If an old law is still on the books, does it's age lessen it's validity?

Question

"I swear to uphold the constitution." George W

FISA -
"that law was written in 1976, this is 2005!" George W

Answer 1

Everything that is still in the books should be valid. If it's not then we need to update our books.

Answer 2

I am not sure

It is ilegal to drag a dead horse Hwy 11 on a Sunday ( was this a problem at one point ?)

It is ilegal to walk to slowly on the sidewalks of Toronto (again - was this an issue at one point?)

It is ilegal for a man to buy a hat without his wife's permison -- Huh ?

" A car must be securely tied or penned so as to not present a danger to others " -- That one at least I can explain - when the laws were changed from horses and carriages to "cars" the law makers only recieved permison to change the word horse to car - no more no less

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Now I know , that you were being serious about the Constitution of the United States -

but I chose to answer a literal question about old laws - hope thats ok It is christmas and although I am a heathen - I won't participate in partisan politics today -

But I do - hope that age does lessen some of the old laws

I have my eye on this hat my wife hates and this dead horse that needs dragging down Hwy 11 and I really want my car to be free to roam

Answer 3

Sometimes but the test of age actually gives it more relevance. I do know of some older laws that are not being followed, however. A prime example are the mining laws concerning mining claims. The law requires approval of mining in no more then 90 days and allows mitigations but the US Forest Service routinely takes years to approve mining claims and if the miners follow the law and start mining their claim, they are prosecuted under a newer and conflicting law (although BOTH could be followed) if the desire was there in the USFS).

Answer 4

The original FISA law you cite was limited to eavesdropping on foreigners.

FISA has been rewritten and the new versions with retroactive amnesty for telecom employees who are guilty of felonies makes the original look like a pussy cat compared to a tiger.

As I write a new FISA revision that is truly scary is coming our way. Personally, I'd rather have the original version.

Answer 5

When the Federal Congress and/or the several Statutory Government Bodies, pass legislation into law, it may not be severed unless it is found unconstitutional by Statutory Supreme Courts or the United States Supreme Court, or repealed, or ammended, by it's passing entity.

Answer 6

George W thinks that he is above the law

Answer 7

There are a lot of old old laws still on the books that aren't upheld. You can even find books that list a ton of them

Answer 8

Some laws no longer make sense, like those who used to prohibit interracial marriage. Others like laws against murder will always make sense.

Answer 9

In some cases, yes.