Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Ray K · 06-23-2003, 07:26 PM

I believe that the US Constitution guarantees rights (the first 10, at least) for ANYONE within the jurisdiction of the US.

Corwin · 06-23-2003, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Silent Acorns
What the hell is wrong with you people? Of course non-citizens have civil rights (with the exception of a few, like the right to vote). Are you seriously trying to tell me that if you came to visit me in Canada, and the RCMP beat you up and held you in jail indefinitely for no other reason than because you could not prove Canadian citizenship, you would just shrug your shoulders and say, "oh well, serves me right - after all I'm not a citizen"?

Basic human rights should be universal. The right to an attourney, to a trial, to not be randomly beat up by roaming thugs, etc. Citizenship shouldn't have anything to do with it.

You're confusing human rights (which are universal) with civil rights, (which are drawn from a civil society.)

I have a right to not be randomly beaten. This is a human right.

I don't have a right to the canadian medical system, since I don't pay canadian taxes. This is a civil right.

Quote:

I believe that the US Constitution guarantees rights (the first 10, at least) for ANYONE within the jurisdiction of the US.

Slight nitpick.... the Bill of Rights applies universally because most of it isn't actually an affirmative statement of rights. It's a list of restrictions. A lot of it isn't so much 'you have the right to do this' as it is 'government will not do this.' Hence, yes.... it applies universally since the statements don't say WHO government shall not do said thing to, just that they aren't allowed to do it.

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06-23-2003, 07:26 PM	#21
Ray K Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Texas Posts: 290	I believe that the US Constitution guarantees rights (the first 10, at least) for ANYONE within the jurisdiction of the US.

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