[blml] Ladies and gentlemen

[Grattan Endicott]

from Grattan Endicott
grandeval at vejez.fsnet.co.uk
[also gesta at tiscali.co.uk]
****************************
"The best words in the best order"
                          ~ S T Coleridge.
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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Eric Landau" <ehaa at starpower.net>
To: "Bridge Laws Discussion List" <blml at rtflb.org>
Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2007 2:57 PM
Subject: Re: [blml] Ladies and gentlemen


> T. W-M:
"The assessment of a player's C&R is a sum of
one's knowledge of his previous infractions."
<
+=+ 'C&R' - criminality and recidivism ? +=+
<
-----   omissis   -------
> >
      Nigel (possibly):
> >IMO law-makers should concentrate on 
> >action not motives.  Where the law *insists* 
> > that the director consider intent, he should
> > take care to disregard his impression of the 
> > character and reputation of the alleged law-
> > breaker. Instead, the director should consider 
> > the likely intent of a typical player who 
> >behaved in that way in the same circumstances.
>
 +=+ Oh, *that* C&R ..... +=+
<
    Eric:
> I fully agree.  
>
+=+ Not I, not fully. For a start, what is 'typical' of 
a player intending to break the law? In the vast, 
overwhelming proportion of players who are to be 
ruled against there is no conscious intent to break 
the law. We are simply biased in our own cause 
and in our innocence misjudge our action and then  
our defence of it. This is true on occasion of even 
the most incorruptible among us. The law book 
is brief on the subject of intentional violation of 
law - L72B2 and L73B2 speak succinctly. For 
the rest it is accepted that the great number of 
violations are unmindful, may in the more inattentive 
lapses call for a rap on the knuckles but in general
require no more than remedy and possibly redress. 
      The Director looks to the facts, forms a 
judgement as to whether they constitute a breach 
of law or regulation, and if so follows the law to a
rectification of the breach  On learning that (s)he 
is thus ruled against an offending player has a right 
of appeal but, beyond that, "should be ready to 
pay any penalty graciously".
                             ~ Grattan ~   +=+