On Sun, 30 Jan 2005 00:38:14 -0800, "Peter Duniho"
wrote in
::

I think it's wonderful that there are people so optimistic (such as
yourself, Larry, etc) who feel that our government does a perfect job of
following the spirit (and even letter) of our laws.

I believe it was I who pointed out that there are significant
quantities of illegal immigrants crossing the boarder daily; I don't
feel that constitutes the government doing a "perfect job." Or did
you miss that point that seems to contradict your statement above? In
fact, I have often found that the bureaucrat is ignorant of the law,
arbitrary, and unjust. But when confronted with evidence of their
errors, they have little choice but to conform to the law.

That said, it has been my experience, that if one is able to cause the
bureaucrat in question to go on written record in direct opposition to
the law s/he is administrating, s/he is often able to prevail. It
requires knowledge, research and diplomacy, which are often difficult
to muster when one is emotionally involved in the issue. That's why
it is often advantageous to employ a competent attorney.

--

There is no expedient to which a man will not resort
to avoid the real labor of thinking.
-- Sir Joshua Reynolds