Law as "a idiot"

Steerpike · 07-24-2008, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charles Dickens

“If the law supposes that,” said Mr. Bumble,… “the law is a ass—a idiot. If that’s the eye of the law, the law is a bachelor; and the worst I wish the law is that his eye may be opened by experience—by experience.”

In what ways is the law "a ass" or "a idiot," and how should/could it be corrected?

Elf1 · 07-24-2008, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steerpike

In what ways is the law "a ass" or "a idiot," and how should/could it be corrected?

The first thing I would do to correct it is to use proper grammar.

The law as AN idiot.

The law as AN ass.

Once people figure out the rudimentaries, they can then try to attain the lofty goals of figuring out the answer to the question.

Steerpike · 07-24-2008, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elf1

The first thing I would do to correct it is to use proper grammar.

Quoting the author.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elf1

The law as AN idiot.

The law as AN ass.

Once people figure out the rudimentaries, they can then try to attain the lofty goals of figuring out the answer to the question.

So what is "the answer to the question?"

Elf1 · 07-24-2008, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steerpike

Quoting the author.

I know. And it was Charles Dickens no less.

Which kind of feeds into my point, doesn't it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steerpike

So what is "the answer to the question?"

And the truth of it is there is no answer.

Laws have at least 2 problems related to idiocy.

1. They are done by popular demand. Sometimes it is a knee jerk reaction to some random and rare event...sometimes not. But popularity doesn't make something right.

2. Laws are made by people who need to justify their job (politician). It is in the best interest of a politician to create more and more laws.

3. In connection to #2, laws are there to protect people...to ensure freedom. But the twist is, the more laws your create, the less freedom you have.

Steerpike · 07-27-2008, 04:49 AM

So the discussion may be aided by some concrete examples here is a site which lists some:

Stupid Laws in America

Here is a sample from the site:

Quote:

Arkansas:
1. A man can legally beat his wife, but no more than once a month.

Alabama:
1. It is illegal for a driver to be blindfolded while operating a vehicle.

California:
1. Community leaders passed an ordinance that makes it illegal for anyone to try and stop a child from playfully jumping over puddles of water.
2. In, LA, a man may legally beat his wife with a leather strap, as long as it is less than 2 inches wide, or she gives him permission to use a wider strap.
3. It is a misdemeanor to shoot any kind of game from a moving vehicle, unless the target is a whale.

If it helps, then use examples to focus on how to answer the question in the original post.

TimmehD · 07-27-2008, 09:58 AM

Wow, you're actually believing that?

People really are ****ing stupid. It may have been 100 years ago that these laws were enacted, and that's saying they're even real, which, come on! My God...

Corona · 07-27-2008, 03:19 PM

Many drug laws are pretty foolish. 21 as a drinking age? I can legally go die in Iraq before I can have a beer. The classification system for drugs sucks. The penalties are a little harsh. In some states you can't buy booze on certain days (see Sunday).

juha82 · 07-28-2008, 02:39 AM

The law isn't impartial.

Also sometimes they do a big mistakes(knowing one thing).

A couple day ago i started crying to watching one Finnish-movie where the law sucks and one woman did get to the prison even if she was guiltless.
But a happy end for the movie.

Steerpike · 07-28-2008, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juha82

The law isn't impartial.

Also sometimes they do a big mistakes(knowing one thing).

A couple day ago i started crying to watching one Finnish-movie where the law sucks and one woman did get to the prison even if she was guiltless.
But a happy end for the movie.

Your initial point (lacking impartiality) answers the first part of the question regarding in what ways the law is "a ass" or "a idiot."

How could/should that be corrected?

juha82 · 07-28-2008, 02:00 PM

You see that Nro3 by Elf.
Also i see about injustice of verdicts.
On the other hand, it's a hard work by all members in the court.

Once happened here(in Finland) one very nasty thing on the law as they conned but i think it will ever happens in the future(a law wasn't so good in olden times).