Where Did I Put That Darned First Amendment?

So I'm talking to Dad yesterday on the phone and he tells me the craziest story - one I wouldn't believe if it were a movie as too crazy - about these two Congressmen in Connecticut - Lawlor and McDonald - who have proposed Bill 1098 to regulate the Catholic Church. Dad's 78, not really that old, but well, I was beginning to think maybe his age was catching up with him.

The State Regulating the Church? Isn't there a 200 year old Constitution and some pesky amendments out there somewhere that don't allow this?

Then he delivers the punch line as only my phunny dad can: he sent an email to the aforementioned representatives. He suggested they obtain a copy of the Constitution of the US and the amendments, paying particular attention to the first one. Then he said if they didn't understand what they were reading, it should be easy enough to find someone to help them interpret it. He pretty much got it the first time around, back in his high school civics class.

So Dad's mind and wit? Still Sharp as a tack after all these years.