Wal-Mart and Rule #10

Scouring the world of news today, I ran across this little gem (via that source for all that is thoughtful, inane, and pornographic, Fark.com):

CENTRAL POINT, Ore. — Incorrect postage has cost Wal-Mart a challenge to a state Land Use Board of Appeals decision backing the city's denial of plans for a new 207,000-square-foot store.

Attorneys for Wal-Mart submitted their appeal to the Oregon Court of Appeals in Salem on July 1, dangerously close to the 21-day deadline for appealing the June 9 decision by the board.

While Wal-Mart filed the appeal with the court via certified mail, copies were sent to the city of Central Point and the citizens group Central Point First using regular first-class postage.

A court records spokeswoman, who did not give her name, told the Mail Tribune newspaper in Medford the case had been dismissed because the notice of appeal was "not considered to have been timely filed."

As I am not a fan of the Big "W", I can only offer a perfunctory "HA! HA!"

More importantly, however, it illustrates the principle of Bureaucratic Rule #10:

Bad, stupid policy decisions can be stymied by the rigorous and exacting application of the Law.

On the other hand,

Good, reasonable policy decisions can be stymied by the rigorous and exacting application of the Law.

Or, as synthesized

The rigorous and exacting application of the Law is to the benefit of society when used correctly to advance good policy and block bad, and the bane of society when used incorrectly to advance bad policy and block good.

In sum:

The Law is a harsh mistress.

Now assume the Legal position.