Something to read...

I've run out of books to read and desperately need more, but that would require a trip to either Barnes & Noble and I'd need money for that or our local free Library, which in my case also requires money, because I'm a chronic late returner of books. Why I continually return books late, I have no idea and as more time goes by, it gets worse until I dress in all black, drive to the library at midnight to drop my books in the book drop knowing eventually I'll have to go back and pay the fine. Either that, or I send my kids in to face the wrath of the librarian.

So, I've decided to read the Constitution of these here United States of America. I'm not clear why, but I'm hoping it becomes clear as I stumble through. As a bonus, I am going to share my thoughts on what our founding fathers compiled on crinkly parchment paper - did the crinkly parchment thing happen over time with age? Was the paper crisp and white at the time of the writing? Did a founding father spill his tea on the document? All very interesting questions, at least to me and I'm quite certain some scholar out there knows the answers.

I'll start with the Preamble, 0f course. In 1787 what do you think they meant by "We the People"? I've given it some thought. Picture a bunch of white guys in nickers and wigs, stooped over small wooden desks with quill pens...writing down, "We the People". Who do you think they meant? Did they envision that in the not so distant future it would include black people, women? I'm inclined to say no...they probably thought that it would always mean fairly well-to-do white men, who owned land. I'm pretty sure their wigs would go limp if they knew that now everyone is included in the whole "We the People" thing. To their credit, sometimes being vague works out for the best - leaves things open for improvement or interpretation. Bet those guys would have killed for a computer back then...the editing process must have been a royal pain in the knickers and I'm guessing there was no such thing as home keys back then and they probably would have killed for some whiteout. They would have had to get one of their wives, who don't fall under the category of "People" to type the damm thing all the while glaring at these silly white dudes in knickers.

The rest of the Preamble seems pretty clear; however, at some point or other in our history I do believe all have been put to the test. Perfect union, establish Justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, general welfare, blah, blah, blah. All really good stuff and let's keep in mind this is just the opening remarks to the actual Constitution of These Here United States of Americas - God I love saying that - makes me giggle. What I did learn in reading this fine document, is that you can't file a lawsuit based on the Preamble. 1905 Jacobson v. Massachusetts. Mr. Jacobson, or let's call him Henning, apparently was afraid of shots - big baby, and didn't want to get his Small Pox vaccination, but rather than admit to his fears, Henning claimed his liberty was violated, boo hoo. Come on really, it's not like they were going to give him the shot in his arse...actually I'm not sure on that one, it might have been the way that shot was given, in which case, I would agree that his "liberty" had been violated. Any whoo the Supreme Court also thought he was a bit of a baby and needed to man up and get his shot and I'm sure they were thinking of the greater good. Oooh, wouldn't that fall under either "common defense" or "promoting the general welfare"? The Supreme Court said (another bunch of white guys but wearing black robes - scary) that the Preamble is just a wish list, it's not the end all. Duh...good try though Henning. Bet you he was real grateful when he didn't get small pox. I hear tell it's nasty.