I remember reading this and some other incredible nonsense in NC's Constitution in my undergrad years. I thought all Chapel Hillians would know this by heart.
While they're cleaning up the NC Constitution, might I suggest undoing the last amendment - that idiotic tax increment financing that barely passed.
Even Roanoke Rapids is getting out of the theater business they were duped into.
Oh no, I'm agreeing with the JLFers on something...must...stop..ahhhh!!
Every other session or so someone points this out and gets shot down for mentioning it because no one at the General Assembly wants to be the one to pass a bill writing GAWD out of the Constitution. Then Dome does a write-up about it and the whole thing dies down until another session or so goes by.
Under Art. VI of the U.S. Constitution, any religious test for public office is strictly forbidden. The same article, with the Supremacy Clause, means this trumps the state constitution. So...consider it deleted.
Phillip Hunter Gilfus,
Member(NC), Democratic National Committee
I didn't suggest it needed to be amended or deleted. It's old, it's unenforced and unenforceable, and everyone -- almost everyone -- who follows NC politics knows about it.
For those who still want to assert that the DOME or the N&O is irrelevant, they've dutifully reported on this and other legal and quasi-legal relics on our lawbooks for years. Regular Dome readers knew about this a long time ago. THAT was my point.
Whether it's enforceable or not, the words are still there.
Because there is still an automatic assumption that everyone believes in some sort of God - that everyone is a "person of faith", this is dismissed as irrelevant. That's a false assumption, obviously. We wouldn't say it was irrelevant if it were a clause prohibiting African-Americans from holding office, or prohibiting women from holding office. We'd be up in arms.
Which is why I think it amuses members of the media to sort of tweak the noses at the General Assembly on it.
If it were truly irrelevant, no one would feel squeamish about having a news article printed that he or she had just introduced a bill to "ELIMINATE GOD" from our Constitution. Just guess how that would go over.
We're a long way from acknowledging the rights of those in the minority on religious matters. I mean, geez, there are folks who think themselves "liberal" for accepting that Roman Catholics are Christian.
I feel that people like me have to point out the ridiculousness of such a thing being on paper, though. It's part of that whole "pointing at naked emperors" thing.
It's an open thread, so what the hell. James's quote of the NC constitution got me a-thinkin'.
Third, any person who has been adjudged guilty of treason or any other felony against this State or the United States, [...]
How would one go about committing treason against the State of North Carolina without also committing treason against the United States?
Has there ever, in the history of the U.S., been a criminal charge filed, or a trial held, for which the offense was treason against a state? If so, were there any instances where there wasn't also a federal treason charge for the same acts? Any that weren't tied up with the Civil War?
As GOP power slips away, and the most febrile of Palin supporters retreat to their bunkers to plot their apotheosis into the next Timothy McVeigh, I wonder if California or the Bay State will end up with a case against someone who "loves" the United States (second only to the defunct CSA, at any rate), but must strike out in righteous wrath against the "Left Coast" or "Taxachusetts".
Besides, how could a federal treason charge be sustained if the building you blew up wasn't in "real America"?
--
recently transplanted from Indianapolis, IN to Durham, NC
I wouldn't recommend drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity for everyone, but they've always worked for me. -- Hunter S. Thompson
--
Garner, NC
I wouldn't recommend drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity for everyone, but they've always worked for me. -- Hunter S. Thompson
Besides, how could a federal treason charge be sustained if the building you blew up wasn't in "real America"?
Blowing up Chapel Hill would definitely not be treason - against either the state or the country. We are an independent city-state unto ourselves. Just ask the ghost of Jesse Hellms.
I would settle for the Dean Dome and Keenan Stadium though.
WaHooWa
“We are the party of Roosevelt. We are the party of Kennedy. So don't tell me that Democrats won't defend this country. Don't tell me that Democrats won't keep us safe.” ~ Barack Obama
Comments
This laugher has been a staple of UNC Poli 101 classes
I remember reading this and some other incredible nonsense in NC's Constitution in my undergrad years. I thought all Chapel Hillians would know this by heart.
While they're cleaning up the NC Constitution, might I suggest undoing the last amendment - that idiotic tax increment financing that barely passed.
Even Roanoke Rapids is getting out of the theater business they were duped into.
Oh no, I'm agreeing with the JLFers on something...must...stop..ahhhh!!
NC Constitution - Old news
Every other session or so someone points this out and gets shot down for mentioning it because no one at the General Assembly wants to be the one to pass a bill writing GAWD out of the Constitution. Then Dome does a write-up about it and the whole thing dies down until another session or so goes by.
No point, I would think...
Under Art. VI of the U.S. Constitution, any religious test for public office is strictly forbidden. The same article, with the Supremacy Clause, means this trumps the state constitution. So...consider it deleted.
Phillip Hunter Gilfus,
Member(NC), Democratic National Committee
Don't get me wrong, please
I didn't suggest it needed to be amended or deleted. It's old, it's unenforced and unenforceable, and everyone -- almost everyone -- who follows NC politics knows about it.
For those who still want to assert that the DOME or the N&O is irrelevant, they've dutifully reported on this and other legal and quasi-legal relics on our lawbooks for years. Regular Dome readers knew about this a long time ago. THAT was my point.
The clause is irrelevant, and The N&O is still on the decline
You don't have to follow Utd or NC politics to know it. Just stay awake and listen in any Poli or law class. Even at crazy ole UNC.
I don't think it's irrelevant.
Whether it's enforceable or not, the words are still there.
Because there is still an automatic assumption that everyone believes in some sort of God - that everyone is a "person of faith", this is dismissed as irrelevant. That's a false assumption, obviously. We wouldn't say it was irrelevant if it were a clause prohibiting African-Americans from holding office, or prohibiting women from holding office. We'd be up in arms.
just sayin'.
Quite true
Which is why I think it amuses members of the media to sort of tweak the noses at the General Assembly on it.
If it were truly irrelevant, no one would feel squeamish about having a news article printed that he or she had just introduced a bill to "ELIMINATE GOD" from our Constitution. Just guess how that would go over.
We're a long way from acknowledging the rights of those in the minority on religious matters. I mean, geez, there are folks who think themselves "liberal" for accepting that Roman Catholics are Christian.
True, Bru!
I feel that people like me have to point out the ridiculousness of such a thing being on paper, though. It's part of that whole "pointing at naked emperors" thing.
Treason against this State
It's an open thread, so what the hell. James's quote of the NC constitution got me a-thinkin'.
How would one go about committing treason against the State of North Carolina without also committing treason against the United States?
Has there ever, in the history of the U.S., been a criminal charge filed, or a trial held, for which the offense was treason against a state? If so, were there any instances where there wasn't also a federal treason charge for the same acts? Any that weren't tied up with the Civil War?
As GOP power slips away, and the most febrile of Palin supporters retreat to their bunkers to plot their apotheosis into the next Timothy McVeigh, I wonder if California or the Bay State will end up with a case against someone who "loves" the United States (second only to the defunct CSA, at any rate), but must strike out in righteous wrath against the "Left Coast" or "Taxachusetts".
Besides, how could a federal treason charge be sustained if the building you blew up wasn't in "real America"?
--
recently transplanted from Indianapolis, IN to Durham, NC
I wouldn't recommend drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity for everyone, but they've always worked for me. -- Hunter S. Thompson
--
Garner, NC
I wouldn't recommend drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity for everyone, but they've always worked for me. -- Hunter S. Thompson
Great question
Blowing up Chapel Hill would definitely not be treason - against either the state or the country. We are an independent city-state unto ourselves. Just ask the ghost of Jesse Hellms.
:)
_____________________________________
Doubts about Dole?
Blowing up Chapel Hill!!!!
I would settle for the Dean Dome and Keenan Stadium though.
WaHooWa
“We are the party of Roosevelt. We are the party of Kennedy. So don't tell me that Democrats won't defend this country. Don't tell me that Democrats won't keep us safe.” ~ Barack Obama
Dole has a 2nd ad
Thanks to Binker, via twitter:
Elizabeth Dole is a disgrace.
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