The Ruthless Truth blog

A Case for Nullification

18. May, 2010  Written by: Wayne Hill Comments (0)

Oklahoma House Joint Resolution 1054 was vetoed by Governor Brad Henry on Friday. The resolution would have prevented Oklahomans from the mandated purchase of health insurance and prevented monetary penalties for non-compliance. The message of the Oklahoma legislature was clear, Federal Government you have overstepped your Constitutional authority.
Here is a perfect [...]

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Nullification

Oklahoma Sovereignty, States Rights

Can we make it stop?

17. May, 2010  Written by: Scott Martin Comments (0)

Late last year, Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) was asked about the constitutionality of the pending Obamacare legislation. He answered that “most of the stuff we do is not authorized by the Constitution.” Not a surprise to anyone paying attention, and a bit of a lowball estimate, IMHO. The extraordinary thing about [...]

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Activism, Nullification

Grassroots, Strategy

Would It Be Ok For A State To Repel An Invasion If The Feds Refused To?

17. May, 2010  Written by: Timothy Reeves Comments (1)

After considering the new, much maligned Arizona Immigration Bill, I have decided that it is appropriate and necessary.
After all, if the Mexican Army was to invade Arizona and try to take it as a Mexican providence, and the US Army was busily building our empire overseas, we would expect any remnants of the Arizona National [...]

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Constitution, Foreign Policy

Arizona, Immigration

Why the Bill of Rights?

17. May, 2010  Written by: Leon Moe Comments (0)

The Bill of Rights also known as the First Ten Amendments to the Constitution were ratified by the states on December 15, 1791
The states having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added…hence [...]

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Constitution, Founding Principles

10th Amendment, Bill of Rights

To Whom the Future Falls

16. May, 2010  Written by: Steven Poyzer Comments (1)

Last night my wife Gloria and I hosted our inaugural book study club at our home.Sadly it was not well attended, with only one other couple and our two dogs which has prompted the writing of this appeal.
The book we are starting out with is W.Cleon Skousen’s “5000 Year Leap,” or as subtitled, “Principles of [...]

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Activism, Liberty

Freedom, We the People

Congressional 10th Amendment Task Force can’t have Two Gods

15. May, 2010  Written by: Jeff Matthews Comments (1)

Either the Constitution is the supreme law of the land, or it is not. The current Constitutional 10th Amendment Task Force is undeniably stuck in a conundrum.
The GOP members have traveled their districts, touting their conservative principles, family values, etc., and now, they have a problem. How do [...]

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Politicians, Republocrats

10th Amendment Task Force, Congress

Stop the Bailout of Foreign Banks!

14. May, 2010  Written by: Michael Boldin Comments (0)

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Economics

Bailouts, Ron Paul

Sovereignty and Nullification

14. May, 2010  Written by: Bryce Shonka Comments (0)

Who sits at the top of the food chain in the American system of governance? Is it the US Supreme Court? Is it Congress? If you don’t know the answer, just watch this video!
This is a 10 minute clip from an event in Tulare, CA.  Tulare has been affected by the Federal [...]

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Activism, Nullification

State Sovereignty, We the People

You can just Smell the “Change”

14. May, 2010  Written by: Michael Boldin Comments (0)

Andrew Napolitano, Jacob Hornberger, and columnist Eli Lake discussed the overwhleming similarities between the foreign policy approaches of Bush and Obama. (h/t Matt Hawes)

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Foreign Policy

Andrew Napolitano, Obama, war

Louisiana House Passes Health Care Freedom Act

13. May, 2010  Written by: Michael Boldin Comments (0)

With a 59-15 vote Thursday, the Louisiana State House approved a bill that declares no one in Louisiana can be mandated to pay a penalty if they don’t have insurance – or be required to participate in a health system.
House Bill 1474 states that every Louisiana resident “is and shall be free from governmental intrusion [...]

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History of the Constitutional – Convention Episode 31

Posted By nedryun on September 14, 2009

Ned Ryun Concludes (for now) his Series on the Constitutional Convention:

In this episode:

• A look back on the series.
• A comparison to W.B. Yates’ The Second Coming.
• Macro view of original intent and the Founding Fathers.
• A critique of modern “Progressives.”
• Where we are going as a nation and how we should get there.

  History of the Constitutional Convention Episode 31 [9:40m]: Hide Player | Play in Popup | Download

Category: History of the Constitutional Convention | 1 Comment »
Tags: Abraham Kuyper, Alexis de Tocqueville, Benjamin Franklin, Constitution Day, Democracy in America, Federalist 51, James Madison, Netherlands, Preamble, Progressives, Self Government, Separation of Powers, The Second Coming, Utopian Statists, W.B. Yates

History of the Constitutional Convention – Episode 30

Posted By nedryun on September 8, 2009

Ned Ryun continues his series on the Constitutional Convention.

In this Episode:

• The task of passing a Bill of Rights is undertaken.
• Alexander Hamilton writes in favor in Federalist 84.
• Federalists use the Bill of Rights to gain support from Anti-Federalists.
• Bill of Rights inspired by John Locke, Virginia Declaration of Rights, English Declaration of Rights, among others.
• The five Great Freedoms of the First Amendment.
• The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

  History of the Constitutional Convention Episode 30 [11:49m]: Hide Player | Play in Popup | Download

Category: History of the Constitutional Convention | No Comments »
Tags: Alexander Hamilton, Anti-Federalists, Bill of Rights, Double Jeopardy, Eighth Amendment, English Declaration of Rights, Federalist 84, Federalist Papers, Federalists, Fifth Amendment, First Amendment, Fourth Amendment, Freedom of Assembly, Freedom of Petition, Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Speech, Freedom of the Press, George Mason, James Madison, James Wilson, John Locke, Magna Carta, Natural Rights, Ninth Amendment, Patrick Henry, Quartering, Right to Bear Arms, Right to Counsel, Right to Speedy Trial, Roger Sherman, Search and Seizure, Second Amendment, Self Incrimination, Seventh Amendment, Sixth Amendment, State and Local Government, Tenth Amendment, The Revolutionary War, Third Amendment, Trial by Jury, Virginia, Virginia Declaration of Rights, William Vining

History of the Constitutional Convention – Episode 29

Posted By nedryun on August 31, 2009

Ned Ryun continues his series on the Constitutional Convention.

In this Episode:

• The Ratification Debates continue.
• Massachusetts ratifies based on the leading of Samuel Adams and John Hancock and support for a Bill of Rights.
• Maryland ratifies despite Luther Martin’s opposition.
• South Carolina ratifies, while North Carolina remains an Anti-Federalist stronghold.
• New Hampshire becomes the ninth state to ratify, fulfilling the obligations required by the Philadelphia Convention.
• Titans clash in Virginia, but the Constitution is ratified with an agreement to later support a Bill of Rights.
• New York, North Carolina and Rhode Island eventually ratify.
• A new government is formed and a Bill of Rights is passed.

  History of the Constitutional Convention Episode 29 [17:59m]: Hide Player | Play in Popup | Download

Category: History of the Constitutional Convention | No Comments »
Tags: Alexander Hamilton, Anti-Federalists, Benjamin Harrison, Bill of Rights, Caleb Strong, Edmund Randolph, Elbridge Gerry, Federalists, George Clinton, George Mason, George Washington, Henry Knox, James Madison, James Monroe, John Adams, John Hancock, John Jay, John Lansing Jr., John Marshall, Kentucky Territory, Luther Martin, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi River, Mount Vernon, Nathaniel Gorham, New Hampshire, New York, New York City, North Carolina, Patrick Henry, President, Rhode Island, Richard Henry Lee, Robert Yates, Roger Sherman, Rufus King, Samuel Adams, Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of War, Senate, Shays’ Rebellion, South Carolina, Thomas Jefferson, Vice President, Virginia, Washington D.C., We the People, We the States

History of the Constitutional Convention – Episode 28

Posted By nedryun on August 24, 2009

Ned Ryun continues his series on the Constitutional Convention.

In this Episode:

• The Ratification Debates begin.
• Giants like George Mason, Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams and Richard Henry Lee oppose the Constitution.
• The Constitution is sent to the Continental Congress for approval to send to the state legislatures.
• An analysis of the task ahead of the Federalists.
• The Anti-Federalists suffer major losses in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Georgia and New Jersey.

  History of the Constitutional Convention Episode 28 [15:06m]: Hide Player | Play in Popup | Download

Category: History of the Constitutional Convention | No Comments »
Tags: Alexander Hamilton, Anti-Federalists, Benjamin Franklin, Connecticut, Continental Congress, Delaware, George Clinton, George Clymer, George Mason, George Washington, Georgia, Gunning Bedford, James Madison, James Wilson, John Langdon, Massachusetts, Nathaniel Gorham, New Jersey, New York, Nicholas Gilman, North Carolina, Oliver Ellsworth, Patrick Henry, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Minority Report, Pierce Butler, Ratification Debates, Rhode Island, Richard Henry Lee, Roger Sherman, Rufus King, Samuel Adams, State Legislatures, State Sovereignty, Virginia, William Blount, William Few, William Jackson, William Pierce, William Samuel Johnson

History of the Constitutional Convention – Episode 27

Posted By nedryun on August 17, 2009

Ned Ryun continues his series on the Constitutional Convention.

In this Episode:

• The Constitution enters the ratification phase as dictated by Article VII.
• Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay author the Federalist Papers to convince New York citizens to ratify the Constitution.
• Anti-Federalists George Clinton and Robert Yates lobby against the Constitution in their own writings, but are largely overshadowed by the Federalist Papers.
• A look at the first states to ratify the Constitution.
• Examining three important Federalist Papers: Number 10 (a discussion on factions and contrasting democracies and republics), Number 51 (a discussion on the need of government, checks and balances and separation of powers), and Number 78 (a discussion on the judicial branch).

  History of the Constitutional Convention Episode 27 [18:04m]: Hide Player | Play in Popup | Download

Category: History of the Constitutional Convention | No Comments »
Tags: Alexander Hamilton, Anti-Federalists, Article VII, Brutus, Cato, Connecticut, Delaware, Democracy, Factions, Federalist 1, Federalist 10, Federalist 39, Federalist 51, Federalist 78, Federalist Papers, George Clinton, Georgia, James Madison, John Jay, Judicial Branch, Julius Caesar, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Publius Valerius Publicola, Ratification Debates, Republic, Rhode Island, Robert Yates, Separation of Powers, Strunk and White

Posting Resumes on 8/17

Posted By nedryun on August 10, 2009

Dear Listeners,

Due to travel and vacation, I will be taking a week off and resuming my posts on August 17.  I hope you are continuing to enjor these as much as I am.

-Ned

Category: History of the Constitutional Convention | No Comments »
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History of the Constitutional Convention – Episode 26

Posted By nedryun on August 3, 2009

Ned Ryun continues his series on the Constitutional Convention.

In this Episode:

• The life of Gouverneur Morris, drafter of the U.S. Constitution.
• Morris’ work in New York politics.
• Morris as chief advocate for the Continental Army.
• Morris’ role in the Constitutional Convention.
• Morris’ dealings with England and later role as Minister to France during the French Revolution.
• Morris and northern secession.

  History of the Constitutional Convention Episode 26 [19:46m]: Hide Player | Play in Popup | Download

Category: History of the Constitutional Convention | 2 Comments »
Tags: Alexander Hamilton, Articles of Confederation, Barbados, Bastille, Battle of Long Island, Bermuda, Bronx, Charles Maurice de Talleyrand, Committee on Style, Constitution of New York, Continental Army, Continental Congress, Declaration of Independence, Dewitt Clinton, Duke of Leeds, Erie Canal, Federalist Papers, Federalist Party, French Revolution, Friedrich von Steuben, George Washington, Gouverneur Morris, Great Britain, Hartford Convention, Jacobites, Jamaica, James Madison, James Monroe, John Bryan, John Jay, King’s College, Lewis Morris, Lord Frederick North, Louis XVI, Marquis de Condorcet, Marquis de Lafayette, Maximilien Robespierre, Nathanael Greene, New York, New York Provincial Congress, Northwest Territories, Peg Leg, Reign of Terror, Robert Morris, Roger Sherman, Rufus King, Samuel Osgood, Slavery, Staats Long Morris, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, Treaty of Ghent, Treaty of Paris, Valley Forge, Versailles, War of 1812, William Constable, William Duer, William Pitt, William Samuel Johnson, William Smith

History of the Constitutional Convention – Episode 25

Posted By nedryun on July 28, 2009

Ned Ryun continues his series on the Constitutional Convention.

In this Episode:

• The  final debates at the Constitutional Convention center on signing questions.
• Elbridge Gerry, George Mason and Edmund Randolph all voice displeasure with the document and refuse to sign.
• A committee on style is formed to write the Constitution.
• A Bill of Rights is proposed and debated, but soundly defeated, only for the issue to be resurrected again during the ratification debates.
• Washington supports a measure to increase representation in the House to win over dissenters, but the dissenters refuse to sign.
• The Constitution is signed and the debate for its ratification begins.

  History of the Constitutional Convention Episode 25 [16:00m]: Hide Player | Play in Popup | Download

Category: History of the Constitutional Convention | No Comments »
Tags: Alexander Hamilton, Articles of Confederation, Benjamin Franklin, Bill of Rights, Charles Coatsworth Pinckney, Committee on Style, Declaration of Independence, Edmund Randolph, Elbridge Gerry, George Mason, George Washington, Gouverneur Morris, House of Representatives, James Madison, James Wilson, John Dickinson, Luther Martin, Nathaniel Gorham, Patrick Henry, President, Ratification Debates, Roger Sherman, Rufus King, Senate, Slavery, State Declaration of Rights, Thomas Jefferson, U.S. Constitution, William Samuel Johnson

History of the Constitutional Convention – Episode 24

Posted By nedryun on July 20, 2009

Ned Ryun continues his series on the Constitutional Convention.

In this Episode:

• The  development of the Judicial Branch in the Constitutional Convention.
• Should the Judicial Branch be combined with the Executive Branch?
• A description of the Judicial Branch in Article III and Federalist Papers.
• The Judiciary Act of 1789 and Congress’ roll in forming the Judicial Branch.
• Details on the original courts.
• A discussion on the evolution of the courts today, foreshadowed by Thomas Jefferson.

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Category: History of the Constitutional Convention | No Comments »
Tags: 9 Justices, Article III, Associate Justices, Attorney General, Chief Justice, Circuit Courts, Congress, District Courts, Edmund Randolph, Elbridge Gerry, Executive Branch, Federalist 51, Federalist Papers, James Madison, James Wilson, John Dickinson, John Roberts, John Rutledge, Judicial Branch, Judicial Fiat, Judicial Review, Judiciary Act, King George III, Legislative Branch, Marbury v. Madison, Marshall, Massachusetts, Montesquieu, North Carolina, Oliver Ellsworth, Pierce Butler, President, Rhode Island, Roger Sherman, Rufus King, Senate, State Courts, Thomas Jefferson, Treaties, Tribunals, U.S. Attorney, U.S. Capitol, U.S. Supreme Court, Virginia, Virginia Plan, William Samuel Johnson

History of the Constitutional Convention – Episode 23

Posted By nedryun on July 13, 2009

Ned Ryun continues his series on the Constitutional Convention.

In this Episode:

• The debate over the Executive Branch.
• Should there be one executive or a council of executives?
• Debates over terms, length of service and the executives relationship to the Congress.
• A discussion on the Electoral College and its roll in the 1800 and 2000 Presidential Elections.
• The eventual formation of Article II of the Constitution.

  History of the Constitutional Convention Episode 23 [15:33m]: Hide Player | Play in Popup | Download

Category: History of the Constitutional Convention | No Comments »
Tags: 12th Amendment, 1800 Presidential Election, 2000 Presidential Election, Alexander Hamilton, Commander in Chief, Committee on Detail, Congress, Edmund Randolph, Electoral College, Executive Branch, George Mason, George Washington, Gouverneur Morris, Gunning Bedford, House of Representatives, Hugh Williamson, James Madison, James McClurg, James Wilson, John Dickinson, John Rutledge, Judicial Branch, Kansas, King George III, Legislative Branch, Luther Martin, National Executive Committee, National Legislature, President, President of the United States, Rhode Island, Roger Sherman, Rufus King, Slavery, Two-Party System, U.S. Constitution, U.S. Supreme Court, Veto, Virginia Plan, Winner-take-all

History of the Consitutional Convention

by Clay Barham

What two functions do each of us have that always says we are an individual? It is our mind and our mouth, what we think and what we say. No one can take that away from us. No one can punish us for the thoughts we entertain and how we express them. However, they can try and always have. What are the two most dangerous threats to any dictator? What we think and what we tell others about what we think.

The mind and mouth of the slave are two things that a dictator can never be sure of from anyone they rule. Fear is their only weapon of choice. Fear of retribution, once thought is discovered, is the only way to keep the mind and mouth in check.

In America, following its war of independence and its three constitutions, several of our “Founders” believed it necessary to chain the third constitution down with words that were simple and more forceful to preserve individual freedom. Thomas Jefferson and James Madison demanded a Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the newly ratified Federal Constitution.

The first of those ten amendments dealt specifically with the mind and the mouth, with our thoughts and how we express those thoughts. They felt it was not sufficiently nailed down for posterity to prevent political interference with thought and speech. Here it is, just as it was agreed early in the life of our Constitution, which established a small, limited, well defined central government. It was the first of ten to prevent tampering with liberty for the benefit of a few over the many, as is done today.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

To the freedom of the mind and the mouth they added the right to share with others and express to government, what they were thinking and saying, without fear of reprisal by government. In doing that, it expresses what was in the founder’s minds as to their distrust of the new government, as borne out today. The boisterous 2009 Town Hall meetings, on the issue of national health care, demonstrated the view of the people running the government as critical of the citizens speaking out against their legislative proposals. Their terms to describe those objecting, make their minds and mouths appear criminal.

Why, after the convention delegates spent four hot months shaping a new constitution, would these men go a step further in limiting the constitution as they did? They knew, without these plain, simple, forceful words, the politician would have found a backdoor and route to tyranny, as they are doing today while ignoring the constitution. It happened before the ink on the constitution was dry, with the passing and enforcement of the Alien and Sedition Acts.

It took a new rebellion in 1800, when the Federalists were tossed out of office and Thomas Jefferson was elected President. What glorious foresight he and Madison demonstrated fighting for a Bill of Rights. The First Amendment declared religion and its participation the first right, which is the right of thought. The following rights involved how we expressed our thoughts. All the rights in this amendment define the individual as the principle, not the community.

America prospered because of minds and mouths that were free. Men and women were free to think, to conceive, to believe and to achieve what they believed, and they prospered. As they prospered, their families prospered. As their families prospered, so did their communities.

Reflecting individual freedom and the supremacy of legitimate individual self-interests, when compared to the interests of the community, this amendment protects for each individual the right to think thoughts from his own mind, practice his or her own religion, to go to church, speak openly on the concepts of his beliefs and thoughts, print notices in the paper, or print his own paper, to gather with a group of like minded people and to tell elected and appointed officials in government what he thinks.

The present American government is just one step behind arresting and prosecuting people who complain about the wrongs committed by arrogant bureaucrats.

Clay Barham [send him email] has been a candidate for the California legislature and a stand-in talk show host for ABC.  He was educated in physical and behavioral sciences, with a Ph.D. in sociology.  He is the author of five books, including Foundations of Modern American Conservatism and Liberalism: The Roots of Freedom and Tyranny.  His latest is The Changing Face of Democrats: Libertarian Roots Lost.  Visit his website at http://www.claysamerica.com/.

 

http://www.tenthamendmentcenter.com/2009/11/09/of-mind-and-mouth/