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fandomhigh2020-10-22 08:49 am
imafuturist) wrote in fandomhigh2020-10-22 08:49 am
Functioning Governments, Thursday
"Welcome back to class," Steve said. "I hope your week off makes you more invigorated about learning about democracy. In the United States, our government's founding document is called the Constitution, and it's extremely short for something that sets up the framework for an entire country. Fortunately, the Founders included a way to amend that document to grow and change with the country--the Amendments--and the first ten are known as the Bill of Rights and were adopted as a group two years after the Constitution was ratified."
"They are the basic rights that are generally pointed to as a beacon of progressiveness for the country as a whole," Tony said. "And they were something new and exciting when they were first added. Freedom of religion, for example, when many people were fleeing the numerous conflicts over it in Europe was huge."
Steve nodded. "Freedom of the press was essential--and is still essential--but it was put into law because authoritarians have an extremely predictable habit of shutting down the people who are telling the bad truths to everyone."
"Freedom of speech allows citizens to speak without fear of governmental reprisal." Tony made a small face and wobbled his head from side to side as he considered that one. "Within reason. Though many people seem to incorrectly think it should allow them to say whatever hateful thing comes to mind and not be judged for it."
"You can absolutely be judged for it," Steve said firmly. "You can have consequences imposed on you for them. You just cannot be thrown directly in prison for saying you think something anatomically unlikely should happen to the Senate Majority Leader."
Tony wasn't laughing at that, he was just... trying not to sneeze, kids. "So, let's discuss how these rights do or do not apply to where you're from."
"They are the basic rights that are generally pointed to as a beacon of progressiveness for the country as a whole," Tony said. "And they were something new and exciting when they were first added. Freedom of religion, for example, when many people were fleeing the numerous conflicts over it in Europe was huge."
Steve nodded. "Freedom of the press was essential--and is still essential--but it was put into law because authoritarians have an extremely predictable habit of shutting down the people who are telling the bad truths to everyone."
"Freedom of speech allows citizens to speak without fear of governmental reprisal." Tony made a small face and wobbled his head from side to side as he considered that one. "Within reason. Though many people seem to incorrectly think it should allow them to say whatever hateful thing comes to mind and not be judged for it."
"You can absolutely be judged for it," Steve said firmly. "You can have consequences imposed on you for them. You just cannot be thrown directly in prison for saying you think something anatomically unlikely should happen to the Senate Majority Leader."
Tony wasn't laughing at that, he was just... trying not to sneeze, kids. "So, let's discuss how these rights do or do not apply to where you're from."
Re: Discuss
Re: Discuss