AR-News: Tulsa World- The Voters Win on Cockfight Ban

[Political Animal]

Tulsa World

The voters win 
By World's Editorial Writers 
4/1/2004 

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High court upholds cockfighting ban 
It took a long two years, but the Oklahoma Supreme
Court has finally issued a ruling upholding the
constitutionality of the ban on cockfighting
overwhelmingly endorsed in November 2002 by Oklahoma
voters. 

By a unanimous vote of seven justices, with two
sitting out, the court rejected the cockfighters'
claims that the ban is unconstitutionally vague and
unfairly deprives them of their property. 

"The act is a proper exercise of the police power,
enacted by the electorate through the initiative
process by virtue of its reserved legislative power,"
the opinion said. 

The decision is a victory not only for Oklahoma voters
and the initiative petition process, but for the
entire state. This ugly stigma that has plagued the
state for years will soon, barring any bizarre
developments such as some misguided action by the
Legislature, be a thing of the past. 


 
 
 
The cockfighters' legislative champion, Sen. Frank
Shurden, D-Henryetta, says he still is attempting to
push some watered-down version of the law -- probably
either a county-option measure or reduced penalties --
that will allow this abomination to continue. But
apparently he has not yet received much support from
his fellow lawmakers, who maybe are smart enough to
have figured out that letting the vote of the people
stand is the best course. 

Oklahoma was one of only three states that still
allowed cockfighting and moves are under way in the
other two -- New Mexico and Louisiana -- to ban the
practice. Ironically, on the same day the Oklahoma
Supreme Court announced its decision, a poll was
released in Louisiana, showing citizens there favor a
ban by a whopping 82-12 margin. 

And, a federal measure that would make interstate
transportation of fighting birds and implements a
felony is gaining momentum. Clearly, Americans do not
want to be known as a country that promotes, or even
tolerates, animal fighting. 

The Supreme Court has done the right thing. Now, if
the Legislature follows suit, Oklahoma soon can close
the book on this awful chapter of its history. 



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