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"....and to the REPULIC, for which it stands..." mean anything to you?

According to Webster, the definition of the word:

republic: "....a government in which supreme power resides in a body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by elected officers and representatives responsible to them and governing according to law...."

When I first became involved in law enforcement, I was naive, to say the least. I went straight from high school into the military, and then into law enforcement. After 11 years of military service I understood that rules are rules. I understood the concept of common courtesy, and still do. But, there are those who don't: the one's for whom the laws are written to deter.

Laws are and have been written for a reason. I've come to understand that most laws are what I like to call courtesy laws. I call them courtesy laws because it would seem that their intent is to prevent one person from infringing on the rights of another, i.e. laws and ordinances that define what 'loud music' is. There are laws and ordinances that define what 'disorderly' conduct is. And generally they end with a statement to the effect of 'disturbing the comfort and repose of another'. Basically making it illegal to do anything that would disturb said comfort and repose of another.

Take for example 'loud' music. For a period of time 'loud' music was determined by decibel levels, and in order to enforce that law, an officer needed a decibel meter (I never had one). Without one, and usually all you had to do was speak with the 'offender' and the noise would dissipate, there is no assessable penalty for those unwilling to cooperate. So, they changed it to the verbage above. Common sense, right? This all because of human nature and the unwillingness to demonstrate common courtesy to another.

As any good law enforcement officer would do, I began reading and trying to comprehend the laws for which I was responsible to enforce. When I first began reading the various criminal statutes as they apply to the state, and the city I worked in, I came to a harsh realization. That realization being that this is a free country for those who play by the rules, wait their turn in line, and don't say anything. Most laws are open to interpretation. Some aren't. It's the ones open to interpretation that worry me (see above).

I enjoy my chosen profession, I understand the reason for a lot of laws. I know that a simple case of a person trespassing (having been asked to leave a place where you

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