Let's discuss Mann II

[jmowreader]

James Robert Mann was a Republican congressman from Chicago from 1897 to 1922, dying in office. Much of his work was progressive in nature--he introduced the Pure Food and Drugs Act into Congress and fought for an amendment to the Constitution to guarantee women's suffrage.

He is best known for his 1910 act "The White Slave Traffic Act," better known as the Mann Act. This law originally was designed to prohibit the interstate movement of underage prostitutes, but was later expanded by the courts to ban all crossing of state lines for sex--and was used to persecute high-profile black males like Chuck Berry and Jack Johnson.

Enough of old laws. Let's discuss the current atrocity: Bush's number-one legislative priority for this session is passing a law barring anyone except a parent from transporting a minor across a state line for an abortion.

The Republicans say this law is their "test" of whether Democratic moves toward "softening" our stance on abortion are genuine. Mmm...I'd say we'll go even further to the left on this one.

[AnnInLa]

1. All of these "little" tests have one purpose,

and one purpose only....they are all nibbles at a Woman's Right to Choose. You can nibble something to death.

[lapfog_1]

2. So, if they pass this

what would prevent a group from doing the following...

Drive minor to state line (but 100 yards short), minor
jumps from car, walks across state line, minor picked
up and given ride to have abortion by someone in the other state?

With the internet and cell phones, this should be easy to arrange.

Just wondering.

[AnnInLa]

3. Cool idea...

I'll volunteer for that project.

Nibbles

[jmowreader]

4. There's probably something about "conspiracy" in there

If that little act doesn't qualify as "conspiracy to violate Mann II" then nothing does.

It is a good idea, though.