I am concerned for the security of our great nation, not so much because of any threat from without, but because of the insidious forces working from within. ~ General Douglas MacArthur
Because of the massive misrepresentation of words today by politicians and front groups with agendas I thought a review with a small explanation from the American Heritage Dictionary of the key words would help us to keep our rudder centered; just so we don’t go over the waterfall as they would have us do as they have done lo these many years.
The first 10 Amendments with definition by The American Heritage Dictionary
AMENDMENT 1:
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.
AMENDMENT 1: (Abridging): To reduce the length of a written text.
AMENDMENT 2:
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
AMENDMENT 2: (Militia): A citizen Army as distinct from a body of professional soldiers. 2: The armed citizenry as distinct from the regular Army.
(Infringed): 1. To break or ignore the terms or obligations of a oath, agreement, law or the like. 2. To go beyond the boundaries or limits of trespass. (see Encroach)
(Encroach): To intrude gradually or insidiously upon the domain, possessions or rights of another.
(Insidiously): ADV. (Insidious): Working or spreading harmfully in a subtle or stealthy manner.
(Subtle): So slight as to be difficult to detect or analyze or not immediately obvious.
AMENDMENT 3:
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
AMENDMENT 3: (Quartered): To take up or be assigned lodgings.
AMENDMENT 4: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
AMENDMENT 4: (Oath): A formal declaration or promise to fulfill a pledge often calling upon GOD or some other sacred object as witness. (Affirmation): (Affirm): To declare positively or firmly.
(Law): To declare solemnly and formally but not under oath.
AMENDMENT 5:
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb, nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived or life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation.
AMENDMENT 5: (Presentment): (Law): (a.) The act of submitting or presenting a formal statement of a legal matter to a court or an authorized person. (b.) The report written by a grand jury concerning an offense and based on the jury’s knowledge and observation.
AMENDMENT 6:
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speed and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed; which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
AMENDMENT 6: (Compulsory): Obligatory, Required.
AMENDMENT 7:
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
AMENDMENT 7: (Common law): The system of laws originated and developed in England and based on court decisions on the doctrines implicit in those decisions and on customs and usages rather than on codified written laws.
(Jurisprudence): A division or department of law.
AMENDMENT 8:
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
AMENDMENT 8: is self explanatory.
AMENDMENT 9:
The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
AMENDMENT 9: (Enumeration): A detailed list of items.
(Construed): (Construe): (a.) To analyze the structure of. (b.) To discover and apply the meaning of, interpret.
(Disparage): (a.) To belittle slight. (b.) To reduce in esteem or rank.
AMENDMENT 10:
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
AMENDMENT 10: (Delegated): (a.) A person authorized to act as representative for another or others. (law): To appoint ones debtor as a debtor to ones creditor to replace oneself in satisfying a claim.