The nature of our rights, Constitutionally speaking.

[Lockback]

Really?

If I misread it, my bad.

No problemo, amigo.

 

[dblack]

Having a right doesn’t mean you have any prospects.

Two different things entirely.

Indeed. Having the right to do something doesn't mean you are empowered to that something. This is often a source of confusion for progressives.

 

[BackAgain]

POTUS is talking about radioactive dust in Iran.

Not exactly. To the extent that he was making reference to getting the 60% enriched uranium out of Iran, I don’t give the slightest **** about the figure of speech he employed.

 

[Woodznutz]

A thread started by Votto quoting Justice Thomas got me thinking. (Always dangerous, I suppose.)

Here is the link to Votto ‘s OP. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas blasts progressivism as threat to America

ANYWAY, my question is open to both our more or less liberal/progressive posting members and our conservative members.

Under our Constitution, do you believe that our rights are “given” to us by the Constitution, itself, or that those rights are only guaranteed to us by the Constitution but that the source of those rights existed before the Constitution was even drafted?

Public vote. Feel free to add other answers.

We have the right to run around naked, but only underneath our clothes.

 

[BackAgain]

We have the right to run around naked, but only underneath our clothes.

In some locations (such as nudist beaches) you don’t have to limit it to just “underneath” clothing.

I’m unwilling to consider that a fundamental “right,” however.

 

[dblack]

In some locations (such as nudist beaches) you don’t have to limit it to just “underneath” clothing.

I’m unwilling to consider that a fundamental “right,” however.

Exactly. That's the other thing - calling something "right" doesn't mean you have unlimited freedom. Our rights come into conflict routinely and must be limited to preserve the rights of others. That's why we have a government first place.

 

[BackAgain]

Exactly. That's the other thing - calling something "right" doesn't mean you have unlimited freedom. Our rights come into conflict routinely and must be limited to preserve the rights of others. That's why we have a government first place.

The question is often asked. If and when some Constitutionally guaranteed right comes into conflict with some other Constitutionally guaranteed right, how does that conflict get resolved?

The choices made during that analysis shape the nature of our rights in some cases.

 

[rightwinger]

God can give you rights but only a Government will enforce them

 

[M14 Shooter]

What right to marriage?
If you're single and no one wants to marry you, how do you exercise that "right"?

You have the same right to marriage as you have to food, health care, and a gun.
It's up to you to provide the means to exercise it.

 

[BackAgain]

No problemo, amigo.

And yes. It was your thread.

I’m sooooooooooooo ashamed.

 

[Votto]

God can give you rights but only a Government will enforce them

Wut?

A better way to say it is, God gives us freedom but only man takes those freedoms away, if we let them.

 

[norwegen]

You have the same right to marriage as you have to food, health care, and a gun.
It's up to you to provide the means to exercise it.

Ten-year-olds can bear arms, eat, and visit doctors. Can they marry?

Rights are innate to the individual. Privileges are not.

LockBack says a marriage-minded individual doesn't need prospects. That doesn't matter. No one has a right to force or trick anyone into marriage.

 

[norwegen]

We're born with rights. Naturally, we want to feed ourselves, nurse ourselves, defend ourselves, etc.

Marriage isn't something that nature gives us.

 

[M14 Shooter]

Rights are innate to the individual. Privileges are not.

The fact you do not have the means to exercise your rights does not mean you do not have those rights.

 

[rightwinger]

Wut?

A better way to say it is, God gives us freedom but only man takes those freedoms away, if we let them.

And if those freedoms are taken away, is God going to save you

 

[norwegen]

The fact you do not have the means to exercise your rights does not mean you do not have those rights.

That's kind of nonsensical; it doesn't really make a point.

By no fault of their own, some people are not allowed to vote. Voting is a privilege, despite the progressive wording in the amendments.

By no fault of their own, some people are not allowed to acquire driver licenses, purchase alcohol, or get married. Those things cannot be rights.

 

[M14 Shooter]

That's kind of nonsensical; it doesn't really make a point.

It does. The fact no one wants to marry you does not mean you do not have the right to get married, just like the fact you do not have the means to obtain food does not mean you do not have the rights to food.
The exercise of your rights is dependent on your ability to provide the means; the existence of your rights is not.

 

[norwegen]

It does. The fact no one wants to marry you does not mean you do not have the right to get married, just like the fact you do not have the means to obtain food does not mean you do not have the rights to food.
The exercise of your rights is dependent on your ability to provide the means; the existence of your rights is not.

Well, if that's the way you see it . . .

You can invoke your rights. Without prospects for marriage, how do you invoke that "right"?

That's the way I see it.

 

[task0778]

Under our Constitution, do you believe that our rights are “given” to us by the Constitution, itself, or that those rights are only guaranteed to us by the Constitution but that the source of those rights existed before the Constitution was even drafted?

If our rights are given by the Constitution (gov't) then they can also be taken away. The whole point of the Bill of Rights is to prevent gov't from taking our rights away. Hence those rights are guaranteed and existed prior to the Constitution was created.

 

[dblack]

God can give you rights but only a Government will enforce them

Nah. Anyone can enforce rights. But, as a rule, we assign that job to the government so we don't all have to walk around packing heat.