[regular.joe]

I've worked as a Drill Sergeant. One of the questions I would ask new recruits during some down time is this: How many amendments are there to that document that you all swore to protect and defend?
I'd say 2 to 5 out of 120 guys knew the correct answer.

Another question that I asked one day to a room full of young soldiers, was: What is the birthday of the United States. Maybe it was the wording, I don't know....only 10% out of 240 of these mugs knew the answer. For a period of about 1.5 years I asked every group that came through that question, same result...10%. Most of that 10% were foreign nationals.

It has been a great, spirited discussion. I for one take very seriously my oath of enlistment. I have read the constitution, hell I swore an oath to protect and defend it. This discussion has driven me to read it again, and to look at a lot of commentary as well. Thank you.

One of the greatest things about our nation is our diversity, along with our great freedoms. It's an awesome thing that we can have discussion, and one or more of us is not locked up for voicing our opinions. However different those opinions may be. I used to have a copy of the constitution printed by the Congress, a little blue book. In the beginning of the book was a letter from the members of the Congress that ratified the constitution. The process was one of compromise. Everyone had to give something up. It is one of the great lessons of our nation.

Thank you for the discussion, and have a happy and prosperous year!