Skip navigation.
Home
  Hawaii Political Info
   Candidate & issue information
Home

Upholding the U.S. Constitution

Submitted by Pat Beekman on Sun, 10/14/2012 - 23:53
Federal Building, Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu

How Well Do We Even Know It?

Constitution segment one of ten in the Kupuna Lens Showcase premiere next Saturday, October 20, 2012, at the Dole Cannery Theaters.

The U.S. Constitution is supposed to be the basic law of our nation. Scores of millions of Americans have sworn an oath to uphold it, including U.S. Presidents, Vice Presidents, executive branch officers, members of Congress, state legislators, judges and members of the U.S. armed forces.

But I've seen some things that made me wonder how many of them really know what's in the Constitution. And if they don't know it, how can they uphold it?

What about We the People? If we don't know it, how can we know whether it's being upheld and hold our elected officials to its letter and spirit? Are we expecting others to do for us what we can't be bothered doing for ourselves, no matter how important it is?

Well-known people regularly show that they don't know the Constitution, right along with those we might consider ordinary citizens. Is our nation in deep trouble on this score?

I interviewed eight public officials and political candidates, plus ten or so people I met in public places, on their knowledge of, and thoughts on, the Constitution.

Do our public officials and citizens revere the Constitution and hold it close to their hearts? Come to the Kupuna Lens Showcase premiere and see.

My constitutional segment is just one segment out of ten in the Kupuna Lens documentary. I've seen most of the rushes for the others: you're in for a treat, plus a peek at the adventures you can look forward to in your old age if you're not already there.

The premiere is at 12 noon on Saturday, October 20 at the Dole Cannery Theaters. Admission is free. It will air on Olelo several times following the premiere. The Kupuna Lens project is a joint effort of the Hawaii International Film Festival and Olelo Community Media.

Link:

Hawaii International Film Festival film listings, October 11-21, 2012

»