On this episode of Blunt Force truth, Chuck and Mark are joined by Professor Adam Winkler as they continue their exploration of the United States Constitution. They take a balanced, deep dive to help Americans better understand the foundations of our country.

For this installment of our Constitutional series they discuss the first three Constitutional Amendments. They start off by discussing why the U.S. Constitution needed amendments right after it was written. Also, Professor Winkler explains the difference between federalist and anti-federalist.

They discuss the First Amendment of the Constitution, which is the Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition. Professor Winkler explains the importance of the First Amendment when it comes to speaking out against the government and creating a free marketplace for ideas. Chuck and Mark ask Professor Winkler how the First Amendment pertains to some recent free speech issues.

They move into covering the Second Amendment, which is the Right to Bear Arms. They discuss why a well regulated militia was important for the Founding Fathers and what they meant by that. Professor Winkler explains why the historical context is important to consider when looking at the Second Amendment and what the Founding Fathers used gun registrations for.

The finish up today’s show by discussing the Third Amendment, which refers to quartering of soldiers. They move quickly through the Third Amendment since it is no longer relevant. Professor Winkler explains why quartering of the soldier was a concern for the Founding Fathers, but he also explains how the Supreme Court has never heard a Third Amendment case.

To read the Constitution, visit TheConstitutionCenter.org.

More about Professor Winkler:

Professor Adam Winkler is a specialist in American constitutional law and history. He is the author of We the Corporations: How American Businesses Won Their Civil Rights (2018) and Gunfight: The Battle over the Right to Bear Arms in America (2011).

His scholarship has been cited in landmark Supreme Court cases, including opinions on the Second Amendment and on corporate free speech rights. His popular writing has been featured in the New York Times, New York Review of Books, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, New Republic, Atlantic, Slate, SCOTUSblog, and Daily Beast.

He is a frequent commentator about legal issues and has appeared on Face the Nation, CNN, NBC Nightly News, C-SPAN, Newshour, ABC News, All Things Considered, Morning Edition and Marketplace. He also served as co-editor of the Encyclopedia of the American Constitution (2d Edition). 

Connect with Professor Winkler:

Twitter: @adamwinkler.

Website: https://law.ucla.edu/news-and-events/in-the-news/2018/02/we-the-corporations-by-adam-winkler/

 

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