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I had to look this up, so here's my attempt at translation for non-Americans:

> A pedophile with a cameraphone is terrible. But law enforcement that can search and seize property at will is worse.

> A racist with a social media account is terrible. But a president that can deny people their freedom of expression & assembly is worse.

I agree.

(ps. offtopic meta remark, the American enthusiasm for remembering laws by number never ceases to amaze me)




that's only specifically the first 10 amendments, which are generally referred to as the bill of rights as they were added to the constitution when it was ratified and cover most basic freedoms so they're taught in school

other rights-granting amendments are the post civil war ones which are slightly less well known but also covered in school


Nah I often see people talking about stuff like prop <some number> expecting everyone to know what that refers to.


Most Americans won't know those, because those are state-specific (usually for California; most states don't even have Propositions that citizens can vote on).

Every American knows what the 1st Amendment is, by contrast.


They are more than just a law, they are part of the constitution (much harder to change).

And the reason why the first 10 (the Bill of Rights) and some others are learned by all schoolchildren is because the rights delineated within directly address many dire problems Americans had suffered as British colonies (and why there was a war, so is said), and so the reasons why America was formed by its founders in the first place. Part of the mythology and moral license.




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