NationStates Jolt Archive

According to the US Constitution (http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.articlei.html#section8) the District that is to be set aside as the Capital of the United States is not to exceed ten square miles.

To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular states, and the acceptance of Congress, become the seat of the government of the United States, and to exercise like authority over all places purchased by the consent of the legislature of the state in which the same shall be, for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dockyards, and other needful buildings;

According to wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington,_D.C.#Topography) the total area of Washington, DC is 68.3 square miles.

So, is Washington, DC unconstitutional?

Not until the Supreme Court rules it so.... (I think... but clever find.)

According to the constitution it is.

Coolest random fact in a while. *files away in brain for later*

And no. Just like that asshole who tells people you don't need to pay taxes cause its in the Constitution. (He doesnt comprehend amendments)

10 miles square equals 100 sqaure miles, so no.

According to the US Constitution (http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.articlei.html#section8) the District that is to be set aside as the Capital of the United States is not to exceed ten square miles.



According to wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington,_D.C.#Topography) the total area of Washington, DC is 68.3 square miles.

So, is Washington, DC unconstitutional?

Nope.

According to the US Constitution (http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.articlei.html#section8) the District that is to be set aside as the Capital of the United States is not to exceed ten square miles.



According to wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington,_D.C.#Topography) the total area of Washington, DC is 68.3 square miles.

So, is Washington, DC unconstitutional?

I guess so....

I guess so....

How so? Math shows it to be less than what is stated in the Constitution.

10 miles square equals 100 sqaure miles, so no.

You're right (http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/58423.html)...hm, I've never heard of the differentiation before.

I'm gonna say no, it is constitutional.

You're right (http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/58423.html)...hm, I've never heard of the differentiation before.

One of those language drift thingies at work here, I suspect. ;)

You're right (http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/58423.html)...hm, I've never heard of the differentiation before.

The only thing worse than math is math combined with confusing English.

The only thing worse than math is math combined with confusing English.

Oh I don't know. I hear anal rape is pretty bad. And then there's Creed.

10 miles square equals 100 sqaure miles, so no.

Hah. Good catch. :p Something seemed off, but it didn't occur to me right away.

You're right (http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/58423.html)...hm, I've never heard of the differentiation before.

It's somewhat confusing language that we really wouldn't use today. Saying it that way might have died out for that very reason, in fact.

well according to Washington the constitution is unconstitutional

It's somewhat confusing language that we really wouldn't use today. Saying it that way might have died out for that very reason, in fact.

It's not confusing at all. 10 square miles and 10 miles square mean 2 different things.
10 miles square means just that, a square of land, 10 miles on each side.
10 square miles could mean 2 miles x 5 miles, or 3.2 miles x 3.2 miles etc. Any geometrical shape who's area is 10 square miles.

One of those language drift thingies at work here, I suspect. ;)

Probably, but not enough that a goodly number of people caught the OP's error.

Necessary and Proper clause.


DC is not unconstitutional because its expansion beyond the designated area is necessary for maintaining of a functioning government.

-snip-

It.

Is.

ALIVE!

Necessary and Proper clause.


DC is not unconstitutional because its expansion beyond the designated area is necessary for maintaining of a functioning government.

As has already been pointed out, it's not unconstitutional for the reason that it doesn't exceed the area alloted, as well.

As has already been pointed out, it's not unconstitutional for the reason that it doesn't exceed the area alloted, as well.

should it ever exceed the size allotted, then the clause would take over.


It's just a backup point.

Probably, but not enough that a goodly number of people caught the OP's error.

Have to admit, I didn't catch it either. Glad I scrolled through and didn't jump in mouth-first.

Necessary and Proper clause.


DC is not unconstitutional because its expansion beyond the designated area is necessary for maintaining of a functioning government.

Since it has already been pointed out that the District does not exceed its Constitutionally mandated limit, the point is moot, but how does this mean it would still be Constitutional?

The point of Amendments is that if it did become necessary for the Capital to exceed its ten mile square limit then an amendment could be written raising that limit. And there's no reason it would have to grow. Neighboring municipalities merge into metroplexes all over the country. There's no reason that Washington DC would have to expand beyond its boundaries, even if it needed a larger labor base than could live within its borders. They'd just go home to what is technically a different district.

The Constitution is a body of laws. There is nothing that makes ignoring those laws Constitutional just because it's convenient.

Oh I don't know. I hear anal rape is pretty bad. And then there's Creed.

Incidentally I recall hearing that the former lead singer of Creed might be going to jail.

According to the US Constitution (http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.articlei.html#section8) the District that is to be set aside as the Capital of the United States is not to exceed ten square miles.



According to wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington,_D.C.#Topography) the total area of Washington, DC is 68.3 square miles.

So, is Washington, DC unconstitutional?
"Ten miles square" could refer to a square ten miles on a side. In fact, given the shape of DC, that's almost a dead given.

Oh I don't know. I hear anal rape is pretty bad. And then there's Creed.

I'd have to say Michael Bolton is worse; It is like he is right there and 'violating' your ears (and sound processing part of your brain).

OH you yanks and your constitution! Anybody would think it was written by God. 10 sq miles is pretty small for a capitol city.