Ex post Facto

7 Oct 2009 by John Conway

“I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion.” – Thomas Jefferson

“DISCRETION, n. [L, a separating. See Discreet.]

1. Prudence, or knowledge and prudence; that discernment which enables a person to judge critically of what is correct and proper, united with caution; nice discernment and judgment, directed by circumspection, and primarily regarding ones own conduct.”  1828

You have all read Section 8 by now.  Did you happen to see where this group of people from a political party can pass whatever legislation they want?  No, it is limited to the duties in Section 8. Did you see where this entity has the power to interfere in our personal lives at all?  NO!
Here is a list of things this government is not allowed to do when it comes to performing the functions as specifically spelled out in Section 8..

Section 9
"The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing
shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to
the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed
on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person."

    The "migration" here refers to moving a slave from one State to another.  The
importation refers to the import of a slave
 from another country. That is why
a slave could be taxed.  It was considered an importation of a commodity.  Both
practices would end in 1808.
    Migration is not mentioned any where else in the Constitution.  The States,
before the Constitution, controlled their own immigration.  Because it doesn't
mention in the Constitution who controlds immigration, you defer to the Tenth Amendment.
All powers not specifically given this government by this constitution are reserved to
the States.  The States control immigration, not some far off foreign government. 

"The privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when
in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it."

There has to be a body, or evidence of a crime.

"No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed."

Bill of Attainder:  "Blacks Law Dictionary" edition one:
"A Legislative Act
 directed at a designated person pronouncing him guilty of an
alleged crime, usually treason With Out trial or conviction according to the
recognized rules of procedure, and passing sentence of death and attainder upon him.
    "Bills of Attainder," as they are technically called, are such special acts
of the legislature as inflict capital punishment upon persons supposed to be guilty
of high of fences such as treason or felony, with out cinviction in the ordinary course
of judicial proceedings.  If an act inflicts a lesser degree of punishment then the act
is called a "Bill of Pains and Punishment.  Both are included in the prohibition in
the Constitution."

EX POST FACTO;
   This is the only foreign language word in the Constitution.  Why?  It is Latin,
a dead language, so you can't change its meaning.  It is a hugely important word.
It means, after the fact, or retroactive.  Lets say I purchased a shot gun
 today
and it is legal today. A law can be passed making it illegal tomorrow to buy a shot
gun.  I can't be prosecuted because it was legal when I purchased the gun.
    A real creep changed the meaning of this word anyway.  It was the only supreme
Court Justice to be impeached for his arrogance and partisan politics.  His name
was Samuel Portlan Chase, you know, Chase Manhattan Bank.  He defined it as only
pertaining to criminal law, not taxes. 

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Citizen Conway
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