Introduction
By: Marcus Smith
Yale law professor Akhil Reed Amar has written that "[many] could probably recite at length from some favorite poem, song, speech, or scripture, yet few could quote by heart even a single paragraph of the supreme law of our land, one of the most importatnt texts in world history." The "supreme law" he refers to is the United States Constitution.
Interestingly, Amar points out that the Constitution itself is a document of less than eight(8) thousand words (a half hours read for the earnest citizen).
This news letter is designed to help all of us become more aware of the issues revolving around our Constitution, and in turn to be prepared to confront any constitutional abuses we may witness coming forth from the devastated politaical battle grounds of Washington D.C. I am not a political pessimist. That is, I am not one who watches 20 minutes of CNN or NCC and then spouts forth ignorant complaints of the politicians running our government. Most Americans do this. And they will do so without ever having studied the source of governmental limits and political rights in the first place -- the Unites State Constitution. We cannot be this type of person.
My great-grandfather Wendell Eyring is my inspiration in going forth with this project. Since I can remember he has written monthly newsletters in which he had counseled his loved ones with regards to the way of peace and happiness in this life and salvation in the life to come.
My task will be paralleled with his, only I will be addressing the Constitution, and the preservation of the liberties we enjoy in its shade. In other words, I will not be addressing the many topics and issues I come across according to the vie3ws of any political party or religion. he constitution is a document of compromise, a document created by men with many different views on politics that came together to forge a constitution tht spoke withi one voice, one common American ideal.
Many Americans do not realize how fragile are the liberties that we enjoy. For example, although the First amendment states that "Congress shall make no law respecting and extablishment of religion" there are law book piled uponm law books of laws and judicial decisions that do exactly that: make laws reaspecting an extablilshment of religion. Do we truly believe that if we just sit back and let the wheels of goovernment turn that our Constitution, and in turn our liberties, will remain with us untouched. My grineds and family members, I may be an inexperiencedd 24 year-old boy but I promise to you now that if we do sit back and let the whe3els of government turn we will one day be dressing to go to church or kneeling down to pray in our homes and that very government will be their to tell us that we can't.
So on a monthly basis I will be mailing these newsletters out to all of (on the 17th day of every month, in commemoration of September 17, 1787, the day on which the Constitution was completed). If any of you have any comments (whether they be disagreement, questions, concerns, or issues you would like to be addressed) they are welcome to send it in to be publilshed in that months newsletter. Although I am obliged to accept the fact that may of you may never read a single sentience that I write I hope and pray that we all can take advantage of this opportunity of becoming a more informed citizenry.
By: Marcus Smith
Any typing errors are to be charged to Wendell Haws Eyring Jr.