Freedom and Responsibility

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Built within the Constitution of the United States are specifically defined freedoms that are guaranteed to all citizens. Conversely, with every constitutional freedom there comes a corresponding responsibility.

On September 25, 1789, the state legislature’s twelve proposed amendments were transmitted by congress, the first two dealing with congressional representation and congressional pay. The following numbers three through twelve were adopted by the states to become the Bill of Rights in 1791. As defined by our U.S. Constitution, the first amendment states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercises thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances”. (Jordan, 1999)

The first precept addressed in the amendment is “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercises thereof” (Jordan, 1999). Therefore, the first amendment states citizens have freedom of religion and exercises of the religion. The article entitled “Lawsuit alleges FBI violated Muslims’ freedom of religion,” published by Jerry Markon, Washington Post Staff Writer, justifies the detailed case of the FBI surveillance targeting Muslims for their religion. “The lawsuit, filed against the FBI and seven of its agents and supervisors, focuses on the actions several years ago of Craig Monteilh, a paid FBI informant. Monteilh has said he was instructed to spy on worshipers at an Irvine mosque in a quest for potential terrorists, allegations that prompted fierce criticism of the FBI from some Muslims in Southern California and nationwide.” The lawsu...

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...nal/lawsuit-alleges-fbi-violated-muslims-freedom-of-religion/2011/02/22/ABrXrUI_story.html>.

"Outcry After Police Pepper Spray Students At UC Davis: NPR." National Public Radio. NPR, 20 Nov. 2011. Web. 25 Nov. 2011. .

Robinson, Dan. "Obama Signs Law Supporting Global Press Freedom." Voice of America. 17 May 2010. Web. 03 Dec. 2011. .

"Unforgettable Change: 1960s: Free Speech Movement & The New American Left | Picture This." Oakland Museum of California. Web. 01 Dec. 2011. .

"Who Was Mario?" Mario Savio Memorial Lecture Fund. Web. 25 Nov. 2011. .

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