NationStates Jolt Archive

Instead of having freedom and then adding laws to curtail that freedom, why don't we ban absolutely everything and then write laws on what is allowed.

In this way, instead of making ever more laws that restrict, every law goes towards granting us more and more freedom.

i believe there is a joke on that somewhere... *researches*

EDIT: can't find it. :(

Instead of having freedom and then adding laws to curtail that freedom, why don't we ban absolutely everything and then write laws on what is allowed.

In this way, instead of making ever more laws that restrict, every law goes towards granting us more and more freedom.

Not very clever... as it is, you can assume that everything that isn't outlawed is allowed. The outlawed things make up a handful of good-sized books per country.
If it was the other way around, we'd be hard put to come up with all the paper to print the books that tell us what's allowed.

Is it allowed to use green toilet paper on Tuesdays?
Is it allowed to have your chips with ketchup and mayonaise?
Is it allowed to have a 150cm leash when taking your dog for a walk?
Is it allowed to use non-QWERTY keyboards?
Is it allowed to use the colour purple? Or read it, even?
Is it allowed to sell skis boots on discount?
Is it allowed to keep a pet spider called Bob?
If you fall in a lake, is it allowed to swallow a small quantity of water? And if so, how much?

To Myrth or not to Myrth? To Pancake or not to Pancake?

These are the questions that are relevant to NSG.

Not very clever... as it is, you can assume that everything that isn't outlawed is allowed. The outlawed things make up a handful of good-sized books per country.
If it was the other way around, we'd be hard put to come up with all the paper to print the books that tell us what's allowed.

Is it allowed to use green toilet paper on Tuesdays?
Is it allowed to have your chips with ketchup and mayonaise?
Is it allowed to have a 150cm leash when taking your dog for a walk?
Is it allowed to use non-QWERTY keyboards?
Is it allowed to use the colour purple? Or read it, even?
Is it allowed to sell skis boots on discount?
Is it allowed to keep a pet spider called Bob?
If you fall in a lake, is it allowed to swallow a small quantity of water? And if so, how much?

Hmm, you have a point but I'd say you could overcome this with better written laws than the ones you've submitted, although I understand you're making a point.

e.g. Dog leashes are allowed to a length of no more than 150cms.

Something like that.

Hmm, you have a point but I'd say you could overcome this with better written laws than the ones you've submitted, although I understand you're making a point.

e.g. Dog leashes are allowed to a length of no more than 150cms.

Something like that.

So I could strangle my dog by having it on a 20cm leash? Sure?? ;)

So I could strangle my dog by having it on a 20cm leash? Sure?? ;)

I never said you could strangle your dog, that is clearly verboten...

...until I do, which, once I've received the right check from the right lobby group, I might well.

I never said you could strangle your dog, that is clearly verboten...

...until I do, which, once I've received the right check from the right lobby group, I might well.

Ah, but you said all leashes up to 150cm are allowed. So 20cm would be ok, right?

Ah, but you said all leashes up to 150cm are allowed. So 20cm would be ok, right?

It would, but if that means you strangle your dog then you're straight to jail, do not pass go and do not collect $200.

Not very clever... as it is, you can assume that everything that isn't outlawed is allowed. The outlawed things make up a handful of good-sized books per country.
If it was the other way around, we'd be hard put to come up with all the paper to print the books that tell us what's allowed.

Is it allowed to use green toilet paper on Tuesdays?
Is it allowed to have your chips with ketchup and mayonaise?
Is it allowed to have a 150cm leash when taking your dog for a walk?
Is it allowed to use non-QWERTY keyboards?
Is it allowed to use the colour purple? Or read it, even?
Is it allowed to sell skis boots on discount?
Is it allowed to keep a pet spider called Bob?
If you fall in a lake, is it allowed to swallow a small quantity of water? And if so, how much?

Well I think the problem is that there is no defense of 'ignorance of the law'....

It would, but if that means you strangle your dog then you're straight to jail, do not pass go and do not collect $200.

So a 20cm leash would only be allowed for dogs of more than 150cm shoulder height?

So a 20cm leash would only be allowed for dogs of more than 150cm shoulder height?

See, by now I'd have you marked down as a persistent troublemaker and you'd be disappeared.

You can have any size leash for any size dog but if that dog dies due to your choice of leash, you're paying for it, probably literally since it's worth a fine only.

I guess I'd need a broad-ish constitution granting basic rights, which are then determined by a court of some sort - I name it....Supreme Court. (actually, the SC would, as per usual, really only judge landmark cases, most others would be dealt with lower down and rise where necessary).

Then, anyone can go to court to determine a freedom. Flipping another precedent on its back, parliament would then vote on that decision and therefore pass, not as a law, but a Freedom.

Instead of having freedom and then adding laws to curtail that freedom, why don't we ban absolutely everything and then write laws on what is allowed.

In this way, instead of making ever more laws that restrict, every law goes towards granting us more and more freedom.

Fundamental paradox: if you outlaw absolutely everything, then writing laws to "allow" freedoms has been outlawed.

There are more like this.

See, by now I'd have you marked down as a persistent troublemaker and you'd be disappeared.

And here we have the crux - this is just another form of one person, you, assuming they are all knowing about what is best, and then imposing their will on all others, regardless.

Fundamental paradox: if you outlaw absolutely everything, then writing laws to "allow" freedoms has been outlawed.

There are more like this.

Finickity - clearly the ability to allow freedoms to be granted is allowed within my system - step back

And here we have the crux - this is just another form of one person, you, assuming they are all knowing about what is best, and then imposing their will on all others, regardless.

This I grant but the lordly attitude I have to my theory doesn't impact on the pure nature of the theory itself. I've expanded slightly on how it might work so you could run with it, otherwise you're being disappeared as well :)