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New campaign makes U.S. Constitution center of national conversation

LatinaLista — Today is the 221st anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution. It’s that “piece of paper” that the “Framers” of this nation inscribed with all their hopes that regardless of the transitions this country experienced, two fundamental elements would remain — justice and freedom.

While the Framers tried to envision beyond their horse-and-buggy scenarios situations that would challenge these elements, their mistake or naivete was that they didn’t ever dream that those challenges would come from within the framework of the very government were were constructing.
No matter how the last eight years are evaluated, it’s an understatement to say that the Constitutional rights of U.S. citizens were stretched to the limit. In many cases, people’s rights were outright violated or dismissed. It became too easy to hide the reasons behind a blanket of excuses about national security.
As the run for the White House continues and each candidate promises to bring “change” to Washington, it is painfully obvious that some things never should have changed — namely, trivializing the Constitutional rights of the people.
Finally, there’s serious talk and action to bring the issue of Constitutional rights back to the center of the conversation and it starts with each of us…


The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has launched “I Am a Constitution Voter” campaign. The purpose of the campaign is to get the candidates to focus on the real issues that drive this country rather than spending time on talking about pigs, pit bulls or lipstick. It’s also a way for people to let candidates know that Constitutional rights are back on the minds of voters.
The ACLU campaign is asking people to sign a pledge, submit photos of themselves with a “I Am a Constitution Voter” sign and host house parties. There’s even a web page to sign up to receive a free bumper sticker.

The next president will have the power to piece back together our Constitution after eight years in which it has been torn apart. Whoever is elected president must act with energy and conviction to restore our lost liberties, end torture and hold accountable those who have broken the law,” said Anthony D. Romero, Executive Director of the ACLU. “By pledging to be a Constitution Voter, you can make sure that the next president will be committed to restoring the Constitution and the fundamental freedoms it protects. When we step into the ballot box this November, our leaders need to know that we care about our liberty. We want the next president to uphold the law – not try to subvert it.”

The following statements of the ACLU campaign are ones we should all agree, preserve and uphold. After all, it’s worked for 213 years (minus 8).

  • I believe that no one – not even the president – is above the law.
  • I oppose all forms of torture, and I support closing the Guantánamo Bay prison, shutting down the military commissions, and ending indefinite detention.
  • I oppose warrantless spying.
  • I believe that government officials, no matter how high-ranking, should be held accountable for breaking the law and violating the Constitution.
  • I believe that the Constitution protects every person’s rights equally – no matter what they believe, how they live, where or if they worship, and whom they love.
  • I reject the notion that we have to tolerate violations of our most fundamental rights in the name of fighting terrorism.
  • I am deeply committed to the Constitution and expect our country’s leaders to act on that commitment – every day, without fail.

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Comment(3)

  • Evelyn
    October 1, 2008 at 2:43 am

    Saoirse
    Longtime Poster
    Joined: 30 Mar 2008
    Posts: 2097
    Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 7:45 pm
    Post subject: IGNORANT LATINALISTA POSTER GETS BLASTED BY LIQUIDMICRO
    http://www.latinalista.net/palabrafinal/2008/09/candidates_
    rhetoric_about_immigration_re.html#comments
    Evelyn from LatinaLista wrote this post which she got from HB. Sounds to me she is accusing our side of doing what HER side does best! Liquidmicro really lets her have it
    E
    Wow! Michaela aka Saoirse aka sorryazz, started a thread at Mod Bee on my behalf to lie. Gee thanks for confirming what I already suspected. That you didnt come around much anymore because every time you posted, before you realized what happened you looked the ignorant fool you are, so now you are hiding. Gallina. cluck cluck OMG, how funny is this.
    Apparently you didnt see the last post on the thread you are refering to. LOL!
    Evelyn :
    liquid said
    You’re right Evelyn
    ~~
    I know, so quit patting yourself on the back and make sure to keep using the playbook so you can keep making a fool of yourself by showing your ignorance.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    So tell me sorryazz in what way did he “LET ME HAVE IT”.
    By exposing the angry, crazed, rabid, madman, as one of those fueling the lies and negativity to smear Hispanics and immigrants. HA! HA! I think you got it backward.
    If this is your way of getting revenge for exposing you, go back to the huddle because all you have done is expose yourself even more. Here are a couple of your hate filled posts. And some of those you hang out with at Mod Bee.
    Frank
    Longtime Poster
    Joined: 28 Aug 2005
    Posts: 5346
    Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 4:45 pm
    Post subject: The Stero-typed Hispanic Vote
    This picture tells it all: http://ndn.newsweek.com/media/38/puerto-rican-voters-florida-orlando-hsmall-vertical.jpg
    A white Liberal (left) talks to the prototypical FAT Hispanic with an SUV full of kids and crap.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    IN THIS ONE YOU EVEN SHOW OFF YOUR TERRORIST TENDENCIES!
    REALLY REALLY SMART! (in referance to Mexica Movement you say)
    Saoirse
    Longtime Poster
    Joined: 30 Mar 2008
    Posts: 2097
    Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 8:24 pm
    Post subject:
    Somebody ought to accidentally discharge a weapon in the midst of these racist, anti-American anarchists. They make me sick!!!
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~
    NOT ALL IS LOST, DON’T DESPAIR, HERE IS ONE I ACTUALLY AGREE WITH. YOU ARE SCREWED. It must be terrible to be a chicana suffering from self-hate.
    Saoirse
    Longtime Poster
    Joined: 30 Mar 2008
    Posts: 2097
    You know what really disturbs me about some of those posters, Delf, Eve, are that they are supposedly American. If they are the type of Americans we have in our country now, we are screwed
    ROFLMAO!!!!

  • Liquidmicro
    October 1, 2008 at 9:54 am

    Evelyn says:
    Your right Evelyn

    Liquidmicro says:
    Here’s the entire paragraph you so graciously left out.
    “You’re right Evelyn that I couldn’t make a moron look like a moron, you make yourself look the moron. Like I said, by you inserting my name into your post you brought me into this discussion, your insinuation I helped right some playbook is pure moronic on your part.”
    If you are going to quote someone, don’t try to take it out of context, especially my statements.
    Now Evelyn, with you so up in arms and ranting about what others have said, which all Michaela has done is link to the post here on Latina Lista, you start calling her names?? and you think she is the bigot?? There aren’t even any responses to her post, so why care?? Your comment and my response shouldn’t even be here, as you responded to Marissa’s topic with nothing at all about the topic.

  • Evelyn
    October 2, 2008 at 12:55 am

    Once you admitted I was right, game over.

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