"Enough already, and no more"

[Volokh, Eugene]

Title: Message

Folks:  Really, please, this is not on-topic for the list.  I think Jim has acknowledged that the meaning of the words has changed.  I take it that he has not only taken back the harshness of the language, but has implicitly agreed that it's not currently a linguistic error to use the phrase in accordance with its current dictionary definition (see, e.g., http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=bill%20of%20rights).  He believes that it would be better if people understood the phrase somewhat differently -- but that belief, and the responses to the belief, have nothing to do with the law of the government and religion.  Please take the discussion off-list.       The list custodian -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2005 1:02 PM To: religionlaw@lists.ucla.edu Subject: Re: Ten Commandments In a message dated 3/2/2005 3:55:18 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Jim, you are just wrong on this one in terms of what the "Bill of Rights" means. Enough already, and no more.  The term "Bill of Rights" means precisely whatever Humpty Dumpty says it means.  After all, he took for himself the power to give words convenient meanings.   I simply made the point that there was a document called the Bill of Rights.  It really existed.  It really was propounded by Congress to the States.  It really had twelve, not ten, articles of amendment in it.  And it can be see and viewed today by people who in ignorance today think that the first order of business of the US Congress back then was to send the "First Amendment" out to the States, when in Congress' view, the first order of business was to come up with an apportionment and counting plan, and to keep money grubbing representatives and senators at bay.   I realize that the meaning of words can change with time.  But I do not have to celebrate the loss.   Jim Henderson Senior Counsel ACLJ

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