poli-sci (06/03/82)
>From JoSH@RUTGERS Wed Jun 2 17:58:32 1982
Poli-Sci Digest Thu 3 Jun 82 Volume 2 Number 139
Contents: Leftist Violence
Freedom of Information Act Information
De Jure vs De Facto Laws
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Date: 2 June 1982 0912-EDT (Wednesday)
From: Robert.Frederking at CMU-10A (C410RF60)
Subject: Leftist violence
If you were replying to my note, read it again. I specifically
mentioned an example of left-wing violence deserving of surveilance: the
SDS during the campus riots. My question is still unanswered: has the
Socialist Workers Party ever promoted violence, or other criminal
activity (other than *being* socialists)? Has the government ever
really harassed American Nazis (since WW II, at least)? To add to the
list, please explain "any random month at Stanford between 68 and 72".
Were these student riots, I assume? Which leftist groups were involved?
The Socialist Workers? My whole point is that there *are* groups at
both ends that deserve surveillance, but it appears to me that left-wing
groups that don't deserve it get it (including, apparently, the Quakers (!)).
I sincerely want to know whether these claims are true. Oh yes,
and whether John Birch or similar right-wing, non-violent groups are being
spied on.
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Date: Wednesday, 2 June 1982 08:50-PDT
From: KING at KESTREL
Subject: Freedom of Information Act information
Has anybody read a comprehensible (to nonlawyers) book on How
to Use the Freedom of Information Act?
Dick
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Date: 2 Jun 1982 2029-EDT
From: JoSH <JoSH at RUTGERS>
Subject: de jure vs de facto laws
To fan a subject that may have something to do with political science,
consider the difference between laws as they are written on the books,
and as they are actually enforced (and obeyed). I claim that the laws
as written have a lot less to do with what actually happens than many
people (particularly legislators) think. For example, I'm given to
understand that no major building has been constructed in New York for
many years that actually complied with all the laws thereto pertaining:
the rules are actually an enfranchisement of a certain set of inspectors,
union officials, board members, etc, to receive bribes.
Another example closer to the experience of most is speed limits.
Even according to US DOT statistics, more than half the cars on the
highways exceed the speed limit (the 55 national one). In my own
experience, there is for each road a de facto limit which acts like
what a reasonably set legal speed limit would. The conventional
wisdom is that 5 miles over the posted limit is the "real" limit.
this isn't strictly true. (a) I know one road (only one within
20 miles of here) where the posted limit is really the limit; you
can get a ticket for exceeding it by one mph. There's another place
35 miles south of here like that, but they aren't too common.
(b) in many rural areas (yes, NJ has rural areas) the rule is essentially
"whatever is safe". Often posted limits on country roads are much more
reasonable (ie, there are ungraded curves). (c) on most NJ main highways,
(4-lane and up) the de facto limit is 65. You can drive around for
years at 65 and not get a ticket (I have done so). A friend has, on the
other hand, gotten a ticket for doing 67. Cops drive along the highways
at 65 being "pacesetters". (The posted limit is of course everywhere 55.)
(d) the de facto limit on the NJ turnpike is 70. I've driven it for years
(though I don't know of anyone who has a ticket showing the upper bound
on the limit so closely, but that's what the "pacesetters" do). I have
generally assumed that that's because the Tpk is a toll road, and the
higher limit is to give it a competitive advantage over 295, which
parallels it, but has a de facto limit of 65. (e) The Connecticut
Turnpike has a de facto limit of 65. I had assumed it was the same
as the NJ Tpk and got a ticket for doing 68. How do I know it would
have been OK to do 65? The officer giving the ticket *told me so*
in as many words.
--JoSH
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End of POLI-SCI Digest
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