For whatever it is worth, I would just like to point out that one of the
oldest tools of tyrants on the books is to rely upon technicalities to
frustrate and thwart their democratic opposition.
In the words of economsit Christopher Lingle:
"some Asian regimes ran over unarmed students with tanks, while others
relied upon a compliant judiciary to bankrupt opposition politicians."
It is precisely because of this kind of reliance upon red-tape and
technicalities to frustrate minorities, opposition viewpoints, and any
other "undesirables" that a "due process" clause was added to our Bill of
Rights. Now, I by no means intend to imply that we are at such point, nor
do I intend to compare the City of San Francisco or its inept judges to the
regimes of the People's Republic of China or Singapore, but I think that it
bears remarking exactly what school of thought the "semicolon that saved
San Francisco" stems from - and it isn't the school of thought of James
Madison.
Thus, the City of San Francisco is still handing out faux marriage
certificates in direct contravention of the Laws of the State of California
- as was passed by *popular*referendum* all because a judge found a
misplaced semicolon in a hastily prepared legal document to be grounds for
a multiday delay in judicial proceedings.
I state again, this kind of action is cycnical, craven, crass, and is
unbecoming of a constitutional republic.
Moreover, I am shocked that on this List, of all places, where I have
endured countless abuse as someone who has voted for "a police state" and
"the gutting of our Constitutional rights" that not only have I been the
_only_ person to criticize the absurdity of this legal process, but in
fact, several Brin-l'ers have praised this mockery of the rule of law.
If anyone is wondering why "conservatives" are now rallying behind an
amendment to the federal constitution, it is because the courts can clearly
not be relied upon to uphold the rule of law.
This will not be forgotten.
"Due process" anyone?
JDG
_______________________________________________________
John D. Giorgis - [EMAIL PROTECTED]
"The liberty we prize is not America's gift to the world,
it is God's gift to humanity." - George W. Bush 1/29/03
_______________________________________________
http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
