Posted On: June 22, 2009, 4:22 pm CDT

Posted By: JB

Oh no, another misguided opinion regarding the U.S. Constitution being some kind of "living, breathing" document, that needs to "change with the times", or some such nonsense. The founders purposely made it very difficult to amend the constitution and, indeed, incorporated into the constitution a "Bill of Rights" (technically speaking the first ten amendments)which were intended to be permanent. What was true in terms of basic citizens rights and protections in 1789 was true in 1889 and will still be true in 2089. Amendments to the constitution have been made since the first ten were ratified in 1791, but it requires very careful thought and deliberation - in fact, it requires approval from 2/3 of both houses of congress and 3/4 of the states in order to amend the constitution. Nowhere in the constitution is deviant behavior a guaranteed right. Individuals do enjoy certain rights and freedoms - within limits. The constitution in fact does give both the federal and state governments certain powers - within limits. I don't think the constitution needs to be amended to prohibit chimp/wild animal ownership - it's routinely done under current law.
I wonder how many U.S. citizens have actually read and understand the U.S. Constitution? My guess is not enough!