Today's the most important anniversary in American history. And yet...

[Bucky]

no one knows about it. Everyone gets up off their duff for the 4th of July and grills and watches fireworks, but the 4th is really just a celebration of national self-determination. History was inevitably going to lead towards more nationalistic movements around the world. The 17th of September is the anniversary of the Constitution, which laid out a course for effective, balanced, and limited government and changed the way people from then on out would think about their governments and their rights under law.

Happy birthday, Constitution. I'm sorry that your current protector-in-chief is a spoiled little assrat who sees you as an inconvenience and a "suicide pact", rather than the source of all this country's strength and promise. You will be in better hands one day soon. You're too damn tough for even this cabel to shred, no matter how hard they abuse you. History will reject them and you'll be back to working condition in a matter of months. That's not a promise; that's an inevitability.

[EFerrari]

1. Every time I read one of your posts, I learn a new word.

lol

:)

[Gatchaman]

2. Robert C. Byrd has been trying

to get Constitution Day off the ground as a recognized holiday, but so far he's had little impact.

[Hissyspit]

3. Hear, hear. "We The People..."

"...of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the general Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

[kimmerspixelated]

4. Great post!

I learned something about Sept. 17th, and I couldn't agree more with your Birthday wishes. The Constitution is everything! However, I am not so confident as of late, that our voting machines won't have Rethugs winning again! I like to dream though!

[blm]

5. Citizenship Day was a forward way to celebrate the Constitution's Birthday

For some reason BushInc wants this day to be ignored, and instead tried to make it a day all about the Pledge Of Allegiance a few years ago.

Pretty odd for a democracy to celebrate a loyalty pledge instead of its Constitution and citizenship.

[lonestarnot]

6. All 12 state delegations approved it, 39 delegates signed it of the

42 present and the Constutional Convention formally adjourned. A very important date!

Sept 17, 1787

5 up and another important date June 21, 1788 New Hampshire ratified and Constitution became effective for all ratifying states.

[Bucky]

9. Three dissenters walked off in a huff -- Martin , Mason, and Gerry.

Even then dissent was essential to the young republic. Their principled stand against the constitution put enough pressure on the Federal party of Washington, Madison, & Hamilton to force them to start planning how to build a Bill of Rights into the Constitution in order to head off a disasterous second convention. By fighting the system, fighting the ruling powers, they made the country stronger and safer. And yet all three of them opposed the Constitution and the Federalists for entirely different reasons. Dissent here wasn't an act of graciousness on the part of the dominant party--it was essential to the final outcome of a strong and free country.

[lonestarnot]

10. Now let me see. Aren't dissenters called Nazi's by redrummy and

dishonorable dick? Guess these three were NAZIs by today's standards.

[grizmaster]

21. Rhode Island was the last to ratify 3 years later May 29, 1790

We were then and are still extremely independent


http://www.usconstitution.net/rat_ri.html

[bonito]

7. Kick

[valerief]

8. Thanks. Didn't know this. I agree. It should be celebrated. n/t

[KansDem]

11. "Happy Birthday!" you goddamned piece of paper...

GOP leaders told Bush that his hardcore push to renew the more onerous provisions of the act could further alienate conservatives still mad at the President from his botched attempt to nominate White House Counsel Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court.

"I don't give a goddamn," Bush retorted. "I'm the President and the Commander-in-Chief. Do it my way."

"Mr. President," one aide in the meeting said. "There is a valid case that the provisions in this law undermine the Constitution."

"Stop throwing the Constitution in my face," Bush screamed back. "It's just a goddamned piece of paper!"

Capitol Hill Blue

[Bucky]

20. Be careful quoting CapHill Blue. They pretty much make up shit

They're cranky Goldwater righties, and so they hate borrow-and-spend big government neocons like Bush. But hating the right people just isn't enough. CHB just makes stuff up right and left and hates, Buchanan like, everyone who disagrees with them. They act like they have super insider sources on Bush's drinking and crazy planning, but it always sounds a little too "Dallas" and "Dynasty" to me. I'm convinced CHB is 50% Onion and 50% bark.

[Uncle Joe]

12. Excellent post Bucky

and thank you for the reminder, this should be a national holiday.


Kicked and recommended





:kick:

[Lifelong Protester]

13. Whenever I read the opening of the Constitution, I get chills

and I wonder which part of "promote the general Welfare, and secure the general Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity" the republicans don't quite get?

[Bucky]

15. I teach AP US history and did postgrad work on the Constitution & still...

I can't say the preamble of the Constitution without singing the Schoolhouse Rock version of it.

[ScreamingMeemie]

14. Correction Bucky...even my son knew of it. For he is lucky to have

a wise teacher (at the tender age of 8) who is having them study the constitution all this week. Cheers! :toast:

[Bucky]

16. Lucky Grumpy Junior! Wish I had that teacher when I was young

Mrs Letourneau in 7th grade didn't teach me anything worth writing about here at DU >:)

[CrispyQ]

17. My right wing mother & I exchanged books this year at xmas.

She gave me some conservative books & I gave her a few liberal books. I made sure to include one of those mini-books with the Constitution, Declaration & Bill of Rights. I included a note, "This is the most liberal book I've ever read!" She either didn't get it or didn't appreciate it. :eyes:

I will mark my calendar to remember in the future.

k&r

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Bucky]

18. Keep at that mother of yours;I'm sure you'll flip her back to sanity 1 day

And yes, that Bill of Rights is incredibly liberal. No wonder they hate it so.

[JerseygirlCT]

19. Even my 7 yo knows that!

But you're right, and particularly right about this president. That damned document tries to tell him what he should do! How dare it! He's the boss! He gets to decide!

Yeah, not good times for the Constitution these days, are they?