diplomatic immunity

     "Diplomatic immunity" is one in a list of terms misunderstood by the average barroom philosopher. They trot out this phrase to assert that a foreign diplomat, or even a foreign citizen, cannot be arrested for a crime or misdemeanor. Not so. "Diplomatic immunity" means a diplomat --carrying diplomatic papers--cannot be shot as a spy if caught behind enemy lines during wartime. Any other person not in military uniform may traditionally be shot as a spy. So diplomatic immunity won't really help with that parking ticket.