie671@msn.com. His website can be accessed at http://frankgillispie.tripod.com/

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#1 Michael McCarthy on 06/10/09 at 07:28 AM [Reply]

When we are employed it is our employer who decides how we express ourselves. The constitution offers no protection like this at work.

There is no freedom of speech at work. Try it. You can say whatever you like but you'll be fired if it breaks the rules.

Same goes for the Homeowner's Association if the rules are clear.

As for the bible study, was it causing a nuisance in the neighborhood? Not many of us would like 50 cars parked on our street every Sunday. Remember, the neighbors have rights too.

Mr. Obama's choice for the Supreme Court is an activist who will most likely vote against white men like she did in the Connecticut fireman case. Racist is as racist does. I like what former Speaker Gingrich said, "The new racism is no better than the old racism."

#1.1 Anon. on 06/11/09 at 07:38 AM [Reply]

McCarthy is making the argument that theoretically, all laws in this nation are subject to the US Constitution. However, theory and perceived actuality are two different things. The 14th amendment basically says that the US Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and can not be violated.

If you wanted to take the above instances to court, you could make a valid point that the Constitution has been violated.

#2 Anonymous on 06/10/09 at 09:12 AM [Reply]

hahaha...and Gingrich should know about being a racist.

#2.1 Michael McCarthy on 06/11/09 at 01:58 PM [Reply]

Those who post without any evidence whatsoever are not known as deep thinkers.

#2.1.1 Jean on 07/13/09 at 01:31 PM [Reply]

"Those who post without any evidence whatsoever are not known as deep thinkers."

....and also are not taken seriously, or viewed as legitimate comments.

#3 Anonymous on 06/10/09 at 09:25 AM [Reply]

The lesson here is: When you choose to live in a subdivision that has covenants and a homeowner's association that you initially liked because it discourages minorities, creativity, and individuality in the neighborhood, you give up the right to cry "foul" and invoke the Constitution because, well, YOU CHOSE to give up those rights when you agreed to the covenants and restrictions of the Homeowner's Association.

You can't have your cake and eat it, too. The same covenant that doesn't allow gatherings at homes for parties, barbeques, bonfires, gang meetings, or business, also doesn't permit gatherings for Bible study. The same covenants that don't allow cell towers, radio towers, billboards and flagpoles with Mexican flags, also don't allow flagpoles with U.S. flags.

Now you know how the people you discriminate against feel. Live by the sword; die by the sword.

#4 Bill on 06/10/09 at 12:20 PM [Reply]

These cases that Frank wrote are over-the-top on the surface but I am sure there is more to each one, and Mr. McCarthy made a good point except for his remark about the Supreme Court choice. If you really want to talk about having no respect for the Consitution then you better include Bush, Chaney, et al. and their total disregard for the Consitution and the Rights of the American Citizens.

#4.1 Michael McCarthy on 06/11/09 at 02:04 PM [Reply]

Examples please. I gave an example. You only threw out mere rhetoric. I've heard all the unsubstantiated rhetoric from the left that I can stomach.

And you didn't address my concerns about discriminating agains white firefighters in Connecticut. Was it racist or not?

#5 Sardonic Veracity on 06/11/09 at 01:42 PM [Reply]

Thank you, respondents, for being very good examples of people who have no respect for the Constitution.

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