New Hampshire GOP Bill Mandates That New Laws Find Their Origin In 1215 English Magna Carta

[Newsjock]

http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/01/04/397520/new-hampshire-gop-bill-mandates-that-laws-find-their-origin-in-1215-english-magna-carta/

New Hampshire Republicans are taking textual originalism to a whole new level: three lawmakers have proposed a bill that requires that all legislation find its origin not in the U.S. constitution, but an English document crafted in 1215.

When the legislature reconvenes this month, Republicans want their colleagues to justify many new bills with a direct quote from the 800-year-old Magna Carta:

... “All members of the general court proposing bills and resolutions addressing individual rights or liberties shall include a direct quote from the Magna Carta which sets forth the article from which the individual right or liberty is derived,” is the bill’s one sentence.

... One of the bill’s sponsors admitted that he wasn’t terribly familiar with the actual text, and mainly saw the measure as an homage. New Hampshire Democratic Party spokesman Ray Buckley said he was “mostly speechless” when he heard about the bill. “I appreciate all the hard work the Republican legislators are putting into the effort to make them look like extremists,” he said. “Saves us the trouble.”

[dimbear]

1. Makes sense. The Magna Carta only cares about the rights of second level lords and ladies.

The serfs are screwed as usual, so Repubs are loving it.

[limpyhobbler]

2. "One of the bill’s sponsors admitted that he wasn’t terribly familiar with the actual text"

These reps should quit wasting taxpayers money with gimmick bills. Do the job people elected you to do. I'm pretty sure that doesn't mean moronic political stunts.

[arcane1]

4. Just like the Constitution and the Bible

They worship it despite their utter cluelessness about it

[notadmblnd]

3. Isn't the Magna Carta an English document?

The Magna Carta is a document that King John of England (1166 - 1216) was forced into signing. King John was forced into signing the charter because it greatly reduced the power he held as the King of England and allowed for the formation of a powerful parliament. The Magna Carta became the basis for English citizen's rights.

What was the purpose of the Magna Carta?
What was the purpose of the Magna Carta? The purpose of the Magna Carta was to curb the King and make him govern by the old English laws that had prevailed before the Normans came. The Magna Carta was a collection of 37 English laws - some copied, some recollected, some old and some new. The Magna Carta demonstrated that the power of the king could be limited by a written grant.

Who wrote the Magna Carta?
The content of the Magna Carta was drafted by Archbishop Stephen Langton and the most powerful Barons of England. King John signed the document which was originally called the 'Articles of the Barons' on June 10, 1215. The barons renewed the Oath of Fealty to King John on June 15, 1215. The royal chancery produced a formal royal grant, based on the agreements reached at Runnymede, which became known as Magna Carta. Copies of the Magna Carta were distributed to bishops, sheriffs and other important people throughout England.

http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/magna-carta.htm

[Solly Mack]

5. Wasn't there a war a long time ago?

Something about some King named George...

Not knocking the Magna Carta...just saying.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Wel if you must know HABEAS CORPUS

goes directly to it.

[Solly Mack]

8. The assumption being I didn't know the Magna Carta contained an article for Habeas Corpus? That I

didn't know the Magna Carta was an antecedent for America's documents (Constitution, etc..)?

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. In the original of course

These nuts are just that, NUTS

[muriel_volestrangler]

9. As Wikipedia points out, there are only 3 clauses still in effect in England

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/aep/Edw1cc1929/25/9/contents

The one about the Church of England being 'free' has changed so much since it was written that it may as well not be in force (maybe it's there because the reset of that clause says "all the rest of this charter lasts forever&quot . There's one about liberties and customs of cities, ports etc. which is basically "don't take away powers already established (in 1215) at a lower level"; and then the important one, which is no freeman can be imprisoned without proper legal process.

"Does Magna Carta mean nothing to you? Did she die in vain?"

[mmonk]

10. LOL. Gotta love the nut jobs.

[hootinholler]

11. Consider these fucks don't want anyone to smoke pot.

At least they aren't requiring bible quotes, yet.