As most of you know, I am not actually local to Albuquerque. In fact, I live over 200 miles away. The closest city is Clovis, New Mexico; there I have been informed of an interesting event. A former mayor of Clovis, David Lansford, has given notice of a resolution he intends to introduce tonight.
This is one of those cases where I am willing to work with some who may have a slightly different view of "freedom" than do I. At least until we must part ways.
The press release says:
Dear American,
Thank you for taking the time to read this email!!!!
If you are like me, you know in your heart that something is very wrong in Our Land.
You probably sense that something needs to happen that will alleviate these
feelings and restore our optimism.The Clovis City Commission will meet this Thursday night at 5:15 PM at the North Annex of the Clovis-Carver Library.
On the agenda for consideration is a resolution supporting the Constitution of
The United States of America. Mayor Pro-tem Randy Crowder has agreed to
introduce and support the Resolution.It is anticipated that the meeting will not last very long (30 minutes), so please attend if you agree with the Resolution and want to make a difference.
A copy of the Resolution is attached to this email.
With Sincere Patriotism,
David LansfordPS. Please forward this to all of your
friendsThe resolution is as follows:
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATESWHEREAS: American history is marked by countless acts of selfless human sacrifice and service to others in the fight for individual liberty and justice for all people and,
WHEREAS: The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America are the most treasured and revered documents of the United States of America and must be preserved and protected by all present and future generations of Freedom Loving Americans and,
WHEREAS: The leadership in Washington, DC must never consider or adopt any law or regulation which could change, adulterate or subordinate the fundamental precepts and principles found in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America and,
WHEREAS: Currently under consideration by the United States Congress is
legislation that would through regulation, taxation or restriction alter the
fundamental rights found in the First and Second Amendments to the Constitution
of the United States of America and,WHEREAS: The First and Second Amendments to the Constitution are the tools given to the American people to use in order to protect themselves from an abusive and oppressive government and,
WHEREAS: It has now become necessary for Freedom Loving Americans along with their local and state leaders to passionately and patriotically request that our Federal Government cease and desist from any effort to reduce or regulate our rights
which are defended by the Constitution of the United States of America
and,Now therefore be it resolved that the Clovis, New Mexico City Commission
wholeheartedly embraces the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights
and unequivocally supports The Constitution of the United States of America
and,
Be it further resolved: That the Clovis City Commission
emphatically and most specifically supports the First and Second Amendments, and
urge all federally elected officials to cease and desist from any effort to
reduce or regulate any rights expressed or written in the Constitution of the
United States.
That sounds reasonable, (ignoring some of the silly buzz-words). Would the city change policy and stop violating those rights, too; would they demand that the state of New Mexico follow suit, or do they only care if the US government is the violator? As I wrote to the person who sent me this, I would really like to see the Clovis police and their handlers prohibited from violating the First and Second Amendments. However, I'd like to see them respecting the rest of the Bill of Rights as well, such as ending all the DWI "saturation patrols".
The local LEOs seem to really have it out for the First Amendment, as well, with their witch-hunt-like "internet depredations" which seek to find "child pornography" under every rock.
As much as I like guns, and as much as I like exercising my freedom of speech, I don't think any one amendment is any more important than any other, and some of the rights not mentioned at all (other than in studiously ignored 9th and 10th Amendment implications) are critical for our freedom. Of course, rights do not come from government or its documents, but are inborn simply because you are human. Forgetting that fact is the genesis of all kinds of problems, from "drivers' licenses" to genocide.
The reality is that government decides that they can interpret the Bill of Rights however it suits them and almost any "limitation" is OK. That, more than anything else, makes the Constitution worthless as a constraint to out-of-control government. I wish I could see into the future to see what real difference a resolution like this would make, or if it is just for show. Still, it is moving in the right direction and for that reason I hope it passes.
I'd really just like to see governments everywhere forced to respect everyone's right to live as they want as long as they are harming no innocents. Wouldn't it be ironic to show up for the event, specifically held to espouse support for the First and Second Amendments, carrying a fully-functional AK-47 and "pornography"- where the age of the subjects couldn't be immediately determined- and get arrested? Don't worry; just a thought exercise. I have no plans to martyr myself any time soon.
If you live close enough, and are interested in attending, the meeting will be tonight, September 10, 2009, at 5:15 PM at the North Annex of the Clovis-Carver Library in Clovis, New Mexico.
