Thus it was written in the epistle of Craig M. Lalley,
>
> Come on now, while I admit to being too general, this one is too easy to
> take apart.  Let's see, while being a fan of George W. Bush, even his
> milatary record is questionable.   How'bout Al Gore and his "doing time
> in the fields of Vietnam"?
>
> Do you really believe that if Bill Gates's son is drafted, he has the
> same chance of ending up on the front line as say some nobody from the
> inner city.

Ah, but sir, you claimed that the problem was that the laws themselves do not
apply to all and yet what you provide are, at best, examples of draft-dodging
and claims of corruption.  If your argument is that corruption does exist even
in our system then surely no one would disagree.  But that is
  a) not a fundemental property of the system but rather of certain humans
  b) *not* generally a method of doing business.  In many countries, you simply
     plan on the bribe for the public official--in this country, while bribery
     exists, it carries with it a serious stigma and penalties which do get
     implemented.

>
> The complexity of law has made it unavailable to the common folk.
> Simply being charged with a crime can ruin someone without the financial
> resources to defend themselves.   I am not talking about an aggressive
> crime, lets just say that the government wants to use your property but
> doesn't want to pay for it.  Or the city counsul doesn't like the
> business your in.  etc...

The amount of political action going on amongst the "common folk" belies your
claim.  Further, there is recourse even for those with little financial
resources.  It is not unusual for the cause of the "little guy" to be taken up
by the media and by organizations devoted to that cause.  If there is one thing
that corruption in high places does not like (once again, in this country,
there are countries in which it matters little) it is a large row and lots of
publicity.

> You also recommended that I consider running for congress.  Well I would
> love to but, ya know the price tag... did I mention I have 3 kids?

You didn't, but my best wishes both to them and to you.

Ted
--
Ted Ashton ([log in to unmask]), Info Sys, Southern Adventist University
          ==========================================================
One of the endearing things about mathematicians is the extent to which they
will go to avoid doing any real work.
                        -- Pordage, Matthew
          ==========================================================
         Deep thought to be found at http://www.southern.edu/~ashted

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