Constitutional Right(s)

Gather round kiddies, I have a story to tell.

Some of you that have known me here on ZU may have noticed a quite unexplained absence for the last good year. Well, the therapists say to tell the truth so, the truth is I was in prison. The story goes as such. One day I was going to a Gay Pride rally in my home state with a few gay/lesbian buddies of mine. Everything was going good up until one of the policemen decided he'd rather feel up random lesbians then do his job by standing watch while we exercise our constitutional right to protest. Long story short (VERY long story short) I did something, which I'm not proud of, that involved my fist and his face. Turns out assaulting police officers is NOT protected by the constitution, who knew. So, I've been out for a while now, working, going to school, ect. In general not letting this mistake ruin my life. Now, my question here is just how far the constitution goes. Not just on the right to protest (this story is just a good example, not to mention it feels good to get of the chest) but on all the rights. For instance, pursuit of happiness. It makes a serial killer happy to kill random people, is that his right (of course it isn't, but again, just an example to get you to see what I mean)? The constitution isn't really a thing to be seen differently on a person to person basis, so I'm interested in your thoughts. So start thinkin'.

Also, let me make clear that I have nothing against cops, I support them actually. They are a vital part of society in general and for the most part they do they're job to the best they can and even farther, mostly. But, some aren't so...cop like. Again, nothing against laws or authority or anything like that.

Uh, you did the right thing?

I'm not 100% on the legality of what you did, but if someone else's constitutional rights were being imposed upon (the lesbians in question) and they were okay with you defending them, then you were in the right.

Long story short (VERY long story short) I did something, which I'm not proud of, that involved my fist and his face.

You're not proud of that?

The pursuit of happiness is not a Constitutional right sir. That came from the Declaration of Independence, which is not the governing document.

How far did the 'feeling up' go? That would determine what kind of action was prudent.

Not really an SD topic.