Let’s Think About It
What country do you live in?
Prof Jim
Many of the things we need to think about are blatantly in front of our face. These are not “hidden in plain sight”. They are not hidden at all. Unfortunately, they are so common that many never wop their forehead with the palm of their hand and say, “It’s been in front of me all along!”
The country you live in is one in that category.
One of my favorite questions to ask people is, “What country do you live in?” More often than not it happens at the local watering hole. One of two answers is: America; no that is a continent. United States; Wrong. Would you like me to prove it to you with something you have seen on the news many times?
This is a bit more fun presented in story form. I will center it on Indiana only because I am in it. You need not be fussy. Use your own state if you wish.
This fellow named Ed decides he is not living as well as he would like so he goes and robs a bank. Ed walks out with a nice satchel of money.
Question: Where oh where will Ed go to live happily ever after?
Want a hint?
Brazil.
So, why would I suggest Brazil?
Brazil has no extradition treaty with the US.
This begs the question: What is extradition?
“To turn over (a person accused or convicted of a crime) to the jurisdiction of another country, state, etc. where the crime was allegedly committed.”
Note; in any legal definition “things listed together are similar”. State and country are similar.
So this other gent, John, sees how nice Ed is living down in Brazil (samba, rum punch and topless beaches) and also robs a bank. Unfortunately John is not as bright as Ed. (Now come on. Why are you thinking this applies to any particular “John”?) John stops off in Kentucky to say good bye to family and friends on the way to Brazil. (That explains a lot right there.) And John gets caught.
Pray tell, how does Indiana get John from Kentucky?
Those that guessed “extradition” did very well. Congratulations.
Extradition is something you see on the news several times a year. Not long ago some kids in Indiana killed their grandparents or something and fled to Texas. There was an extradition hearing.
I ask you to think about this: If it is all one country, the United States, would extradition be required?
Does extradition tell you that Kentucky is a different country than Indiana?
From Black’s 4th:
State, Foreign State, A foreign country or nation. The several United States are considered “foreign” to each other except as regards their relations as common members of the Union.
I will ask again. What country do you live in? Think about it.
The main knowledge to gain from this is that the states are foreign to each other and foreign to Washington DC. You might want to frame it and hang it on the wall. For now it is interesting knowledge but it will come to much greater significance later.
Sidebar: If there are any good litigators (which I am not) out there in reader land, you might consider what you could make by suing the web sites that do not let you put in “Indiana” where they ask for country but only give you the option of “United States”. Are they forcing you to an admission? Just pick on the rich ones though. And remember where you got….well, think about it.
Next, the war.