POLITICS - Short explanation of free speech...

SPIRITUALITY/RELIGION and POLITICS: Activist Judge Cancels Christmas

WASHINGTON, DC—In a sudden and unexpected blow to the Americans working to protect the holiday, liberal U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Stephen Reinhardt ruled the private celebration of Christmas unconstitutional Monday.

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/43438

POLITICS: Ben Franklin’s Thoughts About the Constitution on the Day It Was Signed (225 Years Ago Today!)

On this date in 1787, members of the Constitutional Convention signed the final draft of the Constitution. The great Ben Franklin had a few things to say that day. The following excerpts are courtesy of the Library of Congress, from Max Farrand’s The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787:

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/142127

POLITICS: Happy Constitution Day! To a country that apparently doesn't know The Constitution well!

In this first comprehensive survey of constitutional knowledge, it turned out that although most Americans (over three-quarters) say that they are very proud of our Constitution, only five percent could accurately answer ten basic questions, like those above, about its contents. Sixty-two percent couldn’t name the three branches of the federal government (Legislature, Executive, Judiciary) and one third couldn’t name even one branch; over half did not know the number of senators (100); only six percent could name “the four rights” guaranteed by the First Amendment (free exercise of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of peaceable assembly and the right to petition for redress of grievances – or is that really five rights?) and one quarter couldn’t name any; one sixth incorrectly believed that the Constitution established the United States as a Christian nation.

http://www.aclu.org/blog/organization-news-and-highlights/happy-constitution-day

POLITICS: Happy 225th Birthday, U.S. Constitution! Now let’s give you a makeover for the next two centuries—by looking to the states.

Today marks the 225th anniversary of the Constitution of the United States, publicly unveiled in Philadelphia amid considerable fanfare. As Americans think back on the last two and a quarter centuries, we should also think ahead by the same amount. What will and what should the Constitution look like 200 years hence? Or if that seems too mind-bendingly futuristic, what will and should it look like in 2020 or 2121?

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2012/09/the_225th_anniversary_of_the_u_s_constitution_now_for_the_next_200_years_.html

POLITICS: LZ Granderson: The secret gay agenda

I'm sure you've heard a lot about the gay agenda, but may not know what's in it. Here's what you do: Download a copy of the United States Constitution, read it. Everything the LGBT community wants is in there.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/17/opinion/granderson-gay-agenda/index.html