What's in a name? Be sure you know what the law says
What's in a name? Be sureyou know what the law says
EDITOR:
The Associated Press reports that "a sharply divided Supreme Court ruled Monday that people who refuse to give their names to police can be arrested, even if they've done nothing wrong."
No! The Supreme Court ruled against a Nevada cattleman, Larry Hiibel, appealing his conviction of a misdemeanor for violating just what law we're not told. A deputy sheriff had responded to a call concerning a man's having a verbal argument with a woman in a truck parked along the highway. It was Hiibel and his daughter, and when confronted by the deputy, Hiibel asserted that he'd broken no law, which he hadn't, and refused to give his name. The deputy jailed him.
Police officers have a tense enough job that they could use a little deference from the public occasionally. However, this court decision is unconstitutional at best, seditious at worst. But that particular decision affects only Hiibel's situation, not the entire U.S. populace.
"Case law" does not exist -- only legislatures may enact laws (Constitutionally pursuant laws, which the majority are not) or repeal them; juries may "nullify" bad law, but they're, of course, not told that because the intellectually superior bar brethren may lose some of their courtroom control.
This is still the law: A citizen for whom no warrant has been issued, nor is in the act of causing actual injury, damage or loss to the person or property of another, either intentionally or by negligence, has the right to either cooperate with or defend against unlawful arrest, search and seizure by anyone, including "peace officers."
MIKE NEELY
New Castle, Pa.
Good deed by young manshould overshadow the bad
EDITOR:
I hear so many bad things about the young people of today, so I would like to share something that blessed my heart -- and it happened in Youngstown.
Last week my son lost his wallet with credit cards, CDL license and a $20 bill. We searched everywhere, to no avail. He started thinking that he might have put it on the roof of his car when he left the house. Then he was very upset.
That afternoon a young man about 18 came to his house and said how he had found it in the street on his way to work. Everything was intact. What a very special young man. I hope he shared his experience with his parents so they know what a good person they have raised. I am sure there are many young people who are just as special, but generally all we hear about are the ones that get into trouble.
That's why I wrote this letter. It is very hard growing up today; there are many temptations out there, and people's attitudes about our young people don't help. Try to have a positive attitude about young people. Remember the things you did as a kid that weren't so great. Kids are not going to be perfect, but a lot of them learn from their mistakes, just as a lot of us did.
My daughter-in-law was so excited to get the wallet back, that she never got this young man's name. If anyone knows who he is, tell him we would like to personally thank him.
BETTY FORD
Youngstown
Vice president shows wordsspeak louder than actions
EDITOR:
If we wonder why more and more children use foul language, all we have to do is look to Vice President Cheney. In my opinion, he is a prime example of the way our culture is evolving into accepting foul language as everyday language.
If I had usedπ the word he did, my mother would have washed out my mouth with soap.
Our leaders should be good examples, not poor ones. Shame on the vice president, and shame on the American people for allowing a leader to set such a poor example.
There is no need for foul language. You can get your point across just as well without the need to resort to the F-word.
DARLENE TORDAY
Berlin Center