The Simpson Amendments

A lot of people are posting about how terrible it is that only one in four americans came name the five freedoms guaranteed in the first amendment. This definitely isn't shocking, and I don't think it's necessarily a big deal.

First, of all everyone remembers entertainment more than less entertaining trivia, all things being equal. Second, the Simpson's comes on at least once a week, and it's likely available on various channels in syndication. Then there are the DVD sets. And it's been on television for what, at least thirteen years?

Unless you're watching a tv show that goes over constitutional rights on a weekly basis, I don't see how more people are going to remember what constitutional rights belong under which Amendment. Few of us need to specifically refer/apply knowledge of the constitution as part of their jobs on a daily basis, as well. My work day is about computers and their hardware and software failures.

I think I was made to memorize the bill of rights back when I was in the seventh grade. I had one American government class in high school and one government class college. Other than that, if I want to remember which rights are under what amendment it's up to me to go look it up, as well as any news articles where the issue came up. Frankly, if I was included in that survey, I probably wouldn't have been able to list all five rights. I would have been able to name more than one, though. And I read the news more than most but less than others.

Now, if the first amendment had a funny, raspy voice and three foot tall blue hair, I'd remember that.

And finally, as with most pertinent information, if you want to know it, you can look it up.

Of course, in a perfect world, we should remember the specifics of the Bill of Rights. Also, we as able bodies and mind should also be able to live within our financial means. However, we've all chosen to splurge on some things that put us in debt or strain us financially because we like to have fun and do what we enjoy more than what we should do. In a perfect world, we would stick to our workout schedules flawlessly because keeping fit is healthy for us, and would probably help drive down medical costs as a whole, ultimately making our health insurance cheaper because we would be healthier.

All of the above, an much much more, is a hell of a lot less fun than watching a Simpson's episode.

Mr. Groening, it's time for you to have Bart write the bill of rights on the chalk board at the beginning of every show.

Music

I finally received my cds from Amazon.

I think I've found most of the cds in my house and scanned them into the Music Collectors Database. I have about 338 Cds.

I'm enjoying the music I'm listening to currently.

Today's new additions to the Database:
Death Cab for Cutie
The Postal Service
The Shins
White Stripes
My Morning Jacket

Now to do some other writing. My next post will be expanding on my post earlier about the First Amendment.

Knowledge of the First Amendment

I suppose I need to modify my claim about not knowing the rights under the First Amendment. I think it's important to know your rights, but not necessarily which amendment the right falls under.

In my view, it's good to know what your rights are, but knowing which amendment it falls under is not an urgent bit of trivia. You can look that up and carry on from there. I did find it disturbing in the article that some folks thought owning a pet was a constitutional right.

Here's the actual report from the McCormick Tribune Museum. You can read the full results there.

The report will tell you that 69% know that freed of speech is a First Amendment right.

When asked this question:
Q. Please tell me which of the following rights are guaranteed by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

-The right to worship as you please 78%
-The right to criticize the government 73%
-The right to a trial by a jury 55%
-The right to vote 53%
-The right to own a gun 45%
-The right to an attorney 44%
-The right against self incrimination 38%
-The right of women to vote 36%
-The right to a public education 36%
-The right to own and raise pets 21%
-The right to drive a car 17%

So, with prompting, they did well on religion and criticizing the government.

I don't think wrote memorization is quite so necessary in an age where information is readily available. Granted, you aren't going to win any debates if you don't have your facts straight, but then, most of America isn't up for that type of action.

Based on this, I figure anyone who has an issue with how the government is handling of their rights has enough information to do some research and get a lawyer if they need to defend those rights. Since it takes a long time for courts to hear those cases, it's not like you're in a hurry. Besides, knowing the Bill of Rights doesn't mean you know how the courts are going to interpret them, and it gives you no insight into the piles of litigation that has occurred since those rights were drafted.

Knowing which right is under what amendment is for bragging rights at the local pub's trivia night. In terms of the priorities of the average American, it doesn't quite measure up.

That is not to diminish the fact that a lot of people are not fully aware of what is happening in our national government today. However, that is changing. Bush's approval rating is going down, so some folks are paying attention.

I like imlac's idea of carrying the constitution around with you. When you're out and about, waiting for a doctor's appointment, etc., you can peruse the Constitution and reflect upon it.

In other news, I need to finish reading the text of a speech Bill Moyers recently gave.

Saints du Jour

Alright, on this second day of March, we've got to catch up from last night.

March 1st:
Saint Albinus, born 469
Saint Al grew up in a wealthy household. He ended up being a Bishop in Angers. He was a big opponent of consanguinary marriages of the first degree, a custom apparently popular among the Franks back then. It was through his efforts that the standards of public morality were raised.

Now, I know consanguine means sharing an ancestor. I'm going to assume that "consanguiary marriages of the first degree" means marrying someone in your immediate family. Initial research did not yield clear results. I wonder what France would have become had folks continued to marry their syblings?

He also had a reputation for a few miracles. He once killed a man...with his breath. The man he killed was a prison guard who was mistreating a woman in debtor's prison. Yes, the prison guard died of Holy Death Breath.

St. Albinus was blessed with good fortune, it is clear. If only that holy benefit was bestowed upon all those Christians who fought in the Crusades. Holy Death Breath would have been a clear advantage over the muslims.

He also freed a bunch of wailing, suffering prisoners who were serving time in some stronghold. He beseached the magistrate to let them free. The magistrate refused and a landslide occurred, opening a way for the prisoners to escape. They followed Saint Al to a church, and thenceforth led more reputable, faithful lives.

March 2nd:
St. Chad (d 672)
Besides sounding like a Bishop who should be dressed in preppy attire, he had a penchant for imitating the apostles and walking around on foot. He eventually died of the plague. A week before he died, a concert of music was heard above his living quarters. Saint Albinus said it was angels. I think it was someone who owns a time machine who read this passage and then travelled back with an iPod and some speakers.