*"Just to be clear, a Convention of States is not a Constitutional Convention.* *We are not trying to rewrite the Constitution."* Convention of States Action does not use the term "Constitutional Convention" because it instinctively raises concerns about the nature of their efforts. Instead they adopted the term "Convention of States" to propagate the idea that their model of an Article V convention is different from a Constitutional Convention - but it is a difference without distinction. Language manipulation is a tactic we see from the Left used quite effectively. It is unusual to see an ostensibly conservative organization resorting to using this tactic. ## Why not use the term Constitutional Convention? Convention of States Action wants to deflect from the fact that a Constitutional Convention could possibly result in an entirely new constitution, something many Leftist and Globalist organizations have been proposing for decades, and recently: - What If We Wrote the Constitution Today? - https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/12/what-if-we-could-rewrite-constitution/617304/ - A New Constitution for The United States - https://democracyjournal.org/magazine/61/a-new-constitution-for-the-united-states/ - The New Constitution Project - https://www.centerforenvironmentalrights.org/the-new-constitution-project - Is It Time for a New Constitutional Convention? - https://www.governing.com/context/is-it-time-for-a-new-constitutional-convention - The U.S. Needs a New Constitution—Here's How to Write It - https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/11/the-us-needs-a-new-constitution-heres-how-to-write-it/281090/ - Our Constitution Has Failed: It’s Time for a New One - https://www.acslaw.org/expertforum/our-constitution-has-failed-its-time-for-a-new-one/ - The U.S. Constitution needs an overhaul. Here’s how California can help - https://fortune.com/2020/07/04/the-u-s-constitution-reform-california/ - A New Constitution For The United States Of The World - https://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/woodhull/constitution/constitution.html - Rebuilding the Constitution - https://newrepublic.com/article/157690/rebuilding-constitution - Why a new U.S. Constitution may be the only way to fix the divided state of the union - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-a-new-us-constitution-may-be-the-only-way-to-fix-the-divided-state-of-the-union-2018-01-29 - Let’s Face It: The U.S. Constitution Needs a Makeover - https://foreignpolicy.com/2016/11/11/lets-face-it-the-u-s-constitution-needs-a-makeover/ Those are not some fringe organizations. It is shocking how much in the mainstream this idea has been proposed in publications such as The Atlantic, Fortune Magazine, and MarketWatch. Here is a surprising effort from the **National Constitution Center**, in Philadelphia, which is a private organization - not a National entity: **Constitution Drafting Project** which *"brings together three teams of leading constitutional scholars—team libertarian, team progressive, and team conservative—to draft and present their ideal constitutions"*. - https://constitutioncenter.org/news-debate/special-projects/constitution-drafting-project - The Libertarian Constitution: - https://constitutioncenter.org/media/files/The_Libertarian_Constitution_1.pdf - The Progressive Constitution: - https://constitutioncenter.org/media/files/The_Progressive_Constitution.pdf - The Conservative Constitution: - https://constitutioncenter.org/media/files/The_Conservative_Constitution.pdf The idea of rewriting the Constitution is more mainstream than most realize. That the National Constitution Center is propagating this idea is shocking - although looking at their Chair Emeriti you will see its globalist roots. ## Rewriting the Constitution Convention of States Action always assures they are not trying to rewrite the Constitution. Putting aside a potential extreme outcome of a rewrite or a completely new Constitution, the fact is the Constitution does not have to be rewritten to be fundamentally changed. Amendments are modifications of the Constitution. That is their purpose. Amendments can literally change fundamental structure of the Constitution, as the 17th Amendment did when it changed the nature of U.S. Senators from ambassadors of States *chosen* by State Legislators to direct elections just as U.S. Representatives are elected. The people of districts already had representation through elections. Having States Legislatures choose their 2 senators was another diffusion of power, and directly electing Senators fundamentally changed how the Senate was intended to function when the 17th Amendment was ratified in 1913. ## Basic Grammar The word "constitutional" is an adjective meaning "of or relating to the Constitution of a state, organization, etc."; an adjective means "any member of a class of words that modify nouns and pronouns, primarily by describing a particular quality of the word they are modifying". It's basic grammar. A Convention that is of or relating to the Constitution, is therefore a *Constitutional Convention* - it is what it is. ## Legal Definitions Convention of States Action dismisses legal definitions: "Black’s Law Dictionary does indeed say that an Article V convention is a constitutional convention.  But *contrary to what you might think, legal dictionaries and encylopedias are not definitive legal sources and no competent attorney treats them as such.*" - https://conventionofstates.com/myth-busting-it-s-a-constitutional-convention-the-dictionary-says-so Black's Law Dictionary defines Constitutional Convention as: "A duly constituted assembly of delegates or representatives of the people of a state or nation for the purpose of framing, revising, or *amending* its constitution." Black's Law Dictionary is a comprehensive legal dictionary that provides definitions of legal terms and phrases. It is widely used in the United States and is considered a standard reference for legal terminology. The dictionary is named after its founder, Henry Campbell Black, who first published it in 1891. Black's Law Dictionary is regularly updated to reflect changes in legal language and interpretations of the law. It is commonly used by legal professionals, students, and researchers to understand and interpret legal concepts and terms. Lawyers understand grammar too. It is just what you would think. ## Contrary Thinking Convention of States Action tells you to dismiss basic grammar, and legal definitions - that they are "*contrary to what you might think*". It is more like it is contrary to what they want you to think, or really that they do not want to think for yourself. Contrary to what Convention of States Action wants you to think, no matter what you call it, a "Constitutional Convention", "Article V Convention", "Convention of the States", or a "Convention of States", all pertain to the Amendment process of or relating to the Constitution. An Article V Convention is applied for by the State Legislatures, and when threshold is met, convened by Congress, and that Convention's Delegates have the constitutional authority to propose Amendments that Congress must then put through the Ratification process, and upon Ratification those Amendments become part of the Constitution and supreme Law of the Land. It is a Constitutional Convention. ## Legal Terms Legally, terms related to governmental or constitutional processes, such as "Constitutional Convention," are not be eligible for trademark protection. That is common sense as we all have a basic understanding of trademarks. Trademarks are typically granted for distinctive symbols, names, or phrases associated with specific goods or services in commerce. Moreover, terms that are considered generic, descriptive, or commonly used in a particular field would face challenges in obtaining trademark protection. Therefore, "Constitutional Convention" is a term commonly associated with a fundamental political process, and it would be difficult to secure exclusive rights to it. What term does not have such problems? -- "Convention of States". Why? -- Because "Convention of States" is not related to governmental or constitutional processes, is a distinctive phrase associated with specific services in commerce, and it is not commonly associated with fundamental political processes. ## Conventions of States® "Convention of States" is a Registered Trademark, owned by Convention of States Action Corporation, for the purpose of "political fundraising services". The ® symbol represents a registered trademark. When a trademark is registered with the appropriate government authority, the owner of the trademark is granted exclusive rights to use that mark in connection with the goods or services specified in the registration. The use of the ® symbol indicates that a particular brand or logo is officially registered as a trademark. It serves as a notice to the public that the mark is protected and helps prevent others from using the same or similar mark for similar goods or services without permission. As a Registered Trademark, there should always be a ® symbol to protect its brand. Convention of States® is a marketing term - it is not a term that is contained in the Constitution, it is not related to governmental or constitutional processes, it is a distinctive phrase associated for political fundraising services owned by Convention of States Action Corporation. US Patent And Trademark Office: https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87214920&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch ![[cos-trademark.png]] ## Second Thoughts Convention of States Action Corporation is using alternative language to obfuscate and deflect folks from the fundamental nature of the Article V Constitutional Convention process by suggesting Convention of States® Amendment process model is different as a way to keep folks from giving the process they are selling a second thought about its risks, unintended consequences, or intended consequences of hidden agendas. When organizations make use of language manipulation to propagate ideas to an under-informed electorate, that ought to be viewed with skepticism and curiosity as to why. Second thoughts are the doubts or re-considerations that arise after initially deciding or thinking about something. They are often a pause or a moment of reflection after an initial decision or opinion has been formed. These thoughts can stem from various sources like new information, uncertainty, or a change in perspective, prompting someone to reevaluate their choices or beliefs before fully committing to them. Glenn Beck had second thoughts, September 15, 2022: "I have been a supporter of the Article V Convention of States®, I've been a pretty big supporter, vocal supporter. **I'm reversing that today**, because **after some real thought and prayer, we are not the people to open up this sacred document**. ... **I withdraw my support**. And I’m sorry to say that, but I withdraw my support." -- Convention of States Action still keeps touting his earlier endorsements, and does not include his withdrawal of support. Give what Convention of States® is selling some additional thought and consideration.