Posted on 11/15/2004 11:21:00 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
WASHINGTON - No cockfighting in Oklahoma, the Supreme Court says.
The justices turned down an appeal Monday from cockfighting supporters, who have lost at the ballot box and in courts.
Oklahoma voters in 2002 approved a ban on the blood sport, in which knives or cutting barbs are attached to roosters, which usually fight to the death.
The Oklahoma Supreme Court upheld voters' decision earlier this year, prompting the appeal to the Supreme Court. Justices rejected it without comment.
Attorney Larry Oliver, in filings at the court, said that the law was so vague that people could be arrested for watching blue jays fight in their back yard.
"All birds fight by nature," he wrote. "This Oklahoma statute was drafted by radical animal rights people who exacted a constitutional overkill in their pursuit to ban everything associated with cockfighting."
When voters approved the anti-cockfighting law, Oklahoma was one of three states that permitted the sport. Louisiana and New Mexico still allow it.
Under the Oklahoma law, participants in cockfights and raising birds for fighting could face up to 10 years in jail and $25,000 fines. Spectators can be charged with misdemeanors.
Sherry Todd, an assistant attorney general in Oklahoma, told justices: "The right to conduct cockfights is not a fundamental right. In fact, the federal government and 48 states have enacted some form of law prohibiting cockfighting."
Todd also said that the law "does not criminalize the enjoyment and/or observation of the natural activities of birds in their natural habitat."
The case is Tally v. Oklahoma, 04-329.
Hey, I thought the rule was "What happens in the judges'chambers, STAYS in the judges' chambers!!!"
It's not the size of the cock in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the cock.
We need a good USC reference on a cockfighting thread...
}:-)4
The supreme court did what they should do in most cases. Not hear the freaking case because it's a state issue.
In any case, if you have to fight, it's less painful to use your fists.
What do Trojans have to do with cockfighting?
We need a good USC reference on a cockfighting thread...
..."You can't beat our Cocks!"
...yeah, yeah, I know, you're talking South Carolina, but humor me...
I did but it won.
Well.......my cock has never been beaten!
Let the cocks decide if they want to fight or not!!!!
THUNDERDOME: Two cocks enter, one cock leaves.
If you can't run with the big cocks, stay on the porch.
What do they call it when female chickens fight?
BTTT!!!!!!!
WOW!!!!!
Is this FReerepublic?
Rule #1 No Viagra!!!!
Chickens have a right to fight.
My grandfather used to raise game roosters. One day when he was away from home a wind storm blew the roof off of ten of his coops. He returned to eight dead cocks and the other two were injured beyond recovery. Must have been a hell of a fight.
I think Moose4 meant Univ. of South Carolina not Southern Cali. Although Trojans are fitting, after all you would want to protect your cock when fighting.
Maybe so, but that would be boring. Who'd pay to watch that?
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