“Congress 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.”
Over the last few decades, I’ve noticed a certain erosion of the First Amendment rights. The government is forbidden to establish a state religion, but that doesn’t mean that members of Congress or other officials aren’t allowed to be influenced by positive religious virtues like honesty, integrity, compassion and mercy. Unfortunately, certain groups within our government are always pushing to suppress any expression of religious faith in politics.
As for freedom of speech, the erosion starts with the idea of banning “hate speech.” Originally, it concerned criminal incitement of violence toward minorities, but now the term is used for anything said or printed that those in power don’t want to hear. Infringements against church, speech and press, and even peaceable gatherings have been gradual; if you don’t want them to continue, it’s time to let your representatives know that the erosion must stop. Incidentally, “No king but Jesus.”
Here’s another amendment under attack, this time from an external force. I’ve got a lot of research to do about the United Nations “Small Arms Treaty;” we’ll cover that next month.
“A 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.”
Meanwhile, remember that the cost of freedom is eternal vigilance.
TEXAS COUNTY AREA VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS
- Veterans Of Foreign Wars Post 473 has their meeting on the last Thursday of each month at 1800 at their Post Meeting Hall on U.S. 63 north of Cabool.
- Veterans Of Foreign Wars Post 6337 meets each third Monday of the month at 1730 in Licking at their Meeting Hall on Main Street just south of Route 32.
- American Legion Post 559 will meet at 1800 on the second Tuesday of each month at the VFW Post 6337 meeting hall in Licking.
- Fleet Reserve Association Branch 364 meets at 1430 every fourth Sunday of each month at the American Legion Post 41 meeting hall in Houston.
- American Legion Post 41 meets at 1800 on the second Thursday of each month at their meeting hall on the west end of Chilton Oil Company in Houston (just north of Pizza Hut).
- Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7222 meets at 6 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at their meeting hall just east of Summersville.