# Policy on witnessing **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 9, 1999, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-witnessing/1773 "1999-07-09T23:12:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 1999, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-witnessing/1773/41 "1999-07-14T00:38:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Hey, Melin, “Bitch lawyer,” please answer this one for me–especially if you’re in CA. One of the neighbors in my mobile home park had his place burn down! Fortunately he wasn’t in it at the time. The park management fenced it off and ordered him not to come back to salvage anything. Isn’t this a miscarriage of law and human rights? Without knowing more, I couldn’t comment. And while I will comment in general on legal topics, and perhaps a bit more specifically on things that affect the board (like the censorship allegations, or the copyright argument), I’m not going to start dealing in specific cases here. (My employer frowns on my working for free! And for anyone other than it!) At any rate, I think your friend should contact a local lawyer and find out what his rights are. -Melin, Esq. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 1999, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-witnessing/1773/42 "1999-07-14T03:23:00Z")
I feel this policy is an absolute outrage on the part of the Stright Dope! This new policy restricts the reader’s right to Freedom of Worship! I feel every American has the freedom to worship . . . ME! ME!!! HAHAHAHAHA!!! BOW DOWN TO ME!!! FOOLS!!! YOU WILL ALL OBEY ME!!! ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 1999, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-witnessing/1773/43 "1999-07-14T13:15:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Hey guys – 'specially you old board regs – Stoidela thinks _I’m_ hostile to religion! ::chuckle:: This old board reg thinks it is purdy damn funny too. Isn’t it amazing how some people think they know something when in fact they are so wrong it is hilarious? 😃 ## ::::still laughing::: \>^,^\< KITTEN He who walk through airport door sideways going to Bangkok. - Confucius ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 1999, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-witnessing/1773/44 "1999-07-14T21:11:00Z")
Is this a charming debate, or what? I think Ed will be pleased to know he has now become “Mr. Zotti.” ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 1999, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-witnessing/1773/45 "1999-07-15T14:16:00Z")
I’m gonna witness! I’m gonna witness! and I’m gonna do it HERE! OK – I saw him! I saw Colonel Mustard…carrying a candlestick… sneaking from the Study to the Library. I saw him! I saw him with my own eyes! …when do I get to say the part about tooth, whole tooth, and nothin butt the tooth? …can I object, yer Honour, incompetent, irrevelant, immaterial (Raymond Burr always said that as Perry Mason, I allus wanted to say it.) ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 1999, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-witnessing/1773/46 "1999-07-24T21:51:00Z")
Thanks, Melin. I’d like to think that the GSMOL (a mobile home owners organization in California) will give the park management what it deserves. (Since the matter may BE before a court right now, I will not give the park’s name). Since the neighbor was evicted Ihaved pegged the management as insufferably “whitebread” as Frank Burns of M_A_S\*H, and accordingly, I avoid them. They had even given me a birthday present in June–two free AMC movie tickets–which I gave away because I won’t go to movies 😛 and because it seems like a bribe. :() ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 1999, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-witnessing/1773/47 "1999-07-24T21:53:00Z")
Excuse me-- “I have pegged.” and the colon-and-P mark was meant to signify a “smiley face” sticking out its tongue in disgust, since that’s what I think about movies.) ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 1999, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-witnessing/1773/48 "1999-07-24T22:51:00Z")
what a nice pit! I had to look up “proselytize” and I promise to do my best to never proselyte myself on this board… Unless of course, mugs or t-shirts are given away… Oh nevermind ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 1999, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-witnessing/1773/49 "1999-07-25T11:23:00Z")
Amazing. [Quote] Oh my god! When my local paper published my letter to the editor, they didn’t put it in the comics page like I wanted! They said it had to go in the “Letters to the Editors” section! That’s censorship! I’m gonna sue! Quaddell had itr closest. We are not talking about free speech here, but free press. We all exist on this board at the sufferage of it’s editors. I for one have gravitated towards this forum BECAUSE of its management. Even the moderators I take issue with treat me with decorum. Example: My first post on nitrates in beer nickrz directed us to a relevent post. My second post (An off topic reference)nickrz simly challenged me to back my statement. It concerned a bogart reference I still assert to be correct about. But I digress, fact is this forum remains unconaminated by stupidity (if you forgive the “loverock” unpleasantness) and I will remain a free speaker in a free forum until it becomes something else. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 1999, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-witnessing/1773/50 "1999-07-26T00:28:00Z")
Just for the record, I DO NOT own a “RenFair” costume as Dex suggests. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 1999, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-witnessing/1773/51 "1999-07-26T05:39:00Z")
I do! I model it on my pic on the Teeming Millions Home Page, for anyone who’s interested! \ -M’lady Melin ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 1999, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-witnessing/1773/52 "1999-07-26T21:05:00Z")
This has piqued MY interest, Melin; I visited the Teeming Millions Home Page briefly, but I don’t know how to navigate on it and didn’t see anything with your name or UserName on it. Can you please leave something on this message board to tell how to get there and what to look for there? Thanks very much. 🙂 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 1999, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-witnessing/1773/53 "1999-07-27T01:22:00Z")
[http://fathom.org/teemingmillions/profiles](http://fathom.org/teemingmillions/profiles) -Melin ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 1999, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-witnessing/1773/54 "1999-07-27T01:23:00Z")
Damn! Forgot the slash mark! [http://fathom.org/teemingmillions/profiles](http://fathom.org/teemingmillions/profiles) There, that oughta do it. -Melin ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 1999, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-witnessing/1773/55 "1999-07-29T21:11:00Z")
Thanks, Melin. I saw it. you’re quite sexy. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 1999, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-witnessing/1773/56 "1999-07-30T06:34:00Z")
Woo hoo! Thank you! ::blushing:: -Melin ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 1999, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-witnessing/1773/57 "1999-07-30T14:37:00Z")
Anyone think Stoidela is really Rhyannan? She’s probably not reading the thread anymore, but if she is, here’s a personal message: Stoidela, write these words on the doorposts of your house, and wear them before your eyes: “MELIN IS RIGHT.” Speak them when you lie down and when you rise up. And because Melin probably assumed you can add two and two, she didn’t give specific examples of laws that exist to keep people from bothering one another, but I’ll give you some examples, because I’m running early, and don’t have to leave for work for a half an hour. Noise ordinances Laws against pissing on the sidewalk Laws against public drunkenness Litter laws Laws against skateboarding and biking on city sidewalks Public indecency laws The law that says I have to pick up the crap if my dog takes a dump in the city And though Melin is quite right that the SDMB is not a branch of the government, and doesn’t have to assure you free speech, don’t forget anyway that the preamble to the Constitution says it will “ensure domestic tranquility, [and] promote the general welfare…” And if telling Adam to keep it where we can find it if we want it doesn’t “promote the general welfare,” then I don’t know what does. –Rowan Gotta love the Pit [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-witnessing/1773.md?page=2)