Everything quoted in this post has been cross-checked and one of those citations is EITHER in parenthesis OR the entire quote is a multi-cited search result.
We all know the genesis of our Constitution. We know what brought our Founding Fathers over the pond, and we know they wanted to make certain the colonies had a different political, economic, and social framework and a different version of liberty.
The Bill of Rights they crafted is a rather crucial part of that goal. Oddly enough, it is even more important in 2017 than it was then. They were protecting us. From whom? From what? Well, listen to them.
For example, when we do not have the Freedoms of Speech AND the Press, we face a fear of dear Patrick…
(Patrick Henry) The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them. The most iniquitous plots may be carried on against their liberty and happiness. (http://www.constitution.org/rc/rat_va_07.htm)
Losing those freedoms might allow one group to destroy our liberty and happiness. Scary. But, hey…Patty was an anti-federalist. Those guys were always paranoid. Or…?
(James Madison) The accumulation of all powers legislative, executive and judiciary in the same hands, whether of one, a few or many, and whether hereditary, self appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny. (http://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/documents/v1ch10s14.html)
Nope. JimMadDog would have had FEDERALIST4EVER tattooed on his bicep, if possible. He was neither an anti-federalist nor was he paranoid. Neither was Patty. None of them were.
Without enumerating the freedoms we should enjoy, they would have left us susceptible to losing…
(Benjamin Franklin) Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech. (http://www.ala.org/offices/oif/ifissues/issuesrelatedlinks/quotations)
Liberty. That is right. Without those freedoms, we would lose liberty. So, that is what they were protecting us from, my fellow Americans. They did not want us to lose our very liberty. Liberty – freedom from the control of a despot, tyrant, madman, etc. Imagine for one moment what they were trying to do. Now, read this: http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/320485-spicer-trump-has-healthy-respect-for-free-press and this: http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/24/politics/jake-tapper-white-house-trump-unamerican-cnntv/
I tried to find coverage on Fox News. There was very little. This is the coverage: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/02/24/media-outlets-accuse-white-house-blocking-certain-press-from-covering-event.html Notice certain words like “claiming.” It’s sort of like being pregnant – you are or you aren’t. They were barred. I suppose there are arguments regarding “why,” but is that the point?
This is our national warning sign. These articles are our “rising sea level.” We still have time.
But, not much. Because, in short, here is what happens in the immortal words of our Founding Fathers when we don’t keep our eye on the liberty ball:
Patrick Henry – Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined. (http://www.westillholdthesetruths.org/quotes/47/guard-with-jealous-attention-the-public)
James Wilson – Without liberty, law loses its nature and its name, and becomes oppression. Without law, liberty also loses its nature and its name, and becomes licentiousness. (https://www.billofrightsinstitute.org/founding-documents/founders-quotes/)
John Madison – But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever. When the People once surrender their share in the Legislature, and their Right of defending the Limitations upon the Government, and of resisting every Encroachment upon them, they can never regain it. (http://www.masshist.org/digitaladams/archive/doc?id=L17750707ja&numrecs=104&archive=letter&hi=on&mode=&query=Liberty%252C%2520once%2520lost%252C%2520is%2520lost%2520forever.&queryid=&rec=15&start=11&tag=text
Don’t lose focus.
The World of Before You 