From: MarkLFischer at aol.com
Date: Sun, 13 Mar 2005 12:53:08 EST
Subject: [WSFA] Public Transportation and Other Outrages
To: WSFAlist at WSFA.org
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at WSFA.org>

In a message dated 3/13/2005 4:50:23 AM Eastern  Standard Time,
kfl at KeithLynch.net writes:
>> In a society where you  can't know everyone personally, but where
>> there is need to be able  to individually identify people at times,
>> some form of  identification is going to be mandatory in many
>>  instances.
>
>How did people do it before there were drivers  licenses?  And how
>have I managed to do without any such ID?   (Well, ok, I do have an
>expired passport, but I've only used it for  international travel.)

Unless you're operating a motor vehicle or trying to get aboard a  commercial
aircraft or train, I believe the law only requires that you identify
yourself to a police officer on demand, not that you provide  documentation.  The
ACLU website has some handy educational material on the  subject.  As long as you
don't lie to the cops, they don't *legally* have a  complaint.

Of course, the police officer may have different ideas on the  subject.  You
may be subjected to some inconvenience and discomfort to  prove your point.

Firearms are another example of the same principle.  Here in Virginia,  no
permit is required to carry a firearm unconcealed (certain restrictions  apply),
but unless you're in an area like Richmond that has been "broken in" by
activists who do it all the time, be prepared to deal with panicky citizens and
cops.  I usually leave the heat at home, since I rarely have the time to  waste
sitting in holding cells or filling out paperwork to get my property back,
and many of my destinations are either in places where I can't legally carry,
like Maryland or DC, or my hosts would object, like the Gillilands.

We live in remote suburbs, and Robin commutes to DC every weekday.   She used
to drive, and was forced onto the local public transportation options  when
her car broke down.  It took a bit longer, but she found it so much  easier and
less stressful that she kept on riding the bus even after the car was
repaired.  Now, we won't consider living in an area that doesn't have good  commuter
transit links, whether bus or train.

Mark