Dunlap Bill of Rights Banquet

The Tennessee Committee for the Bill of Rights held an annual meeting at Johnson’s Steak and Rib Restaurant on Highway 28, just south of Dunlap Tennessee.

Carol Gaddy and Sergeant Mark Haskins of The Chattanooga Police Department

I was expecting to be bored out of my mind . This was not an easy event for me to attend . I went to school during the Cold War and American Civics was a required subject . We were all expected to know our Bill of Rights . The Bill of Rights is what separated us from the communists . We were taught to respect the American flag , uphold the Constitution of the United States (even unto our death) and repeat the Bill of Rights on command .

There would be nothing at this event I could possibly learn . They began with a prayer , exercising their First Amendment Rights , had a real nice Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag , sang My Country Tis of Thee and read the first ten amendments . At this very point when I just had decided to fall asleep , Sergeant Mark Haskins of the Chattanooga Police Department began to speak about the Second Amendment : 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 .

Now awake I listened , Sergeant Mark Haskins was articulate and spoke about the process of getting a permit to carry a firearm in the state of Tennessee . This is a simple process in this state and we are fortunate to live here . When you pass the course and background check (you have to pay for both) the state Shall issue a permit . Shall is a much different word than should or can . Just as might and must have quite different meanings .

This was a uniquely educational and informative event . It is great to see a group of people who love our country and our flag . This is becoming rare as seemingly undefinable wars are being fought with a bad economy . People love America when she is doing good but when adversity strikes they are lukewarm at best . Being lukewarm about our rights will cause us to lose them .

Editor

DunlapTattler.com

Mrs. June Griffin, Coordinator of the Tennessee Committee for the Dayton celebration, issued the following statement:

“Bill of Rights Day, December 15, was once a national holiday and is one of the three keys to Americanism, joining the Ten Commandments and the Declaration of Independence. This Trinity of Liberty is vital to the freedom of all Americans and our celebration is to give thanks to the God of our Fathers Who was so gracious as to grant such freedom.

“In times like these when our liberties are in great jeopardy, it is vital that we who love our heritage and appreciate our freedoms, take time to acknowledge this great gift and obligation of our elected leaders to uphold their oath of office.”

Bill of Rights

Amendment I

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.

Amendment II

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.

Amendment III

No 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.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI

In 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 defense.

Amendment VII

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX

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

Amendment X

The 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.

Dunlap Bill of Rights Banquet