The First Amendment Has Limits

The words in the Constitution have been open to interpretation, and the ultimate and final arbiter of any law or policy is the Supreme Court. Over the 235 years, the Supreme Court has placed very clear limits on what is and what is not “free speech, freedom of expression, and freedom to assemble.”

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Rejection of the First Recess Appointment

In Article II, Section 2, Clause 3, the Constitution gives the President the power to appoint those allowed in Clause 2 without Senate approval if it is not in session. These are recess appointments, and the appointed individual must be approved by the Senate when it convenes.

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Demilitarizing the U.S./Canadian Border

In 1817, Canada was not an independent country so any decisions about the colony’s borders had to be made in England. In a series of letters exchanged by the U.S. Secretary of State Richard Rush and the British Ambassador to the U.S., Sir Charles Bagot, in April 1817, the two men worked out an agreement that was submitted to both country’s legislatures.

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Jim Blythe Veteran’s Impact Show

Marc and Jim talk about what it means to be a veteran. Marc and Jim tell a few stories from their Navy careers. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/live/AeuL0Ihp2SU?si=N9NzwRSZvDzv7L4Q

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Frocking

In the Continental Navy and the early years of the U.S. Navy, midshipmen wore a blue coat that came down to their hips over a white vest. Lieutenants and above wore frock coats that came down the back of their thighs. When a midshipman made lieutenant, he changed coats. Hence, one could say he was “frocked.”

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The Brilliance of General Nathaniel Greene

To replace the discredited Gates, Washington sent Generals Nathaniel Greene and Daniel Morgan to take command of the Continental Army in the south. Greene took command in October 1780, and his subordinates included Daniel Morgan, Wilhelm von Steuben, Francis Marion, and Henry Lee.

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New Coins of the U.S. Realm

When the Coinage Act of 1792 was passed, national currencies were backed by bullion. To collect enough gold and silver to support a national monetary system, citizens of the U.S. were encouraged to sell their gold and silver bullion to the Federal government without penalty or tax. Shortly after this Coinage Act was passed, Congress authorized a bulk purchase of copper (An Act to Provide for a Copper Coinage passed on May 8th, 1792), “not to exceed 150 tons” to be used in the new currency.

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Chain of Command

Essentially, this very long sentence (Article II, Section 1, Clause 6) gives Congress the power to create the chain of command for the U.S. government. In the spring of 1792, the Second U.S. Congress took up this matter and, the House and Senate agreed that the order of succession was to be President, Vice President, President Pro-Tem of the Senate followed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

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Prepping for War on Both Sides of the Border

The Madison administration realized there would be little support for a call-up of the New England state militias for an invasion of Canada. As a result, Madison, allowed the invasion strategy to change based on the advice of General Henry Dearborn.

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