Our Constitutional Protections Are Esoteric?

On July 25th, 2013, at the Republican Governors Forum in Aspen, Colorado, Governor Chris Christie made his now, infamous, remarks (see below video), “on the Libertarianism side of things,” which he directed toward those of us who are, “rightly,” criticizing the N.S.A.’s “extensive,” surveillance programs, and those of us who believe that The 4th Amendment of The Bill of Rights means exactly what it says, in regards to restraining our Federal Government:

Amendment IV (1791):
“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

The Governor also called these (constitutional) views, “dangerous,” and asked if we have “amnesia.”

The Governor continued, with the below remarks:
“These esoteric, intellectual debates – I want them to come to New Jersey and sit across from the [911] widows and the orphans and have that conversation. And they won’t, because that’s a much tougher conversation to have.”

There are so many things wrong with Governor Christie’s remarks that, I barely know where to start!

Implicit, in the Governor’s words, is a belief that, if one believes Government should be limited, and provide for our Defense in a Constitutional manner, that, somehow, we don’t care about the people who died on 911. And, that, our Constitution, and our Constitutional Protections, are only important when we, “esoterically,” understand our rights, and have an interest in learning them. I suppose I could could make a similar argument, and ask, “if Governor Christie considers an OATH to office to be esoteric”? Perhaps the Governor should stand before disabled veterans and explain why he believes their OATH “to The United States Constitution” was in vain!

I would have no problem sitting across from 911 widows, and orphans, and explain to them the purpose of The 4th Amendment, and why it is so important, “if we want to live in a free country,” and not a Police State. Also, that, as a “fellow citizen,” how grief-stricken I was on 911, and how sorry I am for their loss.

When we, as citizens, allow people like Christie, and anyone else in our state and federal governments, to take this Constitution-be-dammed attitude, and allow more and more of our Liberties to be stripped away, it only sends a message to these terrorists that, they have won – by causing our Government(s) to strip away our Liberties, and, basically, finish the job for them.

Those of us who, “esoterically,” take the time to study our federal and state constitutions, generally, do have a much better understanding of how our rights are protected from Government interference; but, if one doesn’t take the time to learn and understand their rights, does that give them the right to sanction Government to run right over ours? Of course it doesn’t! But, implicit in Governor’s Christie’s remarks are a belief that, those of us who are caring enough to know their rights, need to shut up, and remain “ignorant” sheep!

Those of us who have, “esoterically” taken the time to study our history, also understand that Government generally grows, and Liberties general shrink under the guise of safety and security. Governor Christie’s remarks are not much different then a politician who believes that, because some Americans are without, or can’t afford healthcare insurance, that, Government needs to step in and take it over. In a “free country,” there are no guarantees of safety or security! And, if we ever give in to the premise that Government needs to be all things to all people – in the end, we will be asking, “who will protect us from our own Government”?

Rather then the Governor criticizing those of us who actually believe that The Constitution means what it says, and that, those who have taken an Oath to The Constitution, have a duty to Support, and Defend it, perhaps we should have a conversation about our Federal Government’s negligence in preventing 911! And, that, in just about every successful attack (i.e. 911, Fort Hood, The Boston Marathon), our Federal Government had prior knowledge that trouble was on the horizon, but failed to prevent these attacks! And, with every Government failure, comes another reason to shred our Constitution, and strip away more of our Liberties!

The message to Governor Christie, and anyone else in Government, who feels they can not discharge their duties in a “Constitutional manner,” should be to step down from that position, and allow someone else to fill that position, who can provide for our Defense, while respecting our Liberties.

Posted, originally at, The Original Republican