To the Editor:

Quick shout out to Oscar Berendsohn, your request to change the wording of the constitution is called an amendment. Amending the Constitution has been done many times, it starts with a proposal and subsequent two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate making it a joint resolution. The joint resolution then goes to the states for consideration.  A proposed amendment becomes part of the Constitution as soon as it is ratified by three-quarters of the states. You should have learned all this in high school. Further, so you don’t have to guess at intent, there are many writings by the framers on this subject including Adams, Johnson, Henry, Hamilton, Mason, Webster, Madison, etc. Federalist 46 and Federalist 28 go into detail on the subject. You may also like what Hubert Humphrey had to say as recently as 1959. Writing the same letter every three weeks to The Bee will not accomplish your goal. You should try writing to Murphy or Blumenthal or Esty to get the process started. Good Luck!

As long as we’re on the Constitution, let’s talk about the 4th Amendment too. Let’s play Name that Shameless Politician. Who said:

“This Administration also puts forward a false choice between the liberties we cherish and the security we demand. I will provide our intelligence and law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to track and take out the terrorists without undermining our Constitution and our freedom. That means no more illegal wiretapping of American citizens. No more national security letters to spy on citizens who are not suspected of a crime. No more tracking citizens who do nothing more than protest a misguided war. No more ignoring the law when it is inconvenient.  That is not who we are. It's not what is necessary to defeat the terrorists. The FISA court works. The separation of powers works. Our Constitution works. We will again set an example for the world that the law is not subject to the whims of stubborn rulers and that justice is not arbitrary.  This administration acts like violating civil liberties is the way to enhance our security. It is not. There are no shortcuts to protecting America.”  Answer - Barack Obama in 2007.

Pathetic and funny all at once. Is the President aware the American public knows how to use Google? Has he heard of YouTube? The 4th protects the public against exactly what the Administration is currently doing with the NSA and to a lesser extent the IRS. Back in the late 1700s, Oscar, it was a general warrant known as a “writ of assistance.” It’s one of the primary contributing factors to the start of the Revolutionary War. Today, they call it counter-terrorism. Fancier name, same effect.

The Constitution is a document meant to protect freedom – not extend it. On many fronts, it is at risk. Elections matter.

Joe Duffy

5 Thomas Circle Sandy Hook                     June 18, 2013