User:Ultor Solis/sandbox
Charters of Freedom
[edit]| “ | We hold these truths to be self-evident, that [everyone is] created equal, that they are endowed...with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among [Humanity], deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient Causes; and accordingly all Experience hath shwn, that Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the Forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security. |
” |
In three small paragraphs, Thomas Jefferson outlined the tenets of Natural Rights, the Social Contract, and the Right of Revolution. I have, as a matter of course, edited the parts that I don't agree with: a deity as the source of human rights and the man-centric wording. Unfortunately "everybody" doesn't have the same ring as "all Men". Despite these "errors", it's amazing how much they got right way back then. After these paragraphs, the writer whines about all the perceived injustices shoveled upon the colonies by King George, but I digress.
| “ | The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.
No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed. |
” |
Two quick quotes from the Constitution. We tend to take these for granted, but more recently they come under threat of violation.
| “ | [They] 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. | ” |
This is the big five: freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and right to petition. It took the Congress two years to whip up the Bill of Rights.
| “ | 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. | ” |
The Second Amendment affirms the people's right to defend themselves and to enforce the right of revolution (see above).
| “ | 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. | ” |
The Fourth Amendment affirms another cornerstone of individual liberty, privacy and security.
| “ | The enumeration...of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
The powers not delegated to the [federal government], nor prohibited...to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. |
” |
I have done a bit of editing here to make it less U.S.-specific, but the basic ideas are still here.
| “ | The right of citizens...to vote shall not be denied or abridged...on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
The right of citizens...to vote shall not be denied or abridged...on account of sex. The right of citizens..to vote in any primary or other election...shall not be denied or abridged...by reason of failure to pay poll tax or other tax. The right of citizens...who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged...on account of age. |
” |
I have combined the 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th amendments. These charters delineate voting rights.
"Killer Queen"
[edit]She keeps her Moet et Chandon
In her pretty cabinet.
"Let them eat cake" she says,
Just like Marie Antoinette.
A built-in remedy
For Khrushchev and Kennedy.
At anytime an invitation
You can't decline.
Caviar and cigarettes,
Well-versed in etiquette,
Extraordinarily nice,
She's a Killer Queen,
Gunpowder, gelatine
Dynamite with a laser beam,
Guaranteed to blow your mind
Anytime!
Ooh! Recommended at the price,
Insatiable an appetite,
Wanna try?
To avoid complications
She never kept the same address.
In conversation
She spoke just like a baroness.
Met a man from China,
Went down to Geisha Minah,
Then again incidentally
If you're that way inclined.
Her perfume came naturally from Paris.
For cars she couldn't care less.
Fastidious and precise,
She's a Killer Queen,
Gunpowder, gelatine
Dynamite with a laser beam,
Guaranteed to blow your mind
Anytime!
Drop of a hat she's as willing as
Playful as a pussy cat.
Then momentarily out of action,
Temporarily out of gas
To absolutely drive you wild, wild!
She's all out to get you,
She's a Killer Queen,
Gunpowder, gelatine
Dynamite with a laser beam,
Guaranteed to blow your mind
Anytime!
Ooh! Recommended at the price,
Insatiable an appetite,
Wanna try?
You wanna try...
Math
[edit]
Quotes
[edit]| “ | I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours. | ” |
Extra Boxes
[edit] | This user enjoys geocaching. |