• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Minnesota House Approves Gay Marriage, 75-59

Re: Minn. House Approves Gay Marriage, 75-59

I remember some one telling the midwest was shifted further west.

As a result of America's changing definition of the "frontier" and such, yes. However, the change, as far as I know, was long ago.
 
Re: Minn. House Approves Gay Marriage, 75-59

As a result of America's changing definition of the "frontier" and such, yes. However, the change, as far as I know, was long ago.

Where was I? Dang am I that old. Did someone mention the old Northwest Frontier?
 
Re: Minn. House Approves Gay Marriage, 75-59

Where was I? Dang am I that old. Did someone mention the old Northwest Frontier?

Ever since I was growing up we were labeled "plains state" or "midwest" or "upper midwest."
 
Re: Minn. House Approves Gay Marriage, 75-59

Ever since I was growing up we were labeled "plains state" or "midwest" or "upper midwest."

I always viewed North Dakota as being part of the plain states. Oh well, live and learn.
 
Re: Minn. House Approves Gay Marriage, 75-59

Anyway, good for Minnesota!
 
Re: Minn. House Approves Gay Marriage, 75-59

First cousin marriage is already legal in quite a few states. Including Alabama, which surprises nobody. :D

However, I've yet to see any call for expanding such a thing. I don't think it's comparable and I really don't see it happening.

From what I understand, though, you're right about the genetic issues between first cousins being minimal. The problems only really occur in sibling or child/parent couplings, and even then I think it's only really problematic when done over several generations. (which those..types.. seem to be prone to) But hey, that's for them sciencey types to figure out.

I think it is most likely to happen pretty quietly. I can see it being like inmate marriage laws (Turner v Safley) or child support marriage laws (Zablocki v Redhail) where pretty much very few even care about it. It will likely be a court challenge that just keeps working its way up til it reaches the court and the state isn't able to give a sufficient enough reason for it actually furthering a state interest, or the SCOTUS simply decides that the reasoning isn't good enough to restrict such unions. I don't see a lot of hoopla happening over such a decision, certainly not as much as we have been seeing over same sex marriage.

First cousins having offspring (even the first generation) do have an increased risk of genetic problems. The average couple having children is about 2% risk, while first cousins have about a 4% risk. This isn't that big of a risk and is about the same that is seen with older mothers. Now, second generation first cousins and some other relatives (aunts/uncles with nieces/nephews) have a higher risk increase. Then siblings and parent/child have a first generation increase to about 40% for their children to have genetic problems.

(I found this on a site, but I can't seem to find it again. I will continue looking for it and post what I can find. I know there are a lot of places that show a small risk increase though for first cousins, first generation incest.)

Plus, with first cousins the state can't logically claim in the US a high probability of undue influence since the majority of Americans are not raised with their cousins (I am actually a rarity here because I was raised within the same town, many times within walking distance if not in the house or backyard, of all but two of my first cousins (which made it 7 of my first cousins), I consider them as close as siblings). There are some families in the US where the children don't even know their cousins or even of them.
 
Back
Top Bottom