freethehumblefarmer@localnet.com
humble is FIRED ! Who, What, When and Where!
(No WHY!)
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First, A "Democracy and Censorship" Quiz!

Back in Kyiv, U.S.S.R.,  in 1932, Vice President for Radio Programming, Jimmy Stalin, at WKRUPT, Easy-listening Radio on your AM-FM dial, gave his employees guidelines telling them what they could and could not say on-air.
Your question is: What's the difference between Jimmy's guidelines and the MPBN on-Air Employee Guidelines listed right here,
 at freethehumblefarmer.com?
Give Up?
Scroll to the bottom of our "humble is Fired" section,
just below the Constitution of the United States of America to find out!

++

And ...
you might want to give these as a gift YEAR-ROUND for  that hard-to-shop-for person 
who has everything, but a social conscience!

THE MPBN ON-AIR PERSONNEL GUIDELINES !!!!!!!!!
LAST UPDATED:  5/14/2007

Draft 5/1//07
This document sets forth the MPBN guidelines for all non-news and public affairs on-air personnel including announcers, producers, program hosts, freelancers and volunteers. These guidelines are designed to protect MPBN’s standards of quality and sound, as well as to maintain the trust MPBN has with its audience for credibility, integrity, and impartiality.  All on-air personnel are required to observe, review and sign these guidelines annually, as a condition for on-air work and/or presence.  On-air personnel are encouraged to seek clarification from management as needed before signing, and discuss any uncertainties over questionable program content or plans prior to program execution.

News Personnel Code of Ethics
Personnel (reporters and producers) are required to observe MPBN’s adopted code of journalistic ethics, the Society for Professional Journalists code of Ethics.  Available on request, Posted on website www.mpbn.net.  All MPBN on-air news and public affairs personnel are required to review and sign the MPBN code of ethics annually, as a condition for on-air work and/or presence.

GENERAL:

Program Content and Style
Determining program content and style is a prerogative of management and includes the authority to alter and/or terminate programming at its sole discretion.  Management will work closely with on-air personnel in developing and maintaining all programs, and may endeavor to offer sporadic or regular guidance and advice, suggestions or required directives regarding the sound, style or content of the program as it develops in order to ensure it best meets organizational goals to serve our listeners.  On-air personnel are encouraged to actively participate in program development and evolution by presenting ideas and offering alternative views.  Final programming decisions, however, rest with management and the failure to follow and respect organizational directives may result in removal from the air.  Management may require and review regular or occasional on-air skimmer tapes as part of this process.

Cancellations
MPBN retains the right to move, shorten, preempt, terminate or cancel any program in its schedule at any time.

Station Policies
On-air personnel are required to be aware of and follow additional MPBN guidelines, policies and directives, including, but not limited to: 
    1.)    Indecency
    2.)    Ticket Giveaways
available on request, posted in radio master control studio and on R/radstaff/policy folder directory.

Competition/Exclusivity
On-air personnel must alert management of plans in advance to offer their on-air production services or any program material to another broadcast/news media outlet.  Management reserves the right to approve or disallow such arrangement(s) on a case by case basis.

Association with MPBN
On-air personnel who are not employees of MPBN must have prior written permission from MPBN to officially represent the organization at special events or in special circumstances in public.  In addition, all on-air personnel should recognize that their association with MPBN is automatically recognized by the public and should represent the organization in an appropriate and responsible manner.

Program Funding
On-air personnel should not solicit or enter into negotiations regarding program funding of any sort without first notifying and receiving written approval from MPBN Development Management.  On-air personnel should refer any inquiries they may receive about on-air underwriting support to MPBN Development.  On-air personnel who are not employees of MPBN must coordinate any program funding support with MPBN Development.

MISCELLANEOUS OPERATIONAL:

Evergreens
On-air personnel with regular air-shifts are required to produce a generic “evergreen” program that MPBN can have on hand to substitute if so desired.  Once an evergreen program is aired, another may be requested for immediate production.  Producers should also indicate whether regular programs are “evergreen” in nature, so that operations may choose to also set them aside for future re-use.

Promos
Management may request that on-air personnel supply generic or program specific promos for their programs at specified dates in advance of air and in a particular format.

Technology
On-air personnel are required to produce or supply their program(s) on a pre-determined technology and/or at a specified location.  On-air personnel also understand that new and changing technologies may lead to changes in our operations process, and that they may be required to adjust their production processes accordingly. 

On a case by case basis, on-air personnel may produce programming outside of MPBN studios.  Any productions that do occur outside the MPBN studios are required to meet the same level of technical sound and production quality as an MPBN studio production.  On-air personnel producing off-site understand that ownership and proper maintenance of off-site non-MPBN equipment is the responsibility of the on-air producer.

Volunteer Activity Forms
All volunteer producers must fill out volunteer activity forms.  This will enable MPBN to include all hours in our NFFS (Non Federal Financial Support) figures that are presented to CPB each year and help determine our federal funding levels.   Paper or electronic activity forms are available from Human Resources and available on the HR page of the MPBN intranet.  Please return the forms promptly when they are completed.

Production Time
In order to ensure smooth and reliable operations, all pre-recorded programs should be produced in advance as specified by management.  MPBN’s “normal” advance schedule is one week, but may and often is adjusted with management’s approval due to timeliness requirements and other circumstances.

Studio Time
On-air personnel should sign up for MPBN studio usage in advance.  Studio time may not be available to volunteer producers during regular business hours due to conflicts with regular station activities.

Program Length
On-air personnel must observe the exact duration designation for all programs.  Management may request both “voice out” and program out end times.  In addition, promos must adhere to either standard (usually 30 or 60 seconds) or other specified lengths.

Program Guide and/or Web Listings
On-air personnel may be required to supply or post web listings to the MPBN website, and/or supply program guide listings, often as far ahead as 45 days before the scheduled day of broadcast.  Such timing will be determined on a case-by-case basis, based on program listing needs and nature of the program.

ON-AIR STANDARDS AND LEGAL
Management will in its sole discretion, determine whether these standards have been adhered to or violated.  Consistent with Management’s overall control of programming, it may, in its sole discretion, alter or terminate programming without notice.

On-Air Station Business Material
Management may require that certain station or programming material be included within programs, such as cross promotion, station event promotion, news and/or weather, special messages or other material on a regular or sporadic basis.

Community Calendar
On-air personnel with scheduled Community Calendar announcements should make their
best effort to treat all submissions equally and not favor any one venue, geographic area or type of performance (unless specifically called for by log or in that program design, for example; classical concerts during a classical program).  On-air personnel should not promote or mention in any way any event they are associated with in any way, without prior written approval of station management.

Alternate Hosts/Program Guests/Format Change(s)
On-air personnel should not transfer responsibility for hosting their program(s) without management’s prior awareness and approval. 

All program guests (other than performers on regular live performance music programs, or on programs that regularly feature guests) should be approved by management in advance. 

Any significant change in a program’s designated format must be discussed with management in advance, for both consideration/approval purposes, and, if approved, to allow for quick evaluation and feedback.

Political and Religious Neutrality
MPBN maintains a high standard of integrity in maintaining political and religious neutrality in its programming.   On-air personnel are not allowed to use this public resource to further personal agendas of any kind.   On-air personnel should not make  religious or political calls to action, editorialize, include content or showcase views and opinions on sensitive or controversial issues.

Personal use of MPBN Services
On-air personnel are not allowed to air personal grievances on MPBN services.   This includes introducing content that endorses, compares or criticizes commercial products, institutions, companies, organizations, or individuals.   In addition, on-air personnel should not dedicate programming or musical selections without prior knowledge of and approval from management.  
MPBN does not allow the use of MPBN services for personal gain, financial or otherwise.  On-air personnel should not include any content in MPBN  services or use the services to promote any off-air activities, appearances or interests for which they may stand to gain, financially or otherwise.  The last two pages of this agreement specifically address Plugola/Payola and Conflict of Interest. 

Derogatory and Slanderous Content
On-air personnel should not make or include any derogatory remarks or content directed at specific individuals or groups of persons or entity, or make or include any slanderous
statements that make a false claim, with or without malicious intent, expressly stated or implied to be factual, that may harm the reputation, character or good name of an individual, business, product, group, government or nation.

Lotteries, Contests, Promotions
On-air personnel will not undertake any sort of on-air lottery, contest or special promotional activity without first consulting with station management.  This activity may be illegal, and it must be in adherence with station on-air aesthetics.

Indecency/Obscenity
On-air personnel shall follow the separate MPBN policy addressing this issue.

Summary:  On-air personnel will not allow any content which is indecent to air before 10 p.m., and will permit indecent material after 10 p.m. (in “safe harbor”) only with advance management approval.  On-air personnel will not allow any obscene programming in any part of our schedule.  Indecent programming is defined as material that depicts or describes sexual or excretory organs or activities in a patently offensive manner as measured by contemporary community standards for the broadcast medium.  Going further, any other use of the “F-Word” or of the other six of the infamous “7 Dirty Words” (sh_t, p_ss, c_nt, c_cks_ck_r, m_th_rf_ck_r, t_ts), or even other offensively dirty or profane words should be considered as indecent.  Obscene programming, by contrast, is banned completely.  Obscenity, is defined as material that appeals to the prurient interest (that is, arouses lewd and lascivious thoughts and desires), is patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards, and lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.

Conflict of Interest/Plugola/Payola
No producer will make any mention on-air of any event, activity or cause that he or she (also including spouse, family member or companion) is connected to in any way.  This includes concerts, public appearances, commercial establishments/ventures, political organizations/causes/beliefs/agendas or any other non-broadcast activities/associations of the producer.  Using the public air waves for individual gain (monetary or other, including material goods, services, gifts, recognition or other valuable consideration) is illegal and against station policy.

On-air personnel will not air any recorded material on MPBN air for which they are being compensated, either by monetary means, material goods, services or other valuable consideration or gain.  On-air personnel will also not make any mention of establishments or entities for which they are compensated in any way.  Compensation includes but is not limited to monetary or material goods or services, including free musical recordings, free concert tickets, meals and travel, etc.

FCC guidelines require that any such financial or other personal relationships (by either the on-air personnel or the employer/station) must be properly and fully disclosed over the air, and therefore any personal relationships must be disclosed fully to management prior to any such airing so as to ensure proper and timely on-air disclosure will be made.  However, in keeping with our standards and guidelines, MPBN does not allow personal use or gain from the public airways.

MPBN on-air personnel must be familiar with Sections 317 and 507 of the Communications Act. 

MPBN on-air personnel obligations to the two sections can be outlined and presented as follows:

Every MPBN on-air personnel is prohibited from accepting any money, service or other valuable consideration from any person other than the company for broadcasting any material over the station.  Every on-air individual having any voice in the selection of broadcast matter is prohibited from:

a. Engaging in any outside business or economic activity which would create a conflict of interest in the selection of broadcast matter;
b. Accepting any favors, loans, entertainment or other consideration from any person seeking the airing of any broadcast matter in return therefore; and
c. Promoting over the air, except by means of an appropriate commercial announcement, any activity or matter in which the on-air individual has a direct or indirect financial interest.

I will comply with the provisions of Sections 317 and 507 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.  I fully understand that any person who violates Section 507 of the Act is subject to the penalties set forth in Section 507(g), consisting of a fine up to $10,000.00; imprisonment up to one year, or both.

    I also will comply with the policy of MPBN to prohibit every on-air individual having any voice in the selection of broadcast matter from (a) engaging in any outside business or economic activity which would create a conflict of interest in the selection of broadcast matter; (b) accepting any favors, loans, entertainment or other consideration from persons seeking the airing of any broadcast matter, in return therefore; and (c) promoting over the air (except by means of an appropriate commercial/disclosure announcement) any activity or matter in which the on-air individual has a direct or indirect financial interest.

AND hUMBLE REFUSED TO SIGN THESE GUIDELINES. AND HE WAS FIRED.
 
WHO IN THIS COUNTRY- A DEMOCRACY, REMEMBER- WOULD THINK THAT A PUBLIC RADIO STATION THAT RECEIVES 2.5 MILLION DOLLARS IN TAX-PAYER DOLLARS COULD  MAKE PEOPLE SIGN SUCH GUIDELINES TO KEEP THEIR JOBS?

Does Mr. Woodcock have anything to do with it? (The former right-wing Republican candidate for Governor,
Not the bird)

August 16, 2007

Ben Dudley, Executive Director,Blue Print
Portland, Maine

Christopher St. John, Maine Center for Economic Policy
Augusta, Maine
 
Dear Mr. Dudley and Mr. St. John,
        Because of [your] interest in public policy, I  write because of disturbing substantiation of considerable influence exercised by conservative partisan organizations on public broadcasting here in Maine.
        We all know that sometimes an event, which draws the ire of a small group of citizens becomes the catalyst for awareness of a larger concern. An example of this would be the Boston Tea Party. Here in Maine, we have recently experienced the dismissal from public radio of a producer of a jazz and social commentary program, Robert Skoglund.
        This event has brought closer scrutiny of what Mr. Skoglund actually said that brought on his firing but  larger questions about who is exercising censorship in public broadcasting and inserting explicit political bias have emerged. The questions raised are very provocative.  The problems these questions illuminate may well require legislation for resolution.  I bring this to your attention because as leadership of a policy "think tank", your awareness of bias in our publicly- paid for media is critical. You can visit the website, www.freethehumblefarmer.com to read all of the relevant facts related to Mr. Skoglund's firing by MPBN. Here, I share the details of one event that brought MPBN management to insist that Mr. Skoglund be censored. This event, in my view, is a microcosm for the disturbing intrusion of  conservative bias in public (19% of their funds come from  Maine taxpayers) radio. 
     
Former State Senator Chandler Woodcock, an extremely conservative, right-wing former candidate for Governor,  is  known as a  strong proponent of tax reform, through legislation, an example being the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights legislation that went before Maine voters last fall. According to an MPBN Board of Trustees member, Mr. Woodcock also strongly endorsed and supported James Dowe to become the Chief Executive Officer of Maine Public Broadcasting.  Mr. Dowe now holds that position. As you know the MPBN Board of Trustees is comprised of 2 representatives of the Governor. The remaining members recommend each other, sui generis. We now know that 11 of the 22 members of the Board have given over $160,000 to Republican candidates here in Maine and nationally (for more information, see www.fec.gov).  Mr. Skoglund's firing now clarifies the actions   that Mr. Woodcock's endorsed CEO will take to suppress views different from Mr. Woodcock's on public media.
 
Below, are the exact words that Mr. Skoglund read in a letter from a viewer on his radio program in October 2006. After he read this letter, MPBN created and sent him  a set of guidelines which, even the National Coalition Against Censorship agrees,  limit freedom of speech. I am more than happy to send the guidelines to you.  

Rant # 8 Dear humble, We live near DC and "tax cut" never means better control of pork barrel spending or programs that benefit corporations at the expense of everyman. It always means that the cuts will be in social services, humanitarian efforts, environmental issues, and all those "useless" programs that generally benefit the poor and middle class and not the wealthy. A tax "ceiling" was implemented on spending in nearby Prince George's County. The result - PG County is now one of the worst counties in the nation in terms of student achievement, even though it has had had a huge influx of higher paid residents. The folks who can afford it, even the minority residents, are sending their kids to private schools. Teachers have to buy their own supplies, books arrive three weeks after school starts because the school system's expenditures are slow. Fiscal responsibility is one thing. Tax cuts designed to "red tape" needy programs to death while expediting tax cuts to the wealthy (described as "beneficial to the economy") are another

This letter that Mr. Skoglund read did not in any way shape, form or fashion endorse voting for or against a ballot item.  We  should all be troubled by nascent efforts  at "thought control" by Public Broadcasting management, particularly because this is a state-supported broadcast system; particularly because the public is unaware of these  behind-the scenes unethical machinations to limit public awareness. This is not about the benign removal of a deejay.  I,  for one,  do not want Chandler Woodcock's carefully endorsed Chief Executive Officer making decisions about what I can or cannot hear about tax reform.

     Much has been made of the other "comments" that Mr. Skoglund made on-air which allegedly led to the censorship. The truth, that is, what he actually said, is on our website, www.freethehumblefarmer.com. Contributions from the hundreds of Maine citizens and others, including National Public Radio journalists,  who have written to support Mr. Skoglund or complain about this firing is a central part of this factually- based website. Please read for your self. Please be aware that the loss of Maine's public broadcasting system is no small event and one that warrants your attention.

Sincerely,

Su*an C**k  B*th, Maine

WHAT DID HUMBLE ACTUALLY SAY?

HOW TO GET CENSORED WITHOUT USING THE WORD HITLER: WHAT hUMBLE ACTUALLY READ ON-AIR ON FEBRUARY 28, 2003

Big-time rant coming up right now on war.

How do you feel about war? I probably shouldn't take sides, being privileged as I am to sit --- with your permission --- behind this microphone, but I am going to come right out and admit that I don't care for war. No, it's not the war itself that bothers me. It's the needless killing and starvation and destruction and expense part of war that bothers me.

You might argue with me and say that war is the only way we can control the world's population. You might tell me that birth control is not a good thing but there is nothing wrong with millions of young men dying gloriously on the field of battle defending their country. You might tell me that we've got to have wars because if the population continues to increase at the present rate, in 500 years there won't be standing room on this planet. And I've got to admit that you've got me --- I can't say a word about that.

Let's admit it. You and I know that there are people who do like war. Many of them are the simple flag waving folks who will stand right up in public to show their support for a wimpy looking, weasely faced war monger from way down south who didn't even get most of the popular vote. There. I've said it and I'm glad. But this is public radio so you shouldn't be surprised to learn where I stand. And besides the support from flag wavers, you know that when there's a war every big company stands to make money. So you'll find the unions standing right beside management when you're talking big time war.

It's pretty hard to stop a war when the man --- who calls himself the leader --- wants a war. You'll notice that he starts out by sword rattling --- lets all the other world leaders know that he's got to make a move very soon to protect the safety and well-being of his people --- no matter how far away it is. And if he says the same thing over and over and over there will be a few people out there who say to themselves, "Baaaa. You know, I think he's right. There are some bad guys out there who are killing our people. We've got more planes and tanks and guns and technology than anyone else, so why should we have to put up with it. Our leader says we'll hit them so hard and so fast it will be over before they knew what hit them. And before we are done, we will have restored order and sucked all the natural resources out of an unstable region."

All this while, even though the war-mongering, rat faced wimp knows what he's going to do no matter what, he's making a big public show of talking with the top guys in Russia and France and England --- trying to either get their support or keep them off his back while he blows half the world to kingdom come.

Agh. I've said enough about him. Every time I see him blabbing on TV I wonder how anyone could possibly have been stupid enough to vote for such an idiot. I comfort myself by knowing that most of the people who went to the polls didn't.

I'll bet you don't know that wimpy little weasel face wrote a book in which he very clearly outlines his plans. And it might surprise you to hear me say that if you haven't read it, you should. Got your pencil? The name of it is Mein Kampf.

+++++++++++++++++++++++

And what was said to him?

Humble,

per my earlier email, I do not want us/you taking positions on controversial topics on air, it damages the objectivity and integrity of this service- we strive for fair, balanced and objective reporting and a neutral stance on controversial issues such as Iraq.

With the situation today, and the wording for your script, most people would absolutely think you were talking about the current US administration. I certainly did. Perception is reality.

We do not want any of these letters your received in response read on the air in your program, nor should you address this issue or any other issue in this fashion again. Again, if in doubt, please give me a call.

Now, I've also received a call at home from a reporter who says he has a copy of the earlier email I just sent to you?!? we need to talk Monday, please call me or send me your number. thanks.

Charles L. Beck, Vice President for Radio Services, Maine Public Broadcasting


And then what was said to him?

2005

To The humble Farmer:

I do need to address another issue with you, again. I am disappointed

to have to do this again. You're a very smart guy; I'm not sure why we

continue to have this issue come up again....

I'm referring to your remarks about Hitler history and watching the

current evening news and thinking it's history repeating itself. In

the last two programs. As you well know, this can be interpreted by our

audience as being political commentary; and reflecting how you view

things. This in turn reflects on MPBN; as the

sponser/purveyor/broadcaster of your program. We prize ourselves for

being objective and balanced and not leaning left or right or forward or

backward or anyway. We do not want nor allow our local music programs

[notice that local music program is specified to permit airing of the

politically charged Prairie Home Companion]

to present any sort of polical commentary, and would appreciate it if

you would also follow this guideline.

Please make a note of this and lets make sure we don't have to deal with

this again.... Thanks humble, for your help with this.

Call me if you have any questions.

Charles L. Beck, Vice President for Radio Services

Maine Public Broadcasting Network

65 Texas Avenue  Bangor, Maine 04401

800 884-1717 x3086        207 941-1010 X3086    207 942 2857 fax

cbeck@mpbn.net

++

And then what did humble say?

HOW TO GET BANNED BY SAYING THE WORD MUSSOLINI: WHAT THE hUMBLE FARMER ACTUALLY READ ON-AIR ON AUGUST 25, 2006

Postscript: "I am now sorry that I read it and want to apologize to all of the Fascists in my listening audience who were offended when they heard it."
- The humble "mea culpa" Farmer


While reading in my Encyclopedia Britannica about Salvatore Quasimodo, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1959, I also learned that Fascism is a radical totalitarian political philosophy that combines elements of corporatism, extreme nationalism, anti-liberalism, militarism and authoritarianism. Unfortunately, Fascism is much like streptococcus bacilli: most of us don’t even know it when we see it and even specialists in the field might quibble over a comprehensive definition.

Because I have recently not only been forced to take off my shoes before boarding a plane but have been patted down to strip me of my toothpaste and bag balm --- arguably meaningless symbolic gestures implemented to acclimate a population to mindless obedience --- I read further, hoping to learn to identify Fascism and thereby determine if it could be gaining a foothold in this land of the free and the home of the brave. This is what I read.

Around 1921 an Italian Prime Minister named Giolitti permitted the usual government influence on elections by corruption. This gave Mussolini and his fledgling fascists a slight edge and they immediately attacked Giolitti for his support of the League of Nations (a world government organization) and for his belief in the methods of parliamentary democracy. Gradually building up a nationwide party organization containing extreme undesirables, the fascists nearly always had more money than their opponents and moved with greater ruthlessness, although, at every step, Mussolini claimed to be the defender of law and order.

The industrialists were naturally in sympathy with a movement that stood for lower wages and fat, padded contracts. Although the economy had improved it was to their advantage to create the impression that without Fascism, economic breakdown was right around the corner, caused by Socialist incompetence.

The uneducated were naturally receptive to Fascist propaganda and disorderly elements on every level of society welcomed the violence and its attendant opportunity to plunder. Even then, it was not the strength of the Fascists that assured their success but the disorganization and silence of their opponents in the intellectual community. Italians discovered only much later that handing over power to people who claimed to be protecting their country with murder and openly proclaimed their contempt of parliamentary institutions would cost their country dear.

For years there was no overt establishment of dictatorship. Only gradually were old ways and old institutions changed and nothing was done abruptly that might alarm people or make them realize that a revolution had taken place. The wealthy were courted by cutting their taxes. For permission to become rich and corrupt the gerarchi supported their leader’s irresponsible decisions. The inefficiency and graft of his department heads were accepted as inevitable.

When an Italian was killed by bandits in the Balkans, Mussolini and other indignant, patriotic profit-seeking Italians had their long-hoped-for excuse to go to war. To his credit, until they strung him up by the heels, Mussolini’s self confidence never waned and he continued to have a pathetic trust in his own powers of intuition, even after plunging his country into that disastrous war for which he was obviously so unprepared.

As you know, the Encyclopedia Britannica is a fat volume, there is much more in there about the rise of Fascism in Italy, but a continuation and refining of my studies would be no more than an unproductive, academic exercise. Because --- in reading the few paragraphs above, you can see that my premise was shaky: Nothing that I have copied there could suggest a parallel between the rise of fascism in Italy in the 1920s and what is happening in our country today.

You may sleep well tonight. It simply couldn’t happen here.

++

THE ANSWER IN MPBN-ESE?

1-800-IGNOREU


AND, BY THE WAY,WHAT COUNTRY DO WE LIVE IN?

The Constitution of the United States

The Bill of Rights

Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

 

Amendment 2 - Right to Bear Arms. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

 

Amendment 3 - Quartering of Soldiers. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

 

Amendment 4 - Search and Seizure. Ratified 12/15/1791.

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

 

Amendment 5 - Trial and Punishment, Compensation for Takings. Ratified 12/15/1791.

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

 

Amendment 6 - Right to Speedy Trial, Confrontation of Witnesses. Ratified 12/15/1791.

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

 

Amendment 7 - Trial by Jury in Civil Cases. Ratified 12/15/1791.

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

 

Amendment 8 - Cruel and Unusual Punishment. Ratified 12/15/1791.

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment 9 - Construction of Constitution. Ratified 12/15/1791.

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

 

Amendment 10 - Powers of the States and People. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

++


The Answer?

Vice President for Radio Programming Jimmy Stalin didn't pay a lawyer to write the Guidelines down!