Comments on: Constitution Day

By: Bryan

Bryan — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 04:17:43 +0000

Since civics is apparently no longer a requirement for graduations in many states, Steve, I fear knowledge of the Constitution is fading along with interest in voting.

State University of New York system, Jim. All public employees in the state take the oath, and that includes the university. The constitution of New York is included in the oath. This was back in the late 1970s.

By: Jim Bales

Jim Bales — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 04:00:00 +0000

Bryan, where were (are?) you teaching that required an oath to support the Constitution? (It isn’t one I was required to take, even though I teach at a Land Grant College.)

By: Steve Bates

Steve Bates — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 03:12:41 +0000

IIRC, my entering the employ of the State of Texas required an oath to the U.S. Constitution. (No one can read the Texas Constitution; it’s too long and too full of garbage that really should be legislation instead. Oh, and favors for rich folks.) I signed that oath cheerfully, and intend to keep it to my dying day… whether the Constitution is still our primary government document or not by that time. Hey, it’s full of good ideas. I like it even better when it is implemented in real life.

I saw an AP article lamenting how few secondary school students were aware of the day. I don’t much care if they remember the day, as long as they understand the document and have some idea of its context and application.

By: Bryan

Bryan — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 00:22:12 +0000

I do try to keep up with things, John, since there’s nothing much a liberal can do in Okaloosa county.

By: John B.

John B. — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 23:50:59 +0000

Thanks for remembering the birthday of the world's first and longest-lasting fully written Constitution. Great links, by the way. Here's one more party favor: "Exploring Constitutional Law"