Originally Posted by
AA_EXP09
Not exactly...
Interpretation can be backed up by referencing a text, and taking a portion of the text into context of the entire text.
(this was very much the case for essay writing and reading comprehension.)
Legal/statutory interpretation ≠ essay writing and general rules of reading comprehension.
As Dr. HFH rightly points out, barring unusual circumstances, or patent ambiguity, words mean what they say, and say what they mean, without the need to (or indeed the allowance of) resorting to legislative history or other possible red herrings.
Yes, context is important, but again, it doesn't take precedence over the simple plain meaning.