[blml] Minor/Major [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]

[Nigel]

[Grattan Endicott]
+=+ Perhaps blml should have above the gate the inscription:
 "Abandon all hope (of a simple answer) ye who enter here"

[nige1]
It is true that BLML contributors (including Law-makers and National 
directors) often disagree about the correct ruling on simple cases with 
agreed facts. Often this results from different interpretations of basic 
*rules* i.e. laws, regulations, etc... Arguably this is not a reflection 
on the quality of contributions but is an indictment of present rules. 
IMO they are incomplete, too sophisticated and over-subjective. Hence, 
Grattan's quotation fits the current set of rules. Let us hope it will 
be less apt for the next set.

If you dip into the current rules you sometimes feel that they are 
*deliberately* ambiguous. The impression is that law-makers disagreed 
and neither side would budge. So the protagonists agreed on a woolly 
compromise that could be interpreted to accord with their conflicting 
positions. This would be a disservice to directors and completely unfair 
to players. I reckon that players would prefer that law-makers tossed a 
coin rather than descend to such a dishonourable fudge. Please let there 
be no hint of this kind of compromise in the new edition of the laws.