Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2004 20:38:31 -0500
From: dan combs <dcombs-AT-bloomington.in.us>
Subject: Squatters Rights


At 08:03 PM 8/22/2004, ninetyone andy wrote:

>And at 51 years of age, I claim age-related seniority
>being 4th oldest [??] after Dave Coull, Goat and Bart.

November 26, 1952.


>The Lorax from New Zealand was also an Andy with prior
>claim to the title.

But he does have a squatters claim to "Lorax."  Believe it or not, since 
Lorax explained to me, I show the cartoon video "The Lorax" to my World 
Geography I classes.   The kids have to dissect it on geographical, 
economic and environmental grounds.   I know all of the words to the songs 
now too.

Back to Lorax having a "Squatters claim."    "Squatters rights" is a fairly 
common phrase over here on this side of the pond in mainstream 
language.  It basically means "Possession IS the law."   This is all kind 
of odd as the US does whatever it can to dissuade squatting except maybe in 
Portland, Oregon, but the term is almost universally recognized for its 
meaning.

Of course right now we on the -AT--list would most likely all recognize the 
concept of "Squatters rights" as we are talking about the homes of people 
who squat.  Is there any general philosophical work out there that defends 
this position?


carp