This is actually the 4h time I've had the cursor flashing in the 'reply' box. I've seen a lot of shiny objects that seem to have taken my attention today.

A fair long time ago in a class called "Civil Rights and Civil Liberties" I spent about a week reading, defending and thinking about the Magna Carta. The professor was of the opinion that all common law sprung from that. It was certainly the first time the 'rights of man' were written and approved. Not by the legislature but by the KING. Of course the King only really agreed to them because the 'common man' had started the pitchforks and torches thing in England.

There is, of course, an argument about the difference between laws and codes. The legal difference is significant. Laws are thought to be 'will of the people' items while codes are simply administrative orders that ARE NOT approved by elected (and thus replaceable) officials. We sorta have an option with a law. A majority of the voters can stop a law by two process. Referendum (vote on it by the people) or replacement of the elected officials who instituted the law. Codes just go on and on forever until 'somebody' decides to change them.

Not that the referendum process works particularly well. I know of several that were duly passed by a majority of the voters and never instituted because they needed the 'codes' to go with them. In Washington and Arizona for sure.

Well, it seems I've gotten off on a tangent again. Surprised? I really am enjoying the series and anxiously await the next installment. Due to the tardiness of this reply I actually don't have to wait so long.

Thanks, my friend. It really is a fight worth fighting.