(Florida Supreme) Court Says Pregnant Pigs Amendment Can Go on the Ballot

FoxNews.com ^ | 1/17/02 | Associated Press

[Jean S]

A petition drive to make it unconstitutional in Florida to cage pregnant pigs in small crates can go on the ballot in November, the state Supreme Court ruled unanimously Thursday.

But three of the seven justices gave the green light to the proposal reluctantly.

[l8pilot]

Did you forget to add this to the humor category? Barf alert? How 'bout News of the Weird? You can tell us this is a joke. Really you can!

[Jean S]

Sorry about the omitted barf alert.

These were the same people who thought they should decide the presidential election!

[grellis]

One would think that more pressing issues would be up for consideration by a state supreme court...and then one would be reminded that this is the Florida Supreme Court.

[Mulder]

Idiots. This has no business being in the Constitution of any state.

[Dan from Michigan]

Makes me thankful for Markman, Taylor, Young, and Corrigan.

[Rubber Duckie]

Has any good farmer ever explained to these head cases that the reason pregnant sows are tethered caged so they can't move about freely is that they have a strong tendancy to roll and wallow around causing a very high casualty rate to their litters?

During pregnancy, they also are extremely irritable and dangerous, not only to their fetusus but to themselves and to their handlers. A sow left to wallow at will can injure herself, her unborn and her owners. They've been known to tear down fences and attack animals twice their size-- including two-legged ones.

Yes, little piggies raised as pets may not have such pronounced tendancies. But the bulk of confined PG sows are on commercial operations-- they are huge and produce huge litters. City guys who have dealt with a spouse or girlfriend with an extreme case of PMS have only the faintest idea.

Sows can also have extreme difficulty birthing. A cage or grillwork between them and the handler is not only an important aid, but an important protection when the piglets must be pulled out with forceps.

Pig penises are shaped like corkscrews. An old farm joke is "Why do pigs have so much trouble giving birth?" Answer: "They're screwed in."

[Cicero]

Everything you always wanted to know about sows but were afraid to ask.

Every day you learn something new. Thanks.

[PatrickHenry]

I was going to post this, but you beat me to it. Here's a link where the opinion of the Florida Supreme Court can be found (it can be read as an Acrobat file or downloaded in Zip format): Supreme Court of Florida.

It's an odd site. When you click on that link you'll get to a page where you have to click on "flcourts.org," then click in the margin on "Opinions and Rules," then under "Opinions" click on "Supreme Court" and at last you will find the right page. Just scroll down until you find this Opinion Released January 17, 2002 , and right under it is the link to the opinion: "SC01-1367 Advisory Opinion to the Attorney General Re: Limiting Cruel and Inhuman Confinement of Pigs During Pregnancy". The whole thing is there, in all its insanity.

[VadeRetro]

Is Rosie O'D preggers?

[PatrickHenry]

Is Rosie O'D preggers?

Or perhaps Janet Reno? You dated them, you find out.

[VadeRetro]

I was much too overawed to actually approach Janet Reno, you silly boy. I just sort of fantasize with her.

[abandon]

This has no business being in the Constitution of any state.

Then it will be voted down.

[PatrickHenry]

Then it will be voted down.

I hope so, but I wouldn't bet on it.

[longshadow]

I suppose when the proponents of this measure heard the Court's ruling, they "squealed" with delight....

[baxter999]

I agree that you can never count on the voters to have any sense. (President Clinton served two terms) Here in Utah, we recognized that the animal terrorists might try some kind of limiting law on hunting and passed our own referendum that any outlawing of fishing or hunting requires a super-majority. This effectively ended any chance for the nuts to limit things like bear or cougar hunts. Maybe each state needs to pass a similar provision regarding farming?