The Reading of the Constitution on the House Floor

This morning, starting at 10:30 a.m., the U.S. House of Representatives will read, in its entirety, the U.S. Constitution.  What a novel idea!

I almost threw up listening to FORMER Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid pontificate on the Senate floor yesterday about how his life has been devoted to defending the Constitution and how he treasures a copy of the document provided to him by former Senator Robert "KKK" Byrd.  Give me a break!

Perhaps we could get the Supreme Court justices to read the Constitution at the start of its next session.  Perhaps reading and hearing it will remind at least four of the justices what they are supposed to do.

Hillsdale College's Constitution Day Colloquium Available On-Line!

On September 16 and 17, Hillsdale College and its Allan P. Kirby, Jr. Center for Constitutional Studies and Citizenship, in Washington, D.C., hosted a Constitution Day Colloquium webcast for nearly 25,000 registered viewers.  

The entire program is archived and now available for online viewing at constitutiondaycelebration.com. With two days of presentations, panel discussions, and debates about the Constitution and current threats to its enduring principles, the event was both educational and inspiring.

Friends, family, and colleagues who have not yet registered and viewed the events may still do so by visiting constitutiondaycelebration.com. Please forward this event to those who are interested.

Also, a DVD version of the Constitution Day Colloquium will soon be available.

Northern Virginia "We Read the Constitution" Event, September 18

A good friend and great American Shak Hill, and his wife Robin, will be hosting a "We Read the Constitution" event as their home in Centreville, Va., this Saturday, September 18.  This is a fantastic way to celebrate Constitution Day (September 17, 1787).  See flyer below for more information.

Judicial Travesty In California

A Federal judge in San Francisco yesterday ruled that same-sex marriage is a Constitutionally-protected right under the 14th Amendment's Due Process and Equal Protection clauses.  Forget the fact that the ban is part of an amendment to the state's constitution, adopted by the people of the state.  This has been an issue where Federal courts, including the Supreme Court (Lawrence v Texas regarding sodomy), have been flat wrong over the last decade.  In Lawrence v Texas, Justice Scalia wrote in the dissent that the Supreme Court's decision regarding sodomy and the 14th Amendment would lead down the path of legally arguing in favor of same-sex marriage, which was the result of yesterday's decision in California.

The 14th Amendment has nothing to do with sex -- homosexual or heterosexual!  The Left continues to throw out the phrase "privacy in the bedroom" as a legal argument, which is completely ridiculous.  You can't kill someone in the privacy of your bedroom or take drugs in the privacy of your bedroom.  Yesterday's decision was nothing more than another step in the Federal Government's continual push to take away our ability as citizens to decide how much it can control our lives.  At some point, "We the People" have to stand up and decide who is going to decide our future -- Federal judges or us.  Next stop on this issue for California is the Supreme Court.  Sadly, previous rulings on this topic by the high court are pointing to a 5-4 decision in favor of same-sex marriage.
 

Supreme Court Rules In Favor of First Amendment Rights

Yesterday, the Supreme Court handed down a 5-4 decision in favor of the Constitution and our rights under the First Amendment. Special thanks to David Bossie and his staff at Citizens United for suing the Federal Election Commission in 2008. You know this decision is in the best interest of America when Left-Wingers like Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) almost cries during yesterday's news conference following the decision and makes outlandish statements like, "this is the end of democracy in America as we know it".

Click here for a copy of the Court's ruling.

The truth of the matter is that the playing field has now been leveled -- no more one-side dominance by unions, media conglomerates, and MoveOn.org in terms of political advertising.

Yesterday's decision opens the door to ALL Americans, regardless of who they are or where they work, to have an opportunity to speak their voice and/or fund political advertisements.

This is why Chucky is upset. He could care less about democracy or voters. This is abundantly clear based on his Senate votes this year on issues that have minority support in America.

Here was an email sent out from Citizens United yesterday:

Today is a historic day for Citizens United, the Conservative Movement, and for all Americans who cherish the First Amendment.

I am proud to tell you that the Supreme Court announced its decision today in our case, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, and we prevailed!

Today's decision that allows Citizens United to air its documentary films and advertisements is a tremendous victory, not only for Citizens United but for every American who desires to participate in the political process without fear of government intervention. As our case amply demonstrates, campaign finance legislation over the last two decades has imposed, as Justice Anthony Kennedy put it, a "censorship . . . vast in its reach." By overruling Austin v. Michigan Chamber of Commerce and striking down McCain-Feingold's ban on so-called electioneering communications, the Supreme Court has made possible the participation in our political process that is the right of every American citizen - a right that had been severely curtailed under the McCain-Feingold law.

Here is a quote from today's Supreme Court opinion that, for me, perfectly summarizes why we took on this fight:

"When Government seeks to use its full power, including the criminal law, to command where a person may get his or her information or what distrusted source he or she may not hear, it uses censorship to control thought. This is unlawful. The First Amendment confirms the freedom to think for ourselves."

"Reviving the Constitution" - A Town Hall Meeting Hosted by Hillsdale College

For those of you who missed last summer's Hillsdale College Constitution Colloquium in Washington, here's another opportunity! For RC Blog fans in the Washington/Northern Virginia area, only 100 in-person spots are available so sign up quickly.

“Reviving the Constitution”-- An Online Town Hall
January 30, 2010
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

REGISTER HERE: http://www.tvworldwide.com/events/hillsdale/100130/

Hillsdale College invites you to participate in a Constitution Town Hall onSaturday, January 30, 2010. This event, entitled “Reviving the Constitution,” is sponsored by Hillsdale College’s Allan P. Kirby, Jr. Center for ConstitutionalStudies and Citizenship.

The Kirby Center, located in Washington, D.C., waslaunched in 2008 to teach and promote the principles and practices ofAmerican constitutionalism in the nation’s capital and nationwide. It is seekingwith this event to revive a town hall tradition in which enduring principles arethe focal point of conversation.

There are two ways to participate in this event--in person or by viewing a livevideo stream online. Advance registration is required for both forms ofparticipation.

Participation via live video stream (“webcast”) is free of charge; persons whowish to participate online will receive a link to the webcast upon registering.

In-person participation costs $10, and payment will be collected at the door(checks, cash, and major credit cards will be accepted). Lunch will be providedto those who register to be part of the studio audience. TVWorldwide.com islocated at 4206 F Technology Ct. in Chantilly, VA, 20151. Although space islimited, groups are welcome.

Town Hall sessions include presentations on the following topics:

• The Declaration of Independence
• The Principles of Free Government
• The American Constitution
• The Constitution and the Civil War
• The Progressive Attack on the Constitution
• American Government Today and What Citizens Can Do to Revive the Constitution

Town Hall lecturers feature leading constitutional scholars including Hillsdale College President Larry P. Arnn, and they will leave ample time for questionsfrom both in-person and online participants.

Rediscovering First Principles - A Constitutional Colloquium

On August 24, I had the pleasure of attending a day-long colloquium in Washington, hosted by Hillsdale College, The Heritage Foundation, and The Federalist Society, titled, "Rediscovering First Principles".

I have created a web page on the ReaganConservatives.us site, which includes my audio recordings of some of the talks. I strongly encourage everyone to take a look and listen/download the talks. I have also included a PDF of the "First Principles Reader" produced by the three hosts, which is an excellent document to read and keep.

I will keep everyone informed of additional events like this in Washington. Special thanks to Heritage, Hillsdale, and Federalist Society for allowing me to record and create the page...

www.reaganconservatives.us/082409/

"The Constitution and Regaining Principle in our Politics" -- August 24

Calling all Reagan Conservatives in the Washington, D.C. area!

Hillsdale College, The Federalist Society, and The Heritage Foundation are sponsoring a day-long course titled, "The Constitution and Regaining Principle in our Politics" on Monday, August 24 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m near Capitol Hill.

All three of these fine institutions are dedicated to making America’s foundational principles the foremost consideration in the creation of our nation’s public policy. There are those who argue that we have lost the battle for limited, constitutional government, but we think nothing could be farther from the truth. The real challenge we face is returning to these enduring principles as the guide for America’s politics.

On August 24, the program will begin with a session to review and discuss primary principles and readings that point in the right direction.

The session will focus on topics such as:

• Why We Need Principles;
• America’s Foundational Principles;
• Understanding the Constitution of the United States;
• The Challenge of the Modern Administrative State; and
• What These Principles Mean for Politics.

Space may be limited based on the site of the facility. Registration will be $15 to include continental breakfst and lunch. Please contact Jennifer Powell ASAP at jpowell@hillsdale.edu or call at (202) 248-5084 to let her know of your interest in the attending the event and please let her know you heard about it on the R.C. Blog.

We hope to see you there!