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A Father’s Right to Parent His Child and Constitutional Law That Says So

The Constitution
by wallyg

Fathers walk into family courts – generally hauled in under a wife’s complaint for divorce – and can’t believe the injustice they face. These courts deny them their children and other rights at the whim of the judge.

The fathers’ reaction is justified because we all have an innate understanding of what’s right and what’s wrong. And we all understand that we have fundamental rights that governments should uphold. This article gives proof of their parental rights and evidence of family court corruption.

The rights we expect are ‘unalienable rights’. It was these rights that the U.S. was formed to secure according to America’s Declaration of Independence: “the unalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”.

Included in such rights are your property and your parental rights as explained in the U.S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights and further amendments and U.S Supreme Court case law. Most important among those rights is the protection of those rights against unjust denials of them by government or anyone else.

To protect those rights, our judicial system is supposed to require a fair process before any fundamental right is denied or even limited. The Supreme Court long ago settled the detailed and fair legal process required – or ‘due’ – when fundamental right of a litigant is at stake. It’s the ‘due process clause’ and maps out the substantive due process necessary. But never is a right to be denied or limited unless a substantial wrong has been proven with clear and convincing evidence against the person to be denied.

It’s in court where the rubber meets the road; i.e. it’s through the legal process that you find out what rights you really have as opposed to what you think you have – or should have. Fathers are finding out that they’re being denied constitutional protection of their fundamental rights.

1. Your parental rights and other rights a father has:

Your right to life, liberty and happiness may seem somewhat vague, but the founding fathers and later Supreme Court case law has tried to enumerate what fundamental (i.e. unalienable) rights it implies. The right to property and your possessions was one and the right to a trial by jury was considered an essential right to help protect you from unjust laws, judicial processes, and judicial corruption.

Beyond those, you have the right to parent your children. That means you have the right to the care, custody, maintenance, and companionship of your child(ren) since this is recognized as one of the most fulfilling aspects to a purposeful and satisfying life. Since your children are your most precious possession, the state can only alter a parental right of he’s ‘unfit’ – and proven so by clear and convincing evidence.

In the 1978 case of Quillon v Walcott, the Supreme Court ruled: “If a state were to attempt to force the breakup of a natural family, over the objection of the parents and their children, without some showing of unfitness and for the sole reason that to do so was thought to be in the children’s best interest,” the Due Process Clause would clearly be violated.

Further, in Parham v. J.R. et al 442 U.S. 584 (1979), the Supreme Court declared the ‘best interest of the child’ resides in the fit parent – not in the state: “Our constitutional system long ago rejected any notion that a child is a “the mere creature of the State”.

In 2000, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Troxel v. Granville 530 U.S. 2000: “{S}o long as a parent adequately cares for his or her children (i.e. is fit), there will normally be no reason for the State to inject itself into the private realm of the family to further question the ability of that parent to make the best decisions concerning the rearing of that parent’s children.”

So, according to this Supreme Court case law, if you’re not proven unfit, then the state cannot interfere with your right to parent your child. The best interest of the child resides in you – as fit parent. In fact the ‘best interest of the child’ can only be used where there is not fit parent present.

The ‘equal protection clause’ of the 14th Amendment, requires that one fit parent must necessarily retain all of his fundamental rights to the extent that the other does. The minimum limitation of these rights must be 50% of time with each child. Doing otherwise would not only deny the fundamental right of parenting but abridging the equal protection clause too.

2. Other fundamental rights you have include:

* the right to follow any choice of lawful occupation without the state’s interference.

* the right to not have your private lives invaded by the state if you have not committed a crime.

* Not being jailed for not paying a debt incurred by you through your agreement, nor imposed on you by a state – if you can’t pay it.

* Not being jailed or restricted in where you can go without justifiable cause. 3. Injustice in the courts today

The founding fathers recognized that the weakest link in the preservation our unalienable rights was the judiciary. Its corruptibility would easily undermine the rights of persons or groups of persons while hiding behind its singular authority and only option for a person seeking justice under unjust accusations and claims.

‘Fathers rights groups’ recognize that our courts are now corrupted. No longer are their rights protected. Now is the time to join the revolution to bring back liberty and justice for all.

Shane Flait gives you the capability you need to fight for your rights. Get his FREE Downloads at http://www.FathersRightsLegalAid.com Take his ecourse: How to Handle Your Family Court Case at http://www.FathersRightsLegalAid.com

Article from articlesbase.com

The Tea Party loves to wrap themselves in the Constitution of the United States, but if you look beyond their displays of phony patriotism, you’ll see that most Tea Partiers actually want to rip the Constitution to shreds. They despise the fact that the Constitution grants citizenship status to the children of illegal immigrants, and they’ve even suggested that we limit the right to vote to only people who own property. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. talks with Michael Waldman, the executive director of the Brennan Center for Justice, who says that the Tea Party’s love for the Constitution could be the thing that finally tears them apart.
Video Rating: 4 / 5

The Constitutional Guided Walking Tour Of Historic Philadelphia Launches 2nd Season

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (PRWEB) May 17, 2006 -–

The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia today announced the launch of its second season offering daily guided walking tours of Historic Philadelphia. Visitors can follow in the Founding Fathers’ footsteps with The Constitutional Guided Walking Tour, an escorted journey through America’s Most Historic Square Mile, to see where The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution of the United States were created. The Constitutional Guided Walking Tour is a family-friendly tour that includes many sites within the Independence National Historical Park area, such as the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the National Constitution Center and the Betsy Ross House.

Daily Guided Tours – All Summer Long

The Constitutional Guided Walking Tour is Philadelphia’s only walking tour that is offered daily (from Memorial Day through Labor Day) with frequent departures throughout the day. The guided tour:

Visits more than 20 of the most popular historic sites and attractions;

Provides a 75 minute walking adventure on a 1.25 mile tour;

Has been named “Top 25 Philadelphia Tourist Attraction” by The Philadelphia Business Journal in 2004 and 2005;

Is offered 7 days a week from Memorial Day through Labor Day (Friday, May 26, 2006 through Monday, September 4, 2006), and weekends in Spring and Fall, with frequent departures throughout the day from the Independence Visitor Center (at 6th & Market Streets);

Costs $ 17.50 per adult, $ 12.50 per child, ages 3-12. (Group rates are available on parties of 25 or more.)

Tickets can be purchased: 1) online at www.TheConstitutional.com, 2) by calling 215.525.1776, or 3) in person at the Independence Visitor Center at 6th & Market Streets in Philadelphia.

Private tours, group tours and school/camp field trips are available year-round. Custom VIP tours for parties of any size are also available with advance reservations. Tours can also be arranged in a variety of languages with advance reservations.

New Historic Philadelphia Tour Offerings – Something for Everyone

New offerings for The Constitutional’s second season include:

“Free Fridays” Summer Special – All summer long, on Friday mornings, the first 10 visitors to arrive for the 10 AM walking tour will receive a FREE guided tour.

Stroller Tours – Take a special stroll through history! Join The Constitutional every Saturday at 10AM this summer for a kid-friendly Stroller Tour – children in strollers tour FREE when accompanied by a paying adult!

Philly MP3 Audio Tour – With its patriotic music, creative sound effects and entertaining storytellers, the Philly MP3 Audio Tour uses modern day technology to allow visitors to step back in time to a day and age long before MP3 Players and walk in the Founding Fathers’ footsteps with their iPod! The introductory price is $ 14.99, and the Philly MP3 Audio Tour can be purchased and downloaded online at www.PhillyMP3.com. A free preview is available at www.PhillyMP3.com/sample.

Cell Phone Tour – Coming in June, Philadelphia’s first Cell Phone Tour – a new way to explore the city at your convenience – all you need is a cell phone!

Constitutional Campers – The Constitutional offers entertaining and informative tours, for campers and chaperones alike.

Summer Group Outings and Team Building Events – The Constitutional is great for team building, summer corporate outings, special events, and entertaining clients. Private and group tours can be arranged for almost anytime – weekday or weekend, day or evening. We work closely with each client to create the most enjoyable “Constitutional” experience possible.

VIP Tours – For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, VIP Tours allow the discerning traveler to see customize their own luxury tour package with a private guide, arranged at their convenience with other exclusive benefits.

“We are thrilled to build on the success of our inaugural season and hit the ground running for our second season of guided walking tours,” stated Jonathan Bari, Chairman of The Constitutional Walking Tour. “The new offerings we have this year – from an iPod audio tour to stroller tours for young kids to our “Free Fridays” special – will enhance the visitor experience, offering something for every type of audience.”

Promotional Offers & Partnerships

National Constitution Center – Visitors can receive $ 1.00 off admission to the National Constitution Center by showing their same day ticket stub from The Constitutional at the Constitution Center box office.

Lights of Liberty – $ 3.00 off the Lights of Liberty Show by showing their same day ticket stub from The Constitutional Guided Walking Tour.

Philadelphia Trolley Works & The Big Bus Double Decker Tour Combo Package – Your Ticket to Ride & Walk. Enjoy Philadelphia’s attractions with your 24 hour pass for a Philadelphia Trolley Works’ Victorian Trolley or Double Decker Bus, then exercise your right to explore by taking The Constitutional. The Adult Combination Package costs $ 40.00 (a savings of $ 4.50) and The Child Combo costs $ 20.00 (a savings of $ 2.50).

For details on all of these discounts and other partner offers, please see www.TheConstitutional.com/events.

The Constitutional’s Independence Immersion Training Program

In order to provide the optimal visitor experience, The Constitutional’s knowledgeable and friendly tour guides have been specially trained by The Constitutional’s “Independence Immersion” program, an intensive and fun curriculum focusing on Philadelphia history, American history and local tourist attractions, as well as best practices in public speaking, storytelling, customer service, hospitality and visitor experience.

About The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia

The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia takes visitors on a walking journey through America’s Most Historic Square Mile, the birthplace of our nation. Located in Center City Philadelphia, The Constitutional includes many sites within the Independence National Historical Park area, which is home to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. The Constitutional guides visitors to walk through history where The Declaration of Independence and The United States Constitution were created. Visitors can experience The Constitutional: 1) on their own as a free, self-guided walking tour, 2) with a lively tour guide for a fee or 3) with the new Philly MP3 Audio Tour. For more information on the new Philly MP3 Audio Tour, please visit www.PhillyMP3.com. For more information on The Constitutional, please visit www.TheConstitutional.com. Guided and audio tours are offered by The Constitutional Guided Walking Tours, LLC which is a licensee of The Constitutional Foundation d/b/a The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia; a portion of the proceeds from all guided and audio tour fees benefits The Constitutional Foundation and its free self-guided tour.

1 – Each guest must be present to receive a voucher for the free ticket from The Constitutional’s designated and uniformed tour guide. First-come, first-served, while supplies last. Limit one per person. Limited time offer and subject to change without notice. Additional terms may apply and are available at www.TheConstitutional.com/legalnotices.

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Constitutional Scholars Blast White House, Dobson Collaboration On Miers

Washington DC (PRWEB) October 14, 2005

The Campaign to Defend the Constitution today asked the White House to end the special access given to James Dobson and other leaders of the religious right in the selection of Supreme Court and other judges and to reaffirm publicly the President’s and Harriet Miers’ recognition of the Constitution as the highest law in the land.

“The special access and undue influence that James Dobson and other leaders of the religious right are given by the President and his staff are troubling and disturbing,” said Erwin Chemerinsky, professor of law at Duke University. “The President and his aides can consult whomever they wish, but the process of choosing a Supreme Court justice should be based on merit and, of course, understanding of and loyalty to the Constitution. The blessing of the religious right should not determine a person’s suitability to serve on the Supreme Court.”

Reports in recent days have made clear that Karl Rove gave special notice to James Dobson and possibly to other leaders of the religious right and sought their approval in the days leading up to the Miers announcement. While Senators constitutionally empowered to approve the nomination were kept in the dark, the White House actively courted the religious right, making the case for Miers and seeking their support.

A CNN report this morning called James Dobson and his 26 million-member network “an empire” with “enormous reach” in the Bush White House and on Capitol Hill.

“I am deeply troubled by the appearance that the President is applying a religious litmus test for his judicial appointments,” said Professor Isaac Kramnick, professor of government at Cornell University. “Such a test violates the Constitutional prohibition on religious tests as a qualification for public office.

“Since 2002, the President has repeatedly said that he will appoint judges who believe that God is the source of our civil rights. The notion of asking judges to acknowledge a source of law other than — and perhaps higher than — the Constitution is unacceptable. It shatters the fundamental premise of our founders that the Constitution itself is the supreme law of the land.”

Professors Chemerinsky and Kramnick are members of the Advisory Board of the Campaign to Defend the Constitution. Chermerinsky was the lead attorney in Perry v. Van Orden, the case decided in June by the Supreme Court on public display of the Ten Commandments on government property. Kramnick is author of “The Godless Constitution.” Both are considered among the country’s leading scholars on religious liberties and separation of church and state.

The Campaign to Defend the Constitution was launched this month to bring together a diverse coalition of Americans concerned about the growing power and influence of the religious right over American politics, culture and science. The Campaign’s Advisory Board includes leading scientists, legal scholars, clergy and other activists. In its first weeks, the Campaign has already attracted thousands of supporters through its website, www.defconamerica.org.

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Related The Constitution Press Releases

Constitutional Knowledge Critical, According to Greg Lawson of Together We Stand and keepyourpay.com

San Antonio, TX (PRWEB) September 7, 2005

With the passing of Chief Justice Rehnquist, our priority should be finding a justice who has the same degree of respect for the Constitution. It is because people are not familiar with the Constitution, that our rights are being eroded, according to Gregory Lawson of Together We Stand. He says another problem is the federal judiciary, which often chooses to subvert and undermine the Constitution, rather than to uphold it, as they swore an oath to do.    

Gregory says, “Our government routinely implements laws that are clearly not authorized by the Constitution. They can get away with it because 99% of Americans have never read the Constitution. Many of those that have, don’t really have a clear understanding of it”. He goes on to say that this is the reason for the bloated, intrusive system of government we find ourselves living under today.

Lawson can offer the following insights that should be of interest to all Americans:

1. How is it that Americans are so unfamiliar with the Constitution, and how can this be corrected.

2. Give a few examples of laws that we have which are in violation of the Constitution.

3. Why would the government make such laws?

4. Why is it important to appoint justices that strictly interpret the Constitution?

Lawson is also the author of a new E-book entitled, “The Declaration of Independence & The Constitution Explained”. This book is available, pre-release on his Website, for only $ 5.

For more information you can visit his Website at www.keepyourpay.com. If you would like to interview Gregory Lawson he can be contacted by calling 210-481-2195.

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Related The Constitution Press Releases

Italy: Libya considering constitutional reforms

Italy: Libya considering constitutional reforms
Libyan authorities are considering constitutional changes as they try to cope with a week of unrest by anti-government protesters demanding political and economic reforms, the Italian foreign ministry said Sunday.
Read more on AP via Yahoo! News

MCA on track to hold EGM
KUALA LUMPUR: MCA are on track to hold an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) next month to amend the party constitution and pave the way for a postponement of the party election, provided enough delegates agree to such a requisition.
Read more on New Straits Times

Jailed Father on Hunger Strike to Protest Denial of His Parental and Other Constitutional Rights

Dr. Amir Sanjari, was divorce after a 17 year marriage. He’s a UK Citizen who was originally invited to the United States to Stony Brook University, New York for a research position.

Now he’s destitute and on a hungar strike in jail to protest the unconstitutional denial of father’ rights and more.

Initially, Sanjari and his ex-wife shared equal custody of their children and had similar incomes. Nevertheless he was ordered to pay ,000 a month in child support. Such a payment is the first sign that something is seriously amiss.

But when he lost his job and applied for a reduction in ‘child support’, it was denied. This denial is also not unusual – wrong, but not unusual. His ability in the recession to get a job to cover the outrageous child support payment faded. It brought on hardships for him. Eventually his ex-wife won sole custody of the children, he says, by lying about him while he was out of the country on vacation.

Sanjari, a competent man, was not idle though. He learned the law to fight for his children and his rights to see them and care for them on his own. He fought in the Indiana family court, its district court, and eventually in federal courts. He had to go on the run to stay out of jail for not paying what he couldn’t pay – a common circumstance for fathers under such ‘child extortion’ orders. He spent time helping other parents with their family court cases while he was on the run.

Unfortunately, though well-versed in constitutional and federal legal processes, it became apparent that he’d get no due process to protect rights clearly denied to him. For the child support he couldn’t pay, he’s been sent to jail.

Amir is now on a hunger strike to try to expose his plight and that of other fathers under this tyrannical anti-father system that separates fathers from their children and turn them into criminals.

Sanjari hasn’t had any solid food since March 26, the day he was arrested. Once trim at 150 lbs, he’s now down to 115. He drinks some nutritional supplements with potassium and sodium to keep his brain functioning normally.

I stress that the constitutional denials Sanjari has had to face that set him up for his tribulations are not unusual for fit fathers under family court actions. Yet Amir’s personal sacrifice to garner some public notice is honorable.

The denials he faces are unjustified. He knows it, and many other decent fathers know it. And his efforts will in large part be suppressed by both the courts and all those who profit by the present day denial of fathers rights.

Fathers Rights means basic constitutional rights for a fit father to maintain physical and legal custody of his children to the same extent of a ‘fit’ mother – and then, of course, all other fundamental rights due a free person.

The denial of a fit father’s rights begin in a state’s county family court where his children are essentially kidnapped from him without the required constitutional due process to prove unfitness nor assigning him equal physical and legal custody of his children. The family court simply usurps all his rights by declaring that it will assign custody to one parent and make the other parent pay whatever it assigns as ‘child support’.

And why? Because the court claims it can deny fundamental rights based on it ‘alleged’ right to determine what’s in the ‘best interests of children’ who have fit parents. It’s an absurd claim when both parents are fit and willing to parent fully or at least equally to the other. It’s absurd because it’s unconstitutional.

But since, collectively, a multibillion dollar industry has grown up around the denial of a father’s rights because of the enormous benefits that can then accrue to them. Benefits include child support, collection fees, lawyers’ fees, GAL fees, course fees, extracted directly from fathers.

And then there are additional benefits from enormous government money transfer to family courts systems, state revenue agencies, domestic violence agencies and organizations, and federal revenue collections too.

Who supports this extortion industry?

Just follow the money. And with all that money comes plenty of propaganda to justify what happens based on extraneous reasons and vilifying men or fathers – but always steering clear of the clear constitutional rights violations that this system depends upon.

Unfortunately even the federal courts are afraid to over-rule the unconstitutional family court procedures and orders as is their duty when states’ procedures violate the U.S. Constitution. There’s just too much money and political push to make waves against the ‘divorce and domestic violence industry’.

That’s what Amir Sanjari found out – as other have too. What will you do when it’s your turn to go to court?

Shane Flait gives you the capability you need to fight for your rights.
Get his FREE Ecourse at http://FathersRightsLegalAid.com
Read his ebook: ‘Wise Way to Financial Independence’ =>
http://www.SovereignU.com

Article from articlesbase.com

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Government’s Feminist Tyranny Exists Denying Men Their Constitutional Due Process

Tyrannies begin by promulgating policies of good intentions. Such intentions fool the public into allowing government to fund such programs. Feminism was accepted by most as simply fostering equal opportunity for women. So, government-funded programs began.

And so began the tyranny against fathers, family and freedom both here and throughout the western world. This article is a first of a series exposing the nature of this tyranny and how we must take back government’s tyrannical control of society to secure freedom for all.

…But the funding grew more programs which supported lobbying for more and for perverse changes in the laws – changes that denied men and fathers their fundamental rights. Feminist-instigated government policies and laws viewed their intentions as a ‘greater good’ than the rights that keep us all free – a view which is the hallmark of tyranny.

With ‘feminist jurisprudence’ established, especially within domestic-related jurisdictions, ‘greater good’ intentions like ‘best interest of the child’ or ‘safety of women’ are now used to deny the constitutional rights and protections of all – but most especially of men and fathers.

Based on both denials of rights and constitutional protections, fit fathers under divorce or paternity actions and men accused of specious domestic violence become the excuse and fodder for government control over their lives and their earnings. This tyranny has fostered the growth of a 0+ billion government-affiliated industry feeding off constitutionally deprived fit fathers and the public for its ever-increasing control and demands.

In a nutshell, this government’s feminist tyranny employs the noble-sounding greater good intentions as ‘best interest of the child’ and ‘safety of women’ for reason to justify denying men their rights and protections. The ‘best interest of the child’ principle is used in divorce and paternity actions to deny a fit father his parental rights to legal and physical custody of his child – at least equal to the mother’s.

This allows the court- and thereby the state- to virtually kidnap his child and, then demand extortion payments euphemistically called ‘child support’ for up to 20 years or more. The government-affiliated industry feeds off these payments, the continual litigation for more, and a host of other government-assisted programs to control and manipulate the father’s life, earnings, property and his pursuit of happiness for himself and his child.

If the father won’t – or most often can’t – comply with the extortion payments (perhaps 30% or more of his gross income), he’s jailed without constitutional due process under feminist-perverted contempt judgments. He can have his state license to practice his profession revoked, his driver’s license revoked by any administrator of his state’s revenue department and his passport taken to extort payments from him. If he leaves his country to secure freedom, he becomes a felon subject to 10 years in jail. The system reduces him to the status of a slave. And remember, he’s never done anything wrong – but he has been seriously ‘wronged’.

The ‘safety of women’ principle is used both in divorce and paternity suits and in any domestic circumstance to throw a man out of his house and restrict where he can go. It only takes an ‘accusation of abuse’ – no trial, i.e. no rules of evidence to punish him. By law, ‘abuse’ can be a subjective – and not even physical – state of the ‘woman’s (read victim’s) mind. He can be thrown in jail until a hearing – perhaps for 3 months; but if he admits he abused, he’ll be let out so he can keep his job. That’s a good way to get those phony ‘abuse numbers’ up to justify more abuse programs; extortion works wonders.

No constitutional due process to protect against false accusations means that innocent men are thrown out of their houses, lose their possessions, denied seeing their kids, and go to jail – all the time. And, of course, it means a malicious woman can count on the feminist’s government tyranny to help her steal a man’s rights, property, income and children.

Is what I’ve quickly summarized about the circumstance that men and fathers face true?

Yes. But why should you believe it to be true? You should because the constitutional protections – i.e. our fundamental rights and the high standard of due process protecting them is wholly ignored for men and fathers put into divorce, paternity actions and domestic violence actions.

The aptly named government-affiliated child support and domestic violence industry’s enormous funding allows it to propagandize the inherent ‘badness of men’. That fathers run away from marriage or don’t want to support their children. That they don’t have the best interest of their child at heart nor the safety of women.

That’s phony propaganda. But it’s important to vilify those who you’ll deny rights to. That’s the way tyrannies always work.

Shane Flait gives you the capability you need to fight for your rights.
Get his FREE Court Process Sheet at http://FathersRightsLegalAid.com
Read his ebook: ‘Wise Way to Financial Independence’ =>
http://www.SovereignU.com

Article from articlesbase.com

The Constitutional Walking Tour Announces Student Winners in its First Annual American Freedom Essay Contest; Students from Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties in Pennsylvania and Burlington County in New Jersey Named Winners

Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) November 27, 2007 –

The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia today announced the student winners of its 2007 American Freedom Essay Contest.

The winner in the Elementary School Category (Grades 1-5) was Leah Huebner from the William H. Loesche School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia county) for her essay “This is what FREEDOM means to me” (Teacher: Merle Fine).

The winner in the Middle School Category (Grades 6-8) was Santina Pescatore from Waldron Mercy Academy in Merion Station, Pennsylvania (Montgomery county) for her essay “Freedom Must Carry On” (Teacher: Eileen Flanagan).

The winner in the High School Category (Grades 9-12) was Alexander Sliwecki from Cinnaminson High School in Cinnaminson, New Jersey (Burlington county) for his essay about Freedom of Speech (Teacher: Megan Schweitzer).

The American Freedom Essay Contest received many wonderful essays from students attending public and private schools, as well as those being home schooled, all along the East Coast of the United States. In total, there were approximately 2,000 essays received from more than 100 schools which participated in this Constitution Day contest. Schools from the following states participated including Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. The winning essays will be posted online at www.theconstitutional.com/essay.

“We were thrilled with the response to our inaugural American Freedom Essay Contest,” stated Jonathan Bari, Chairman of The Constitutional Walking Tour. “We salute all of the students and educators who participated in the contest on a job well done with the high caliber of essays that we received.”

Essay topics represented a broad spectrum of ideas and different points of view on various subjects including freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, the right to petition the government, the right to bear arms, the right to pursue one’s happiness, etc.

American Freedom Essay Contest

September 17th is designated as Constitution Day because on that date in 1787, the delegates of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia signed the United States Constitution at Independence Hall. Each year, The Constitutional Walking Tour celebrates Constitution Day throughout the month of September, and teachers are encouraged to utilize The Constitutional’s many free educational resources available at: www.TheConstitutional.com/1787.

This year, in honor of Constitution Day, The Constitutional Walking Tour and The Philadelphia Inquirer asked students to give their views about American freedom. The American Freedom Essay Contest challenged educators to get their students to write a 100-300 word essay on the importance of freedom in their lives. Entries were judged in Elementary School, Middle School and High School categories with the winner in each category earning a free field trip of Historic Philadelphia with The Constitutional Walking Tour for his/her class. For more details on The Constitutional’s field trips, visit www.TheConstitutional.com/schools.

The contest is planned to be an annual event. To sign up to receive an email when the details of the 2008 contest is announced, visit www.TheConstitutional.com/schools and sign up for The Constitutional Walking Tour’s Educator mailing list.

Background on Constitution Day

In late 2004, Senator Robert Byrd, one of the United States Senate’s leading Constitutional scholars, introduced legislation that President George W. Bush signed into law on December 8, 2004 requiring that all schools, colleges and Federal agencies receiving Federal funds offer annual educational programming involving the Constitution of the United States on or around Constitution Day, September 17th.

The Constitutional’s Educator Resources

The Constitutional Walking Tour offers a variety of resources to help Educational Institutions and Federal Agencies fulfill the annual requirement for Constitution Day programming, including The Constitutional Guided Walking Tour.

The Constitutional Guided Walking Tour tells the dramatic story of the brave men and women who were responsible for creating America. Step back in time to see where The United States Constitution was created. See more than 20 of the most historic sites and attractions in 75 minutes on a 1.25-mile outdoor journey, including many sites and topics related to the U.S. Constitution such as Independence Hall and the National Constitution Center. Group tours and field trips are available year-round with advance reservations. Group rates and student discounts are available for groups of 25 or more. For more information, visit www.TheConstitutional.com/schools, or call our group sales department at 215.525.1776.

For details on all of The Constitutional’s educational resources, please visit

www.TheConstitutional.com/1787 .

About The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia:

The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia takes visitors on a walking journey through America’s Birthplace “Where Every Day is Independence Day!”™ Located in Historic Philadelphia, The Constitutional visits more than 20 of the most historical sites on a 75 minute, 1.25 mile outdoor adventure in the Independence National Historical Park area, which is home to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. The Constitutional guides visitors on a walk through history where The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States were created. Since 2004, The Constitutional has been consistently ranked as one of Philadelphia’s “Top 25 Tourist Attractions” by the Philadelphia Business Journal. In addition, The Constitutional is one of the leading providers of School Field Trips of Historic Philadelphia. Visitors can experience The Constitutional: 1) on their own as a free, self-guided walking tour, 2) with a lively tour guide for a fee, or 3) with the Philly MP3 Audio Tour. For more information on The Constitutional’s various tours, please visit www.TheConstitutional.com. The Constitutional is also the producer of the Spirits of ’76 Ghost Tour of Philadelphia which is “one part history, two parts haunt.” The Spirits of ’76 Ghost Tour features more than 20 of “Philly’s Frights & Sights”™ on a 75 minute, 1.25 mile outdoor walking tour through Historic Philadelphia that features haunted facts and folklore. For more information, please see www.Spiritsof76.com.

EDITOR’S NOTES – For Education media, please visit The Constitutional’s various online resources:

High-resolution Photographs of Historic Philadelphia are available for media usage at:www.TheConstitutional.com/images.

Story Ideas on The Constitutional Walking Tour, Historic Philadelphia and Heritage Tourism are available for media usage at:www.TheConstitutional.com/StoryIdeas.

By the Numbers statistics on The Constitutional Walking Tour and Historic Philadelphia are available for media usage at:www.TheConstitutional.com/numbers.

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People with Disability frowns constitutional review in Nigeria

Nigeria, the bottle is half way up – Kaduna state Government

No, Nigeria is half way down – Persons with Disabilities

The Persons with Disabilities have kicked against the move by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to review the country’s 1999 Constitution by Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution , saying that the move is based on selfish interest of the Senators and the Government officials been decorated with propagandas in the name of constitutional review.

The Person with Disabilities welcomed the constitutional review however, said that what kind of review is it when the issue of the 19 Million Disabled Persons in Nigeria  is been left out of the review, stating, there is no single law in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that protects the disabled people.

Every day, Persons with Disabilities are faced with all kinds of humiliation from the public and they do not have right of employment left alone freedom of expression simply because they are disabled.

Speaking with the Vice President of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) of Nigeria, Comrade Riluwan Moh’d Abdullahi who said the constitutional review has been done multiple times in the country and at the end of the whole exercise nothing is been achieved from the review and the situation became worst on daily basis.

“One of the hindrances to constitutional review in Nigeria is the personal interest of the government officers, all the Senators have their own interest, and once the review is not in their favor the kick against it. They do not care about the masses all they care about is their own interest.”

It has been almost 3 years since the Persons with Disability submitted a Bill to the National Assembly to protect the right of the disabled people also to ensure equality, until date nothing has been done about the bill. Instead the disabled people are been evacuated from the street in the quest to keep the country clean for the forthcoming U-17 World Cup.

Commenting further, Abdullahi quoted that Nigeria will not make progress if the Senate House is not rid of the corruption and agreed.

“Nigeria is half way down if the Senators and House Representatives continue to think of themselves and get out of the review and not the masses. There is no constitutional review until there is law that states that both poor and rich, able and the disabled have equal right.”

Addressing the issue, the Special Adviser on Information and Communication Technology, Dr. Baba J. Adamu said that Nigeria needs the support of everybody and the people should bear it in mind that Nigeria is only 10 years old based on the Democratic regime and not everything can be done within the 10 years of Democracy.

“Nigerians should learn how to be patriotic and know that this is just 10 years of Democracy and it is not possible for everything to be perfect within this short period of Democracy. Nigeria is half way up and with the support of everybody the country in the near future will be better.”

Adamu called on the Persons with Disabilities to be patient with the National Assembly and with time the situation will get better however; the question is how much longer will Nigerians have to wait.

Victor Ulasi
Member of the European Press Federation
Tel:+2348079336622
victorulasi@yahoo.com

Article from articlesbase.com

Related The Constitution Articles

Talking Street and The Constitutional Walking Tour Present First Ever Cell Phone Walking Tour of Historic Philadelphia

New York, NY and Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) August 10, 2006

Talking Street and The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia announced today the launch of the first-ever, cell phone walking tour of Philadelphia, entitled The Constitutional Cell Phone Tour of Historic Philadelphia. Visitors can now experience a totally unique and exciting way to see America’s Birthplace through user-friendly technology that’s just a call away. Talking Street, the leading audio tour guide provider and pioneer of the “cell phone walking tour” is powering The Constitutional Cell Phone Tour with its technology platform. The Constitutional Cell Phone Tour will be available beginning August 9, 2006.

The Constitutional Cell Phone Tour includes more than 20 of the most popular historical sites throughout Historic Philadelphia. In approximately 75 minutes, visitors can experience history by stepping back in time and walking in the Founding Fathers’ footsteps. Along the 1.25 mile walking adventure, tourists will learn about some of America’s most popular historic sites in the Independence National Historical Park area, which is home to The Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, The National Constitution Center and The Betsy Ross House.

“We are thrilled to be working with The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia to introduce the cell phone walking tour experience to the city and its millions of visitors,” said David Solomont, Chairman & CEO of Candide Media, Inc. “The Constitutional is Philadelphia’s quintessential visitor experience, and now anyone with a cell phone can immerse themselves into the rich history and charm of Philadelphia, and it’s as easy and as accessible as making a phone call or using a handheld audio tour guide in a museum.”

With its patriotic music, creative sound effects, and entertaining storytellers, The Constitutional Cell Phone Tour is a theater of the mind experience – a virtual time machine, with the sounds, stories and sites of Historic Philadelphia. Visitors can take The Constitutional Cell Phone Tour on their own schedule and at their own pace.

“With the ever-growing popularity of audio tours, we are thrilled to launch The Constitutional Cell Phone Tour,” stated Jonathan Bari, Chairman of The Constitutional Walking Tour. “Philadelphia is best seen by foot, and as such, we are excited to work with Talking Street, the leading cell phone tour operator, to debut this extension of our critically-acclaimed walking tour programs. The Constitutional Cell Phone Tour, which is great for all ages, provides visitors with the convenience to take the tour when they want, how they want, at their own pace.”

How It Works

Grab your cell phone and go! Choose a stop, call 215-229-TOUR (8687), and enjoy an audio track about the site where you’re standing. There are also optional recorded directions from one site to the next. Visitors can enjoy the freedom to explore on their own schedule, at their own pace. The 1.25 mile journey takes around 75 minutes, including about 40 minutes of cell phone time and 35 minutes of walking time. Tourists can visit the stops in any order that they choose.

The standard price of the tour is $ 9.95. Call 215-229-8687 to listen to a free sample medley and to purchase The Constitutional Cell Phone Tour by charging it directly to your cell phone bill or credit card. Tours can be accessed within a single day, or over the course of a week.

Maps and brochures for The Constitutional Cell Phone Tour will be available for visitors at more than 100 Philadelphia area locations including the Independence Visitor Center, National Constitution Center, Pennsylvania Convention Center, area hotels, etc. You can also purchase passes, get more information, and download a map of the cell phone tour at www.PhillyByPhone.com and www.talkingstreet.com.

About Talking Street

A service of Candide Media Works (www.candidemedia.com), Talking Street uses everyday technologies, like cell phones, iPods, MP3 players and PDAs, to offer consumers new ways to explore a destination—on your schedule and at your own pace. Candide Media Works, Inc. pioneered the first ever celebrity narrated cell phone walking tour, Talking Street The Lower East Side: Birthplace of Dreams, narrated by Jerry Stiller, funded in part by Steven Spielberg’s Righteous Persons Foundation. Subsequently, Candide launched Talking Street Boston: City of Rebels and Dreamers, narrated by Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler as well as The Rise of New York, a tour of Lower Manhattan and the World Trade Center Site, narrated by Sigourney Weaver; Symbols of America; The Washington Mall, narrated by Larry King and Staten Island Ferry Bridging the World’s Harbor, narrated by Paul Sorvino. Talking Street will offer tours across the United States in various markets including Chicago, Hollywood, Miami Beach, New Orleans, San Francisco and Seattle, and these will be available in late summer 2006. Additional tours are planned for major travel destinations both nationally and worldwide during the second half of 2006.

About The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia

The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia takes visitors on a walking journey through America’s Most Historic Square Mile, the birthplace of our nation – “Where Every Day is Independence Day.” Located in Center City Philadelphia, The Constitutional includes many sites within the Independence National Historical Park area, which is home to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. The Constitutional guides visitors to walk through history where The Declaration of Independence and The United States Constitution were created. The Constitutional is one of “Philadelphia’s Top 25 Tourist Attractions” as ranked by the Philadelphia Business Journal. Visitors can experience The Constitutional: 1) on their own as a free, self-guided walking tour, 2) with a lively tour guide for a fee 3) with the new Philly MP3 Audio Tour or 4) via the new Constitutional Cell Phone Tour by calling 215-229-TOUR (8687). For more information on The Constitutional, please visit www.TheConstitutional.com. Guided and audio tours are offered by The Constitutional Guided Walking Tours, LLC which is a licensee of The Constitutional Foundation, Inc. d/b/a The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia; a portion of the proceeds from all guided and audio tour fees benefits The Constitutional Foundation and its free self-guided tour.

The Constitutional Cell Phone Tour was created by Jonathan and Leslie Bari. The content was locally recorded and produced in the Philadelphia area by Wallabee Multimedia in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania.

For more information:

Contact:

The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia

Leslie Bari

610-639-4880

Candide Media Works, Inc.    

Tiffany Woolf

917-532-3366

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