Is the Original Constitution really necessary?

Falkenhayn · Post by **Falkenhayn** » 2004-11-29 03:40pm

Not in a legal sense, but, the actual, physical document. Would its theft/destruction remove the legitimacy and legality of the United States government?

Post by **LadyTevar** » 2004-11-29 03:44pm

I guess not.

Frank Hipper · Post by **Frank Hipper** » 2004-11-29 03:46pm

Of course not. How would it?

Cyborg Stan · Post by **Cyborg Stan** » 2004-11-29 03:55pm

You might as well ask if you can legally amend it by scribbling on it with a magic marker.

Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi · Post by **Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi** » 2004-11-29 03:56pm

No, but in case of theft, I can imagine that there would be some massive campaign to find who took it, and when it is found, toss whoever stole it into jail.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2004-11-29 03:56pm

If the building burned down, I don't see how that would change anything except for removing a tourist landmark and making it impossible for Nicholas Cage to find the national treasure.

Post by **Ghost Rider** » 2004-11-29 03:58pm

Darth Wong wrote:If the building burned down, I don't see how that would change anything except for removing a tourist landmark and making it impossible for Nicholas Cage to find the national treasure.

Curse the Illuminati!!

AS for the original question. No. I mean it's there as a historical artifact more or less. I mean if the Rosetta Stone disappeared would it matter about what we think of it and the knowledge we have of it?

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2004-11-29 04:03pm

Darth Wong wrote:If the building burned down, I don't see how that would change anything except for removing a tourist landmark and making it impossible for Nicholas Cage to find the national treasure.

That was the Declaration of Independence that had the treasure map. The Constitution contains hidden instructions to our government from aliens. Duh.

HemlockGrey · Post by **HemlockGrey** » 2004-11-29 04:07pm

That was the Declaration of Independence that had the treasure map. The Constitution contains hidden instructions to our government from aliens. Duh.

Well, they're both in the same building, so Cage would still have to go back to ripping off the elderly.

Petrosjko · Post by **Petrosjko** » 2004-11-29 04:09pm

Durandal wrote:That was the Declaration of Independence that had the treasure map. The Constitution contains hidden instructions to our government from aliens. Duh.

Oh christ, not that bullshit again. I keep telling you, it was the Time Traveling Nazis, not the aliens.

What rational person believes in space aliens?

Falkenhayn, once the constitution was ratified by the states, the document itself became irrelevant as anything other than an artifact. The legal existance of the government is not dependent on any particular piece of paper, but rather by the spirit of the social contract it represents.

The Dark · Post by **The Dark** » 2004-11-29 05:01pm

The actual paper itself is important only as a historical document, similar to the Magna Carta or the Declaration of Independence. Given that it is not even up to date (what with amendments and all), its destruction would matter not a whit to the actual ability of the nation to govern itself. Morale-wise, it would be a terrible loss, but it is not physically necessary.

Falkenhayn · Post by **Falkenhayn** » 2004-11-29 05:18pm

Frank Hipper wrote:Of course not. How would it?

By allowing wankers to claim that there isn't one anymore.

Perhaps I am simply being paranoid.

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » 2004-11-29 05:22pm

By allowing wankers to claim that there isn't one anymore.

Paper can be replaced.

Col. Crackpot · Post by **Col. Crackpot** » 2004-11-29 05:22pm

Darth Wong wrote:If the building burned down, I don't see how that would change anything except for removing a tourist landmark and making it impossible for Nicholas Cage to find the national treasure.

if the building caught fire the sealed down the sealed bulletproof display case filled with helium and water vapor would sink into another sealed chamber and rest safely behind 5 tons of steel.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2004-11-29 05:35pm

Col. Crackpot wrote:
if the building caught fire the sealed down the sealed bulletproof display case filled with helium and water vapor would sink into another sealed chamber and rest safely behind 5 tons of steel.

Be better to blast it into space where no one can lay their filthy hands on it (or wipe off rib BBQ sauce with it).

Symmetry · Post by **Symmetry** » 2004-11-29 06:14pm

Falkenhayn wrote:Would its theft/destruction remove the legitimacy and legality of the United States government?

Not at all. It would, however, make a good number of people quite angry.

Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi · Post by **Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi** » 2004-11-29 06:26pm

Admiral Valdemar wrote:
Col. Crackpot wrote:
if the building caught fire the sealed down the sealed bulletproof display case filled with helium and water vapor would sink into another sealed chamber and rest safely behind 5 tons of steel.
Be better to blast it into space where no one can lay their filthy hands on it (or wipe off rib BBQ sauce with it).

But then, aliens could find it, and somehow carry out some dastardly deed like... uh... something bad you can do with a 230 year-old piece of paper.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2004-11-29 06:42pm

I don't care what they do. Worship it like a god (oh, they already do) or wrap it in the Magna Carta, pin it to the Rosetta Stone and throw it over a rainbow; it's only a tourist attraction anyway.

egyptfrk · Post by **egyptfrk** » 2004-11-30 01:53am

Admiral Valdemar wrote:I don't care what they do. Worship it like a god (oh, they already do) or wrap it in the Magna Carta, pin it to the Rosetta Stone and throw it over a rainbow; it's only a tourist attraction anyway.

Hey! I know that England's constitution is not a formal document but still, have some respect for the US's. People come to DC to see the document because of its historical value. Its the original and it thus holds a great deal of sentimental value to (at least the majority of) American citizens. Its the physical embodiment of the principles the country was founded on.

Questor · Post by **Questor** » 2004-11-30 02:25am

The reason that the physical document is valuable is the same reason that the original Mona Lisa is valuable. It's valuable because it's the original.

Zed Snardbody · Post by **Zed Snardbody** » 2004-11-30 06:30am

I don't know, If we lost the Dec. of Independence I'd be worried about red coats suddenly appearing out of thin air and demanding to be quartered in my apartment.

It's a fear I really have. Damn british.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2004-11-30 06:34am

So long as the King of England doesn't barge in and start pushing us around, we'll be okay. Thankfully I have enough firearms and assorted types of ammunition to wage a guerilla war on most of Europe should those godless commies decide to invade and destroy The Constitution.

With my jingoistic pride, rabid paranoia of change and bizarre fascination with collecting weaponry I don't need, I'll be doing my part for Uncle Sam.

*Fade out to image of the Stars & Stripes with images of Westminster Palace burning along with the Union Flag as B-36s carpet bomb London*

Questor · Post by **Questor** » 2004-11-30 06:34am

Zed Snardbody wrote:I don't know, If we lost the Dec. of Independence I'd be worried about red coats suddenly appearing out of thin air and demanding to be quartered in my apartment.

It's a fear I really have. Damn british.

What does that have to do with the Dec. of Independance. I believe you are refering to the 3rd Amendment to the Constitution.

Questor · Post by **Questor** » 2004-11-30 06:35am

Admiral Valdemar wrote:So long as the King of England doesn't barge in and start pushing us around, we'll be okay. Thankfully I have enough firearms and assorted types of ammunition to wage a guerilla war on most of Europe should those godless commies decide to invade and destroy The Constitution.

Horay for the 2nd Amendment!

Col. Crackpot · Post by **Col. Crackpot** » 2004-11-30 07:59am

Admiral Valdemar wrote: *Fade out to image of the Stars & Stripes with images of Westminster Palace burning along with the Union Flag as B-36s carpet bomb London*

Silly Limey,now that the Assault Weapons Ban has expired we are legally allowed to own them!

*pools my money with Shep, The Dutchess, Stuart and Phong and buys surplus Peacemaker.

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Is the Original Constitution really necessary?

Is the Original Constitution really necessary?

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