-Carl Schurz

members of a society are not free if government can proscribe private consensual conduct. The courts of this nation routinely recognize the Constitution's implicit endorsement of the citizens' right to privacy in personal affairs (pardon the pun). The concept of privacy rights permeates this nation's founding documents and its ideals. Intellectual honesty and adherence to strict construction of the Constitution rightly inhibit the endorsement of privacy rights within the Constitution since they are not explicitly stated. However, people of all political stripes agree on the need for privacy rights within a free society. It is time to make such rights explicit for the benefit of the people and the integrity of our Constitution. This is why: we have already lost the real war. Conservatives want a society in which people live a proper human life. Our laws, however, which reflect the morality of our ruling groups, incentivize the improper life: through easy divorce, abortion, and bastardy; non-responsibility for family; socialist public schools; social services for drunks and addicts; public pornography; state gambling; redistribution of wealth; and feeble penalties for murder. If we weren't living still on the capital amassed by our Judeo-Christian forebears, we'd be like Russia.

On the other hand, no conduct undertaken by man is completely private. Privacy advocates are in no way concerned about the concepts of liberty that prompted our leaders to found this great nation. Those that would have us eliminate all moral restraint (especially as it pertains to sexuality) are the ones who press the privacy mantra. Political freedom and laws against promiscuity and perversion have coexisted since the inception of this nation, and there is no reason they cannot continue to coexist. To formalize a right of privacy is to give institutional legitimacy to those who would eliminate all decency standards agreed upon by the populace and enacted by their representatives.

The Chairman, a man of unquestioned moral restraint, has called for a debate to settle the question:

Resolved: The XXVIIIth Amendment: The Right of the People to Privacy Shall Not be Violated .

The Debate will be held on Wednesday, October 15, 2003 at the University Club, 420 Summit Avenue, in Saint Paul. The Chancellor will preside over drinks beginning at seven o'clock p.m. The debate will begin at half past seven. While there is no dress code for attendance, gentlemen who wish to speak must wear a tie; ladies should adhere to a similar sartorial standard. For those gentlemen who arrive tieless yet wish to speak, fret not: the Purveyor of Ties will keep on hand at least one of his quite remarkable ties for just such an eventuality. Questions about debate caucus procedures or about the John Adams Society itself may be directed to the Chairman at (612) 703-6021 or the Secretary at (952) 985-7776.

If you would like to receive email announcements of upcoming debates, email the John Adams Society with your name, email address, and a simple statement requesting future "Whip Sheets" via email.