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From: csdf@mit-vax.UUCP (Charles Forsythe)
Newsgroups: net.abortion
Subject: Re: Are Laws what is really needed?
Message-ID: <452@mit-vax.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 24-Jul-85 18:00:32 EDT
Article-I.D.: mit-vax.452
Posted: Wed Jul 24 18:00:32 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 26-Jul-85 03:34:46 EDT
References: <509@scc.UUCP> <331@ihopa.UUCP>
Reply-To: csdf@mit-vax.UUCP (Charles Forsythe)
Distribution: net
Organization: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Lines: 42

In article <331@ihopa.UUCP> edw@ihopa.UUCP (Edwin Windes) writes:
>	I want to drive 95mph.  Can I?

I do.

>How 'bout if I want your money. Should I be allowed to just take it?

If you don't, somebody else will. It's only money, really.

>What if I decide that I want to kill you instead of just writing a
>followup article? Is it wrong for the law to prevent me from taking
>your life?

In case you haven't noticed from my previous comments, the law isn't
stopping you or anyone else from doing anything. It merely promises to
punish those who are caught.

>	In other words, what I am saying is that society invents laws
>to promote the general welfare.

Actually, you just got finished saying that society invents laws to
protect society. Some people, and I'm one of them, don't think that
protecting parts of this society is particularly benificial.

>But to say "laws shouldn't legislate morality"
>doesn't make any sense at all.

Very true. What else do laws do besides legislate morality? (Even the
most mundane law could find its roots in morality with a long winded
argument.) I don't think anyone (except Ken Arndt :-) will argue that
some morality is BAD and some is GOOD. (Disclaimer: I don't place these
labels, I merely acknowledge their existance.)
-- 
Charles Forsythe
CSDF@MIT-VAX
Wang Zeep:"Lord Fred, how can I show them you are the True God?"

Lord Fred:"Because I said I am."

Wang Zeep:"Seriously."

Lord Fred:"Look, it works for every other religion."