Sorry it's been a while!

Hey all!
Sorry it's been so long since I have written! School has been insane! But I do have some updates to previous posts.
Concerning Christianity... I can't do it anymore. I'm sorry but I find it difficult to believe that the bible is actually correct. I believe whole heartening in science, evolution and such. And a book that condemns homosexuality, which I truly believe that is naturally occurring and not learned or chosen. But is okay with incest, murder, and such is not the religion for me.

But as for things I do believe in... I'm working on reading a few books that I find fascinating! One is the "The edible history of humanity." It is awesome! It basically lays out how food and our quest to control this resource has directly caused us to evolve from a hunter gather society to the multi-level society we are today. Read it! It is a great book! After this one I will dive into "Spice: The history of a temptation". It's along the same lines as the last, but focuses on spices.

Of course there is more, but it is late and I should go to bed. But my next post will be about politics. Yes another touchy subject, but I have to be consistent! Till later all!

Updating the Constitution!! In theory....

Ok so.. So I started this little discussion in my political science online forum area. And I (a) enjoyed it.. It made me think of solutions to our equality problem. And (b) got me all idealistic and I actually want to go around and poll people and see what they would like to see for a finished re-written constitution.. I'm curious.... The discussion follows... It's between me, Seya and Noah. Our professor pops in at the beginning and end. Apparently I gave her an idea for a critical thinking essay... Oops...

(My Original Question)

At the beginning of Chapter 2 in the textbook the authors describe the tea party members as literally interpreting the Constitution for this day and age to back up their actions. And I've noticed that at the core of most political disagreements, when it comes to opinions on the Constitution. People either take it literally or glean certain parts of it. 

My question is... Should we update the Constitution to actually reflect our current climate, citizens, and problems of this day and age?

Personally I say we should. It was written over 200 years ago. The founders and authors of it had different problems than we have now. And I think that it is ridicules to go off something so dated. If we want to be a country that actually is forward progressing, and learns from our mistakes. We should update our most important documents to fit todays needs.

What do all of you think?

(Teachers Response)

Great question Mary.  I am curious to see what you classmates think.

Professor Tabares

(Me)

Thank you! I am too.

(Seya)

Your question prompted me to look at all the constitutional amendments: http://www.america.gov/st/usg-english/2008/April/20080416204259eaifas0.7985803.html

It's interesting to note how amendments were needed to give African Americans, women, and adults aged 18 the right to vote.  You'd think these things would go without saying, but only white men were considered people in the fullest sense then. 

Are you suggesting we add more amendments that reflect our current issues, or write a whole new constitution?

(Me)

First off.. Thanks for looking and responding!

Second, it is sad that rights such as voting and marriage are not available to all in the orginial draft of the constitution. To have to add them as an after thought is an insult to what we stand for. Which is to be a forward progressing, equal, and truly pioneering nation. Which we are not...

I'm suggesting that we write an entire new constitution. The one we have now is important! It is our history. But it is sentimental to hold on to an obsolete document. History changes daily and so all of us should change with it. Rights like that shouldn't need to be added as an after thought, which is what an amendment really is if you think about it.... Close the loopholes, and and write a truly amazing document that would surprise the world, and our citizens.. That would be awe-inspiring! That would be a true change!

(Seya)

I like your argument, Mary!  We do have many issues that need to be addressed head-on, that the current constitution seems insufficient for. 

But, say we got past the first hurdle of those who hold our original constitution sacred and would refuse to see it rewritten...And now we began writing our new constitution.  Even in the interpretation of the old one, people differ.  How much will they differ when we try and decide what to include in the new one?

There are issues which I know many people would specifically want to see addressed in a new consitution.  Some, adamantly, would want them addressed in one way.  And I, equally adamant, would want them addressed in the exact opposite way.

(Me)

And that's our problem. We need to leave religion, stereotypes, old resentments and such in the past and truly be open-minded of all cultures. But that is not human nature and that is our problem.

Hopefully someday someone can prove me wrong with that. I would love to tell my daughter that my generation was able to change things for her to have a truly equal future..

Maybe, just maybe... We can actually elect officals into office that can do that. Represent all of America and all of it's citizens the way we should be represented. As a collective whole that is not separated by gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or political party. Wistfull thinking I know, but a girl can always dream!

But seriously.. If we were able to rewrite the constitution, our basic rights.. To have a constitution that reflected equality for all as a basic right for all people. That would be ground-breaking! I'd love to see that....

(Seya)

Yes, human nature isn't prone to empathy and compromise.  It seems we like to jump to conclusions and villify others first.

In theory, I would like to see a constitution rewritten to reflect our current issues and understandings, but because of this very human nature I don't think it would be possible.

I can't remember who it was who theorized that, in order to attain a classless state in society, a different sort of reform would be needed first: A reformation of our natures and outlooks as individuals, basically a shift in consciousness.

(Me)

Again.. Maybe we will see change in our lifetime. But we will most likely have to be the ones to implement the change by leading with our example. 

(Noah)

Pandoras Box? Let me play devils advocate for a moment. Would opening the constitution to re interpretation set a dangerous precedent? "I don't like the way the constitution views this. Lets re write it" Amendments are OK to catch up to the contemporary view of our public but an all out re write feels like dangerous ground to me.

(Me)

It would only be dangerous if dangerous people were in charge of the re-write. There would have to be a massive, multi-check system to be in charge of the re-write.
Let's say just for arguments sake... They have a census that the entire country had to vote on. And it had all of our suggestions on it. Plus people we voted on to only interpret our requests and put the appropriate ones on paper. (Yes I know, what is appropriate? It will always depend... But lets pretend it's equality and no discrimination of anyone. Just for an example..)
Some people would throw the "I don't like this and I want this changed" argument out there. But that's why we would need to elect people to re-write the constitution. Plus... It's already been done.. The constitution was originally the articles of confederation.. 
Everything is always possible. Action requires someone to initate it though. And our generation is most likely gonna have to step up and take the first step. If we want change, then we need to implement change.. 
Great comment though Noah! That made me think for a sec! And Seya too! I enjoyed conversing with you both on this!

(Professor Tabares)

Great discussion Mary and Seya.  It is beginning to give me an idea for one of our critical thinking essay topics.

Professor Tabares

Anyways.. That was the discussion.. Send a message with your thoughts! I'm curious!