Hi, Forwarded message:
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 1997 08:53:59 -0500 From: John Young <jya@pipeline.com> Subject: Repeal the 9th Amendment?
Your Jan. 9 article on the "assisted suicide" issue argued before the U.S. Supreme Court does not mention the Ninth Amendment once ("High court wrestles with assisted suicide"). I was not surprised. Democrats and Republicans consistently ignore the Ninth (and appoint judges who likewise ignore it).
The Ninth Amendment states: "The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people." By ignoring this plain wording, the judiciary displays a reluctance to "create new constitutional rights," an admirable sentiment. Considering that no one seems to take it seriously, perhaps we should consider repealing the "forgotten" Ninth Amendment.
Don't forget the 10th, without the 10th the 9th isn't worth the ink it is written on. The two Amendments are meant to work hand in hand. Any party which mentions one without the other is either attempting an end run or else does not really understand what is being stated in them. Jim Choate CyberTects ravage@ssz.com