An interesting tidbit from this article is the quote of the quote of the quote of Gen. Alexander asking for an intentionally "ill-defined" law. I've never heard of such a strategy before. Is this a new thing, or are there documented examples of laws that were made intentionally vague in order to give their beneficiaries more power or latitude than anyone would rationally agree to explicitly? Off the top of my head, Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law might qualify.
But my question is: was it originally written with a vague wording with the intent of later interpreting it a certain way, or was the secret interpretation a later optimistic move given the existing wording?
Comments
An interesting tidbit from this article is the quote of the quote of the quote of Gen. Alexander asking for an intentionally "ill-defined" law. I've never heard of such a strategy before. Is this a new thing, or are there documented examples of laws that were made intentionally vague in order to give their beneficiaries more power or latitude than anyone would rationally agree to explicitly? Off the top of my head, Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law might qualify.
Section 215 of the Patriot Act has a secret interpretation
But my question is: was it originally written with a vague wording with the intent of later interpreting it a certain way, or was the secret interpretation a later optimistic move given the existing wording?