First, a bit of background, I try to be informed about things and figured that I’d like to know a bit more about the United States Constitution. Specifically, I know the impact of the Roe v Wade decision of the Supreme Court, and that this ruling was based on the 5th and 14th Amendments (due process, and right to privacy). I support the results of the decision. At the same time, however, the conservative side of the Supreme Court (not to mention America itself) obviously has problems with the rulng and in reading the cited parts of the Constitution, I do myself. But I’m no Constitutional scholar.
I found myself at Barnes & Noble looking for a book on the Constitution. Two caught my eye. One was ruled out immediately, “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the U.S. Constitution”. Now, I’ve got a real problem with these “Idiots” and “Dummies” books. Yes, there is, in fact, a “U.S. Constitution for Dummies” book that I could be writing about, but B&N didn’t happen to have that one. And there’s no real difference between Idiots books and Dummies books. The same sinister plot is behind both – make us all feel like idiots and dummies so we have to buy more of their books to feel at least semi-competent.
Make no mistake, the quality of these books is generally considered to be quite good. At one point my job required me to learn a piece of computer technology known as HTML. A colleague loaned me his copy of “HTML For Dummies”. I grumbled and complained and then had to spend all of five minutes to find the answers I was looking for. Five minutes. So what’s my problem? These arrogant SOB’s are telling me that as a prerequisite to reading their books, I have to admit to both myself and the rest of the world that I’m either a dummy or a complete idiot. Not just an average, everyday idiot, but a “complete” idiot.
I like consider myself to be reasonably intelligent and well informed. I made a decision a long time ago that however good the quality of information, the clarity of the writing, the efficiency of the organization or the positive nature of the reviews, I am neither an idiot nor a dummy, and I’M NOT GOING TO GIVE ANYBODY MY MONEY TO TELL ME I AM!
What’s wrong with us? A good friend of mine told me that originally the “Dummies” books were “...For The Common Man”
But I digress, back to Barnes & Noble. My other choice was Laurence Tribe’s “The Invisible Constitution.” The blurb on the inside flap promised the book to be a discussion based on the premise that the Constitution is not just the words contained in the physical document, but that there is also of necessity an “invisible” piece, somewhat analagous to the so-called “dark matter” of physics. And Mr Tribe? He teaches constitutional law! At Harvard!! And he’s argued cases in front of the Supreme Court! Yeah, this guy knows his stuff!
I’m at page 46. The book is only 211 pages, so that’s a fair chunk of what he has to say. I understand the words he uses. After all, I’m neither an idiot nor a dummy. But I find myself having to reread about every other sentence to try to follow his logic. Perhaps I need an explanation of the Constitution in layman’s terms first. Perhaps I need to back up a step. Perhaps I need... I need...
Oh nuts.
Back to Barnes & Noble. With a little help from their friendly staff (not so much help that I would have to consider myself a dummy, mind you) I find that other book on the Constitution. One that will announce to the world that I’m not just an idiot, I’m a complete idiot. If I weren’t so pro-conservation, I’d have asked for a brown paper bag to help me make my purchase unseen to the outside world. Yes, a good dose of humiliation for a mere $15.
As for the inside flap? Well, there isn’t one. Paperbacks don’have inside flaps. But the insides of the cover are telling. Author Tim Harper is a lawyer by degree and writes about law by trade. His work has won him the American Bar Association’s Silver Gavel Award, so I guess he knows what he’s talking about. I hope so. In his opening comments to the reader, he talks about the roles various people have played in making the Constitution what it is, and concludes:
“We have a role, too, you and I. Our responsibility is citizenship. Start here by brushing up and becoming a better informed citizen.”
Complete idiot? Yeah, I’ll just have to shoulder the burden. I really think the Constitution is that important.
