A Columbia news,views & reviews reader sent us an email asking for comment about a recent Supreme Court ruling.

“ALITO, J., announced the judgment of the Court and delivered an opinion, in which ROBERTS, C. J., and KENNEDY, J., joined. THOMAS, J., filed an opinion concurring in the judgment, in which SCALIA, J., joined. BREYER, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which GINSBURG, SOTOMAYOR, and KAGAN, JJ., joined.”

Seems “The Supreme Court just handed down a decision that rewrites the Constitution, claiming we have no Fifth Amendment protection unless we explicitly call for it.

“Remaining silent no longer protects you from self-incrimination. In order to have your Constitutional rights asserted, you actually have to say, out loud, “I’m invoking my right to remain silent” — even if no Miranda rights have been read or arrests made.

“This ruling implies the Fifth Amendment is not a right but a privilege, and one for the well-educated and best-informed at that.”

In a bizarre and potentially punitive twist on the spirt of the 5th Amendment, the Supreme Court decides silence only protects you if you’re not silent. Image @QuasiSuperspooge

Read more about the abridging of fundamental rights here and here.