A Right To Be Guarded by Robert Socha

We take for granted the Right to petition our government for a redress of grievances. It is altogether proper and expected to do so because the founding fathers had the moral courage to encode that into the supreme law of the land. But, unfortunately, it is so natural for us to engage thusly that many people, especially on the left, will take this Right to the extreme and confront the governmental representatives with whom they disagree at their private residence. Moreover, it is an affront to cause anyone to feel insecure in their property and effects, including those elected or appointed to public office. Therefore, I invite those who would dox public officials and incite the masses to try and accomplish these tactics in Beijing, Cuba, Pyongyang, or, as Griner has learned, Moscow, without swift retribution. This Right is a precious commodity that should be guarded vigorously and used deliberately in the proper forum.

We take for granted the Right to speak freely and read an unabridged press. (Some even pervert the Right to include public vulgarity, this is a gross misinterpretation.) This precious gift is encoded in law because of its necessity for a free state. Nevertheless, the nature of man is to restrict these measures because they are purposefully a hindrance to power. As a result, this Right is increasingly encroached on and radically infringed. Fact-checkers on social media will ensure you tow-the-line and governments are increasingly silencing their constituents through fear and intimidation; think of Australia’s totalitarian response to Covid.

Guns, speedy trials by jury, no excessive punishments, no unreasonable searches, pleading the fifth (due process), religion, safe and secure elections, law and order, other Rights of the people and the States, equal protection under the law, etcetera, are all bestowed on us by our Creator and naturally given and received. We take these Rights for granted and foolishly believe overreaching officials can never thwart them. Still, the government’s behavior these past two years is a stark warning of the rapidity with which Liberty can erode, exposing the sharp cliffs of despotism. Our Constitution’s strength and resolve (and guns in the hands of the citizenry) keep us from devolving to tyranny, but corruption rapidly leads us to that end.

Having just celebrated Memorial Day, I want to recognize that over 1.3 million have given their lives since our inception. Thankfully, we have had men willing to give that last full measure of devotion from the Revolution to the Middle East. And, quite amazingly, since July 1, 1973, they have all done so voluntarily. These stalwarts provide us the luxury of living in peace, relatively secure in our person and effects. They are the rare jewel adorning the crown of man’s accomplishments and deserve our respect.

Let us run this race of life with endurance and not lose heart, looking to the Author and Finisher of Faith who endured the Cross. Let us not grow weary in doing good, pursuing truth, and defending Liberty.

“It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.” Patrick Henry. (https://www.learnreligions.com/christian-quotes-of-the-founding-fathers-700789)

“But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Abraham Lincoln

November 19, 1863 (https://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/gettysburg.htm)