The importance of paper

Boston Globe article on the indictment of the hutaree militia.  http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2010/04/03/8_militia_suspects_to_remain_locked_up/

"[Defense Attorney James] Thomas said the charges are serious, but 'the indictment is nothing more than a piece of paper.'"

This.  Is.  Ridiculous.  This statement utterly stuns me.  Let's review what is a piece of paper:
The Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, nutrional facts, magazines, newspapers, movie scripts, a price tag, peace treaties, marriage licenses, prepared statements, picket signs, checks, a "pink slip," ANY BOOK, maps, fire safety manuals, workers' rights posters, mortgages, the U.S. Census, voting ballots, birth certificates, Colonial Charters, the Magna Carta, The Rights of Man, and, of course, pretty much everything the U.S. court system does (from local courts to the U.S. Supreme Court).  Our entire Civilization is based, really, on the strength of paper.

I can't figure out how to expand on this idea besides saying: without laws written on paper (or anything else one can write on in a way that is permanent), there is only rule by force.  Which would mean we'd have no need for courts.  Which would mean James Thomas would be out of a job.  Which I guess wouldn't be so bad.

I'm going to go Cato here.  Even to go so far as to edit previous posts.  Ready?

James Thomas must be disbarred!