NARA Goes Online

TeachingMachines writes "NARA, the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, has gone online. NARA's self-described mission is 'to ensure ready access to the essential evidence that documents the rights of American citizens, the actions of Federal officials, and the national experience.' A very relevant site for the times, with transcripts and images of the most politically important documents of the United States. Included are the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights. Check out the list of available documents. The site is pretty large, with some incredible exhibits, and even an image of the original Magna Carta. Definitely worth a look."

Comments

Fantastic!

[955301]

Folks, this is the answer to our prayers! Once the masses can get to these documents via the web, they'll actually read about the rights they have and discover that they're being taken for a ride by any number of special interest groups, politicians, media conglomerates, Attorney Generals *cough*, little ole' ladies, etc.

Time for us to just sit back and enjoy the ride. Any moment now, the US population is going to wake up.

Re:Fantastic!

[KDan]

They have been able to get to those documents in public libraries for a while. Access is not enough, they also have to 1) know they exist, and 2) give a damn.

Anyway, It's a shame they're not posting up all the declassified US govt documents that are coming out and linking Cheney and Rumsfeld to all sorts of evil shit... Now that would be worth having online on a reputable site, so that we don't have to go by the word of journalists anymore, but can see for ourselves all the evil shit that has been going on...

Daniel

Re:Fantastic!

[skillet-thief]

The fact that the documents in line only go up to the 1950's is a sign.

But no! Hang on! The sixties are coming soon!

When the 60's doc get on line, that's when the revolution is going to happen!

Yes, it's worth making these documents available

[Anonymous Coward]

after all, it's a historical archive of rights
we used to have.

It'll certainly be useful when kids start asking these questions:

"Daddy, is it true you used to have the right to privacy?"

"Daddy, is it true you used to have the right to see the evidence against you and defend against it?"

until

[Anonymous Coward]

to ensure ready access to the essential evidence that documents the rights of American citizens

until it was /.`ed

Excellent site

[esconsult1]

For those of us who were not born here and are behind a little bit on why we are really here.

We leave our country and move to the United States because of the nebelous thing called "Freedom". Having all the relevant documents in one spot that can be studied is a fine thing.

For you who were born here, perhaps the Gettysburg address has lost its thrill, but for me, when I heard it on a recent "Civil War" showing on PBS, my hair stood on end and a shiver ran down my spine.

Especially these days, readers should re-acquaint themselves with the constitution, the bill of rights, and some of the famous speeches of past leaders. It takes a little digging to find what you need on the new site, but it's all there.

Maybe i'm a little off topic, but just thinking about what this adopted country that I love so much stands for, and the fight that we on the home front are doing to make sure that our freedoms and rights remain intact in the face of so many obstacles -- makes it all worthwhile.

Voting Records of Reps

[Speare]

Maybe this exists somewhere I've not found. I'd like to see a nice searchable voting record for Representatives, which is indexed against Presidential Vetos and Supreme Court rulings. If a bill was originally drafted by a non-legislator, I'd like to see that, too. Then on top of that, summarize certain interesting tallies.

Rep. Harry Careless (X-SS) has sponsored 2 and voted in favor of 18 bills, subsequently Vetoed or Struck.

Re:Voting Records of Reps

[mdxi]

While it doesn't have the depth of analysis you desire, the raw information you want (adn much more) is available both in paper form and online at thomas.loc.gov, which is pretty much a one-stop shop for any sort of legislative information. You can even read complete transcripts of that fantastically exciting periodical "The Congressional Record".

Good Site but It's Sad

[sepluv]

First I would say this site is a very good idea. I do not think people should judge it as a "propoganda machine" yet. It certainly does not look that way to me. It uses some bad HTML and does not validate (even the homepage has invalid HTML) but it is not bad (and /. is probably worse). I have not looked at it all but it seems very comprehensive and interesting from the perspective of a non-USAn.

I am not in the US but I must say that I think the US Constitution is very well written and a great model for any nation (even if I may not totally disagree with small parts). I just read the Constitution and Bill of Rights and it it is well-written, timeless (i.e.: still applicable) and looks like the authors really cared about democracy and wanted to start a true democratic republic where the people had the power (and were not controlled by a government but had ccontrol over a truly democratic congress).

However, the more I read of the Constitution, the more it seems that the modern governments of the USA try to break every rule (just go through them) it sets (to the extent that I believe many countries are far more democratic). Something I did not know that is interesting is that it seems to implie that the USA government is not allowed to have a permenent army but when attacked the citizens may form one for a short period (hence the right to bear arms, I guess). Throughout it really does put the citizens control, but, I guess, it did not work...