Georgia Magazine - May 2012 - (Page 38B)

Liberty notes Web exclusive The nature of rights BY JIM JESS T he Bill of Rights is far from a comprehensive statement of individual rights. In the view of our early statesmen, it was an enumeration of some of the rights that were not to be violated by the federal government. Many of the prohibitions against federal action in the fi rst 10 amendments are considered “negative rights.” These are things the government may not do, such as “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,” in the First Amendment. A “positive right” is an action someone may take, something one can do, such as the rights listed in the Sixth Amendment, which include the right to a speedy and public trial and Great geraniums! The Calliope hybrid geranium, a new variety of a garden classic, embodies everything gardeners love about a geranium. These hearty beauties will thrive in baskets, window boxes and large patio containers, as well as in the landscape. Its vibrant red fl owers and dark green velvety foliage command attention. But, unlike traditional geraniums, the Calliope geranium was bred to fl ower all summer long and to better withstand dry, hot conditions, making it a foolproof plant for Georgia gardens. Getting started with Calliope gerani- ums is easy. Simply fi nd a full-sun or partly shady area in your garden; the area should receive at least four hours of direct sun per day. If planting in the garden, amend the native soil with a 50/50 ratio of Pike Planting Mix; if planting in a pot, use Pike Potting and Container Mix. Plant your Calliope geraniums and water when the topsoil is dry. For even more luscious red blooms, feed them every 7 to 14 days with EB Stone Rose and Flower Food—then sit back and enjoy the show. Source: Pike Nurseries, www.pikenurseries.com 38B the right to counsel. In the thinking of the Founding Fathers, rights were God-given, not bestowed by government. They believed the function of government was to secure or protect these rights. Because they viewed these God-given rights as numerous, they were hesitant to try to identify them all, for fear of leaving something out. For example, the right to self-gov- ernment was a right all of the Founders held dear, but it is never specifi - cally mentioned in the Bill of Rights or the Constitution. Obviously, it is part of the fabric of the Constitution, but the Founders never identifi ed it as a right in the document. In the words of the Declaration of Independence, all human beings “are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness …” The declaration did not say that “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” were the only rights of man, but that these rights were “among these”—referring to the unalienable rights of which the document speaks. This indicates that they believed there were rights other than those mentioned. The Founding Fathers’ view of freedom was expansive, and the Ninth Amendment continued the legacy of leaving the question of individual rights open-ended. This is why the Ninth Amendment says that the enumeration or listing of rights—negative or positive—could not be used to deny other unnamed rights that could be exercised by free men and women. Our early statesmen were so protective of liberty that they did not want to defi ne it too strictly, lest liberty be limited or diminished. For more Liberty notes, see page 7. The bright red blooms of hearty Calliope hybrid geraniums add a splash of color to summer landscapes. More online at www.georgiamagazine.org GEORGIA MAGAZINE http://www.pikenurseries.com http://www.georgiamagazine.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - May 2012

Georgia Magazine - May 2012
Contents
Viewpoint
Mailbox
Liberty Notes
Picture This?
Georgia News
More about Moen
Learn about the HGTV Green Home
Currents
Georgia's Energy Outlook
Investing in the future
Around Georgia
Where to stay and eat in Albany
Home energy report 2012
Electrical safety
May’s online trivia contest
My Georgia
Georgia Cooks
Second helping: Cheese
Calendar of Events
Snapshot
Bonus Snapshot submissions
Liberty notes; Plant of the month

Georgia Magazine - May 2012