FReedom Of Press

Amendment I
"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."

Being a United States citizen gives people the power to publish their opinions and thoughts without suffering consequences. The U.S. government allows people to makes, websites, blogs, and magazines to express the way they feel about certain things.

This cartoon clearly shows Amendment I of the United States Constitution. The United States Constitution protects the citizens rights to publish and express what they feel. The ability to have the freddom of press is available for all U.S. citizens. The cartoon clearly shows how the government allows people to express their opinons through the newspaper and the tabloids.

I dont think the United States would be the same without the freedom of press. The freedom to express what u believe in is what gives the the United States it's swagger. The United States allows people to be who they are and say what they feel. Without the freedom of press the United States would be just like every other country that holds restrictions on the beliefs of the people and the opinions of the people who make up the government.

No Cruel Punishments

Amendment VIII

"Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted."

In the United States people shall not recieve cruel and unusual punishments for something that was maybe a simple crime. The punishment should always fit the crime.

This cartoon demonstrates the VIII Amendment of the United States Constitution. People shall not suffer any cruel punishments that does not fit the crime they committ. The government does not have the power to make a person suffer a cruel punishment for crime that was committed. The Cartoon clearly demonstrates the eighth amendment because it shows how the government sometimes perform unconstitutional acts by giving people cruel punishments.

If the authorities had the power to force cruel punishments upon citizens of the United States things would be chaotic. I could not imagine how things would be for me or my family because I've had incidents with the law that could've been very different for me. Sometimes authorities get away with cruel punishments and I feel this is an area of our government that needs to be watched the most. Especially for me living in a Minority neighborhood, authorities feel they have the power to treat us any kind of way. Overall this amendment is very useful at times. It keeps alot of things fair throughout the criminal justice part of the government.

I Plead The Fifth!

Aide to Gonzales won't Testify:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/26/AR2007032600935.html

Amendment I
"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 of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."

The United States Constitution protects the right to keep quiet and not incriminate yourself. When attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales's senior counselor decided not to testify in Senate about her involvement in the firings of eight U.S. attorneys she was protecting her fifth amendment.

This Article clearly demonstrates Amendment V of the United States constitution. Everyone has the right not to incriminate themselves. They have the right to remain silent and they do not have to speak if they do not want to. The article demonstrates the fifth amendment because it showed how Monica Goodling did not have to testify in Senate because she did not want to incriminate herself. Being a U.S. citizen she had that right to stay quiet and did not receive a punishment for remaining silent.

I feel that the right to remain silent is very useful to the United States citizens, especially in the court of law. If you feel that you've done nothing wrong you should not be forced into saying something that might incriminate yourself. In some cases it might not be the best idea, but it is a useful tool to be able to use as United States citizen and I'm glad I have that right. I couldn't even picture how things would be if you had to speak on things that you may not even know about. This amendment being apart of the U.S. government is useful for everyone. If Monica Goodling was not allowed to remain silent she probably would incriminated herself simply based off of the fact she felt people were accusing her of being involved. Pleading the Fifth is one of the best amendents in the Constitution.

Freedom of Assembly

Dead Marine's Father must pay protestors:http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/30/us/30brfs-DEADMARINESF_BRF.html

Amendment I
"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."

The Constitution allows people to petition or stand up for what they believe in. In Maryland a group of Anti-Gay protestors were awarded the costs of an appeal after the Fourth court appeals ruled in the Favor of the Protestors. The court ruled in the favor of the protestors because they are allowed to protest what they believe in no matter what the circumstances are. Because the Consitution says that they are allowed to protest, they were not punished for there actions.

This Article Clearly demonstrates Amendment I of the United States Constitution.
People have the power to protest in what they believe in and they shall not suffer any consequences for doing so. The Constitution gives people the freedom to stand up for what they believe in and what they think is right. The Article demonstrates how the right to petition is reserved by the Constitution. The ability to petition is one of the main amendments in the Constitution that people use everyday.

The United States government would not be the same without the freedom to petition. Imagine believing in something, but you were not allowed to express what you feel. There would be a lot of rebellions if that amendment was not protected by the Constitution. Me personally feels that the right to petition is something that the United Staes as a whole deserves. I might not agree with protesting at someone's funeral, but if they feel that strongly about homosexuality then they should be able to express that and suffer no consequences.

Do You Have A Warrant?

Amendment IV


"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."





This Political Cartoon clearly demonstrates Amendment IV of the United States Constitution. Government does not have the power to violate the privacy rights without a warrant. In order for the authorites to receive a search and seize warrant they must have probable causes or certain amount of evidence. The Article shows how the fourth ammendment is being violated because the police have no right to break into someone's home without probable causes or a searc warrant.

I agree with having the fourth amendment in the United States Constitution. Without that amendment things would be extremely different. This amendment is very important and im glad we have the right to keep certain things private and authorities are not allowed to violate our privacy. If life was the way it was in the Cartoon then I think it would cause more violence. Everyone would feel that there rights would be violated.

Packing Heat

Bearing Arms:http://www.usnews.com/news/national/articles/2008/03/18/court-leans-toward-individual-right-to-bear-arms.html

Ammendment II
"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 Supreme Court is having its most biggest task in the D.C. vs Heller case. Dick Heller simply wants to be able to have a gun for protection in his home, but state laws says he is not allowed to have any sort of gun at his home in the state of Washington. He believes this is a violation ofhis right to bear Arms.

This Article Clearly demonstrates the Second Ammendment of the United States Constitution. This article demonstrates that people should be allowed to have handguns in their home for protection, and that the Constitution shall protect the right. State laws sometimes prohibit citizens from bearing arms and they feel thats a violation of their rights.

I feel the right to bear arms is a very useful ammendment in the United Staes Constitution. People should have the right to protect their family,but when does it become Unconstitutional? State laws denied Dick Heller from having a handgun in his home. What should he do to protect his family if needed. I feel that the State law of Washington, D.C. is violated his rights and the Supreme Court has a tough task on its hands in deciding whether he should be able to bear arms in his own home. If you had no way of Protecting your family what would you do, go against the State laws or live unprotected?

Freedom Of Speech

Free Speech:http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2008/08/04/bullying_freedom_of_speech_collide/

Ammendment 1, Freedom of Speech

Some people believe that certain things aren't freedom of speech and that sometimes people are speaking when they are not supposed to be. Most Recently cyber bullying has been the case of whether people are using there freedom of Speech or whether they are violating other people's rights. Cyber Bullying is one of those thin line situations about whether its freedom of speech or a violation of another persons rights.

This Article is a prime example of the First Ammendment of the United States Constitution. Ammendment I states that United States citizens have freedom of speech. Basically saying they have the right to speak on their opinions when the time is right. The Article shows how someones right to Freedom of Speech was violated. When a persons rights are being violated they also have the right to stand up for themselves, such as in the Article the girl decided to sue the school because of she was being deprived of her rights.

The United States without the Freedom of speech would be terrible. Not allowing people to state what they feel about certain things would cause major chaos in the United States government. I also feel sometimes people abuse that right and thats when things become unconstitutional and people began to use their rights to take other peoples rights which is not allowed. The First ammendment is one of the most commonly known Ammendments in the Constitution and without it I dont think the United States would have much uity at all.

Jury Duty!

Jury dismisses the case. April 27, 2010.
http://cornellsun.com/section/news/content/2010/04/28/jury-exonerates-ilr%E2%80%88school-age-sex-discrimination-case

Article III, The Judicial Branch, Section II, Clause III
"The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by jury; and such trial shall be held in the state where the said crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any state, the trial shall be at such place or places as the Congress may by law have directed."

A district court jury cleared the University of Cornell the charges filed by an ex School of Industrial and Labor Relations senior extension associate. She claimed that because of her age and sex, Cornell decided not to renew her contract. The University of Cornell located in New York, held the trial at a New York City Federal Court.

The Article is an example of Article III, Section II, Clause III of the United States Constitution. The Judicial brach has the power to decide the severity of a case, depending on what the crime is, the trial shall be held by jury. The Article shows that a crime committed in a certain state shall be tried in that same sate, and shall be decided by jury.

The Judicial Branch having the power to try people with the assistance of a jury is a very useful tool to have. In the early stages of the United States people would be tried and sentenced based off the opinion of the judge or the highest members in the social ranks. In present day United States they let the jury decide the case. The jury normally consists of people who have no relations with the criminal or person being tried, allowing there to be a fair trial. I am glad that we have the power to let the people decide the outcome of a case. I feel the jury does a great job of using the evidence given to decide whether a case should be dismissed or whether someone is guilty as they did in the Cornell case.

The people vs. The State

Corporate Spending Blocked January 21, 2010:http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/22/us/politics/22scotus.html

Article III, The Judicial Branch, Section I, Clause I
"The judicial power of the United States, shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The judges, both of the supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good behaviour, and shall, at stated times, receive for their services, a compensation, which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office."




The Supreme court decided 5-to-4 that the government has no business regulating political speech. They feel as though allowing too much money being spent on the political market place would cause alot of corruption in the democracy we have in our government.In the case Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission the Supreme Court Ruled that the government cannot ban political spending by corporations in can.

This Article demonstrates III, Section II, Clause I of the United States Contitution. The Judicial System has the power to appoint cases to the Supreme Court based of the type of case it is and who the case involves. Based off the individuals who are involved in the case determines whether the Supreme Court gets involved or not. The Power of the Judicial Branch stems from the Supreme Court because they have the highest amount of power in this branch. The Article shows how the Supreme Court has the power to step in a case and decide whether it should be dimissed. They also have the power to decide on laws that may be passed in the government.


If the Judicial Branch had no power and was unablee to decide on laws and big cases life would be harder because there would be a harder process for passing a law. Without the Judicial System life would be very different and our court systems would be very corrupt because it would be the up scale people controlling the government instead of representives who serve the people. The article showed how significant the Judicial system is today

Perfect Candidate

Things a President need:http://www.biography.com/articles/Barack-Obama-12782369

Article 2, The Executive Branch, Section 1, clause 5
"No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty five years, and been fourteen Years a resident within the United States."

The United States Congress is dealing with the current President Barack Obama being the first African American President. Many people disagree with his views as well as him being African American. He has done nothing but try to balance things out from what the last President left behind. He has followed the Constitution of what a citizenmust have to become President.

This Biography demonstrates Article 2, Section 1, Clause 5 of the United States Constitution. In order to become President a person has to be a natural born Citizen. He or she also has to be at least thirty-five years of age. This gives plenty of people chances to become President to support the many views of the people. The biography tells about Barack's life as a citizen of the United States making him eligible to become the President. This Biography ties into the Constitution because it shows the things that a citizen of the United States must have in order for them to become President.

If anyone of any country and any age was allowed to run for the President of the United States things would be extremely different. The Government would be very chaotic because it would conflict with many people's opinions. I cant imagine how it would be if anybody was able to become president because we already have trouble now, just imagine someone fresh out of high school as President. Things would be much harder for people withstand certain living conditions. I am glad you have to be a certain age as well as a citizen because it keeps things in an organized fashion.

Executive Power

Executive Power:http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2009/02/obama_iraq_troops.html

Article 2, The Executive Branch, Section 1, clause 1
"The executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his office during the term of four years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same term."

The power of the Executive branch is in the hands of the President. Our current President Barack Obama has full responsibility of running the nation. He has the Power to veto bills passed to him. He has the final say in whether we go to war or not.

This article clearly demonstrates Article 2, Section 1, Clause 1 of the United States Constitution. The President is in control of the whole nation and he has to decide what is best for the people and our country. Most of the governments power comes from The Executive Branch. Barack shows his power by saying that he will bring the troops home by august of 2010. This is a demonstration of articke 2 section 1 because there is no one else that has the power to pull the troops from war except for the President.

Not having a President would make things so much harder for the people of the United States. If we didnt have a President I think things would be chaotic. Everybody would be looking out for themselves and the Constitution itself would be irrelevant. I feel there would be no need for the Constitution if there was no President because the people would not abide by the ammendmants. If there was no President there would not be that one level of the government to make sure everything is fair for the people. I feel as if there was no President then the United States would probably end up in war with ourselves.

Article 1, The Legislative, Section 10, Clause 3

Congress and the President have the decision to start a war. In 2003 President Bush and Congress decided to invade Iraq. Its still debated to this day whether it was for oil or the threat of terrorism.

This cartoon demonstrates Article 1, Section 10, Clause 3 of the United States Constitution. Congress has the power to declare war on any other country along with the President's consent. No State shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace. The cartoon shows the President has the power to declare war along with Congress. I think giving Congress the ability to declare war and not the states is a good idea. This is a great idea because if states had that option there would be war all the time everywhere.

If states had the power to declare war there would be chaos everywhere. I would not be able to imagine being attacked everyday. Things would be very dangerous for everyone. The government has control over determining whether we should go to war because they feel the people of the States would end up declaring war for simple reasons. They also wouldnt want the United States on other countries radar all the time.

Article 1, The Legislation, Section 8, Clause 1

Article 1, The Legislation, Section 8, Clause 1
"The Congress shall have the power to lay and collect taxes."

In Present day United States congress has to impose taxes on mostly everything. The country is facing a massive recession causing higher taxes each day. Recently President Barack Obama decided to make tax cuts for the rich to shorten the gap beween the rich and poor.

This political cartoon shows Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution. Congress impose taxes on Americans everyday. They have the power to create taxes for all products being bought in the United States. The state and federal government has a huge power in being able to force taxes.

The Economy depends heavily on taxes. The United States has been using taxes to have control over the economy since it was known as the Union. Congress without taxes would seem out of the ordinary and I highly doubt that will ever happen. Obama and Congress had to make taxes in order to keep the economy somewhat even between the rich and the poor. I feel making tax cuts for the rich would better us as a nation because I feel it wouldn't hurt the rich to help out the less fortunate. It really wouldnt change much they would still be rich, but they would be helping others out at the same time