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November 21, 2006
Big love
I think consenting adults should be allowed to do whatever they want as long as they don't infringe on the ability of others to do the same.
This basic tenet of mine puts me way out of step with a lot of Americans..especially social conservatives. And in case you're wondering, I don't lose sleep at night worrying about being out of step with this group.
This also makes me rather agnostic on the topic of polygamy, which seems to be getting its share of play lately.
In recent months, polygamy activists have held rallies, appeared on nationally televised news shows and lobbied legislators. Before the Nov. 7 elections, one pro-polygamy group issued a six-page analysis of all Utah's state and local candidates and their views on polygamy. "We can make a difference," the group told supporters.The efforts of Valerie and scores of others like her are paying off. Utah's attorney general, Mark L. Shurtleff, no longer prosecutes bigamy between consenting adults, though it is a felony. Shurtleff and his staff have established an organization, Safety Net, to bring together at monthly meetings representatives from at least five polygamous communities and law enforcement officers. He has arranged to have representatives of polygamous groups address Utah police. And three years ago, he wrote legislation to reduce bigamy between adults from a felony to a misdemeanor, although pressure from Utah's county attorneys derailed that.
In an interview, Shurtleff, a tall man who favors roomy suits and dark green shirts, said his office now treats bigamy between consenting adults much like fornication or adultery, laws about which are still on Utah's books.
I think Shurtleff is doing the right thing here.
I do have a caveat on this topic, however. I haven't moved from the "agonostic" camp to the "supporter" camp because bigamy/polygamy seems to bring with it forced and underaged marriage. I think before it can be fully legalized, there has to be a full and vigorous prosecution and punishment for those who compel marriage or those who marry underaged individuals.
I draw the line at CONSENTING ADULTS. And until the law really goes after those who don't..this can't be legal, in my opinion.
Posted by Carla at November 21, 2006 03:20 PM