Day 2, and we will be looking at the 9th Ammendment.

Ammendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

What it means:  There are those that say this means the same things as posted yesterday in the 10th amendment.  They would be right.  The 9th  amendment, in part, states that just because a right is not stated in the constitution, does not mean that those rights are to be denied.  The main difference is that of power…the 10th amendment is an extension of the 9th, granting not just rights, but also powers available.

What are those rights?  Good question, glad I asked it, no-one has an answer.  The wording was made deliberately vague.  After all, the writers knew they didn’t know everything, and to write up everything they could would be beyond their ability while STILL missing the vast majority of items.  Therefore, the wording is vague so that future generations might be able to fill in the gaps with items never even thought of.

Of course, there is more.  Another interpretation of the amendment is that of precedence…as in, there is none.  A stated right isn’t more important then an unstated one.  One that HAS been stated doesn’t have precedence over another stated one.  As in, the vow of silence a person takes in their religious order (freedom of religion) doesn’t mean that I should be denied my freedom of speech, and vice versa.  All things being considered equal.

Today:  I support your right to a religion, but in turn you have to support my right.  You may have your eggplant, but I get to have my meat dinners.  I think you’re a freaking fruit cake, but as long as you aren’t pushy about it, neither will I be.  Alas, people just can NOT understand that others don’t share their world views, and get pushy…and should be referred to this amendment.