Thursday Constitution blogging

Calvin and Hobbes en español by Bill Watterson
Daily strip in English here; in Spanish here

I am a huge fan of Calvin and Hobbes. I was crushed when Bill Watterson decided to stop while he was still fresh. Mercifully, there are re-runs (see links above). I read it every day in both English and Spanish.

Not too long ago I came across the strip excerpted above. Calvin is discussing Santa and says (my translation):

Who appointed him?

How do we know he's impartial?

What criterion does he use to determine good or bad?

What about attenuating circumstances?

Kids should have benefit of legal counsel, don't you think?

Quite a list of judicial expectations!

And where might we find such ideas?

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions,
the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial,
by an impartial jury
of the state and district wherein
the crime shall have been committed,
which district shall have been previously ascertained by law,
and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation;
to be confronted with the witnesses against him;
to have compulsory process
for obtaining witnesses in his favor,
and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

And then we have Article III. Section 2. Clause 3:

The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.

And perhaps a touch of this:

Article. IV. Section. 2. Clause 1:

The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.

Gotta love those immunities.

Young Calvin is probably no constitutional lawyer, just a troublemaking kid who will work any conceivable angle to get away with it. Still and all, one cannot help suspecting that this perpetual six-year-old has a better grasp of the United States Constitution than most voters.

Know your rights!

Know the basis of your government!

Be informed!

Speak out!

Vote!

--the BB