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US federal judge declares boating illegal in all US navigable waters
International Boat Industry ^ | 091406 | IBI Magazine

Posted on 09/15/2006 8:09:05 AM PDT by AdAstraPerArdua

In a rather bizarre ruling that has marine industry officials worried, Judge Robert G. James of the United States District Court, Western Division of Louisiana, has said that it is criminal trespass for the American boating public to boat, fish, or hunt on the Mississippi River and other navigable waters in the US.

In the case of Normal Parm v. Sheriff Mark Shumate, James ruled that federal law grants exclusive and private control over the waters of the river, outside the main shipping channel, to riparian landowners. The shallows of the navigable waters are no longer open to the public. That, in effect, makes boating illegal across most of the country.

"Even though this action seems like a horrible pre-April fools joke, it is very serious," said Phil Keeter, MRAA president, in a statement. "Because essentially all the waters and waterways of our country are considered navigable in the US law, this ruling declares recreational boating, water skiing, fishing, waterfowl hunting, and fishing tournaments to be illegal and the public subject to jail sentences for recreating with their families."

Last month, James rejected the findings of the Magistrate judge who found earlier that the American public had the right under federal law and Louisiana law to navigate, boat, fish, and hunt on the waters of the Mississippi river up to the normal high water line of the river. Judge James Kirk relied on the long established federal principles of navigation that recognized the public navigational rights "…entitles the public to the reasonable use of navigable waters for all legitimate purposes of travel or transportation, for boating, sailing for pleasure, as well as for carrying persons or property for hire, and in any kind of watercraft the use of which is consistent with others also enjoying the right possessed in common."

"MRAA is working with the Coast Guard, state boating law administrators, and NMMA to fight this onerous ruling," said Glen Mazzella, MRAA chairman, in the statement.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Front Page News; Government; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Unclassified
KEYWORDS: blackrobedthugs; blackrobedtyrant; blackrobedtyrants; donutwatch; fiat; govwatch; jackbootedthug; jbt; judgislators; judicialactivism; libertarians; notfromtheonion; propertyrights; rfe; scotus; stenchfromthebench; stringhimup; totalitarianism
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1 posted on 09/15/2006 8:09:06 AM PDT by AdAstraPerArdua
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To: AdAstraPerArdua

I was going to buy a new boat, but I'm not sure now! :(


2 posted on 09/15/2006 8:10:21 AM PDT by AdAstraPerArdua
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To: AdAstraPerArdua

The nightmare continues......


3 posted on 09/15/2006 8:11:19 AM PDT by Fighting Irish (Béagán agus a rá go maith)
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To: AdAstraPerArdua

A Carter or a Clintoon judge?


4 posted on 09/15/2006 8:11:26 AM PDT by Prince Charles
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To: AdAstraPerArdua

Somehow I doubt I'll face arrest for taking my boat out on the lake.


5 posted on 09/15/2006 8:11:31 AM PDT by cripplecreek (If stupidity got us into this mess, then why can't it get us out?)
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To: AdAstraPerArdua

The Clintons,Kerrys and Cronkites are OUTRAGED! No more yachting off of Martha's Vineyard?


6 posted on 09/15/2006 8:11:50 AM PDT by Gay State Conservative ("An empty limousine pulled up and Hillary Clinton got out")
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To: AdAstraPerArdua; xzins; blue-duncan; jude24

Ok Judge, you've made your ruling. Now try to enforce it.


7 posted on 09/15/2006 8:11:59 AM PDT by P-Marlowe (((172 * 3.141592653589793238462) / 180) * 10 = 30.0196631)
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To: AdAstraPerArdua

I won't write here what should happen to judges like this, but I can think it.

The judiciary in this nation is going nuts.


8 posted on 09/15/2006 8:12:30 AM PDT by DoughtyOne (Victory will never be achieved while defining Conservatism downward, and forsaking it's heritage.)
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Ping for later......this is unbelievable.


9 posted on 09/15/2006 8:14:11 AM PDT by getsoutalive
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To: P-Marlowe
The problem is, those whose responsibility it is to enforce the laws on the books, are required to enforce this ruling. This places law enforcement agencies in an untenable situation.
10 posted on 09/15/2006 8:14:32 AM PDT by DoughtyOne (Victory will never be achieved while defining Conservatism downward, and forsaking it's heritage.)
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To: AdAstraPerArdua

Think of all the gas it will save.


11 posted on 09/15/2006 8:14:39 AM PDT by Racer1
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To: AdAstraPerArdua; xzins; blue-duncan; jude24
James, Robert Gillespie
Born 1946 in Ruston, LA

Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U. S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana
Nominated by William J. Clinton on January 27, 1998, to a seat vacated by John M. Shaw; Confirmed by the Senate on July 31, 1998, and received commission on August 3, 1998.

Education:
Louisiana Tech University, B.A., 1968

Louisiana State University Law School, J.D., 1971

Professional Career:
Private practice, Ruston, Louisiana, 1971-1998
Business law instructor, Louisiana Tech University, 1992-1998
Judge, Ruston City Court, Louisiana, 1985-1998


Race or Ethnicity: White

Gender: Male

12 posted on 09/15/2006 8:15:12 AM PDT by P-Marlowe (((172 * 3.141592653589793238462) / 180) * 10 = 30.0196631)
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To: AdAstraPerArdua
FYI:

Judge James Robertson

Judge Robertson was appointed United States District Judge in
December 1994. He graduated from Princeton University in 1959
and received an LL.B. from George Washington University Law School
in 1965 after serving in the U.S. Navy.

13 posted on 09/15/2006 8:15:24 AM PDT by Robe (Rome did not create a great empire by talking, they did it by killing all those who opposed them)
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To: Prince Charles

>>A Carter or a Clintoon judge?

"In 1998, the vacancy created by the assumption of senior status of Judge Shaw was filled by Robert G. James. Judge James serves as a district judge in the Monroe Division at this time."

That would be the 'Toon.

From here:

http://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/USDC/WDLAHIST-06.html


14 posted on 09/15/2006 8:15:25 AM PDT by FreedomPoster (Guns themselves are fairly robust; their chief enemies are rust and politicians) (NRA)
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To: AdAstraPerArdua

I think I just heard Huckleberry Finn laugh out loud.


15 posted on 09/15/2006 8:15:37 AM PDT by Liberty Valance (Keep a simple manner for a happy life)
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To: AdAstraPerArdua
In a rather bizarre ruling that has marine industry officials worried, Judge Robert G. James of the United States District Court, Western Division of Louisiana, has said that it is criminal trespass for the American boating public to boat, fish, or hunt on the Mississippi River and other navigable waters in the US.

Who's going to enfore this again?

16 posted on 09/15/2006 8:16:20 AM PDT by Centurion2000 (Property tax is feudalism. Income taxes are armed robbery of the minority by the majority.)
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To: DoughtyOne; xzins; blue-duncan
The problem is, those whose responsibility it is to enforce the laws on the books, are required to enforce this ruling. This places law enforcement agencies in an untenable situation.

No they are not. We don't enforce immigration laws.

17 posted on 09/15/2006 8:16:31 AM PDT by P-Marlowe (((172 * 3.141592653589793238462) / 180) * 10 = 30.0196631)
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To: Prince Charles

A Clinton appointee, 1998:

http://tinyurl.com/mwbkz


18 posted on 09/15/2006 8:16:57 AM PDT by Diddle E. Squat
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To: AdAstraPerArdua

Sometimes I feel like I'm living in an alternative universe. This is insane.


19 posted on 09/15/2006 8:17:10 AM PDT by reagan_fanatic (You've been zotted, sucka.)
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To: AdAstraPerArdua

20 posted on 09/15/2006 8:18:06 AM PDT by Liberal Classic (No better friend, no worse enemy. Semper Fi.)
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