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ByGD

Punishment of Counterfeiting – Constitution Article 1 §8.6

ConstitutionThis week I’m studying Article 1 §8.6 of the Constitution. It’s about the Congress’ power to punish counterfeiters. I’m not particularly interested in counterfeiting, but I am interested in living in a country that works. In the wonderful anime series Kino’s Journey, a character who’s looking to settle down wanders into a nice, boring country where people live in peace and freedom and are welcoming to newcomers. His companion says it seems like a perfectly normal place, to which he replies, “A lot of people have to work very hard to make a place normal.”

Democracy is not for spectators; but to participate, you have to know the rules. That’s why I’m studying the Constitution, one clause at a time. I’m up to Article 1 §8.6. Read More

ByGD

Crocuses, The First Sign of Spring

crocus

The maritime Pacific Northwest has pretty mild winters, so there is not really any time of year that is completely without flowers. Crocuses bloom at the same time as a lot of winter flowers – Sarcococca, hellebore, witch hazel. But for some reason, crocuses mean spring.

 

ByGD

Constitution Article 1 §8.5 – Coinage, Weights, and Measures

ConstitutionThis week I’m studying Article 1 §8.5 of the Constitution. It’s about the Congress’ power over coinage, weights, and measures. When I hear “coinage, weights, and measures” I think about how much stress I have related to my finances, my weight, and the shape of my body. I wish I could just leave it to Congress… yeah, actually I wouldn’t trust them with it. But Congress is in charge of money and weight at the national level.

I’m studying the Constitution, one clause at a time. I’m up to Article 1 §8.5. Read More