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Zeeb · Jul 10, 2008, 09:08 AM

Two women may be prosecuted if they get married to each other in California. An old law dating back to 1915 states that couples who leave the state to a get a marriage in another state which would be illegal in Wisconsin are subject to 9 years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine when they return. Of course, there are plenty of oddbal laws that have been on the books for years which remain but are no longer enforced. However, a Wisconsin prosecutor says she intends to actually enforce this law and send these women to jail.

Of course, I have a feeling there is a bit of manipulation over this from both sides and I'd be surprised if a prison term or fine ever comes of this -- but its interesting. If the prosecutor did go through with it, what a nationwide storm this would cause in an election year.

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/....sex.jail.wkow

Dakar the Fourth · Jul 10, 2008, 09:29 AM

Sounds like someone is trying to get some face time.

BRussell · Jul 10, 2008, 09:29 AM

It's hard to imagine a worse PR move by people opposed to gay marriage.

Dork. · Jul 10, 2008, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by Zeeb

If the prosecutor did go through with it, what a nationwide storm this would cause in an election year.

Exactly. I'm convinced that Bush won the 2004 election because of the backlash against Gay Marriage back then. I was expecting the pot to be stirred more this year, on both sides....

stupendousman · Jul 10, 2008, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by BRussell

It's hard to imagine a worse PR move by people opposed to gay marriage.

I think that most people opposed to gay marriage would actually agree with that sentiment as well. Jail time for doing something out-of-state that's legal there? Crazy talk.

Uncle Doof · Jul 10, 2008, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by stupendousman

I think that most people opposed to gay marriage would actually agree with that sentiment as well. Jail time for doing something out-of-state that's legal there? Crazy talk.

Crazy talk? Standard M.O.

There's three British guys sitting in a Texas prison right now for carrying out essentially legal business activities in the UK whilst working for a UK company. Like I've being saying for a while, the US "system" has a bit of a problem with jurisdiction boundaries.

paul w · Jul 10, 2008, 11:47 AM

Please explain why this particular victimless crime merits jailtime, not to mention the state's time and money to prosecute.

Dork. · Jul 10, 2008, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by Uncle Doof

Crazy talk? Standard M.O.

There's three British guys sitting in a Texas prison right now for carrying out essentially legal business activities in the UK whilst working for a UK company. Like I've being saying for a while, the US "system" has a bit of a problem with jurisdiction boundaries.

"Essentially" legal? Is that like only being "a little bit" pregnant?

Dork. · Jul 10, 2008, 11:48 AM

Originally Posted by paul w

Please explain why this particular victimless crime merits jailtime, not to mention the state's time and money to prosecute.

Because it will further the career of the prosecutor in conservative circles, that's why.

Uncle Doof · Jul 10, 2008, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by Dork.

"Essentially" legal? Is that like only being "a little bit" pregnant?

"Essentially legal" as in: UK courts couldn't find any evidence that the blokes had committed a crime, since they hadn't actually done so. But the UK powers that be still wanted these guys strung up, so handed them over to the US on a paper-thin extradition warrant.

paul w · Jul 10, 2008, 11:55 AM

Heh, reverse rendition.

turtle777 · Jul 10, 2008, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by Uncle Doof

"Essentially legal" as in: UK courts couldn't find any evidence that the blokes had committed a crime, since they hadn't actually done so. But the UK powers that be still wanted these guys strung up, so handed them over to the US on a paper-thin extradition warrant.

So, who's the bad guy here, the UK or the US ?

-t

Uncle Doof · Jul 10, 2008, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by turtle777

So, who's the bad guy here, the UK or the US ?

The US for being a bunch of tools who don't know where their jurisdiction ends (as per the reason for this little story and it relating to the thread topic) and the UK for being a bunch of pansies and giving the blokes up. Both equally crap.

Uncle Skeleton · Jul 10, 2008, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by turtle777

So, who's the bad guy here, the UK or the US ?

-t

The gays of course

ThinkInsane · Jul 10, 2008, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by Uncle Doof

The US for being a bunch of tools who don't know where their jurisdiction ends (as per the reason for this little story and it relating to the thread topic) and the UK for being a bunch of pansies and giving the blokes up. Both equally crap.

Do you have a link to the story? Your discription isn't ringing any bells and I'm curious as to exactly what it is they did/didn't do.

Uncle Doof · Jul 10, 2008, 07:10 PM

Originally Posted by ThinkInsane

Do you have a link to the story? Your discription isn't ringing any bells and I'm curious as to exactly what it is they did/didn't do.

Natwest Three.