Sinopsis
CONSTITUTION THURSDAY was born out of an idea that I had in February of 2009. As the Tea Party movement was really just starting to percolate, I though it would be cool to have a “Constitutional Coffee Klatch on a regular basis at a local restaurant or bar where we could eat, drink, read and discuss the Constitution, much as our great-grand-forefathers did. That idea eventually morphed (for a number of reasons) into what was the Afternoons Live Book Guild, but the thought of a pure Constitution time still held very strong sway and I was determined to make it happen.When I couldnt get the backing to do it externally, I made the decision in December of 2009 to do it as a part of the show. I looked over the schedule and Thursday was (at that time) the only day we didnt have a segment so, the 5pm hour looked good.On January 7, 2010, Constitution Thursday was born.Its a sad truth that I wasnt as organized in those days as I am today. Later it would take a great deal of effort and time to organize the collection of original broadcasts into a coherent list. Also, alas, September and October of 2010, mostly Article II and III, have been lost although I continue to look for them and every now and then I come across an episode that was missed.One of the things that I learned early on in the process was that virtually everything that I thought I knew about the Constitution was either wrong or at least incomplete. Moreover, I had no concept of “Incorporation, no real understanding of the Supreme Court System and quite frankly my vocabulary skills were rusty. All of those things have markedly improved through this process.As a former Instructor, I learned a long time ago that I learn best when I am teaching. So all of these broadcasts have a feel to them that I am learning along with the audience. You are in fact, coming with me on my journey to discover the US Constitution.There are because these are live broadcasts and for the most part extemporaneous in nature errors and misspoken words and phrases. Before you jump on one, listen through the end and at least through the first 5-10 minutes of the next episode before you assume that I didnt catch it. I am sure that there are more that I have not caught, but I make an honest effort to insure accuracy and precise information.That being said, this is not a college level course in Constitutional Law. I am not (alas) a lawyer (yet). But the Constitution wasnt written for lawyers and scholars, kings and priests. It was written for all the People, We the People, as it were. I believe with every fiber of my being, that if EVERY American citizen had a level of understanding of the Constitution equal to that gained by listening to these broadcasts, American Liberties would be much safer and our Government today would have a much different tone and approach to governing.I will add in closing that the nature of the broadcasts changes over time. In the beginning they are more lecture, as befitting of my training as a Naval Instructor and Pastor, with various show cast members and guests added in later episodes.The biggest single change in the tone and preparation of episodes came in October of 2011, when John Considine was added as the co-Host. John is a wonderful man and very professional (despite his on air persona). But he came to the show from a background in music radio, and had no initial grasp of Constitutional issues and history. To his credit, he jumped in feet first, and as you will hear over the course of time, he becomes not only interested, but passionate about the Constitution and what it means to him personally. It is amazing to me to see the effect on just one person.And that, is what Constitution Thursday is really all about.In late 2012, the idea of a “working group to teach and study the Constitution gave birth to the “Laymans Point of View group. Consisting of the people listed in the main menu, the group seeks to study, comment and share about the US Constitution. It is a diverse group of people and professions and some of the finest people and minds I have ever had the privilege of working with. The melding of the LPOV and Constitution Thursday into a single web presence made absolute sense and gives an additional source of viewpoints and thought, while adding the ability for listeners and readers to participate as well.
Episodios
-
Direct Election of Senators
04/03/2011 Duración: 33minThe Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures. When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct. This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution. -17th Amendment
-
Death & Taxes
25/02/2011 Duración: 33minThe Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration. - 16th Amendment
-
-
The Hardest Part to Accept
11/02/2011 Duración: 35minAll persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. - 1th Amendment
-
Birthright Citizenship
21/01/2011 Duración: 30minAll persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. - 14th Amendment Sect 1
-
Virtually Never Read
17/12/2010 Duración: 36minThe Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State. - XI Amendment The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate; — the President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the vote
-
Powers Reserved to the States
10/12/2010 Duración: 34minThe powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. - 10th Amendment
-
Cruel & Unusual
26/11/2010 Duración: 38minExcessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. - 8th Amendment
-
Speedy Trials
05/11/2010 Duración: 40minIn all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence. - 6th Amendment
-
The 3rd Amendment
24/09/2010 Duración: 34minNo Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. - 3rd Amendment
-
Why Do We Need the 2nd Amendment?
17/09/2010 Duración: 37minA well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
-
Print It!
03/09/2010 Duración: 39minCongress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. - 1st Amendment
-
Rejected!
27/08/2010 Duración: 37minCongress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. - 1st Amendment
-
Burning a Koran
20/08/2010 Duración: 39minCongress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. - 1st Amendment
-
Fizzbin
13/08/2010 Duración: 38minCongress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. - 1st Amendment
-
Ratification
06/08/2010 Duración: 37minArticle VII The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same. Done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the Twelfth In witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names,
-
The Supreme Law of the Land
23/07/2010 Duración: 39minArticle VI All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation. This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding. The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.
-
Authentic & Specific Acts
16/07/2010 Duración: 57minARTICLE V: AMENDMENT The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.
-
Full Faith and Credit
09/07/2010 Duración: 36minFull Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof. ARTICLE IV, SECTION 1