Re: Bill of No Rights

Rat & Swan wrote:
> Jonathan Ball wrote:
>
> <snip>
>
> >     * ARTICLE I -- You do not have the right to a new car, big screen 
> > TV or any form of wealth.
>
> >           More power to you if you can legally acquire them, but no 
> > one is guaranteeing anything.
>
> Agreed.
>
> >     * ARTICLE II -- You do not have the right to never be offended.
>
> Also agreed.
>
> >           This country is based on freedom, and that means the freedom 
> > for everyone, not just you! You may leave the room, turn the channel, 
> > express a different opinion, etc., but the world is full of idiots and 
> > probably always will be.
>
>
> Jonnie should know about that...he provides a neverending example.
>
> >     * ARTICLE III -- You do not have the right to be free from harm.
>
>
> Agreed, but...
>
> >           If you stick a screwdriver in your eye, learn to be more 
> > careful. Do not expect the tool manufacturer to make you and all your 
> > relatives independently wealthy.
>
> If a manufacturer produces a product he knows to be harmful, he should
> either make it clear to the purchaser, or bear the results of his
> deliberate misinformation.  Informed consent requires information.
That depends. If someone introduces Mr Fork to Miss Wall socket it 
weakens the species to let him or her to continue to exist.

> >     * ARTICLE IV -- You do not have the right to free food and housing.
>
> But a good society should provide them for those who can't get them
> on their own.  We are our brothers' keepers.
>
> >           Americans are the most charitable people to be found, and 
> > will gladly help anyone in need but we are quickly growing weary of 
> > subsidizing generations of professional couch potatoes who achieve 
> > nothing more than the creation of another generation of professional 
> > couch potatoes.
>
> >     * ARTICLE V -- You do not have the right to free health care.
>
> But, as above, a good society should make sure it is available
> to those who can't get it on their own.  We are our brothers' keepers.
>
> >           That would be nice but, from the looks of public housing, 
> > we're just not interested in government run health care.
>
> Maybe the problem is that it's government-run, not that it's
> available to the poor.  The Haight-Ashbury Free Clinic springs
> to mind here.
>
> >     * ARTICLE VI -- You do not have the right to physically harm other 
> > people.
>
>
> >           If you kidnap, rape, intentionally maim or kill someone, 
> > don't be surprised if the rest of us want to see you fry in the 
> > electric chair.
>
>
> Doesn't follow.  "Why do we kill people to show people that killing
> people is wrong"?  One may want violent people removed from society
> without wanting to mimic their violence.
To stop them from doing it again, that's why. And perpetual imprisonment 
won't work. There are prison guards and civilian employees to consider.

> >     * ARTICLE VII -- You do not have the right to the possessions of 
> > others.
>
>
> Agreed.  But generosity is always to be encouraged.
>
> >           If you rob, cheat or coerce away the goods or services of 
> > other citizens, don't be surprised if the rest of us get together and 
> > lock you away in a place where you still won't have the right to a big 
> > screen TV or a life of leisure.
>
>
> >     * ARTICLE VIII -- You don't have the right to demand that our 
> > children risk their lives in foreign wars to soothe your aching 
> > conscience.
>
>
> Or your lust for the possessions of others -- such as their oil.
Which America has set a sterling example by having the embargo lifted 
and getting Iraqs oil on the open market as soon as it was available. I 
take it that's what you meant, right?

> >           We hate oppressive governments and won't lift a finger to 
> > stop you from going to fight, if you'd like. However, we do not enjoy 
> > parenting the entire world and do not want to spend so much of our 
> > time battling each and every little tyrant with a military uniform and 
> > a funny hat.
>
>
> >     * ARTICLE IX -- You don't have the right to a job.
>
>
> Agreed.
>
> >           All of us sure want all of you to have one, and will gladly 
> > help you in hard times, but we expect you to take advantage of the 
> > opportunities of education and vocational training laid before you to 
> > make yourself useful.
>
>
> >     * ARTICLE X -- You do not have the right to happiness.
>
>
> Also agreed.
>
>
> >           Being an American means that you have the right to pursue 
> > happiness -- which by the way, is a lot easier if you are unencumbered 
> > by an over abundance of idiotic laws created by those of you who were 
> > confused by the Bill of Rights.
>
>
> > http://www.friesian.com/ross/ca40/noright.htm
>
>
> Rat

--
If you want to be free, there is but one way; it is to guarantee an 
equally full measure of liberty to all your neighbors. There is no other.
Carl Schurz (1829-1906)